Page 20 of The Last Knight

“What about family? Were you ever able to see them again?”

He shook his head, a faraway look on his face. “No. I was captive for so long, they were all dead by the time I could travel.”

It was strange to sit there with a man who could snap his fingers and kill her, a man who ruled a dark kingdom of evil. And yet, despite the darkness that swirled around him, Aubrey was not afraid of him. In the deepest recesses of her being, she understood that he would never do anything to harm her.

“You said you saw me mentioned in a tome while Meliot still lived. Why do you think that was?”

He studied her, his gaze lingering on her face before falling to study her hands. “I believe because the magic knew you were to be someone that was to be an integral part of something that could affect the Dark Realm.” His left shoulder lifted and lowered. “And it could be that you hold magic within that has been dormant.”

“Ha,” Aubrey said shaking her head. “That I sincerely doubt. If I had magical abilities, they would have surfaced when I was involved in Padriag’s rescue. I was surrounded by magics and not once did I feel anything stirring.”

As if doing his best to be patient, Gunther sighed and looked up to the painting over the mantel. It was an original of her great-great-grandparents on her father’s side. She followed his line of sight, recalling that her departed grandmother had once possessed a magical dagger that had been instrumental in saving Padriag. Said object was also the reason why Gunther was now ruler of the Dark Realm.

She turned and looked at him. “Strange to be sitting here drinking wine with you, a man who rules an evil and dark realm. Almost like the devil.” Goosebumps formed on her arms at the thought. Was this man in fact more evil than good and pretending, doing his best to trick her into doing something foolish?

Some of her doubts lifted when he looked affronted by her words. His mouth opened, but it seemed he was at a loss for words. Then he cleared his throat and frowned. “I can see why you think that. It’s understandable.”

“Another question,” Aubrey began. “What exactly do you think will free you? And what would you do if freed?”

“Those are two questions,” Gunther clarified with a smirk. “I am certain you hold the key. Otherwise, why were you in Meliot’s book? I am not sure what I would do, or where I would go. The Dutch Republic is no more.”

Aubrey stood and walked to stand next to the fireplace. “I can’t help you. A part of me believes that you are sincere in wishing to be freed, to leave the other realm. However, there are too many reasons as to why I should not.”

As if measuring his movements, he stood to his full height, which she guessed to be perhaps six-four. Then, before she could stop him, he stood in front of her. He took her right hand in his and placed it flat on his chest over his heart. Solid chest, Aubrey considered, the steady thudding of his heart under her palm steady.

He met her gaze. “On my honor as a knight of King Wilhelm, I swear that I only wish to be freed. I will do no harm to you or others.”

When their gazes clashed, Aubrey searched the blue depths. Was he as honest as he appeared to be? A knight never violated an oath made. At the same time, the darkness within Gunther could push past any honor.

There was no evidence of anything other than sincerity and the darkening of his eyes was not evil, but something else. Desire.

Realizing how close she stood, with her palm flat against his muscular chest, Aubrey pulled her hand free. They stood so close, she could smell the woodsy aroma and something clean. She wanted to sniff to be sure, it smelled as if he’d used a very expensive shampoo or body wash.

Her wits were rattled, Aubrey thought as she moved away, turning to face the large windows that overlooked the back gardens. “I am not promising anything. But I will search through my grandparents’ things in the cellar. Perhaps there is something there. Although I do doubt it, so don’t get your hopes up.”

She turned to look at him. The man was gorgeous, which made him even more dangerous. It was impossible, at least for her, to not feel the pull of attraction.

“That is all I ask,” Gunther said, lowering and then lifting his gaze to meet hers. “Do not be afraid of me.”

Of course she was afraid of him. The man ruled a realm known for death and torture. It certainly would be foolish to let her guard down.

“I am not afraid, but uncertain of you,” Aubrey replied. “How can I not be?”

He moved closer, not stopping until she could easily reach out and touch him. He slid a glance sideways as if deciphering what to say. It was almost as if he was nervous, uncertain, like a teenager about to ask a girl for a first date.

She let out a huff, annoyed with herself. “What is it?”

Finally, he met her gaze. “Do you…er, are you in a relationship?”

Aubrey blinked in surprise at the question. “What?”

“I mean,” he quickly added, “it could make for complications.”

“Complications?” Aubrey let out a breath. Not waiting for him to say anything else, she quickly said, “I am not at this time, not that it any of your business.”

The corners of his lips inched up just a bit. “I am glad to hear it.”

Gunther leaned in and pressed a soft kiss to her lips. It was brief, teasing, just enough to make her breath catch and her body react. Whether it was meant to be romantic or not, he’d just lit a bonfire.