Page 19 of Destiny of a King

The door closed as Adira dropped her hand off the king’s chest, but he caught her wrist and held it tight.

He raised his other hand and shook his finger at her. “Never again.”

She felt the rumble of anger roll through him and understood he was not pleased with her.

He pressed his finger against the tip of her nose. “Never again!”

She nodded, understanding from his anger and gestures that he was warning her never to do what she just did again. Then she made a sorrowful face and tapped her chest, hoping he understood she was sorry.

“Sorry does little good. Do not do it again,” he warned, then released her hand and walked to the window, stopping before he reached it to glance back at her.

They had communicated. He was not sure how, but they had made themselves clear to each other and that surprised him, but why did it also please him?

Dravic turned back toward the window.

The snow outside the glass softened the edges of the courtyard below, turning stone and shadow into something quieter than it had any right to be.

Yet his mind was not on the view.

It was on her… Adira.

He realized, with a faint tightening in his chest, how little he actually knew of her beyond what stood in front of him each day.

Where did she come from? What of her parents? Had she ever known siblings? And what had life been like before silence and stillness became her way of meeting the world?

His jaw tightened slightly.

He had never asked, not once.

His gaze stayed fixed on the glass, but his thoughts did not remain there.

Had she been born this way? Or had something taken it from her—sound, voice, the ease of simply existing in conversation?

His hand flexed once against the stone window frame, the thought lingering longer than the others.

Dravic turned from the window. Curiosity had settled where anger had been. Without another word, he moved toward the door and swung it open.

The guards stationed outside straightened immediately.

“Fetch Feena,” he ordered.

One of them bowed and left at once.

Dravic returned inside to wait, eager to speak with her.

Adira stayed where she was, watching him pace and cast glances at the door. It was obvious he had summoned someone, and she wondered who it was.

It did not take long to find out.

The door swung open and Feena entered with the returning guard.

Adira smiled, seeing Feena hurry to brush the silver strands that had loosened from the braided coil at the nape of her neck away from her face. It was a familiar gesture that made Adira realize how much she missed Feena, her time now spent so often with the king.

She moved immediately to go to her, crossing the space quickly, then stopped. She turned to look at the king, having forgotten to seek his permission.

Dravic held her gaze for a moment then gave a single nod.

Adira hurried forward and hugged Feena tightly, the older woman returning the embrace just as heartily. Her sweet fragrance drifted over Adira, and she relished the scent of mixed herbs so familiar to her. Her hugs and scent were like returning home to a safe place, to a person who truly cared for her, and she wanted to linger there.