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)
Dravic’s brow drew together. “The forest?”
“Aye, my king. Before she came here, she spent much of her time wandering among the trees. She loves the woods, the streams, the creatures that make their home there. Castle walls…” Feena looked around the vast hall with a gentle smile. “…are grand, but they cannot replace what has always brought her peace.”
Dravic looked again at Adira. She sat quietly beside her untouched meal, her gaze drifting to the frost-covered windows as if searching beyond them.
Without another word, Dravic beckoned to a nearby servant. “Fetch my cloak and Adira’s winter cloak and gloves as well.”
The servant bobbed his head and hurried off.
Only then did Dravic look back at Feena. “You may return to her.”
Feena bowed and made her way back to the table. As she resumed her seat, Adira looked at her questioningly. Feena merely smiled and rested her hand gently against Adira’s chest, letting her know all was well.
Adira returned Feena’s smile, though confusion lingered in her eyes.
Dravic caught the servant returning with the cloaks before he reached the dais. He shrugged into his own heavy wool cloak, fastening the silver clasp at his throat in one practiced motion. Then, taking the smaller cloak and gloves from the servant, he crossed the hall to Adira’s table.
Conversations around the hall gradually quieted. It was not often the king left the dais to attend anyone.
Adira looked up in surprise.
Dravic stopped before her, pointed to her, and raised his hand palm up.
She understood he wanted her to stand and she rose at once.
With a swift motion, he settled the cloak around her shoulders. She stood patiently while he drew the edges together and fastened the clasp beneath her chin, his fingers brushing faintly across its softness.
He stepped back to inspect his work. Satisfied, he held out a pair of fur-lined gloves.
Adira accepted them with a grateful smile but made no move to put them on.
Dravic folded his arms across his chest as he drew his brow together. Then, deliberately, he lowered his gaze to the gloves resting in her hands.
Adira followed his gaze and, realizing he waited for her to slip on the gloves, she hurriedly did so.
He gave a single nod of approval and reached for her hand.
It wasn’t that he never took her hand before now. It was usually when he was in a hurry and wanted her to follow him. So why take her hand now, not that she hesitated to place hers readily in his. After all, they wore their winter cloaks which meant only one thing. They were going outside and that delighted her.
Together they crossed the Great Hall.
Behind them, Tavish caught the eye of the captain of the king’s guard and gave a subtle signal.
Without a word, six guards quietly fell into place a respectful distance behind the king.
The great doors swung open. A blast of crisp winter air swept into the hall.
Adira drew a silent deep breath, but Dravic noticed.
Outside, snow blanketed every rooftop, wall, and field surrounding Caerith. Boots crunched over the packed path as they crossed the bailey. Rather than head toward the castle gates, Dravic led her along the outer wall, around the side of the keep where a narrow trail disappeared among towering pines.
The moment they stepped beneath the shelter of the trees, Adira did not hesitate. She gently slipped her hand free. Finally, she was where she belonged.
Dravic watched as she wandered only a few steps away before stopping beside an ancient pine. She rested both gloved hands against its rough bark, closed her eyes for the briefest moment, then smiled. A smile unlike any he had seen from her within the castle.
It transformed her face. Features he had once thought plain suddenly held a more natural beauty. Her green eyes sparkled with a life he had never noticed before. The cold had painted her cheeks a delicate pink, and her lips, chilled by the winter air, had taken on a rosy hue.
He found himself wondering if she had changed… or if it was simply the first time that he had truly looked at her.
She moved on, kneeling where snow covered a patch of earth. Pulling one glove free, she brushed away the snow with careful fingers until a cluster of tiny evergreen leaves appeared beneath. She touched them with unmistakable delight.
Dravic’s first instinct was to order her to put the glove back on. The cold would quickly numb her hand. The command rose to his lips and remained there. She looked happier than he had ever seen her, so he kept silent.
When she rose, she reached for his hand without hesitation.
She had never done that. No one ever had. He was king and no one touched him without permission. But she had not hesitated. Could it be she was fearing him less and trusting him more? And why should it matter to him?