Leastways, Dari thought with a small smile, ‘twas not just Gio stealing glimpses of her body for she was equally guilty. The older she grew, the more aware of his masculine charms she became. His tanned skin set against exotic lavender eyes, his towering height and steely musculature…
She blew out a breath. Nay, this would not do at all. For a certainty every moment she spent in his presence weakened her desire to flee from him that much more. Oh how she’d tried to despise him! She’d tried mayhap, yet the negative emotions simply were not there.
Dressed and ready to break her fast, the princess made her way from her rooms to the dining hall. Per usual, King Elian and Gio stood up upon her arrival. The trio exchanged formalities and, as was customary, they then proceeded to eat.
“I fear I cannot walk in the gardens with you this morn,” Gio informed Dari. “Please forgive, milady, but I’ve new warriors to introduce to those who’ve already been training under me for a time.”
She was a wee bit disappointed, but duty was duty. “’Tis fine, milord. Do not concern yourself.”
“I’ll walk with you this morn, Princess,” King Elian offered.
“For a certainty, sire?” Gio quietly asked. The timbre of his voice puzzled Dari. “You don’t—”
“Goddess knows it’s been a spell since last I was in mine own gardens.” His smile was welcoming, reassuring. “So, aye, for a certainty.”
Dari blinked. She didn’t know what to make of their conversation. Apparently noticing her perplexed expression, Gio thankfully ended the suspense. “’Twas mymani’sfavored place, the gardens. Much as it is yours.”
The princess’ hearts sank. She looked to the king. “And you have not been in the gardens since?”
“Not since mynee’kapassed through theRah,” the king admitted.
That’s been eight years now, Dari thought, saddened. Eight longYessat-Years.
“Three new trees have been added o’er the past sennight alone,” Dari said dumbly. She decided she truly needed tutored in the art of gracefully expressing sorrow. “Two bear sweet fruits and one… well… the tradesmen aren’t quite certain what the third bears yet. That one was added to your collection for its uniqueness.” At the king’s raised brow, Dari explained, “None of the tradesmen know for a certainty where it came from. ‘Twas bartered for in Trader City.”
“My son told me you’d become quite the botanist.” The king winked. “I see he did not exaggerate.”
“Nay.” She blushed. “He did not.”
At meal’s end, and after Gio took his leave, the king stood up and extended his hand. “Milady?”
The princess rose to her feet and took his proffered arm. She led King Elian through the palatial gardens and explained to him the functions of various plant-life. He was unmistakably interested for he put many questions to her. Near to the end of their journey, the king looked down to the princess and smiled. “Mynee’kais no doubt smiling from the other side of theRah.”
“My king?” Dari inquired, meeting his lavender gaze so much like Gio’s.
“She would be overjoyed to know that the new mistress ofArakialoves her precious gardens as much as did she.”
Dari’s hearts broke all over again for Arak’s ruler. “What was your Sacred Mate’s name? I mean—if ‘tis okay that I might ask.”
King Elian smiled. “Zentaria.”
“Oh! Such a lovely name.”
“A lovely name for a lovely woman. ‘Tis my fondest wish that—”
“Aye?” Dari inquired.
The king brought their walk to a standstill. The princess looked up to him questioningly. Elian cleared his throat. “’Tis not my place to ask, yet you would do me—and mynee’ka—a great honor did you name your first female hatchling after her.”
Dari’s hearts sped into overdrive. Oh she would that she could! Fleeing fromArakiabecame less appealing with each new moon-rising. Leastways, she promised him what little she could.
“Does the day ever come where the goddess grants me a female hatchling, I give you my vow that her name shall be Zentaria.”
His eyes looked mayhap a wee bit misty. Dari wasn’t good with emotions for a certainty.
“In the meantime,” Dari said quickly, knowing aught else to say on the subject, “we should name her beloved gardens for her.” She nodded definitively.
“I like it,” King Elian agreed. “The Zentaria Gardens ofArakia.”
