Page 33 of Destiny of a King

The Great Hall

The Forest

Feena stumbled through the castle doors, breathless and near collapsing.

“King Dravic,” she gasped at the startled guards. “I need the king. Now!”

One guard hurried off while the other reached to steady her, but Feena waved him away. She had wasted too much time already. Every moment that passed carried Adira farther away.

Dravic was still in the council chamber with Tavish when the door flew open and a guard entered without waiting to be summoned.

The interruption alone had Dravic turning sharply.

“My king, Feena has returned to the castle. She demands to see you.”

Dravic’s brow narrowed. “Where is Adira?”

The guard hesitated.

Something cold settled in Dravic’s gut. “Where is she?”

“I do not know, my king.”

Dravic was out the door before Tavish could say a word.

He found Feena in the entrance hall, her cloak hanging crooked from her shoulders, the hem of her dress wet from snow and her face pale with fear.

Dravic stopped and stared at her. She was alone, and his heart suddenly pounded in his chest as he crossed the distance between them.

“Where is Adira?” he demanded.

Feena’s eyes filled with tears. “They took her.”

Briefly, Dravic felt as if his heart stopped beating, then it thundered against his chest.

Tavish had followed and stopped several feet behind him.

“Who took her?” Dravic demanded again, only this time all could hear the fury in his words.

“I do not know. There were four men. They were waiting in the forest and⁠—”

“The forest?” His voice hardened. “Why were you in the forest?”

Feena gripped her hands to stop them from trembling.

Dravic stepped closer and gave Feena no time to respond. “I ordered you to remain in the cottage with her.”

“Aye, but Adira⁠—”

“You disobeyed me.”

“She would have gone without me!”

Dravic glared at her.

Feena struggled against her fear of the king and her fear for Adira. “Something drew her there. I tried to stop her, but she was determined. I have never seen her so determined.”

“What direction did they take her?” Dravic snapped, his anger mounting.