Page 109 of Destiny of a King

Only Dravic… the man she loved.

Adira’s heart ached with the truth of it. She loved him. There was no longer any reason to pretend otherwise, at least not to herself. But she could not help but question once again what could ever become of that love.

He was king.

She was no one.

She possessed no title, no lands, no family name that meant anything. She could not bring an alliance to Scotara or strengthen his kingdom through marriage. A king needed a wife who could stand beside him before his people and give him heirs.

What could Adira give him?

Her love.

It seemed both everything and not nearly enough.

Dravic had made it clear he wanted them always to be together. She believed he meant it. She had seen the determination in his eyes when he made the gesture that nothing would separate them.

But he could not command away the duties of a king. Not even Dravic could do that. Someday reality would intrude upon the little world they had somehow made for themselves.

She did not want to think about someday. She had tonight. She had him now. And, however much time fate intended to give them, she would not waste it worrying over the time it might be taken away.

Adira turned carefully within his arm until she faced him. He did not wake.

She smiled, thinking how he would reach for her even in sleep. However, tonight she wanted to reach for him.

Her fingertips drifted lightly over his naked chest, tracing along his muscles, wondering how much it would take to wake him.

Her hand moved lower, slowly, deliberately.

Dravic stirred.

Adira stilled.

His eyes remained closed and she let her fingers wander again and this time his arm tightened around her.

His eyes opened.

Adira stared at him.

And in the darkness, roughened by sleep, his voice reached her. “Adira.”

Her heart soared at the sound of her name. She gave no sign that she had heard. Instead, she moved closer and kissed him.

Chapter Twenty-Six

A Night of Discovery

Questions Still Stir

Dravic barely had time to return her kiss before Adira deepened it.

Surprise held him still for no more than a moment.

She had never approached him this way. She had welcomed his touch eagerly, responded to him without hesitation, but this was different. Her hand slipped along his chest as she pressed closer, leaving no doubt that she had woken him with purpose.

Dravic caught her hand and lifted his head. “Adira.”

Her name reached her clearly.