Page 43 of Destiny of a King

A moment later, she covered a yawn with the back of her hand.

Dravic noticed immediately. He set his own empty tankard aside, stood, and pointed toward the narrow bed.

Adira looked to it as she stood, then back at him. With a questioning look, she pointed to him.

“I will sleep on the floor,” he said, pointing to it.

She frowned and shook her head sharply.

He raised his brow and pointed to the bed again.

She shook her head even more strongly, then tapped her chest, and pointed to the floor.

His eyes narrowed and he shook his head slowly. Then he pointed to the bed.

“You will obey your king.”

She made the gesture of placing a crown on her head that he had learned signified him and pointed to the bed.

He made the same gesture, tapped his chest, then tapped hers and snapped his arm out, his finger commanding her to sleep in the bed.

She folded her arms across her chest and shook her head more firmly.

For a moment, they simply stared at one another.

Dravic had faced stubborn lords who refused his commands, warriors who questioned his tactics, and neighboring rulers who tested his patience. None had been nearly as determined as the woman standing before him.

Adira bent her knees, determined to settle on the floor.

Before she could, Dravic caught her by the arm. With one firm pull, he brought her to her feet… their faces far closer than either of them expected.

She drew in a soft breath.

His hand remained around her arm, his face only inches from hers. “You will do as I say.”

Adira did not need to hear him to know he had issued a sharp command. She felt it. But she paid little attention to it, her eyes lingering on his lips. She had watched his mouth countless times before, trying to understand what he said. Never had she wanted to know how it felt beneath hers… until now.

But this… was different.

Slowly, she raised her eyes to his.

Dravic saw it as soon as their eyes met… desire.

Let her go. He warned himself. Step away.

He did neither.

A low groan escaped him.

Do not do it! Do not!

The tip of her tongue glided softly over her lips.

Dravic groaned again and lowered his head.

Chapter Eleven

Forest Cottage