Page 88 of Destiny of a King

He glanced down at her, having done so often since mounting his horse. He was concerned and it stirred her heart to know he cared. She smiled softly, letting him know she was fine. And she was, just a bit sore from last night and this morning’s lovemaking.

She had woken to his touch, though it was more than his touch that had woken her in unimaginable ways. The memory of it brought warmth to her face. His touch had been gentle but hurried. They hadn’t the privacy of the whole night ahead of them. They could not take the chance of being discovered, and yet he had taken the chance, his desire for her too strong to ignore. And she had felt the same.

She had wanted him with the same eager need and though it had been a brief joining, it was no less satisfying than last night. And it was now the reason he kept glancing down at her.

When he had placed her on the horse earlier, she had grimaced from the slight discomfort, and he had seen it and scowled. His eyes had immediately searched the area and she knew why. He looked for the healer.

She had almost reached out to touch his shoulder, but thankfully she had thought better of it. It would not be at all proper for her to touch the king. She had felt a chuckle rise in her chest thinking how she had touched the king last night, and he had not minded at all.

A good shake of her head and a glance toward the nearby villagers had been enough of a reminder that no one could know they had become intimate.

That seemed to annoy him even more, but then, of course, it would, since he was king and unable to do anything about it. Helping her would expose them and only make matters worse.

So now they both suffered in silence, though it warmed her heart that she did not suffer alone. The king shared in her discomfort.

Seger rode toward them, reining his horse to ride beside Dravic.

“My king, forgive me, but I cannot help but question Ernach’s loyalty when talk spreads of his disloyalty to King Halric. How can we be sure he does not lead us into danger?”

“We are in Driochmor. That is dangerous enough,” Dravic said. “And your task is to make sure we remain safe, not question your king.”

“He’s right about that,” Fiora said as she suddenly flitted between the two men. “Touch the wrong plant, say something to the wrong creature and the next thing you know… you’re a fly-eating toad or the fly.”

Seger’s mouth dropped open as if he was about to speak but he just stared at Fiora.

Fiora laughed. “That’s good. Practice catching flies in your mouth so you don’t starve when you become a toad.”

“Enough, Fiora!” Dravic snapped. “No one is being turned into a toad.”

Fiora planted her hands on her tiny hips. “Oh yeah, then tell that to all those toads the evil witches collected.”

“Evil witches?” Seger asked, then shut his mouth tight.

“Then there are the trolls,” Fiora said. “There are small ones and enormous ones, but all ugly and dumb though mighty strong.”

“Enough, Fiora!” Dravic warned again.

“Just preparing you,” Fiora said with feigned innocence. “Oh, I forgot the plants, the trees, the flowers. Touch the wrong ones and…” She shook her small head. “You’re a goner.”

Adira watched the exchange and knew from the twinkle in the fairy’s eyes and her playful smile that she had to be teasing them.

A burst of cold air swept past her, stinging her cheek. She thought nothing of it, not at first. Not until the cold settled more heavily around her as if it almost hugged her.

Then she heard it. She remained still, unsure if she had imagined it.

She glanced at the forest surrounding them. The same strange whispers she had yet to understand seemed to linger at the edge of her awareness, but this was different.

This had not been a whisper.

The wind had carried a sound to her. A sound meant to be heard. But she could not hear. So, how was it that she heard this sound?

Her eyes moved toward the fairy. She was laughing as she continued to tease, her tiny face bright with amusement. Could it be her laughter? But how did she know what laughter sounded like if she never heard it?

Her gaze shifted toward Seger. She easily distinguished sighs, from light to heavy ones, having watched people for years. She had seen him sigh heavily at Fiora. Had that been what she heard?

She cast a quick glance at the trees, perhaps it was the flutter of bird wings. But no birds flew overhead or moved among the branches.

Adira lowered her gaze. What was happening to her? She heard the sound. No one could tell her otherwise. It was as if someone shut a door against the sound before she could fully grasp it.