“But,” he continued. “ I’m happy to let you know that it’s finally finished.”
Drovo wore a fake smile on his face, that in no way reflected how his words had just pierced my soul. He’d just admitted what I had feared to be true. My project wasn’t a priority to him, meaning I wasn’t a priority to him. I had hoped Hai was correct whenthey said Drovo had a crush on me. I had liked him when we first met and I had kept the hope alive that we could have something like Gabby and Tarak. But now I knew the truth. Drovo never actually liked me. He just liked to flirt.
I didn’t get the chance to finish processing Drovo’s words when he opened the gate, revealing the most beautiful cross between a chariot and carriage I’d ever seen. An arched shield-like structure made up the front resembling an ancient chariot and the back had the cushioned chair Drovo had shown me yesterday. Fresh flowers hung from the sides, accenting the etched flowers that covered the front and inside of the wooden chariot.
It was beautiful, absolutely breath-taking. It didn’t make up for him not making it a priority, but it was so beautiful that I didn’t know what to say. My mouth just hung open as I gawked at his work.
“If you don’t like it, I can keep working on it. It’s just that with the trip to the kala today, I thought you would like to ride there instead of walk.”
“Not like it?” How could he even think such a thing? This was a piece of art.“I love it! It’s so beautiful.”
A relieved smile drew across his face. “Come sit, or stand, whichever you like. I put a handlebar here in case you wanted to stand while you rode.”
As I approached the chariot, the additional small details that Drovo had added to the device became apparent.
The center of the chariot featured a large etchedluna moth and the handlebar he had mentioned looked like it was at the perfect height for me to hold on to.
I stepped onto the raised wood floor and sat down on the seat. It was perfect, and so comfortable.
Laying on the ground were two leather straps connected to two long pieces of smooth wood that jutted out from the front.
“What’s that for?” I pointed to the ground.
“Those are for Jelly,” He smiled.
“Jelly?”
“Yeah, how did you think this thing was going to move?”
Drovo called the buffalo out from his enclosure and he slowly meandered our way. Once he reached us, Drovo hooked him up to the chariot with straps and put a leash around his middle like a giant dog harness.
“Come on Jelly, let’s show Kayla what you’ve got.” Drovo tugged on the leash and Jelly walked forward with him. The chariot moved forward with a jolt, but the ride smoothed out from there.
Jelly was so large that he didn’t even notice the added weight of the wooden contraption.
We made a loop around the clearing before coming back to the enclosure. By the time we got there everyone was outside, ready to begin our trip to the kala. Whoops and cheers sounded as we approached the crowd and I couldn’t help myself but do that silly little wave that royals do when they greet their subjects. I felt like a queen.
“This is amazing!” Gabby shouted as she ran her hand across the smooth wood of the chariot.
“It’s like a work of art,” Ashley commented.
I stepped onto the ground and approached Drovo, who was giving me a proud grin.
“Thank you,” I said as I embraced him in a hug. I wasn’t usually the hugging type, but I’d made an exception for this.
Drovo stiffened as if frozen, so I quickly backed away. I should have asked first. He doesn’t like me like that. Of course, he wouldn’t want a hug from me.
He gazed at me with a shocked look for a moment before he shook his head and stuttered, “I, I’ve ga-got another surprise for you.”
“Another surprise?” What more could he have done? What he gave me was already incredible enough.
“Yeah, come here,” he waved me to the side of the chariot where there was another large etched luna moth. He pushed on the picture and a little hidden door swung open.
“A secret compartment?!” I was in shock. His ingenuity knew no limits.
“Yep, I’ve already packed some snacks and water for you.” He pointed to the contents inside.
“You’ve really thought of everything, haven’t you?”
