Page 25 of Destiny of a King

He quickly looked away, his thoughts turning to Tavish’s warning.

She should not be sleeping in your bedchamber.

The words had not been spoken again, but he knew the rumors had not disappeared. A castle thrived on whispers, and there would always be those eager to believe the worst.

But why did he still have her there in his bedchamber?

That was the question that unsettled him. There had been a reason at first, then that reason had passed. Yet he had never ordered a change. He had simply allowed things to remain as they were. And he did not know why.

Dravic was not a man who acted without purpose. Every decision he made affected Scotara, and every order given had a reason behind it.

Yet this… this had no answer.

A king who could not find an answer to his own actions was a king not paying close enough attention.

A small flutter of silver wings caught his attention. He did not need to look up to see what it was. He knew. It was something he had failed to pay attention to as he should have. A fairy at court. His grandfather would be outraged.

He glanced up with a scowl to see Fiora hovering near a snow-covered branch, her expression unusually serious.

“Something is disturbing the forest,” she warned before he could speak.

Dravic glanced around him. The trees stood silent. The snow remained untouched and his warriors kept watch nearby. He looked back at her, unconvinced.

Fiora’s gaze went toward Adira. “She is with you.”

Dravic looked toward Adira, still bent over, busy brushing more snow aside. Whatever had caught her attention held her completely. She studied the ground with the same quiet focus she gave everything, as though the smallest detail mattered.

Fiora’s eyes narrowed. “Would you take that chance?”

Dravic did not wait, he took hurried steps toward Adira.

The warriors nearby remained alert, though none appeared to sense danger. The forest had returned to its stillness, and for a moment Dravic wondered if Fiora had allowed her imagination to run ahead of reason.

He reached Adira and touched her shoulder gently.

She looked up, her eyes meeting his.

For a moment, he found himself caught by the trust in her expression. She did not question why he had interrupted her. She simply waited.

Dravic pointed toward the castle, letting her know it was time to return.

Adira glanced in the direction he indicated, then nodded and went to stand.

He reached down and took her arm to help her up, bringing her to stand directly in front of him. So close that he saw the faint dusting of snow on her cloak that had fallen from the tree branches overhead and the warmth that still colored her cheeks from the cold air.

“Arrow!” Fiora’s cry tore through the forest.

Dravic reacted before thought could form. His arm hooked around Adira’s waist, pulling her hard against him as he turned. He twisted his body, taking her with him as they fell into the snow.

His only thought was of her. He covered her with his body, shielding her completely as the sound of movement echoed through the trees.

The warriors reacted instantly.

“FIND HIM!” Dravic roared.

The command thundered through the forest.

His men scattered, searching the trees and the surrounding ground, but Dravic did not move. Not until he knew that no harm lingered.