Page 68 of Destiny of a King

He stood with his arms folded across his broad chest, listening while the Hunter spoke. His jaw remained set, his expression stern, yet every so often he gave a single nod, asked a question, or motioned with one sharp gesture that left no doubt he expected answers.

There was strength in him. Not merely the strength of a warrior, but the strength of a king.

Adira watched the three men carefully. Though she could not hear a word, she understood more than most would have guessed.

The Hunter spoke with urgency, his gestures broad and deliberate. The king’s guard occasionally added to the discussion, though she assumed his role was more to advise than persuade.

The king listened, questioned, then decided.

She could tell when one matter had been settled. Shoulders eased and heads nodded.

Then another matter arose.

The Hunter’s brow furrowed.

The king’s expression hardened and tension returned.

Whatever burden weighed upon him had not been lifted.

Adira wished she knew what troubled him. He had carried enough burdens already but then he was king… he had no choice.

He only had duty.

Her heart ached at the thought. There was no time he did not carry a burden. No time that he could be anything other than a king.

The thought lingered painfully within her. She wanted to ease the strain that never seemed to leave his face. She wanted to chase the worry from his eyes, to see him smile more than the bare glimpse he’d shared before the stern mask of a king settled firmly back in place.

A realization settled over her so quietly that it took her by surprise.

How and when had he come to matter so much to her? How was it that being at his side was where she wanted to be? And why had she refused to admit to herself how much his kisses meant to her?

His eyes caught hers then, and she could see he saw in them what she did not want him to see. What she did not even understand herself.

Somehow, he had worked his way into her heart.

The thought frightened her more than he ever had, and she quickly turned her head away.

Dravic stared, waiting, wanting Adira to look at him again. He had not imagined what he had seen in her eyes. He simply wanted to see it once more.

It was strong and fierce and meant for him.

“My king.”

Dravic turned his head slowly to Seger, forcing his attention back to matters at hand. Only when he made a final decision did he issue direct orders.

“See it done.”

The two men bowed and took their leave, a strong wind along with a flurry of snow whipping into the cottage as they hurried to close the door.

It caught Adira’s attention and she turned.

Silence settled over the cottage.

Beyond the frost-covered window, darkness had claimed the sky. Snow drifted steadily to the ground, softening the world beyond the glass.

Dravic looked at Adira.

Slowly, he lifted one hand and crooked a finger at her. “Come here.”