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)
“That look isn’t going to be satisfied tonight,” Fiora said, with a tinkling laugh as she flew near his face. “Not with dozens of eyes around you to see the king favors the silent woman.”
Dravic scowled. The fairy was far too perceptive.
Fiora flew closer. “Be careful. Fairies see more than most, but it will not be long before others see how much you care for Adira.” She shook her finger when Dravic went to speak. “Don’t try to deny it. It is there in your eyes, and I imagine your heart as well.” She grinned. “That is if you have a heart.”
“I have a heart,” he snapped without thinking.
Fiora laughed. “You admit it. You more than care for Adira.” She stopped laughing and flew near his ear as he walked. “Do not tell me you did what I think you did.” Dravic’s look told her enough, and she gasped. “You didn’t.”
“She is mine… always,” Dravic said.
“Then make it so or she will be the one to suffer,” Fiora warned and flew off, shaking her head.
Anger sparked in Dravic. He should not have to hide who he loved. Who he wanted to share his bed with.
Except Adira was not his wife and the pesky fairy was right. Until he decided what he intended to do about that, openly taking her to his blankets would expose her to whispers he would not tolerate.
His scowl deepened. For perhaps the first time in his life, being king was proving damned inconvenient.
Chapter Thirty
An Uncertain Path
A Night of Their Own
Nearly five days had passed since they left Thorskaill, and Dravic’s patience was wearing thin.
He had expected the journey to the High Council to take several days. Driochmor was unfamiliar territory, its paths winding through dense forests and around rocky hills that made travel slower. The injuries suffered in the attack had slowed them further, and Dravic had allowed for that.
What he had not allowed for was the growing suspicion that they should have reached their destination by now.
He shifted his gaze to Ernach riding several lengths ahead.
Adira stirred against him and Dravic glanced down. She had spent each of the last four days riding in his arms and each of the last four nights sleeping apart from him.
He was in a foul mood because of it.
Adira tilted her face to look at him, her brow raised slightly in question.
“Do not look at me that way.”
She smiled.
His hand slightly squeezed at the side of her waist. “You know perfectly well I’m annoyed.”
Her smile grew.
Dravic frowned at her. “And apparently you find that amusing.”
Adira turned her face away before her pleasure betrayed her. She had discovered much about Dravic these last few days simply by listening to him. He muttered when annoyed. Not loudly and rarely enough for anyone else to take notice, but with her tucked against him for hours at a time, she heard it.
She had also discovered that the king possessed an impressive collection of curses. Several had required no explanation.
A laugh threatened, and she pressed her lips together.
Dravic looked down at her suspiciously.
She rested her hand against his chest and kept her smile soft.
“I miss us,” he whispered. “Our time alone, holding you in my arms, touching you, discovering you, sleeping beside you. I cherish those moments and crave more of them.”
At that moment, Adira was relieved she could not speak or what she felt for him would have spilled easily from her lips. She was, however, grateful she could hear his words, for they filled her heart with so much joy she feared it would explode.
“I will not lose you, Adira. I will let no one take you from me. No one.” Dravic tucked her firmer against him as if he feared she would somehow be swept away from him.
Adira heard his determination, felt it in him. Yet once again she thought of the consequences of becoming intimate with the king. Most thought her ignorant because she could not hear or speak, but watching people had taught her more than she could have possibly hoped to learn.
Her fate was sealed. He could never marry her. So, what of a future?
The only future she had was to be a kept woman and it broke her heart to think of such a meaningless life with him. She would watch as another woman sat by his side, slept at his side, and bore his bairns. Her heart broke even more and, without thought, her hand slipped off his chest.
Dravic felt the change in her and he lifted her chin and shrugged. “What’s wrong?”
She thought quickly. She pretended to yawn, then pointed to the road ahead.
He nodded, understanding. “You grow tired of the journey. So do I.” He released her chin and called out, “Ernach.”
The man slowed his horse and waited for the king to draw alongside him.