Page 74 of Destiny of a King

“You will seat me on your council knowing how valuable I am to you,” Fiora said, her wide grin returning.

Dravic looked to Adira. Her lips were locked tightly and bloody hell if he didn’t feel guilty.

“That will never happen,” he assured her.

“Never say never,” Fiora warned, her grin remaining.

Having had enough of Fiora’s attitude, Dravic commanded, “Tell me why the Hunters, master trackers, will not find the healer.”

“You do not need me to tell you what you already know,” Fiora said to the king’s annoyance.

“Stop playing games with me, Fio—” Dravic shook his head. “Bloody hell.”

He recalled Elara and Dar telling him the healer who saved Elara was an ethereal being.

“You remember,” Fiora said with a smug grin.

“Just because she is ethereal does not mean she cannot take human form.”

“Hush!” Fiora warned. “That speaks of dark magic.”

Dravic lowered his voice. “Are you telling me this exceptional healer is of dark magic?”

“If she can take human form, then dark magic has a hand in it. And that just might be so since the tale says the healer has mixed blood, her mother a healer from Leighfeld and a father from Driochmor.”

“What power could she possess with only being half-Driochmorian?”

“What if she was not of mixed blood?” Fiora challenged.

While Fiora and the king continued their spirited exchange, Adira watched them both. She saw on the king’s face that he was annoyed. She tried to remain focused on them, but it was impossible.

The forest whispered to her. She was sure of it.

It wasn’t the trees or the rivers this time. It was something far more tangible. Something that reached for her as surely as she longed to reach for it. But the king held her hand so firmly she thought he might fear letting her go. Besides, he would never allow her to go into the forest alone.

She let herself get lost in the whispers, hoping to learn something.

“What are you suggesting?” Dravic asked, feeling a sudden unease from Adira and surprised by how strongly he felt it. Something disturbed her. Later he would ask her but for now he needed his attention here and present.

“The children your grandfather ordered placed throughout Scotara⁠—”

“The healer’s mother could be one of them, making her offspring⁠—”

“Extraordinary,” Fiora finished.

“If true,” Dravic said… He spotted Ernach talking with others by Vachel’s cottage.

He would know more and Dravic wanted to know more.

Dravic summoned Cadby with a wave of his hand, the guard standing a distance away, affording the king privacy.

“Bring Ernach to me,” Dravic ordered when Cadby reached him.

Fiora flitted close. “Listen to what is said but pay more attention to what isn’t said.”

“You offer fairy riddles rather than sound advice?”

Fiora grinned. “They make more sense.”