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)
The room fell deathly silent.
Dravic needed no explanation for the astonishment written plainly across their faces. They saw exactly what he saw.
The king of Scotara in bed, holding the young woman the kingdom believed to be his servant.
The tremor in the room had awakened Adira. She lifted her head, confusion clouding her face. Her gaze moved to the doorway where two-armed strangers stood motionless. Before she could make sense of it, she became aware of the arm around her.
She looked down, then slowly up at the king. Worry immediately settled in her eyes.
Dravic withdrew his arm and sat up, never taking his eyes from the guards.
“Explain,” he ordered.
The elder guard was the first to recover.
“We searched for you since we got separated, my king. When your horse was found here, the innkeeper told us you were up here. You did not answer our knock.”
“So, you broke down the door.”
“Nothing would stop us from reaching you and know you are safe, my king.”
Dravic’s gaze swept over the shattered latch before returning to the men. “Speak to the innkeeper, Skellie. Have him tell you where the two men I spoke with last night can be found. Bring them here.”
“Aye, my king.”
The room fell silent once again.
Dravic remained seated on the edge of the bed, staring at the shattered door that hung crooked in its frame, but his thoughts had long since moved beyond splintered wood and a broken latch. Both could be easily fixed. Not so much the situation he had created.
He turned to Adira. She sat behind him, the blanket gathered in her lap, her green eyes full of questions and worry. How did he explain it to her? Not so much what just had happened but the consequences that were sure to follow.
Adira glanced at the bed, then tapped her chest, pointed to him, patted the mattress between them, and shrugged.
Dravic easily understood she asked him how they were in bed together.
“You were cold,” he said, and shivered as if freezing, then pointed to her and hugged himself. “I wanted to warm you. Then I fell asleep.” He tilted his head, put his hands together and pressed them against his cheek, then closed his eyes briefly.
She nodded, understanding, smiled softly, then pressed her hand to his chest in thanks.
He looked down at her hand firm against his chest, its warmth spreading through him so deeply and gently that he wanted to linger in it.
Then suddenly it was gone.
He looked up at her. Her eyes had gone wide and she patted her chest rapidly. It was easy to understand she was apologizing for touching him without permission. Something she had done before never giving it thought and neither had he. But here alone together felt different.
Dravic didn’t hesitate, he took hold of her hand and placed it against his chest.
Adira’s eyes turned ever wider, not sure what the king meant, then he nodded.
Was he telling her she could touch him without permission?
He pointed to her, then himself, then locked two fingers together and glanced around the room. “When we are alone, you can touch me without seeking permission.”
Then he released her hand.
Adira thought she understood what he said and to make sure she did, she glanced around as he had done, then slowly reached out and placed her hand on his chest.
Dravic nodded, a slight smile touching his lips.
Adira smiled wide seeing his faint smile and was happy he trusted her enough to touch him without permission, even if it was only when they were alone.
Dravic felt a catch in his chest, seeing her so pleased and feeling it as well. Or was that his own pleasure he felt, knowing he would once again enjoy her touch?
Voices from downstairs drew his attention and he stood and pointed to the door, then to himself and Adira.
Adira nodded and hurried out of bed. She quickly combed her hair with her fingers and braided it, then shook what wrinkles she could from her skirt, and after slipping on her boots, she splashed a handful of water in her face from the bucket by the hearth.
Dravic watched her as he fastened his sword at his waist. He never noticed how pretty Adria truly was. She had the palest and softest skin and not a blemish or scar marred her face. And there was a brightness in her green eyes that he had never seen in others. With how difficult life must be for her not being able to hear or speak, she still found joy in it.
Adira picked up the king’s cloak and gave it a shake, then held it out to him.
He took it and draped it around his shoulders, then took her hand. “Together.”
Adira smiled and nodded, not sure what he said but with a faint smile touching his lips once again, it had to be something good.