Page 13 of An Unlikely Knight

“I am not sure.” It was Gavin who spoke again. “We believe so, but will wait to hear from Liam, who should be returning in a day or two at the most.”

John’s stricken expression revealed that he’d not been aware of what had been transpiring. “Why was I not told about this?” The tension in his voice brought everyone to exchange looks.

“I’m so sorry John,” Tammie said. “I thought Liam had told you.”

“I wasn’t aware of this Sterling’s invitation.” His emphasis on the prince’s name made Erin think that perhaps there was jealousy behind it.

“Sterling was not forthcoming with information about timing. We are speculating it has happened, we are not sure,” Tristan explained, his tone flat. It was obvious the man was used to leadership and not prone to sentimentalism.

Erin slid a look to Gwen who gave Tristan a pointed look before speaking. “I assure you John, Liam is not being deceitful. He honestly didn’t know when it would happen.”

Considering John’s tight lips, he wasn’t happy. He pushed books out to the three sisters and Erin. “I brought some of the books that pulled at me. For the last few days I’ve been evoking help from the goddesses to help us.”

“Do you have any questions for us?” Niall asked, his dark eyes meeting hers. “There is naught we won’t do to free Padriag.”

“What were the strategies needed to free each of you?” Erin pulled a pen pouch and notebook from her tote and proceeded to carefully choose a pen. Opening the notebook, she held the pen at the ready.

Tristan counted off with his fingers, starting with his thumb. “A spell, contact with our intended rescuer, the deciphering of our curse ...” he stopped and looked to Gwen.

“Each specific curse seems to require actions to be taken by the rescuer. It is hard to explain,” Gwen added. “It was different for each of us. Not just figuring out how to break the curse but also maneuvering around Meliot and other factors.”

Erin was aware that Niall had not only been imprisoned by Meliot in the alter-world, but also a demon called Devina had kept him ensnared in a separate trap, holding him hostage when he slept.

“Are any of you aware if there are other holds on Padriag?”

Gavin nodded. “I think something, perhaps Meliot, is interfering with his ability to move between the realms. He told us it was becoming difficult for him to do so.”

Why had Padriag not said any of this to her? Erin scribbled down the information, holding the pen tightly.

“Does something bother you?” Gwen asked.

Erin let out a long breath. “Padriag came to my flat, a couple days ago. He was confused that I was there.” Tension filled the room as she continued.

“It turns out that I just moved into his ancestral home.” Speaking the words out loud brought the realization of what a huge “coincidence” it was that she’d been compelled to move into that particular home.

“How long was he there?” Niall asked leaning forward, his expression strained.

“Not very long, just minutes.”

This time Gavin spoke, his deep voice as enthralling as his face. “What did he say? Did he ask for anything?”

Erin closed her eyes for a moment. “He didn’t actually say much. Seemed resigned to remain behind. He told me not to feel obligated to help him, that he was last for a reason, although I got the impression he doesn’t understand why.”

Everyone sat in silence, contemplating.

“This is part of his curse,” Tammie said, breaking the silence and giving a pointed look to her notebook.

Three lives rescued

Three moons high

Two hearts restored

One must die

“That’s kind of ominous,” Erin stared at the words on her paper.

Tammie shook her head. “The strange thing is that this all happened already. When the three moons were out, Niall and I got together, he along with you and I were rescued and Davina died.”