Page 46 of The Last Knight

The scribe’s expression didn’t change and when he delved into his mind, he saw only pictures of food. A large roast, potatoes and a steaming pot of soup. The man was obviously very hungry, or over the decades had grown adept at guarding his thoughts.

“Sire, I do not hide anything from you. May I ask a question?”

Gunther nodded.

The Scribe inhaled. “Have you allowed the darkness full rein? Is it your counsel now?”

Interesting that the man was not afraid to ask such a question. The prickling sensation grew stronger, and Gunther blew out an annoyed breath. “It is contained, but barely.”

“I see,” Phillippe frowned and slid a glance to the adjoining door that led to his study. “There is someone here. Someone from the other realm.”

“Esland?”

Phillippe shook his head. “No sire. From the other side. From Scotland.”

“Who is it?” he asked, although he already knew.

His stomach tightened and fear of what could happen threatened to surface. If it was Aubrey, could he defend her from the darkness, from the Torants and soon from the Yorian visitors?

“It is Aubrey,” Phillippe informed him. “She is very scared and not sure how she came to be here.”

His chest tightened. “Where is she?”

“In the study.”

At that moment the door opened, and four servants walked in with platters that were placed atop a long table. After, they stood lined up waiting to serve.

“We will serve ourselves,” Gunther said. “Leave now.”

There must have been a menace in his voice because they practically ran out of the room.

He took a deep breath and closed his eyes concentrating on the balance of good and evil inside him. It was evident that the darkness was the stronger of the two, however, he was still able to keep it at bay.

“Bring her in.”

When Phillippe turned to walk to the doorway, Gunther rushed after him. “No wait. I will fetch her.”

He opened the door to an empty space. Aubrey was in the room, but she hid. “Aubrey, it’s me.”

From behind heavy drapes her face appeared, wide eyes meeting his. Then she pushed the curtains aside and darted to him, tears streaming down her face.

She collided against him. “I am so scared. Please help me go home. I want to go home.”

The poor woman shook so hard that, when he wrapped his arms around her, he couldn’t still her and figure out what hard item was crushed into his lower chest.

“I-I was in the c-cellar and…and then I-I was here. I am s-so very sc-scared.”

Pressing his lips to her hair, Gunther whispered. “I am going to help you, but please calm down. There is no need to fret.”

Aubrey lifted her head and looked up to him, her brown eyes filled with so much hope. Even with a flushed face and eyelashes clumped with tears, she was breathtaking. In that instant a feeling like he’d never felt surged. He loved her and would protect this woman with his life.

“Are you hungry?” he asked. “There is food in my…er the throne room.”

She glanced to the slightly opened door. “Are those things in there?”

Unsure what she’d seen, he looked to the door, then recalled she’d never seen Torants and had probably caught sight of one.

“No. The only person in there is Phillippe, my scribe.”