Page 62 of Destiny of a King

The sight did not go unnoticed. The villagers watched and murmurs spread quickly. They knew he was king. But they did not know who the woman was who walked beside him. The woman whose hand he held.

The guards followed behind them, while Hollis remained with Vachel, talking.

Ernach’s cottage stood apart from the village, a simple dwelling surrounded by trees and untouched snow.

Dravic’s first thought was that a man hunted as a traitor to the crown should not have such a peaceful home, especially here in the forbidden land. But then he was beginning to think that truths he had been told may not have been truths after all.

Ernach opened the door and motioned for them to enter.

Two of his guards entered first, looked around, and seeing it safe, let Dravic know it was safe to enter.

Warmth from the hearth greeted them as they settled inside.

The cottage was simple but comfortable. A small table stood near the fire, a few chairs arranged around it, and shelves lined with carefully preserved books and scrolls. It was more of a home to a scholar than a traitor.

Dravic guided Adira to a chair nearest the hearth and waited until she sat before removing his cloak and dropping it across her lap.

Ernach watched silently, a slight narrowing of his eyes showed he had noticed.

The young prince he had once known would never have considered such a thing. Not because he lacked kindness, but because he had been raised to believe duty came before everything… before everyone.

Yet here he stood, a king who had crossed into forbidden lands, and the first thing he did before questioning a so-called traitor was to make certain the woman beside him was warm and comfortable.

Before Ernach could speak, a familiar voice came from near the hearth.

“I told you he would wise up and come here.”

Dravic turned sharply.

A tiny figure flitted into view, her expression filled with satisfaction.

For a moment, Dravic simply stared, then he scowled. “And here I thought I was finally rid of you.”

Fiora laughed, a bright, tinkling sound that filled the small cottage.

“You missed me. I know you did.” She folded her tiny arms. “You just do not want to admit it.”

Dravic’s brow wrinkled. “I can assure you⁠—”

“You missed me,” Fiora interrupted with a grin.

Adira watched the exchange, her eyes moving between them. She did not understand the words, but she understood the familiarity. The king was different with this tiny creature. Though annoyed, more often than not, he was less guarded.

Dravic turned his attention back to Ernach. “You knew I was coming here.”

Ernach did not deny it. “I had no reason to doubt Fiora when she told me.”

Fiora lifted her chin. “I knew you’d find your way through that snowstorm and figured I’d meet you here.”

“And how did you know that?” Dravic asked.

“Fairies have their ways. Now it is time for you two to talk,” Fiora said, planting herself on the wooden mantel.

Dravic remained standing.

He had entered the land his grandfather had forbidden him to enter. He had listened to rumors that challenged everything he believed, but rumors were not enough.

“I want the truth,” Dravic said. “Not excuses. Not lies meant to protect the dead or condemn them.”