Page 112 of Destiny of a King

The king’s men were already mounted when Dravic and Adira stepped from the cottage. Horses stamped impatiently, their breath forming white clouds in the frigid air, while Seger moved among the warriors making certain all was ready to leave.

Dravic rested his hand briefly at Adira’s back as they approached his horse.

She heard the sounds before she understood them.

So many sounds.

The scrape of boots against hardened snow. The restless movement of horses. Leather creaking as men settled themselves in saddles. Voices drifting back and forth around her, some clear enough that she caught a word, others blending together until they were impossible to separate.

The world seemed determined to make up for all the years it had denied her sound.

She wanted to stop and listen to everything. Instead, she behaved as she always had… she watched.

She smiled when someone smiled at her. She followed gestures rather than voices. She made certain her eyes never turned toward a sound unless there was another reason for them to do so. It was proving far more difficult than she had imagined.

“Ready?”

Dravic’s voice reached her clearly.

Adira’s heart gave the same little leap it seemed determined to give whenever she heard him speak. She looked at him only because he stood directly before her and smiled.

He studied her for a moment longer than necessary.

Adira’s smile faltered slightly, worried he may have noticed a change in her. She was going to have to be careful.

Merek approached before Dravic could linger over whatever thought occupied him.

“You should reach the crossing well before midday,” he said. “Ernach knows the way from there.”

Dravic nodded. “And after that?”

“The land grows rougher the deeper you travel. You won’t find another village before nightfall.”

“We’ll make camp.”

Merek glanced toward the warriors. “Keep them close.”

Dravic’s brow rose. “Something I should know?”

Merek gave the faintest hint of a smile. “You’re in Driochmor. There’s always something you should know.”

Dravic shook his head. “I am beginning to believe none of you is capable of giving a straight answer.”

“You’re learning.”

That almost drew a smile from him.

Merek held out his arm.

Dravic looked at it briefly before clasping it. It was not a bow. He preferred it.

“I meant what I said yesterday,” Dravic told him.

Merek waited.

“I am not my grandda.”

“Nay. You’re not.”