Page 72 of Destiny of a King

Adira bobbed her head to let him know she understood.

Cadby waited until she reached his side before escorting her through the anxious villagers toward the king.

Adira’s eyes remained fixed on the growing crowd outside Vachel’s cottage. The villagers’ expressions were mixed, their movements cautious, making it difficult for her to understand what was going on.

“It cannot be.”

The whispered words caught Cadby’s attention.

“Nay… it is.”

Adira saw his brow knit.

“It is impossible.”

“There is one…”

“…the healer spoken of in the oldest tales.”

“…the one who can defy death.”

Cadby’s hand slipped beneath his jerkin and closed tightly around the amulet that hung from his neck.

Adira looked from the amulet to his face, puzzled by the sudden change in him.

“A miracle…”

“The impossible…”

Cadby stopped at the cottage door, looked at Adira, then opened the door and stepped aside.

Adira realized he would remain outside.

She entered alone.

The cottage no longer held the crushing grief it had the day before. Relief had taken its place.

The king stood speaking with Vachel and his wife while Ernach remained nearby, a broad smile brightening his weathered face. Tears still glistened on the mother’s cheeks, but now they flowed with joy instead of sorrow.

“She died,” the mother’s voice trembled. “There was not a breath left in her.”

“Aye, not a breath left,” Vachel repeated, his own voice filled with wonder. “I took my wife outside. She could bear no more. We stayed but a few moments.”

“When we returned…” His voice faltered, emotion thickening it. “…our lass was sitting up asking if there was anything to eat.”

His wife laughed through fresh tears. “She wanted a honey cake.”

Adira watched their faces, puzzled by the sudden joy that had replaced despair.

She quietly walked around them to see the lass sitting upright in bed, happily eating a honey cake.

Adira stared. The blood had been washed from the child’s face. The bandage was gone. Only a faint scar remained upon her forehead, looking years old rather than freshly healed.

Adira felt the vibration, annoyance bordering on anger. It was familiar to her, having felt it many times. It came from the king.

“You saw no one?” Dravic demanded.

Vachel shook his head. “No one, my king. Only my wife and me. We left for but a few moments. When we returned…” He looked at his daughter and smiled once again. “She was alive.”