Destroyers and the Dragons

Page 44

      "Yet he seeks you out after only a few hours of being separated. He brings you a treat and is truly at ease around you," Lark says.

     "Which will make it that much harder to part ways, when the time comes," I mutter.

     "Why must you part ways?" she asks.

     "I can not be queen. I doubt any of the clans would allow me to sit upon the throne," I say resuming my pacing. "I am a child of the plains not a clan leader."

     "You've been listening to the councilors," she snaps. "There is no law that demands that the King marry a woman of the clans. In fact many of our Kings throughout history have married for love and we the clans have come to accept it," Lark says. "I have decided I will spend the next six months writing down every King or Queen that married for love and how low born their mate was. I will not let the councilors win."

     "Evergreen will thank you for that, I think," I say reaching for the knob.

     "And what of you?"

     "I am afraid to hope for the impossible," I say and then slip out the door. I retreat to the tent only to find Evergreen waiting for me.

     "What did Lark want?" he asks. I ignore him and pull out a map. I begin to study it as I chew on my lower lip.

     "She wanted to know what our relationship is?" I mutter.

     "And what did you tell her?" he asks leaning on the table next to me and blocking my view of most of the map.

     "I told her I was your War councilor," I say, "but I don't think she believes me. She said something about researching all the Kings and Queens that have married for love."

     "You thanked her for that," he demands.

     "I told her you'd thank her," I mutter trying to maneuver around Evergreen as I study the map.

    "Why is this so hard for you?" he demands grabbing me by my shoulders.

    "Studying the map would be easier if you'd move," I snap.

    "You are being difficult for no apparent reason," he retorts shaking me.

     "Maybe I prefer to guard my emotions from the inevitable rather than ignore it," I snap trying to push away.

     "The only thing inevitable in your life is being my queen and ignoring it won't change my mind. It will only make putting your stubborn ass on the throne harder, because I'll have to hunt you down," he growls. I can feel the magic around me. The air vibrates with it; he is so close to losing his control. I stop and really study him. He shakes his head and steps away sinking onto a stool. "You don't see yourself very clearly. Lark is looking to aid your claim to the throne. Pine has resigned himself to the fact that I will not sway from this. Those loyal to me see no reason why you can not be my queen. The only person who doubts this is you." My heart pounds in my chest so hard I feel like it is trying to break free.

     "I need open skies and grass, not stone walls and dirt paths," I whisper. "I can't stand cages. I don't know if I could live in a castle for the rest of my life."

     "You won't know unless you try," he says pulling me to him. Everything about this embrace feels so right.