Page 103 of Destiny of a King

Merek’s head turned sharply toward her.

“What?” Dravic asked.

The woman looked uncomfortable at finding the king’s attention on her. “Nothing, my king.”

“I will know what you said,” Dravic said, his brisk tone expecting an answer.

Her gaze went to Adira. “They do not approach strangers.”

Dravic looked at the tiny creature. It had reached Adira. It sniffed her fingertips before placing two tiny front paws in her palm.

Adira’s eyes widened with pleasure as the creature climbed completely into her hand.

A murmur spread among the villagers.

Adira’s head came up sharply.

Dravic saw the change in her immediately. Her delight disappeared beneath surprise.

“What is wrong?” he demanded, then tilted his head slightly and shrugged.

She understood his gesture and she saw concern in his eyes. He wondered what was wrong.

Another murmur reached her.

She had heard it. Not enough to understand what anyone said, but voices had penetrated the silence all at once, overlapping and disappearing so quickly she could make nothing of them.

Then one word separated itself from the rest.

“Woman.”

Adira went still.

Woman. She repeated it silently, trying to hold the sound in her thoughts.

Dravic crouched beside her. His fingers touched her chin and turned her face toward him.

“Adira.”

She heard something. Not the word… his voice.

Her breath caught.

It was different from the sounds surrounding her. Deeper. Stronger. She knew instantly that it belonged to him even though she could not understand what he had said.

Her eyes widened.

Dravic’s concern deepened. “What is it?”

Nothing reached her this time.

Adira shook her head and smiled, though she knew by his expression that she had failed to convince him.

The little creature suddenly scrambled farther into her hand and curled against her palm.

Adira looked down.

Merek moved closer. “They are called silvren.”