Page 38 of Destiny of a King

She risked a glance behind her and saw another man appear farther back. Now there were two. How did she outrun them? She did not know but she was about to find out.

Adira faced forward again, her heart pounding painfully against her chest as she went to run only to collide so hard with a man that it nearly knocked her backward.

Powerful arms caught her, but she fought wildly, striking at the broad chest in front of her and twisting to escape.

He grabbed her wrists, stopping her futile efforts.

Her gaze flew to his face and she froze… the king.

Relief swept through her so swiftly her legs weakened beneath her.

Dravic felt her body weaken and he released her wrists and caught her around the waist before she fell.

Adira did not stop to think he was the king and no one touched him without permission. She simply threw her arms around him and clung to him as if she intended to never let go, then she pressed her face against his chest as her body trembled.

Dravic welcomed her improper embrace, wrapping his arms around her, hugging her tight. He had her there in his arms. She was alive, living, breathing, trembling.

She was safe, and he closed his eyes briefly and held her tighter.

A man burst through the trees.

Dravic heard him before he saw him.

The man stopped abruptly, his eyes betraying his shock at seeing the king.

Two of Dravic’s warriors appeared suddenly behind him.

The man, hearing them, turned.

“Take him,” Dravic ordered, sharply.

The warriors seized him without incident.

Another shout came from deeper in the forest, followed by the clash of steel.

Adira felt the rumble in the king’s chest when he spoke strongly, and she turned her head to see one of the men who captured her being dragged away. She spotted more of the king’s warriors moving among the trees and knew the danger had passed.

Realizing how it must look with her in the king’s arms, she stepped away, but not far, since one arm remained hooked at her waist.

The angry red mark on her cheek caught Dravic’s eye and his expression changed. He reached up and brushed his fingers lightly over it.

Adira flinched and Dravic went still.

Anger rose in his eyes as he looked in the direction his warriors had taken the prisoner.

“Who struck you?” he demanded.

Adira watched his lips move but did not understand.

Dravic pointed to her cheek, then fisted his hand and gestured as if striking.

Understanding dawned and Adira looked toward the man being dragged away.

That was all Dravic needed. He turned, his arm falling away from her waist.

Adira grabbed his arm.

Dravic looked down at her hand, then at her.