Page 222 of The Kingdom's Reckoning
Kallie looked out the window toward the mountains. The sun rested high in the sky, its beams blinding. It was almost high noon. She tapped her nails on the top of her thigh beneath the table.
If she didn’t leave soon, she would be late.
"Must we discuss this every meeting, Jordan?" a woman a few chairs down from Kallie asked. She sat with her chin in her hand and her elbow resting on the table. Even she was bored with the conversation.
"I’ll stop bringing it up once my sheep stop disappearing!" Jordan turned in his seat. "Your Majesty, can you please tell?—"
Kallie lifted her hand, and Jordan snapped his mouth shut as everyone turned toward her.
With a sigh, Kallie scooted closer. Resting one arm on the table, she held up the letter. "I have already written a letter about your grievances, Lord Hare, stressing the importance that King Rian once again get a hold of the drakonises."
"They escape every year!" Jordan whined, pressing his palms against the sides of his head. "How am I supposed to ensure the safety of my sheep if?—"
"It will be handled, Jordan," Kallie said, having had her fill of his complaints for one afternoon. Lord Hare meant well, and his patience with the drakonises over the past few years was commendable. But there was only so much Kallie could do. "The crown will provide you with the funds for new sheep."
"Newsheep? One cannot simply replace my sweet Laia! She was my favorite of the herd."
Kallie lifted a brow. "Do you not wish for the funds, Lord Hare? We’re happy to give them to another lord or lady who?—"
"No, no," Jordan said, sinking back into his chair with a frown. "Thank you, Your Majesty." He nodded his head in gratitude, although he continued to sulk.
A woman sitting next to him patted him on the shoulder empathetically for his priceless sheep.
"Now, with that settled, I have an agenda to keep to, as I’m sure we all do." Kallie pushed back her chair. "Until next time."
The council members stood and bowed their heads to Kallie as she strolled around the table. When she reached the doors, the guard pushed them open.
Kallie smiled at Penelope, one of her favorite guards. "My apologies that you had to stand through that again, Penelope."
Penelope shrugged. "No apologies necessary, Your Majesty."
Kallie slipped out of the meeting room, leaving the rest of the council members to their goodbyes.
"I thought this one was supposed to be short?" a warm voice asked.
Kallie snorted and said, "It was supposed to be." Although it was annoying that the meeting had gone on longer than expected, she couldn’t help but smile when she turned and found Graeson leaning on the wall beside the doors to the council meeting.
With a huff, he bent down and grabbed the bag resting at his feet. As he did, Kallie let herself admire his muscles that strained against the fabric of his shirt.
Cocking a brow, Graeson held out his arm. "Ready?"
Kallie easily took his offer and looped her arm around his. With a squeeze, he brought her closer, their hips bumping into each other and causing Kallie to laugh. He pressed a light kiss on the top of her head, and she hummed, soaking in his warmth.
As they walked, a light breeze, cool against her skin, whisked into the corridor, brushing her cheek and sending a loose strand of hair dancing. On the windowsill, two crimson birds perched, preening their feathers. As Graeson and Kallie passed, the birds took flight, their melodic song drifting in the wind.
When they were far enough away from the council members, Kallie leaned toward Graeson. "You wouldn’t know why a flock of sheep has gone missing recently, would you?"
He snorted. "Not me, little mouse. I don’t fly hungry."
She eyed him suspiciously. "And Nyrri?"
Graeson gave her a side-eyed glance before turning down the hall to the right. "What Nyrri does when she ventures off the path is her business."
Kallie pursed her lips. "I thought as much."
She would have to speak with the drakonis and remind her of the boundaries. Although Kallie knew it was basically a lost cause. Where Nyrri went was her business, and no one couldstop her. Kallie had tried multiple times, but the drakonis was as stubborn as Graeson, especially when it came to flying.
"Any luck today?" Kallie asked.
