Page 36 of Destiny of a King

When she opened her eyes, she saw the other men were upset and were admonishing him. They went back and forth until the man who hit her looked repentant and a bit fearful for hitting her. That gave Adira the idea that they were not meant to hurt her.

Fear of what that might mean had her pulling her cloak more tightly around her.

Feena had done well in explaining the plight of women, especially those on their own. They could easily be scooped up and sold, whisked away from Scotara before anyone realized they were gone.

Was that what these men had planned for her? And was Feena’s age the reason they left her behind?

Feena would go for help. The thought sparked hope until she worried that the men may have harmed Feena. But if they hadn’t, Feena would have gone to the king.

Would he search for her?

He would. She knew he would. He would let no harm come to her that she was sure of.

But first he would have to find her, and she hoped it would not be too late.

Dravic urged his horse faster, ducking beneath a low branch as Fiora darted ahead of him through the trees. His warriors followed, spreading out where the forest allowed and falling into a narrower line where the growth thickened.

“Faster, Fiora!” Dravic called out.

Fiora shot him an annoyed glance over her shoulder. “These wings are not horses!”

“Then stop talking and use them.”

Her tiny face pinched with irritation before she sped ahead.

Dravic kept his eyes on her. They had found signs of the men soon after entering the forest, but Fiora had proven far more useful than his warriors at following their trail. She disappeared at times only to return moments later, waving them in a different direction.

She suddenly stopped.

Dravic pulled hard on the reins.

Fiora hovered in front of him, her head tilted slightly.

“What is it?”

She held up one small hand, silencing him.

Dravic scowled but said nothing.

Fiora turned slowly, her wings barely moving as her eyes searched the forest.

“They are close.”

Dravic’s hand tightened on the reins. “How close?”

“Close enough that you need to stop shouting at me.”

He ignored the remark and looked at his warriors. “Spread out. No one escapes.”

The men moved at once.

Dravic dismounted and drew his sword.

Fiora flew closer. “You do not know how many there are.”

“I know they have Adira.”

He started forward.