Total pages in book: 108
Estimated words: 105132 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 526(@200wpm)___ 421(@250wpm)___ 350(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 105132 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 526(@200wpm)___ 421(@250wpm)___ 350(@300wpm)
Adira no longer heard it. The strange sound had vanished as suddenly as it had come. In its place settled an eerie silence. Not the peaceful silence she had always known. The same unsettling silence that had come before the whispers first found her.
She slowly lifted her head.
Dravic looked down at her. Concern filled her soft green eyes, though not for herself.
She turned carefully in his arms, almost afraid to look,
Cadby stood over the fallen prisoner, his bloodied sword still buried in the man’s belly. Percy had risen from beside the wounded guards, while Seger came racing back with the healer and others who offered their help.
The danger was over.
Adira felt the tightness leave her body.
Dravic felt it too.
The rigid fear that had seized her only moments before eased from her as she looked upon the dead prisoner with relief.
She had been afraid, but of what? She could not have heard anything. So, what made her press herself against him when she knew full well not to touch him other than when they were alone? What had caused her such fright that she had shielded him?
Shielded him.
She had not feared for herself. If she had she would have run. Instead… she had turned to him. She had thrown herself against him. Not to seek protection but to become it.
The realization struck him with startling force. She had sensed the danger before any of them. And her first instinct had been to shield him.
Dravic’s hands came down hard on her shoulders, and he pushed her back an arm’s length.
Adira stared at him.
His eyes burned with anger.
She had seen him angry before. At stubborn councilmen, reckless warriors, enemies, but never at her.
Confusion gripped her. What had she done wrong?
The answer came fast. She had pressed herself against him. She should not have done that, not in front of others.
His fingers remained firm on her shoulders, almost painful, as his eyes searched her face demanding an answer she could not give.
His chest rose and fell with several hard breaths before he released her shoulders only to seize her arm.
“Come.”
She could not hear him, but the single word carried the force of such a strong command that she felt its power.
“See to this, Percy,” he commanded as he set across the village.
He walked so quickly Adira struggled to keep pace, nearly losing her footing more than once. Each time, his grip tightened just enough to keep her upright, never once slowing his stride.
Villagers stepped quickly aside, no one dared to say a word.
The king’s anger was plain for all to see.
He never once looked back. His destination had already been decided… the cottage.
The moment they entered the cottage, Dravic released her arm only long enough to shove the door closed behind them.
The heavy wood slammed against the frame with a crack that shook the room.
Adira startled, feeling its vibration.
He turned on her, his voice thundering through the small cottage. “What possessed you to do something so foolish?” He took one step toward her. “You threw yourself in front of me.” Then another step. “Shielded me.”
The words struck one after another like blows.
Outside, the wind rattled the shutters.
Inside… the whispers began but this time Adira ignored them.
Her eyes never left him. His hands cut sharply through the air as he spoke. His jaw set hard. His eyes blazed. She watched every movement, every breath, every gesture.
At first, she thought he was angry because she had thrown herself against him, clung to him, pressed herself tightly against him before everyone.
Her stomach tightened. She had forgotten herself but at that moment nothing else had mattered. She had to keep him safe.
Then he struck his chest with the flat of his hand, pointed at her, then raised his hand as if keeping her back, then struck his stomach as if piercing it with a sword, then raising his hand again as if not letting her near him.
His movements were fierce, demanding.
Understanding came all at once. He was not angry because she had touched him.
He was angry… because she had shielded him.
Her eyes widened, then narrowed, a spark flaring in them, and, not thinking, she took a step toward him.
Her hand rose and she jabbed a finger at his chest, hard enough that it stopped him for a heartbeat. Then her hands flew, one movement after another. Faster than he had ever seen. Her face tightened. Her brows drew low. Her nostrils flared.
Dravic stared. He had never seen her like this. Never had she shown him anger. She had always been gentle, patient, understanding.
Now… she burned with fury.
“What?” The word escaped him, trying to make sense of her gestures.
She only moved faster.
He thought he caught fragments, but he couldn’t be sure.
Her hands trembled with the force of what she wanted him to understand.
Then she struck her fist hard against her own chest, nodding, then again and again, then she pressed her hand to her chest, patting it before pointing to him.