Page 121 of Destiny of a King

Dravic slipped an arm around her and eased her away from the tree, drawing her against him.

Adira felt his warmth surround her and closed her eyes again, grateful for his solid strength. Her head throbbed where it had struck the tree, but that mattered little compared with the fear she had seen in his eyes.

Then she heard his heart, and she went still.

The beat was strong and rapid beneath her ear. She had rested against his chest countless times and felt the steady rhythm beneath her cheek, but she had never heard it.

She listened, fascinated by the deep, repeated thud. His heart had a sound, and it beat so fast.

Because of her?

Dravic’s hand moved over the back of her head, careful when his fingers reached the tender spot.

“You frightened me.”

His voice rumbled through his chest as much as it reached her ears.

Adira’s heart swelled, hearing that as well. Not simply his words, but something in his voice she had never known existed. The concern she had always read in his expression now had a sound of its own.

She wanted to remain there forever, listening to his heart and his voice, discovering pieces of the man she loved that had always been denied her.

Dravic eased her back enough to look at her. “How badly does your head hurt?”

She stared at him. The question was clear. She heard and understood every word, and her excitement almost betrayed her.

Dravic’s brow drew together as he touched the back of his own head and grimaced before pointing to her.

Adira understood the gesture and responded with her own. She held her thumb and finger a short distance apart.

“A little,” Dravic said, his expression easing somewhat.

Dravic drew her against him again and rested his cheek briefly against the top of her head. He needed a moment to feel her warm and alive in his arms, especially after watching life leave one of his men only moments before.

Adira welcomed his embrace, though she sensed something had happened while she was unconscious. Men were gathered several yards away, their attention divided between Cadby and the forest. Some spoke excitedly, while others simply stared toward the trees as if expecting something to appear from them.

She lifted her head and glanced toward them.

Dravic followed her gaze. “I will explain later. Right now, we need to keep moving.”

He pointed ahead along the path and then helped her to her feet, keeping an arm firm around her when she swayed slightly. His scowl returned at once.

Adira touched his chest and smiled, assuring him she was fine.

It was obvious he did not believe her and his words confirmed it.

“You need rest and you will get it once in my arms on my horse, and there you will stay.”

She heard every word and almost smiled again. She would have known his command without hearing it. The firm set of his mouth told her there would be no arguing with him even if she had possessed a voice to do so.

Dravic kept hold of her as he called Seger over. “How many?”

“Seven men wounded. Two will need help riding.”

“And the dead?”

Seger glanced toward Cadby before looking back at him. “Not one.”

Dravic looked toward his warrior, now sitting up, appearing exceptionally well, with several men around him. He had entered enough battles to know how remarkable it was that an ambush of that size had not cost him a single warrior.