Page 75 of Destiny of a King

Cadby returned with Ernach.

The old man bowed respectfully. “You wished to speak with me, my king?”

“I do.”

Ernach glanced at the gathering crowd, then to Adira. The cold had painted her cheeks a delicate rose and the wind tugged at the loose strands of her hair.

“If it pleases you, my king,” Ernach said, “perhaps we could continue this discussion inside my cottage. It is warmer there.”

Dravic followed the old man’s gaze. Only then did he notice the color in Adira’s cheeks. Without thinking, he reached up and pulled the hood of her cloak over her head and tucked it snugly at her chin.

Ernach’s brows rose ever so slightly.

Cadby noticed as well, his expression remaining carefully blank though surprise flickered briefly in his eyes.

Fiora watched them all.

Oh, this was not good, she thought.

As they walked through the village, people stepped aside for their king, though their whispers did not fade completely.

“She was here…”

“…the healer…”

“I thought she was only a myth.”

“What if the stories are true?”

“A tall tale.”

“Then who healed the lass?”

Dravic listened with interest. Rumors rarely began without reason. Somewhere among them truth waited to be uncovered.

Ernach opened the door to his cottage and stood aside for the king and Adira.

Warmth welcomed them inside, and Ernach immediately went to prepare a hot brew.

Fiora flew to the mantel and settled herself upon it, stretching her tiny hands out in front of her to catch the heat that drifted off the fire.

Dravic walked Adira to a chair at the table to sit, but she remained standing. He pointed to her to sit but she pointed back at him, then the chair. She sent a quick glance to Ernach and the fairy before returning her attention to him.

He understood she was worried what the two would think if she seated herself before the king sat.

Dravic laid a heavy hand on her shoulder, forcing her to sit. He then tapped his chest, placed his hand above his head, the gesture for the king.

His gesture was clear. He was king and would do as he pleased.

The exchange was not missed between Ernach and Fiora, but their exchange of wrinkled brows was not caught by the king.

Dravic sat. “Tell me, Ernach, of my grandfather’s decision to resettle children from their Driochmorian parents to live with families outside of the forbidden Land.”

“He believed it would normalize them. Teach them to be strong advocates for Scotara. And with no one to guide them into developing their magic, it would fade away. Until it existed no more.” Ernach shook his head. “It was a foolish plan, but with the death of your da and mum blamed on magic, there was no convincing him otherwise.”

Dravic listened wanting to hear all he had to say.

Ernach shook his head again. “It was a tragic loss. Your da would have made a good, caring king.”