Page 44 of An Unlikely Knight

Liam’s eyebrows shot upward. “Oh.” He turned back to the window. “Someone is coming. It’s Veylen.”

Moments later, the door opened and Veylen walked in, snow falling from his fur-lined cape landing on the wooden floor and melting into small puddles.

“The Prince asked that I bring you two mounts. The aurochs are in the stable. I’ve ensured enough food and water that should last through the winter.”

After exchanging confused looks with Liam, Padriag met the Eslander’s gaze. “Who’s home is this? Is anyone else staying here?”

“A friend of Prince Sterling. He is called Janssen. The owner has been unable to utilize this home for a long time.” Veylen glanced past them to the room where Padriag had materialized. “I suggest rationing the food if you hope to get through the freeze. You can go out hunting I suppose.”

The warrior turned to leave.

“Wait,” Liam said moving closer to Veylen. “Why did the Sterling have us come here?”

“You require shelter and food. People from your realm are ill-prepared for this one. You may live here as long as you wish.”

Padriag cocked his head to the side. “We managed to survive in this realm for three hundred years. I think we’ve got this.”

“Mmm,” Veylen replied, his gaze moving from Padriag’s bare feet to his unclothed torso. “That is good to know.” With that he left.

“Hopefully there are shoes and clothes here somewhere,” Liam said, moving toward a corridor that led toward the back of the home.

There were three adequately sized bedchambers, each with a bed, trunk, and basin stand. In the trunks were clothes and shoes, which Padriag went through until finding a tunic, socks and boots that fit.

“This is interesting,” Liam said leaning against the door jamb. “I would like to know what happened to Janssen. He may have died.”

“Or he went to Esland, and they don’t let him leave,” Padriag remarked.

“There is that”

That evening, they ate a simple meal of apples, bread and cheese, washed down with a surprisingly good wine. Padriag could barely keep his eyes open, and he wondered how long it had been since he slept. Time moved so differently when traveling between the realms, yet judging by the way he felt, it could have been twenty-four hours or more.

“I am going back to the other realm. I promised John to stay for a few days.” Liam seemed troubled. “Nothing feels certain, but I haven’t had any visions, which I take as a good sign.”

All Padriag wanted was to climb into bed and go to sleep. “I will be safe here. You do not have to keep coming. Please go Liam. John has been patient, and I appreciate it, but he deserves time with you.”

Seven days passed and although things were way too quiet, Padriag had to admit he was enjoying life at the log cabin in the middle of a forest with only aurochs for company. The beasts seemed friendly enough when he wandered into the stable to open the doors and allow them out to roam inside the corral. They stayed within the closed area, despite the fact it would be child’s play for them to break free.

He decided the animals were a gentle sort, unless perhaps aggravated by someone with a death wish.

As the last sun began its descent, he went inside to check on a pot of stew he was preparing. Potatoes and carrots floated in the bubbling broth. The aroma of the spicy meal wafting through the kitchen. He dipped a large spoon into the liquid, and he brought it up to his lips to blow on it. Then he tasted.

Moments later, he pushed an empty bowl away, deciding that two servings were more than enough.

After washing the dishes, he took the pot with the rest of the stew to store it in an outside pantry.

To keep food cold, a small doorless room had been attached just outside the kitchen where the frigid outdoor temperatures would keep food from spoilage. Inside were shelves on which jars and wrapped bundles were placed.

Once that was done, Padriag went to the adjacent room to sit before the fire. Eyes focused on the wavering flames, his mind drifted to Erin. Every day since returning to the alter-world he went over every detail of being with Erin. From waking up next to her to getting through the mists. Finally, his mind lingered over their lovemaking. The feel of her skin, her mouth, the way she arched her back and took him in fully.

Despite not being with a woman for so long, he was sure Erin was the one woman for him. From the way she fit so perfectly against him, to the way she soothed him, seeming to know exactly what to say and when. It wasn’t just that she was a beautiful woman, but also that she was brave, caring, and honest.

Perhaps it was a mistake to make love, he was glad that they’d given in to the pull between them. Something surged through his body at the time. At first he thought it was the arousal, after all, he was making love to a beautiful naked woman. Yet, something different had occurred. It felt as if he’d gained strength from her.

Suddenly, a prickling sensation traveled up and down his extremities, and he shoved his sleeves up to inspect his arms. It was as if ants raced around in circles just under the skin making it warp and smooth in strange patterns.

“What the fuck!” Padriag jumped to his feet and wiped at his arms frantically, but it didn’t make a difference. It wasn’t painful, quite the opposite. It was as if energy coursed through his veins. He blew out breaths, confused and panicked. Whatever happened was nothing he’d ever seen or experienced.

Since all the men had been rescued, Padriag had admittedly lost much of his appetite. He’d lost weight, which in turn could have affected his magic. Since being with Erin, there had been strangest sensations throughout his body. A pleasant tingling, hunger and lift in spirits.

A shiver set his skin to goosebumps and he lifted his arms to inspect them. Suddenly his body seemed to quiet. Padriag stood, rigid, holding his breath, eyes scanning his arms. Had they’d gotten bigger?

He raced to the back wall where a mirror hung and yanked off his tunic.

“Whoa,” his whispered noting that indeed his arms were thicker and chest broader and more muscular. At least an additional inch or two of muscle had piled onto his body.

At least he’d not turned green.

A familiar scent caressed the air, and he inhaled deeply. It was the perfume Erin wore. Padriag let out a breath. Whatever he was to about to face required strength, and somehow the magic that had coursed through Erin had flowed into him.

Now all he had to do was prepare mentally. Somehow, he had to defend himself and manage to stay alive until the others arrived.

He turned and went to the window. The scene outside was serene, quiet. The aurochs usually made their way into the stables on their own, but Padriag liked to check on them and make sure they had enough food and water.

Perhaps because they were not the object of any predator, aurochs were relatively docile. Padriag hoped they would grow familiar and comfortable around him to make it easier when the time came that he had to saddle and ride one of them.

Sword in hand, he walked out of the house, looking around and taking in every corner or space behind trees as he made his way forward. One could never be too careful.