Total pages in book: 108
Estimated words: 105132 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 526(@200wpm)___ 421(@250wpm)___ 350(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 105132 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 526(@200wpm)___ 421(@250wpm)___ 350(@300wpm)
A few steps toward her and he heard what she had heard, frantic fluttering.
Dravic saw the bird on the ground at nearly the same moment his wife did. One wing lay awkwardly beside its small body while another bird fluttered anxiously nearby, darting toward its injured mate and then away again.
Adira approached slowly.
The uninjured bird grew more agitated.
“Careful,” Dravic warned, staying close enough to intervene if necessary.
Adira nodded once again and crouched beside the injured bird.
The other bird continued its frantic movements until Adira began speaking softly.
“There now. I won’t hurt your mate.”
Dravic watched as the bird settled.
Adira extended her hands slowly. The injured bird made no attempt to escape when she gently lifted it and cupped it between her palms.
She whispered to it, her words too soft for Dravic to hear.
A faint shimmer appeared between her fingers for a few moments, then vanished. She opened her hands. For a heartbeat, the bird remained there. Then it spread both wings and with one quick flutter, it took flight.
Its mate immediately followed. Together they disappeared among the trees.
“Well, isn’t that sweet.”
Dravic groaned as a familiar golden light shot past his shoulder.
Fiora hovered beside him.
“You,” Dravic said as if accusing her of something.
“Were you expecting another fairy?”
“I was hoping you had found someone else to annoy.”
“I have. Tharne.”
Dravic almost smiled. “Then you have finally found a worthwhile purpose.”
Fiora planted her hands on her hips. “He says worse things about you.”
“I would expect nothing less.”
“He also says you remain an arrogant arse.”
“And yet he sits on my council and decides to return home to Driochmor permanently.”
“But he still has ties to Drogath, appointing the next warlord of his choice,” Fiora reminded.
“He may command there but here I am king and I command.”
Fiora grinned. “And complain.”
“I do not complain. I issue reasonable observations.”
“You issue orders.”
“As a king is duty-bound to do,” Dravic argued.
“And I am a fairy—”
“Duty bound to obey her king.”
She laughed. “You can be hilarious at times.”
“Watch your tongue with me, Fiora,” he warned.
She flew directly in front of his face. “Admit it to me. You missed sparing with me when I was gone.”
“I enjoyed every peaceful moment.”
“You worried about me,” she said, continuing to laugh.
“I wondered if you finally got what you deserved… a good swat.”
Fiora gasped dramatically. “Adira! Did you hear what your husband—”
A sharp gasp stopped her.
Dravic turned instantly.
Adira stood several feet away, one hand pressed to the underside of her rounded stomach.
He was beside her before Fiora could move. “What is wrong?”
Adira took a breath.
“Are you hurt?”
“Nay.”
“What is it?”
Another sensation caught her, and her hand went to his arm.
Dravic’s heart began pounding. “Adira?”
She looked up at him. “It is time.”
He stared at her, the words yet to sink in.
“The bairns are ready.”
Dravic froze. Then his brow drew together. “Bairns?”
Adira smiled.
Dravic stared at her stomach and then at her. “What do you mean, bairns?”
Fiora burst out laughing.
Dravic shot her a murderous glare as he scooped Adira up into his arms. “Not one word from you.”
Fiora continued to laugh.
“No laughter either,” he ordered.
Her laughter followed them through the forest as Dravic hurried toward the castle, carrying his smiling wife in his arms.
Dravic stood beside the cradle staring down at his children.
His children… two of them.
Even after hours of knowing they were here, the thought still filled him with an emotion so powerful he could barely grasp it.
His son slept on one side of the cradle with one tiny fist tucked near his face. His daughter lay beside him, equally peaceful, completely unaware that their arrival had turned the King of Scotara’s world upside down.
Adira had not birthed one bairn but two and one of each, a son and a daughter.
He had spent most of his life knowing it was his duty to produce an heir. The continuation of his bloodline had been discussed with him from the time he was old enough to understand what it meant to be king.
Never once had anyone told him what it would feel like to look upon his newborn child, and he had two to amaze at. His heart swelled as he looked at them.
He turned then to glance toward the bed. Adira sat propped comfortably against the pillows, chatting with Faith as though bringing two bairns into the world had been of little consequence.
Tharne stood beside his wife, while Kaelan and Bria remained near the foot of the bed. They had delayed their journey to the Northland when it became obvious Adira’s time was drawing near, refusing to leave until the bairn arrived.
Bairns.
Dravic still could not believe she had neglected to mention that particular detail. He was simply grateful she was well.
The hours of labor had nearly done him in. He had faced armies with less fear than he’d felt listening to his wife labor to bring their children into the world. There had been nothing he could do. No enemy to fight. No order he could issue that would end her pain. And Adira had endured it with a strength that humbled him.