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)
Hidden atop one of the great ceiling beams, Fiora hugged her knees and grinned.
“This,” she whispered to herself, “ought to be interesting.”
“Watch your words,” Dravic warned, his voice as cold as the winter beyond the castle walls.
Kaelan stood unmoving. “Not when they concern my wife.”
The king’s eyes narrowed. “You forget to whom you speak.”
“Need I remind you,” Kaelan said, his voice remaining calm, “that you are not my king.”
Tavish drew a slow breath. No one spoke to King Dravic that way.
Dravic took one deliberate step toward Kaelan. “Is that a threat?”
“Nay,” Kaelan said without hesitation. “It is simply the truth. My loyalty belongs to Bria. It always will.”
The silence in the chamber grew heavy.
Bria quickly stepped between the two men before either could speak again.
She looked first to Dravic. “My king, is there a reason my husband cannot accompany me?”
Dravic’s gaze settled on her. “You dare question my decision?”
She bowed her head respectfully. “Never. I only wish to see this matter settled…” She hesitated, uncertain what words to choose next.
Wynn stepped forward to stand beside her. “Wisely. Settled wisely.”
Dravic glared at her.
Wynn smiled gently. “Bria asks not to challenge your authority, my king, but to understand it.”
Dravic looked from Wynn to Bria, then finally to Kaelan. “I have other plans for you, Kaelan. We will discuss them another time.”
Then he looked to Bria. “You are his wife. I leave it to your husband to command whether you return to Driochmor or remain with him.”
A quiet laugh escaped Kaelan.
Dravic’s eyes narrowed. “You find something amusing?”
“Only that I would never be so foolish as to command a Wise woman,” Kaelan said, and got a smile from his wife.
“It is already settled,” Dravic said, his voice rising. “I am king, and my word is law throughout the kingdom.”
He pointed toward the messenger. “Dar and Elara will return to Driochmor with Wynn.”
His gaze shifted to Bria. “Bria will do as her husband commands.” Then back to Kaelan. “And you will learn your fate when we speak.”
Dravic pointed to the chamber door. “Now get out… all of you.”
Tavish stepped forward at once and urged them toward the door. “This way.”
Wynn inclined her head to the king and turned for the door. Bria slipped an arm about her great-grandmother’s waist while Kaelan followed close behind, muttering beneath his breath.
Tavish caught only a few words.
“…stubborn king.”
As the last one slowly approached the doorway, Tavish reached for the heavy door, ready to close it.
High in the shadows above the chamber, Fiora was ready to take flight when something had her turning her head and looking toward the hearth.
Adira was looking directly at her, and then she not only smiled, but she also lifted her hand and gave the tiniest wave.
Fiora froze.
Impossible.
She had hidden herself well. No one had looked her way. No human could have seen her from where she hovered in the shadows, and certainly none could have heard the whisper of her wings.
“Hurry,” Tavish ordered, ready to pull the door closed.
Startled from her thoughts, Fiora darted toward the door, but could not resist to glance back one last time.
Adira still watched her. Still smiled.
Confusion stirred in Fiora.
How had the young woman who could not have heard her managed to see her when no one else in the room did?
Chapter Four
Caerith Castle
The King’s Solar
“Enter.”
Kaelan stepped into the room and quietly closed the door behind him.
His gaze swept over the king’s solar before settling on Dravic.
The chamber was modest compared to the rest of the castle. A sturdy desk stood near the window, shelves of ledgers and rolled maps lined one wall, and a small hearth kept the room comfortably warm against the winter chill. Two chairs sat before the hearth, positioned for conversation rather than ceremony.
It was a room meant for private matters.
Kaelan’s gaze fell on Adira sitting quietly near the fire with her stitching resting in her lap. She looked up when he entered and he wondered how she knew he entered when she could not hear. Then he recalled Bria reminding him how Adira could feel things and no doubt she felt a shift in the room when he opened the door.
The king stood with one hand resting lightly on the mantel, watching the flames rather than his guest.
Without preamble, he said, “I want you to return home to Northland.”
“Why?”
Dravic turned to the sideboard, filled two goblets with wine, and handed one to Kaelen before taking a seat. Then he pointed to the chair beside him.
Kaelan sat but made no move to speak.
Dravic took a swallow of wine. “Once again, war looms over Scotara.”
Kaelan continued to remain silent.
“I know little of Northland beyond what I remember as a child, and those memories are few.” He paused briefly. “With my mother having been the daughter of King Eirik, that makes him my grandfather.” He rested the goblet on the arm of his chair. “If Tharne comes against Scotara in the spring, I need to know whether my mother’s family will stand beside this kingdom… or against it.”