Page 159 of Destiny of a King

Dravic kissed her gently. “Whatever else you need to understand, we will understand it together.”

Adira wished it could be that simple. She wished she could return to Caerith with him, sit beside his hearth, become his wife and his queen and let everything else disappear. But it wouldn’t disappear. The woman she had believed herself to be had been created by a spell. She needed to know what remained when the spell was gone.

Dravic stepped back and took her hand. “Come.”

She resisted, tugging at his hand. She did not want to return to the Great Hall and face everyone there. She was too confused, too angry, too uncertain.

His fingers tightened around hers. “I am with you, always.”

Adira stared at him, realizing something she had never given thought to, and it hurt her heart to think about it. She forced a smile and went with him.

Conversation stopped when they entered.

Faith immediately stepped forward, but Tharne caught her arm before she could go any farther.

Dravic led Adira to the center of the room and stopped. He looked first at Tavish, then glanced around at everyone gathered there.

With a commanding voice, he announced, “Adira will be my queen.”

Tavish’s eyebrows rose.

Dravic turned to him. “When we return to Caerith, Tavish, you will see that preparations begin immediately for our wedding and the celebration that follows.”

Tavish stared at him.

Dravic waited for him to argue, to tell him that was not possible. But he was king and it was his decision, whether Tavish agreed or not. So, he was surprised when he heard.

“I will see it done, my king.”

Dravic nodded, satisfied and pleased that Tavish did not object.

Faith took another step toward Adira. “My daughter⁠—”

Adira shook her head and pulled her hand from Dravic’s. She hurried past Faith and Tharne and headed for the stairs.

Dravic did not stop her. He understood she needed time and he would make sure she got it, though not from him.

“Adira, please talk with me,” Faith called out.

Adira didn’t stop, didn’t look back.

Tharne started after her.

“Leave her be,” Dravic ordered.

Tharne turned sharply toward Dravic. “She is my daughter.”

“Aye. And she has learned more about herself today than anyone should be expected to accept without question. Adira will speak with both of you when she chooses to do so.”

Tharne gave a reluctant nod, then stepped toward Dravic, keeping his voice low. “You may be a powerful king, but Adira’s power far surpasses yours. You may want to think about that before making her your wife.”

Later that evening, Dravic found Adira in the bedchamber that had been given to them. She stood at the window, staring out into the darkness.

He closed the door behind him. Adira did not turn, though he knew she heard the click of the latch.

He crossed the room and slipped his arms around her waist from behind. She immediately leaned back against him. That simple response eased some of the concern that had followed him up the stairs.

“I wondered if you intended to hide from me as well.” He leaned his head down, his warm breath brushing the tip of her ear. “But you would know I would never allow that, so it was not a concern.”