Page 50 of The Gathering

Nadir caught Draven’s eye while Hagen said something that neither heard.

“We need to talk,” Nadir mouthed.

Draven gave him a silent nod but didn’t say anything further as Hagen had just turned towards them.

“—go see what they’re up to?” Hagen was saying. “Perhaps let this one have a word with his Princess before the Queen has a chance to cut off his cock?”

Nadir’s gaze was fixated up the beach then, his face finally softened. “Suppose it doesn’t matter that I’m so far away from home,” he said with a sigh.

“Why’s that?” Hagen asked.

“Because if she even looks at me, I’m never making it back,” Nadir said.

“Always with the poetics when it comes to women…” Hagen mocked. “You should write a book of them, mate. Perhaps I’ll write down the ones you’re sure to say this week.”

“I didn’t know you could read,” and Draven grinned as Nadir slipped back into his usual self.

Even Hagen smiled back at the Commander. “Since I’ll be rid of you in two days anyway, I’ll not be dignifying that with a response,” he said. “Come on. Let’s see how quickly this can happen so I never have to look at your ugly face again.”

CHAPTER NINETEEN

NYSSA WISHED SHE was wearing a different dress as the three walked down the beach at the edge of the water. Dorian stripped himself of the grand jacket and his boots and instead rolled up his pants so he could kick water at the women and play in the surf.

They’d talked about the new people, and Bala, as she knew some of them, she told the pair any information she knew might help them navigate the next two days.

“What about the Blackhand women?” Dorian asked as he skipped a rock over the water.

Bala leaned her palms back as she and Nyssa relaxed on the sand. “You’d like them,” she replied teasingly. “They’re… adventurous,” she winked.

“And the men?” Dorian asked.

“Efficient,” Bala replied. “Though, you might find that a challenge, Prince. They’re not as….” And Bala paused as she tried to find the right word.

“Eccentric?” Dorian suggested.

“That’s one way to put it,” she said. “I was going to say free-spirited. I’m not saying they disapprove,” she added quickly. “It’s just not… common.”

His next rock sank to the very bottom with a plop, and Nyssa pulled her knees into her chest as she closed her eyes to inhale the salty air. She tried to block out the nerves taking over as she thought of the next two days and the people she had to mingle with. Not to mention the ball that night where she would be expected to charm and dance with strangers.

“I’m upset I missed Princess meeting her fairytale man,” Bala said, nudging her.

“Oh, you should’ve seen her,” Dorian grinned. “I thought she would jump him right there.

But Nyssa hardly heard him as a blush rose on her cheek, and she pushed her hair behind her ear. “Dorian is exaggerating,” she said, though all she could see behind her eyes was the last look Nadir gave her before he’d turned and left the Throne Room.

“He—“

Nyssa couldn’t finish her sentence as she looked up the beach.

The sight of Draven walking with Nadir and Hagen caused her words to stick in her throat. Three of Haerland’s most handsome men, smiling and chatting as they walked down the beach, sun over their heads.

“That’s a sight,” Dorian said, tossing a rock from hand to hand.

Bala and Nyssa both stood, and Bala grinned back at Nyssa. “Shall we?” she teased.

Dorian returned the smile. “This should be fun.”

And then Nyssa realized the two were walking towards the others. “Wait—“ Nyssa launched at Dorian’s arm. “Please don’t embarrass me,” she hissed at him.