Page 72 of Enchanted Warrior

Summoning her courage, she pulled the note down and flattened it in her hand. The writing was in old-fashioned copperplate script.

Did I not promise you he would get his reward?

I am in your debt for my freedom, but I am gone. Do not look for me.

PS Tell your knights their horses are at the theme park.

Also, the demon sends his thanks for the snack.

-N

Tamsin stared at the note. Nimueh? Since when did fae leave drive-by sticky notes? Yet her mood lightened. The Lady of the Lake had helped them. It felt good to know they’d been able to help her in return.

She looked up to see Gawain getting off the elevator. Someone must have let him in the front door. At the sight of his tall frame, still dressed in full battle array, her heart leaped and sank at once, leaving her feeling queasy. Tamsin drew herself up, standing her ground until he drew near.

“My father’s not here,” she said.

Gawain stopped. “I did not come to speak to Hector. I came to see you.”

A sudden surge of panic flooded Tamsin. She had no idea what to say since he had ended their—whatever it was they had. Too much had happened for anything to feel casual.

So she thrust the note at him. “Look at this. If I’m reading it right, Nimueh has skipped town. Plus, you’re up some horses.” She stopped, realizing that she was babbling.

“So it seems.” Gawain crumpled the note. He’d barely looked at it, only at her. “May I come in?”

Tamsin stepped back, her mouth going dry. “Okay.”

She followed Gawain inside, locking the door behind her in case any other roaming fae decided to drop by. Gawain paced her small living space like a caged lion. Not that long ago, they’d been naked in her bed. Not that long ago, they’d been naked inhisbed, too. She’d thought there was a chance of a relationship, but she’d been so wrong.

They’d had a bargain, and it was over.

Her throat constricted painfully, as if she were imploding inside. “Let me guess. You’re sorry, but you’re not that into a witch. It’s not my fault, it’s just you. Plus, it’s hard to maintain a relationship when you’re always out on a quest.”

Gawain frowned. “Don’t assume you know what I’m thinking.”

“You have your king. I have my books. That’s what you said.”

He turned to her, folding his arms. “Don’t hold those words against me. I was bleeding when I said them.”

“And you wouldn’t even let me stop it.” Tamsin was on a roll. “You got a taste of your own magic out there, and it scared you. You think I’m responsible for that.”

“Yes.” The one simple word hung in the air, seeming to fill the room.

“That’s it?” Fury pushed Tamsin’s voice higher. “That’s all you’ve got to say?”

Gawain drew near, putting a finger over her lips. “Let me talk.”

No, don’t!It was one thing for her to throw bitter words at him, but she couldn’t bear the reverse. Angry as Tamsin was, she wanted to stop his mouth with hers so that he would not speak. That way, he couldn’t say the words that would break them apart forever. Even a minute’s reprieve was something. Whoever preached ripping the bandage off had never been in love with an impossible man.

Panic clawed inside her. There was still a retreat, still a path back to something good for them. Back to the place where they simplyhadto touch each other and where every glance was a heated invitation. They’d been there for such a short time—surely it was worth giving such happiness a fighting chance?

But, reluctantly, Tamsin nodded.

Gawain took her hand in his. “I’ve told you about some of the things I saw my mother do when I was growing up. I told you about how Lady Bertilak tried to tempt me even though it might mean my death. And you’ve heard plenty of times about how Merlin’s mistakes caused so much damage.”

“Yes,” Tamsin said in a small voice.

“Well, I’ve got one more story to tell you about magic in my family. It didn’t happen to me, but to Gaheris, one of my middle brothers.”

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