A Beautiful Knight (The Cursed Kingdom #2)

Chapter 22

Chapter Twenty-Two

T he beautiful surroundings of Scotland welcomed Sabrina and Tammie as they neared Dunimarle Castle. Although Tammie had been to other parts of Europe, she’d not been to Scotland. Her expression of wonder told Sabrina that, like her, it would be easy for her sister to fall in love with the country.

“This place is magical in itself, isn’t it?” Tammie asked, not waiting for a reply. “Why have I not come before? I can see how it will be a perfect place for your photography.”

Sabrina scanned the landscape, green lush grass, trees and mists lingering on the craggy mountains in the distance.

“You will love the location I chose for the shots. It’s actually going to be at the Campbell keep. I got all the permits.”

“Oh my god. That’s Gwen’s new home?” Tammie’s sharp intake of breath indicated they’d arrived at Dunimarle. The driver guided the car to the front of the castle and got out to open their doors.

As soon as they stepped out, Gwen came out of the house and hurried to them. “I am so glad you are both here.” The sisters hugged, Gwen glancing to the doorway the entire time.

“He is not here at the moment,” Gwen said, reading Sabrina’s thoughts. “He is at the stables.”

“With Tristan?” Gwen asked.

Gwen shook her head. “No, Tristan went with Edith to Edinburgh. Family business.”

Trailing Tammie, they went inside.

“This place is amazing. I can’t believe you actually live here.” Tammie turned in a circle and then hugged Gwen again. “I am so very happy for you. Mom sends her best.”

“How did she take you coming here?” Gwen asked.

Tammie gave a soft shrug. “I told her we were traveling for a photo shoot, and she seemed to relax a bit. She’s not happy, but finally admitted she understands she can’t stop me from doing what I must.”

Sabrina caught Gwen’s eyes. “She is still worried about Tammie coming but seems a bit less opposed.”

“I’m going to explore,” Tammie informed them and sprinted off, not waiting for either of them to offer to go along.

While their sister roamed, Gwen pulled Sabrina into the library. “I know you must be exhausted. But this can’t wait. Tell me what your plans are. Gavin seems lost. I feel horrible for him.”

Sabrina’s chest constricted. “I care deeply for him Gwen, I really do. I have to decide whether or not I can be with a man whom I can’t touch sexually, and then there’s my work. It consumes me.”

“I have a feeling that if you are truly in love with Gavin, you will make allowances. I am not diminishing the fact that it will be difficult by any means,” Gwen said. “Trust yourself and have faith in what you have with Gavin. These men are strong and very intelligent. They understand this is not just an adjustment for them, but for us as well.”

“Thank you. Yes, you are right,” Sabrina said, looking toward the doorway. “Is Fiona still here?

Gwen nodded. “In all her annoying glory. She is usually down at the stables pestering Gavin about the horses.”

“Of course she is,” Sabrina replied with a droll look. “I’m going to find him.”

As Sabrina steered the golf cart toward the stables, she took a deep breath, rehearsing the words she’d finally have to say. If they were going to work through things, she’d have to let her guard down and be vulnerable—a challenge she wasn’t used to facing.

The stables stood in a soft hush, the earthy scent of hay and the faint musk of horse drifting through the air. Despite the windows lining each stall on both sides, the lighting remained dim, casting a tranquil, almost peaceful quality over the vast, open space.

Peering into each empty stall, she noticed that the horses had been led outside to graze and enjoy the fresh air, leaving the stables in a serene stillness that seemed to amplify her thoughts.

Voices got her attention, one sounded like Gavin, whoever he spoke to was a woman.

Sabrina followed the sound of the voices to the opposite end of the stables. Leaning against a corral fence, Fiona stood next to Gavin, both facing away.

The way Fiona glanced up at Gavin with wide eyes and a soft smile, it was obvious she meant to get his attention. “I am sure you know how to handle the feisty beast. It is just that I wanted to ensure you understood the special requirements for a show animal.”

When Fiona placed a hand onto Gavin’s forearm, Sabrina tensed, her eyes pinned to where the woman’s hand stilled.

Gavin turned just enough that Fiona had to lower her hand. It should have made Sabrina feel better, but in that moment, she couldn’t form a single thought other than wanting to rush to him and throw her arms around his neck and kiss him until they were breathless.

“The trainer informed me that he is the only one who will work with your horses,” Gavin replied taking a step sideways to leave a gap between himself and Fiona. The woman was not deterred. She leaned on the fence and gazed up at him.

“You are invited to attend the competition as my guest. It will give you the opportunity to see my horses doing what they have been training to do. Plus, it would give us a chance to get to know each other better.”

“I must decline your kind invitation,” Gavin replied crossing his arms. “I am needed here.”

“Oh, come on, Tristan told me you are part owner of these lands. You can take a day off to do something fun.”

“Hey, I wasn’t aware you’d returned,” Sabrina lied, giving Fiona a pointed look as she walked from the stables, pretending to have just arrived. Gavin watched her in silence.

“How are you, Gavin?” Sabrina asked with an overly bright smile.

“I am well.”

Before Gavin or Sabrina could say anything else, Fiona waved toward the corral. “Of course I am here. I never am away from my horses too long. They are very attached to me and I to them. I can come and go as I please. These are my family’s lands after all.”

“Of course,” Sabrina replied in a dismissive tone while meeting Gavin’s gaze. “I was looking for you. The research we began. There have been some developments.”

“We should speak then,” he replied and excused himself from Fiona, who stared daggers at Sabrina.

The lack of warmth at her arrival didn’t exactly surprise her, but at the same time it made for an awkward silence as they headed around the stables to where she’d left the golf cart.

“I hear you are adjusting well and enjoying your work with the horses,” Sabrina said unable to take the silence any longer.

His only reply was a soft grunt and nod.

As they neared the front of the stables, he stopped and finally met her gaze. “I am glad you have returned to help. We have made little progress in freeing the others.”

His coolness toward her was hurtful, but Sabrina understood. He was protecting himself.

“Right. Gwen has kept me informed. Our younger sister came with me.” Sabrina looked up at him. “I missed you. It would be nice to spend time together.”

His brow creased. God was there anything that didn’t make the man look more handsome? She blew out a breath to keep from throwing herself at him.

“Spend time?”

“You and I,” Sabrina began. “I want to try and see if we can work past things.”

When his expression remained, she wanted to scream and ask him to say something or at least give some sort of hint as to what he was thinking. Instead she bit the inside of her mouth to keep from saying something stupid.

His gaze moved from her to the scenery they passed. “I do not know what to say.”

“I am so sorry for leaving so abruptly. I had a lot of thinking to do. There was work and ...” She stopped talking when his amber gaze met hers and then he nodded.

“We can speak later. Give me time to consider things. You should return to the house. I will be there shortly. Miles is expecting me to go over some ledgers.” With that Gavin turned and went back inside the stables.

What if he was interested in Fiona now? Had she just lost him? Thoughts tumbled around in her head as she watched him walk back to the stables. Trudging to the golf cart, Sabrina climbed onto the seat, unable to drive away. Her vision became blurry with unshed tears. Whether they were from hurt, frustration or anger, she wasn’t sure.

Perhaps all three.

The atmosphere in the library was almost cheerful. From the way Tammie leaned forward, she was enthralled by the situation as being explained by John.

Since the last time she’d seen John, he seemed different. More self-assured and somehow more attractive. Instead of neatly combed hair, it was in a more relaxed tousled style. His button-up shirt was replaced by a black pullover that brought out the gray in his eyes. And he had an aura about him like that of a man on an important mission.

It was possible that being away from the bookstore, taking regular walks outdoors at the estate, and having a love interest had made the guy blossom.

Gwen must have noticed her studying John because she waited for him to look away and pointed to herself mouthing “I did that.”

“If Liam refuses to leave, it could be what is blocking the other two. You must convince him of that,” Tammie said reading notes on a paper in her hand. “I think the only way to break these curses is to do them in the specific order they present themselves by the men feeling the urge to come to this realm.”

Sabrina was instantly proud of Tammie’s assessment of the situation. “I have wondered if they were bewitched in a specific order and that is the way their entrapments must be broken.”

“Of course! It makes sense,” John agreed enthusiastically. “Our problem at the moment is that Liam hasn’t appeared in a few days.” He looked to Gwen for confirmation.

Their sister nodded. “Yes, today is day three.”

“I can’t help but fear Meliot is doing something to keep them from escaping.” John’s worry made Sabrina’s chest tighten.

Her fears were reflected in the others’ expressions.

Tristan returned from Edinburgh and was introduced to Tammie who gave Gwen an astounded look. “Holy...wow.” Her mouth formed an O. She threw herself against him with an enthusiastic hug.

When the door to the library opened and Gavin walked in Sabrina lost her breath. Each time she saw him, he made her want to swoon like the women in the old movies. On the way to Scotland she had tried to prepare Tammie for the sight of him, but when her sister’s eyes bulged and mouth went wider, Sabrina realized it was impossible.

“You are Gavin,” Tammie informed him, walking up to him and staring up with wide eyes. “I can see why Sabrina is worried about life with you.” She reached out and poked him in the center of his chest. “Yep, you are real.”

“You are Tamara?” Gavin asked, frowning when Tammie pranced closer and touched her finger to the cleft in his chin.

“Yes. I am,” Tammie said. “The youngest and most powerful of the three sisters.” She held up her arms as if waiting for applause.

The men exchanged confused looks while Sabrina and Gwen grinned at their sister’s antics.

“She is not the most powerful,” Gwen said, grabbing Tammie around the waist. “What she is, is the most spirited.”

Tristan studied Tammie. “You will be perfect for Padriag.”

“That is what I was told, but I am not here to be matched with anyone,” Tammie replied, extricating herself from Gwen’s grasp. “First let’s eat. I’m starving. I may also require a nap. Then we will kick wizard butt.”

Tammie made a “follow me” motion with her right hand and marched from the room.

“I’m hungry too,” John said, hurrying after Tammie.

“Good idea, let’s eat.” Gwen took Tristan’s arm and pulled him from the room.