***
A faint blue flame greeted me when I awoke. I eyed it suspiciously as it produced no smoke or smell, but heat rolled off the tiny flames and kept the chill away. The dampness was there though, I could smell it. The walls of a cavern surrounded me, their surface sparkling lightly as embedded gemstones caught and reflected the light from the small blue flame. The mouth of the cave filtered light in from the full moon outside and I could see him there, Liam.
Back to me, he stared into the night, relaxed but a hand rested on the hilt of his sword. I joined him at the mouth of the cave. “I’m sorry. Did I fall asleep on you?”
“Only a little.” I could see his mouth pull up at the corner, but he didn’t turn to face me.
I blew out a breath, time for some answers. “Who are the Black Knights?”
Now he looked at me, eyes wide. “How do you know of the Black Knights?”
“I overheard some women, back at the village. So…who are they?” I replied.
He pulled both hands through his hair and I could see the internal struggle behind his eyes and the resolve when the decision had been made. “I haven’t told you, because I did not want to frighten you. You were so shaken when I found you, I could not add to your burden.”
“But you’ll tell me now?” I pressed and he nodded. “It…they have something to do with me, don’t they?”
“Yes, they have everything to do with you.” He said slowly, “I will tell you everything I know.”
Tethered (The Avenlore Series) Page 6