Page 4 of Destiny of a King

Something was wrong.

Adira toyed with the food on her plate, moving it about with her fork without taking more than an occasional bite. It had been the same the day before and the day before that. He had watched her long enough to know her habits, and this was not one of them.

The merchant finally finished.

Dravic dismissed him with a nod, then looked to Tavish. “Bring Feena to me.”

Tavish did not question the command. He crossed the hall, stopping beside the two women. Feena looked from Tavish to the king before giving Adira’s hand a reassuring pat and rising.

Adira watched them both with quiet curiosity.

Feena stopped before the dais and bowed. “You sent for me, my king?”

Dravic did not waste time. “What troubles Adira?”

Feena blinked in surprise. “My king?”

“She has scarcely eaten these past several mornings.”

Feena glanced toward Adira, who had returned to absently push her food about her plate.

“There is nothing physically wrong with her,” Feena assured him.

“If not physically, then what?” he demanded.

His abrupt tone had Feena responding quickly. “She misses the forest.”

Dravic’s brow drew together. “The forest?”

“Aye, my king. Before she came here, she spent much of her time wandering among the trees. She loves the woods, the streams, the creatures that make their home there. Castle walls…” Feena looked around the vast hall with a gentle smile. “…are grand, but they cannot replace what has always brought her peace.”

Dravic looked again at Adira. She sat quietly beside her untouched meal, her gaze drifting to the frost-covered windows as if searching beyond them.

Without another word, Dravic beckoned to a nearby servant. “Fetch my cloak and Adira’s winter cloak and gloves as well.”

The servant bobbed his head and hurried off.

Only then did Dravic look back at Feena. “You may return to her.”

Feena bowed and made her way back to the table. As she resumed her seat, Adira looked at her questioningly. Feena merely smiled and rested her hand gently against Adira’s chest, letting her know all was well.

Adira returned Feena’s smile, though confusion lingered in her eyes.

Dravic caught the servant returning with the cloaks before he reached the dais. He shrugged into his own heavy wool cloak, fastening the silver clasp at his throat in one practiced motion. Then, taking the smaller cloak and gloves from the servant, he crossed the hall to Adira’s table.

Conversations around the hall gradually quieted. It was not often the king left the dais to attend anyone.

Adira looked up in surprise.

Dravic stopped before her, pointed to her, and raised his hand palm up.

She understood he wanted her to stand and she rose at once.

With a swift motion, he settled the cloak around her shoulders. She stood patiently while he drew the edges together and fastened the clasp beneath her chin, his fingers brushing faintly across its softness.

He stepped back to inspect his work. Satisfied, he held out a pair of fur-lined gloves.

Adira accepted them with a grateful smile but made no move to put them on.