Page 51 of An Enchanted Knight

Glad for the interrogation to be over, Tristan sat. Leaning forward, he rested his face in his hands. He brushed his hair away from his face, exhaustion beginning to take over. He wore modern slacks and a buttoned-up blue shirt. The cloth they were made of, felt soft against his skin. The shoes he wore were comfortable, soft black leather. Derrick had purchased many shirts, pants, under garments, and shoes, at Edith’s request. Deliverymen laden with packages arrived early that morning.

He felt overwhelmed. If not for the situation at hand, he’d want to find a horse and ride for hours. A hard ride was the best way to clear a man’s head, the only way to truly find time alone.

“Tristan, you look tired, do you want to rest?” Edith placed a hand on his shoulder. “We should have waited to call the council, but I was afraid word would get out once the servants began talking.”

“I’m glad it is over,” Tristan replied. “I cannot rest, not until we hear back from the alter-world.”

“What about the legal aspects of this?” Derrick asked his aunt. “I don’t see how any judge will turn everything over to a man that supposedly was trapped in another world for centuries.”

“You’re correct,” Edith faced her nephew, her face taut. “It might just come down to honor. You do know what that is, don’t you?”

Affronted, Derrick did not reply to her question. “I have matters to attend to in town. I’ll take my leave.” He nodded at them and left.

“I don’t want to distress you, Tristan, but he’s not going to give up easily.” Edith told him. “Ever since he’s come up with this idea of transforming the estate into a resort, he won’t listen to reason. But I’ve taken steps, to ensure you come into what is yours. Don’t worry.” The woman shook her head, a cocky smile on her face. “Derrick needs a wife and children. We need to settle him down. The boy has too much free time. Perhaps children would keep him out of trouble.”

“Perhaps,” Tristan replied, not totally convinced.

“Hallo, Tristan,” Gavin’s deep voice sounded behind them. “I’ve returned with Lady Gwyneth.”

Tristan turned to see Gavin, who seemed to be in pain, as the large man was doubled over, barely holding himself upright. As Gavin stumbled forward, finally landing face-first onto the carpet, Tristan noticed Gwen. She held her hand to her mouth and ran from the room.

“Told her to keep those eyes closed,” Gavin mumbled, not looking much better. Edith hurried after Gwen as Tristan helped Gavin to a large chair. “How did you get her back?”

“Esmeralda’s men were bringing her to our keep as we headed to Meliot’s castle. We met them on the road. They returned with us to the keep, and I immediately brought her back. We can actually leave the keep now, Meliot’s minions are strangely absent.”

“Where’s Clara?”

Gavin shrugged and shook his head. “The lady said she would tell only you.” The Scot leaned back closing his eyes. “I need a few moments. Movement between our worlds, as Padraig puts it, hurts like hell.”

Running out of the room and up the stairs, Tristan burst into Gwyneth’s bedroom. It was empty. Hearing voices, he turned and stormed into Sabrina’s, where he found Gwen on the floor, sobbing in her sister’s arms.

Face flushed, she cried, shaking as she clutched to her sister. “Oh God, I can’t do it. I can’t tell him the truth—he’s been through enough.”

Sabrina soothed her, her hand patting Gwen’s back, while Edith poured a glass of water and placed it next to the sisters.

Edith glanced up at him and went to the window, bowing her head, eyes closed, she seemed to be praying.

Feeling as if he’d been drenched in ice water, Tristan couldn’t wait. “Tell me,” he told her, not moving closer to the women on the floor.

Gwen froze. She turned to him, her face flushed, her cheeks wet.

“Did you leave my daughter behind to save yourself?”

She opened her mouth, and her eyes rolled back. She fainted.

“You’ll have to wait for your answer. Please leave,” Sabrina snapped, as she and Edith went to the unconscious Gwen.

“Call the maid to come,” Edith told him, her eyes pleading for him to be patient.

Chapter Thirty-One

Clara was still in Meliot’s clutches. His daughter remained behind. Blinded by rage, Tristan made his way back to the study, needed to find Gavin. A maid came out of the study, took one look at him, and scurried past him without a word.

Gavin still sat on the chair; he looked up expectantly when Tristan entered. “Take me back now,” Tristan told him, not caring that the Scot still seemed weakened. “I must go find my daughter. To hell with it all. I didn’t want to come here and will gladly return.” He grabbed at the Scot’s shirt.

Frustration and fury mixed in Gavin’s eyes as he removed Tristan’s fisted hands from his shirt. “I can’t take you. Esmeralda told us that once we come to this realm permanently, we can only return when a situation calls for it.”

“This situation certainly does.” Tristan shook, containing himself from punching anything nearby. “I’ll make a deal with the devil himself to return. Summon Meliot and tell him I’ll be his slave for eternity in exchange for Clara’s freedom.”