Page 125 of Destiny of a King

“I will not lose you, Adira. I will let no one take you from me. No one.” Dravic tucked her firmer against him as if he feared she would somehow be swept away from him.

Adira heard his determination, felt it in him. Yet once again she thought of the consequences of becoming intimate with the king. Most thought her ignorant because she could not hear or speak, but watching people had taught her more than she could have possibly hoped to learn.

Her fate was sealed. He could never marry her. So, what of a future?

The only future she had was to be a kept woman and it broke her heart to think of such a meaningless life with him. She would watch as another woman sat by his side, slept at his side, and bore his bairns. Her heart broke even more and, without thought, her hand slipped off his chest.

Dravic felt the change in her and he lifted her chin and shrugged. “What’s wrong?”

She thought quickly. She pretended to yawn, then pointed to the road ahead.

He nodded, understanding. “You grow tired of the journey. So do I.” He released her chin and called out, “Ernach.”

The man slowed his horse and waited for the king to draw alongside him.

“How much farther?” Dravic demanded, not hiding his ire.

“A day. Perhaps two.”

Dravic’s annoyance grew with his raised voice. “Yesterday you told me two days.”

“The route Merek suggested is longer than I expected.”

“Merek again.”

Ernach shrugged. “He knows this part of Driochmor. I know only the entrance area, not the deeper Driochmor. I must rely on his knowledge to get us there.”

Dravic glanced around them. The forest had grown denser as the day progressed, the path narrowing until his warriors were forced to ride no more than two abreast in places.

“He gave you the safest route?”

“So, he said, though I’m afraid not the fastest.”

“Could we have taken a wrong turn?” Dravic asked, worried that his trust had been misplaced.

Merek had been vocal enough about not being pleased with the monarch. Could he have purposely sent them in the wrong direction?

Ernach shook his head. “I do not think he would be so foolish. Patience, my king, we will reach our destination soon enough.”

“We had better reach the High Council by tomorrow or someone will feel my wrath.”

“As you say, my king,” Ernach said, and urged his horse forward.

Dravic watched him go, his annoyance remaining. He should have had directions given to Seger as well instead of relying on only one man, but Ernach had at least some knowledge of Driochmor whereas no one else with them did. Though there was Fiora, but could he trust a fairy? Ernach had cautioned them on more than one occasion about plants or trees they should avoid. He had proven his worth and he had knowledge of Dravic’s family that he craved.

That did not mean he couldn’t get annoyed at the delay and more so at not having private time with Adira.

They rode for another several hours before the forest began to thin. The path widened and smoke could be seen rising beyond the trees.

Ernach slowed and waited for Dravic.

“A village lies ahead. We can spend the night there and leave at first light.”

“What village?”

“I believe Merek called it Dunvar.”

Dravic looked toward the smoke curling above the distant rooftops. “And how far from the High Council?”