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)
With Adira, he felt—felt something deep and unwavering. Something that was part of him. Something he could never do without. Not ever again.
He tapped Adira on the arm and she looked at him. He held his hand up and brought his pointer and middle finger together, locking them tight. Then he tapped her chest and his own with his locked fingers before holding them up again.
She smiled, understanding and touched his two fingers then pointed to him, then to herself. He was telling her they were together and that pleased her.
Then suddenly he spread them apart and that frightened her. Was he telling her they could not be? But, of course, they couldn’t. He was king and she was…
Dravic felt her grow taut in his arms and saw the fright in her eyes. He quickly tapped her chest, then his own and shook his head firmly at the two separated fingers. Then he crossed them, locking them so tight they seemed fused as one and nodded. He hoped she understood that he was assuring her they would always be together. That nothing or no one would ever separate them. They belonged together, to each other… forever.
He leaned his head down and kissed her as if sealing a promise.
Adira’s heart swelled with joy. He wanted her, always. But how could that be when he was king? He would need to wed one day and have heirs.
There would be only one way for them to remain together and the thought troubled her. Could she be like those women who visited him from time to time? She had not given this thought, but then her heart had not allowed her to. And not being able to hear or speak, what prospects did she think she had?
How she could feel such joy and pain at the same time, she did not know. But she would hold onto the joy and tuck the pain away until that day it could stay tucked away no more. She would cherish her time with him, and if—when—there came a time she would need to take her leave, she would. She would find a place deep in the forest and live her life with her cherished memories.
Dravic tightened his arm around Adira, a worry of losing her suddenly tormenting him. He did not know how he would make it work between them, he only knew he would never let her go. He couldn’t.
Tonight their hearts became one and neither of them could live without the other. He was sure of it. And he would make sure that never happened. They would be together always.
He felt her ease in his arms, and he found himself calming as well.
All would be good. He was king. He would see it done.
Chapter Twenty-Two
Whispers Beyond Silence
The White Wolfin
The horses took their leave of the village slowly, a few hours after dawn greeted the day with gray skies and cold air that stung the face.
Adira sat comfortably, or somewhat comfortably, against the king, his arm secure around her waist as they rode deeper into Driochmor.
He glanced down at her, having done so often since mounting his horse. He was concerned and it stirred her heart to know he cared. She smiled softly, letting him know she was fine. And she was, just a bit sore from last night and this morning’s lovemaking.
She had woken to his touch, though it was more than his touch that had woken her in unimaginable ways. The memory of it brought warmth to her face. His touch had been gentle but hurried. They hadn’t the privacy of the whole night ahead of them. They could not take the chance of being discovered, and yet he had taken the chance, his desire for her too strong to ignore. And she had felt the same.
She had wanted him with the same eager need and though it had been a brief joining, it was no less satisfying than last night. And it was now the reason he kept glancing down at her.
When he had placed her on the horse earlier, she had grimaced from the slight discomfort, and he had seen it and scowled. His eyes had immediately searched the area and she knew why. He looked for the healer.
She had almost reached out to touch his shoulder, but thankfully she had thought better of it. It would not be at all proper for her to touch the king. She had felt a chuckle rise in her chest thinking how she had touched the king last night, and he had not minded at all.
A good shake of her head and a glance toward the nearby villagers had been enough of a reminder that no one could know they had become intimate.
That seemed to annoy him even more, but then, of course, it would, since he was king and unable to do anything about it. Helping her would expose them and only make matters worse.