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)
Adira felt the vibration, annoyance bordering on anger. It was familiar to her, having felt it many times. It came from the king.
“You saw no one?” Dravic demanded.
Vachel shook his head. “No one, my king. Only my wife and me. We left for but a few moments. When we returned…” He looked at his daughter and smiled once again. “She was alive.”
“There can be no other explanation,” the king said, his voice strong, determined. “The healer who defies death was here. I want her found.”
Chapter Eighteen
The King’s Burden
Shadows of the Past
Dravic turned and crossed the room to Adira, stopping in front of her. For a heartbeat his eyes met hers, and in the gentle green color he saw what he had seen last night. Though stronger, if that was possible? How could she care even more for him? But the proof was in her eyes, and it nearly undid him.
He wanted to admonish her for her foolishness and once again forbid her to feel for him at all. Instead, he grabbed her hand, his fingers closing firmly around it.
Though annoyance pinched the king’s brow, that he took her hand eased the worry that had lingered in Adira since waking to find him gone. She had feared he might push her away after the kiss they had shared.
She curled her fingers gently around his. A natural response whenever he took hold of her hand and one she had come to enjoy and cherish.
With a slight grumbling beneath his breath, he led her from the cottage.
The sharp morning air greeted them the moment they stepped outside.
Cadby moved at once to the king’s side, his watchful gaze sweeping over the growing crowd.
Not far away, Seger stood with his small band of Hunters. Catching sight of the king and his quick summons, he excused himself and strode toward him.
“My king,” Seger said with a bob of his head.
“Gather your Hunters,” Dravic ordered as he walked toward a large tree at the edge of the village away from the gathering crowd. “Search the surrounding forest. Any woman, young or old, is to be brought before me. Question anyone you encounter.”
Seger nodded, then glanced toward the ground. “A light snow fell during the night, my king. If the healer fled before dawn, her tracks will have vanished beneath it.”
Dravic looked briefly across the fresh blanket of snow covering the village and the forest beyond.
“I will accept no excuses,” he said. “Take your men and find her.”
“It will be done.” Seger hesitated only a moment. “My king, I would leave two Hunters here. Until we know who or what we face, your safety must come first.”
With reluctance, Dravic nodded. “Now be off and find me that woman.”
Seger hurried off to do as the king commanded.
“They won’t find her.”
Dravic shook his head. “And here I thought I was free of you.”
Fiora laughed as she flitted in front of him. “And miss annoying you… never.”
“Where have you been?” Dravic asked, every bit the king.
“Letting a few in the magic world know the king is here and he is not as much of an arsehole as he seems.”
Fiora’s wide grin had Adira smiling.
Dravic caught Adira smiling and shook his head at her, startling her.
“Do not dare smile at her. She is not funny,” he said, pointing to Fiora, then tapping Adira’s lips, her smile quickly fading.
“You just proved my point of why you’re an arsehole,” Fiora said. “Why rob her of a smile? She has enough to contend with being stuck with you.”
“One of these days, Fiora—”
“You will seat me on your council knowing how valuable I am to you,” Fiora said, her wide grin returning.
Dravic looked to Adira. Her lips were locked tightly and bloody hell if he didn’t feel guilty.
“That will never happen,” he assured her.
“Never say never,” Fiora warned, her grin remaining.
Having had enough of Fiora’s attitude, Dravic commanded, “Tell me why the Hunters, master trackers, will not find the healer.”
“You do not need me to tell you what you already know,” Fiora said to the king’s annoyance.
“Stop playing games with me, Fio—” Dravic shook his head. “Bloody hell.”
He recalled Elara and Dar telling him the healer who saved Elara was an ethereal being.
“You remember,” Fiora said with a smug grin.
“Just because she is ethereal does not mean she cannot take human form.”
“Hush!” Fiora warned. “That speaks of dark magic.”
Dravic lowered his voice. “Are you telling me this exceptional healer is of dark magic?”
“If she can take human form, then dark magic has a hand in it. And that just might be so since the tale says the healer has mixed blood, her mother a healer from Leighfeld and a father from Driochmor.”
“What power could she possess with only being half-Driochmorian?”
“What if she was not of mixed blood?” Fiora challenged.
While Fiora and the king continued their spirited exchange, Adira watched them both. She saw on the king’s face that he was annoyed. She tried to remain focused on them, but it was impossible.