And Destiny Takes Hold
Three days on the road had left everyone eager to see the journey done. Only two more days remained before they reached Caerith, home of the king.
Driochmor was well behind them now.
The road wound through familiar forests and rolling hills, the sort of countryside Bria had known all her life. There were no floating lights among the trees, no strange creatures watching from the shadows, and no sense of ancient magic lingering in the air.
It should have felt safer. Instead, Bria had learned that danger cared little where it lived.
A spy from Drogath had walked Scotara’s roads. A witch had plotted against Driochmor. And somewhere ahead, a king waited who trusted few and suspected many.
Nay, safety was not determined by where one stood, only by who stood beside them.
She sat comfortably in front of her husband while he held the horse’s reins. Not by her choice, by his insistence.
“You are perfectly capable of riding your own horse,” she reminded him for perhaps the tenth time since they had departed Driochmor.
“Where is the fun in that?” he asked as he gave her side a playful pinch.
“Truly?” she asked. “Do you really think anyone will believe that?”
He shook his head. “I do not care if they do or don’t. Here is where I want you and here is where you will stay.” He kissed her quickly at first, then more slowly, more deliberately.
Naturally, she responded, she had to. She wanted to, though there was danger in that, for his kisses always tempted and more often than not stirred her desire for him.
“Not fair,” she bemoaned after ending the kiss.
His arm tightened around her waist. “This journey cannot end fast enough for me and the king better be welcoming and offer us safe haven and a comfortable bed.”
Bria smiled and settled more comfortably against him. “I wholeheartedly agree.”
Silence settled comfortably between them for a while.
Wynn traveled ahead with several of the Hunters while Fiora darted through the trees, disappearing and reappearing whenever it suited her.
It did not take Bria long to feel a change in her husband and realize something troubled him.
The tension had come and gone ever since they left Driochmor. Today, it seemed determined to stay.
She turned her head slightly. “What troubles you?”
Kaelan remained silent long enough that she wondered if he intended to answer.
Finally, he said, “Something does not feel right.”
Bria had expected as much. “Tell me.”
His gaze swept over the Hunters leading the way on the road ahead. “I still cannot understand why the king sent this troop.”
“He wanted the Wise woman brought to him.”
“Aye, the Wise woman but how did he know that was Wynn? The Hunters we met did not know of Wynn only that they searched for a Wise woman. How did the king suddenly findout about Wynn and get a message to Dar to escort them to the council so fast?”
“When you say it that way, it does sound suspicious,” Bria agreed. “You think something else is at play.”
Before Kaelan could answer, Fiora appeared suddenly in front of them.
The tiny fairy flew backward while facing them. “I am so excited.”
