The Emery Chronicles: The White King's Woman (FIRST BOOK)

Chapter 11

Chapter Eleven- Finnian Finds Out

"You sound as if you don't like them, Your Grace?" Gavin and Arwen had been chatting for the past hour and a half, about everything and anything. They knew details of each other's lives, their likes and dislikes, and anything else they could think of. Gavin had just been telling Arwen about his childhood, about taking the White throne at only the age of ten, and about his cousins and The Summits.

"No, of course I like them. I grew up with them after all. But ever since we all took our separate thrones, the only time we really see each other is at Summits, and that is when we talk about taxes and trading and other business. I've learned over the years that talk of business does not make for fun conversation between cousins." Arwen smiled sympathetically when Gavin seemed sad after saying this, wishing it could be like the old days when he and his cousins were the best of friends. "You have no siblings, I presume?"

"No, M'lord. It is just I, my mother and our servants that live here." Arwen replied. She was sitting on a stool next to the bed where the king lay. They were still holding hands, caressing the backs of each other's palms and playing thumb wars absentmindedly.

"Hmmm," Gavin purred like a lazy cat, his eyebrows scrunched in thought.

"What is it?" Arwen asked, giggling. Her hand felt warm and comfortable in his, and she was so close to him, she could feel his body; the way his chest rose and fell as he breathed, the way heat came off his skin like rays coming off the sun. She felt magical next to him, more than she ever had when she was actually performing spells.

"You live next to the forest, with only one relative."

"So?"

"So, when a family lives right next to the forest, they are from Magical descent. Especially if the family is either very small or very large, nothing in between."

"Why's that?"

"Well, some Magical people procreate constantly," Gavin said and Arwen blushed at the thought, "like Faeries and Nymphs. Others like to keep their families small and close-knit like Dwarves and Elves. There are some Magicals that can go either way, for example, some Shifters like big families and others like small ones. Witches are like that, too, they can go either way."

Arwen did not make a move when he said Witches, but her heart jumped a little. She did not know what to do; her mother had not told her whether or not the king was supposed to know about their heritage.

"I can see you're not a Dwarf. But I can't figure out what you are. You are as spirited as a Faery, but I can feel the essence of nature around you, like a Nymph. Or, are you a Shifter? Do you transform into some sort of animal?" The king asked, laughing. Arwen smiled a small smile, getting nervous.

"Well, I--" Arwen began, but was never able to finish. The door to the guest room opened and her mother Bianca walked in, followed by Sir Finnian.

Arwen quickly stood, pulling her hand out of the king's and knocking over the stool.

"Your Majesty!" Finnian rushed forward, shrugging Arwen out of the way, and kneeling next to the king. Arwen went to stand next to her mother, her head down and face red. She could feel Bianca's eyes on her, but Arwen dared not look at her mother. "How are you?"

"I'm perfectly fine, Finn! It was just a scratch," the king joked, thumping Finnian's back good-naturedly and laughing. Finnian stared in amazement at how quickly the king seemed to be his old self again. "Actually, I'm quite starved."

"I'm sorry, Your Grace, I should've brought something for you to eat," Arwen said, forgetting that anyone else was in the room.

"What?" Sir Finnian barked. "How long has His Majesty been awake? Why was I not informed immediately?"

"I-I--" Arwen tried to speak, but her voice got caught in her throat.

"I commanded her to stay with me and not tell anyone," Gavin said gruffly to Finnian, losing the friendly smile and jesting mood. Finnian immediately turned back to the king, his voice calm and soothing.

"But I was so worried, Your Grace. I wanted to know as soon as possible when you were alright so we may return to your castle. Now that you are better, I'll make preparations for us to leave within the hour."

"Good. While you prepare, I'll take supper with the ladies." Gavin said, indicating Arwen and her mother.

"I can prepare for travel quickly and you can eat at home," Finnian interjected.

"No, Finn. I will eat here, thank you." The king said, his eyes flashing brightly at Sir Finnian.

"Fine, My Liege." Then Sir Finnian left the room.

"Arwen and I shall set supper. We have washed and set your clothes in the drawers next to you, Your Grace." Bianca bowed, then led Arwen out of the room, and closed the door on the king.

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