Page 65 of Destiny of a King

“An arsehole like your grandfather,” Fiora said, her small arms planted firmly across her chest, just waiting for him to challenge her.

Adira watched the sharp exchange of expressions and gestures, having no idea what had caused such sudden anger, but it troubled her. She felt an overwhelming urge to go into the forest and seek some peace, if only for a short time.

She glanced at the king. He was well into a disagreement with the old man and the fairy, and they were not that far from the old man’s cottage, the forest just a few steps behind it.

Did she dare steal a few moments in the forest as she once had? The urge was far too great to ignore. She slipped quietly away, the three so engrossed in whatever it was they debated that not one of them noticed her leave.

Drawn by an urge she neither understood nor could resist, Adira paid no heed to her surroundings, something Feena had taught her never to do, and wisely so. Without being able to hear or speak, she had learned to watch everyone and everything around her.

But not this time, she had too little time to even give it thought.

Horses’ hooves pounded the snow-covered ground as a group of Hunters thundered toward the village. They entered at such a dangerous pace that women snatched their bairns from the roadway, men leaped aside, and more than one elder was pulled to safety only moments before the riders swept past.

Adira heard nothing. She simply kept on walking.

The lead Hunter spotted her and shouted, “MOVE!”

Adira kept her brisk pace.

Dravic turned at the shout and his heart lurched then slammed against his chest.

Adira stood directly in the path of the Hunters.

Chapter Sixteen

An Unexpected Arrival

A Gathering Storm

The lead Hunter pulled back on the reins. The stallion fought the command, its front legs lifting as it skidded through the snow.

A gust of cold wind had Adira turning. Her eyes went wide with fright seeing the horse ready to trample her, and she froze.

Dravic threw himself at her, his arms locking around her, yanking her hard against his solid chest. The force of his body ripped her off her feet, and he twisted to take the brunt of the fall as they went flying into a towering snowdrift.

The thunder of pounding hooves roared past so close that it sent more snow exploding over them.

For one terrifying heartbeat, neither of them moved.

Dravic remained as he was, his arms locked around her, feeling her body tremble against him, and her face buried in his shoulder. He thought he felt her heart pounding against his… though perhaps it was only his own. He had never known such fear. Not true. He had felt such fear when she had been abducted. When he thought he might lose her.

Adira lifted her head slowly to look at him. It was her fault. She had left his side without permission. She had not paid heed to her surroundings.

Fear rippled through her as her eyes finally met his. Relief and anger sparked in them and the only thing she could think to do, the only way to take responsibility for her actions, to let him know she was sorry, was to lower her head.

She never got the chance.

His hand gripped the back of her head, holding it firm as his lips landed on hers. His kiss was fierce, leaving her breathless… and wanting nothing more than to remain in his arms. And she returned it with a strength of her own.

“MY KING!”

The shout tore their lips apart. If it had not been for the snow covering them everyone would have been witness to their kiss.

Dravic had them on their feet before the Hunters and his guard reached them. The kiss lingered on his lips. He had not known what possessed him to kiss her. Maybe it was that he needed to taste her, prove he had not lost her, that she was very much alive. Whatever it was, he was unable to resist it.

And that was a problem.

Adira avoided his eyes, not sure what to make of the unexpected kiss, especially the strength of it. It was as if he could not resist. He had to kiss her, wanted to, and nothing would stop him. A change in the air had her looking up to see a Hunter running toward them. It had taken time, but Feena had finally taught her who the Hunters were… and that it was wise to keep her distance from them.