Broken (15 page)

Kira sighed with relief. “Thank you. Did you at least brag to them about saving me?”

“Of course.”

“Good.” Her heart still raced from her encounter with the strange Royals. The words they’d said echoed over and over in her head. She'd almost forgotten she'd killed a prince. Shandira's prince. She looked at Cade who watched her intently.

“Are you well, Kira? Do you want to talk about what happened out there?”

She shrugged. “
I
don’t even know.” She told him about the cubs and how Octavion reacted when one of them bit her finger, but the rest was a blur. “They were Royals—that’s all I know.”

“Did they say anything?”

“Yeah, Draego said he'd get a bounty for killing me.”

Cade leaned forward and put a hand on her shoulder. “He told you his name?”

“He didn't have to. When I first escaped from Shandira, I went to the place in the canyon where you battled with the two Royals. The one I hit with my arrow was dead, but the other one was still alive. Draego arrived through a strange portal, along with several others from your world. They collected their dead and wounded. He caught my scent right before someone called him and said they needed to leave. Draego looked right at me and said we'd meet again. Then they were all swept up into this whirlwind and vanished.”

“Why would they want you dead? None of us were responsible for what happened that day. The blame falls on Shandira and her men.”

Kira shrugged out from under his touch and started wringing the water from her sleeves. “Because the man I shot was a prince.”

“A
prince?
” He looked away and seemed to be concentrating again.

“Cade, please don’t say anything to Octavion. He has enough to worry about right now.”

He put his hand up again.

Boys!

Waiting impatiently, she began to chill. Soaked to the bone, the slight breeze swirling through the courtyard didn’t help. She gathered her skirt in her hands and wrung as much water out of her dress as she could. It wasn’t an easy task considering Cade watched her every move. She was sure it improper to expose her legs, but it couldn’t be helped. When she saw a grin creep across his face she knew he no longer communicated with his brother, but enjoyed the show.

“Getting a good eye full?” she teased.

He turned his attention to her face instead of her legs and then nervously cleared his throat. “Um . . . Luka said he knows someone who may have information about this matter.” He acted prim and proper now, but the flush in his cheeks gave him away. “He agreed to keep it from Octavion until he has more information.” Then he grinned and looked back at her legs. “He also instructed me to keep an eye on you.”

She quickly dropped the soaked fabric and slapped his arm. “Well your injury certainly didn’t mess with your libido.”

He laughed.

“Do you have enough strength to take a lady to her room? No way am I dragging this heavy wet dress up those stairs.”

His forehead furrowed. “You do know it will hurt going through the walls?”

“Well, I can either suffer a little pain now, or take your mother’s scolding when she sees the mess I leave on her floor as I drip all the way to my room.”

“I would definitely take the pain.” He laughed again.

“Why don’t you put us on the balcony? That shouldn’t be too painful.” She grabbed his arm and they were there, both sitting side by side on the ground with their backs against the balcony railing. She gave him another hug and stood. “Can you get to your room okay?”

He nodded, smiled and was gone.

When she entered the room, she found Ussay changing the linens on the bed. She hummed a happy little tune and paid no attention to her as she came through the open French doors. Kira walked up behind her and put her hand on Ussay’s back. She screamed and spun around to find Kira soaking wet and dripping all over her clean floor.

“Kira,” she gasped. She looked her up and down and then put her hands on her hips. “Now what have you done?”

Kira managed to get through Ussay’s onslaught of questions without revealing the attack or the fact that she’d killed a prince. After getting out of her wet clothes, she took a much needed bath and slipped into her nightgown. It took some convincing, but Ussay reluctantly promised to spend the night with her mother. Kira told her she was no longer in need of constant care, but would expect her friend back in the morning to pick out a dress and help with her hair. Ussay seemed pleased with Kira’s request and agreed to go home.

As the evening shadows melted into darkness, Kira realized that for the first time since coming to Xantara, neither Octavion nor Ussay would watch her sleep. In a way it brought her peace. She'd be alone with her thoughts and her dreams. Alone to deal with whatever emotions the past few weeks and months had left in her heart, she was also alone with her nightmares and she feared sleep wouldn't come at all—or if it did, it would leave her reliving the things that had brought her pain.

Although exhausted, Kira wasn’t ready to crawl into bed yet. She’d spent far too many hours there lately and the thought of lying in silence didn’t appeal to her. She wished she had her iPod to keep her mind busy, but instead decided to take in the view. She pulled a shawl from the bench at the end of the bed and went to one of the window seats. It took a moment to get comfortable, but it was worth the effort. Her view fell on the colorful garden below her and the deep blue water of the lake that stretched out almost to the horizon. Only a small section of land separated it from the sky.

She watched as one by one the stars appeared—their brightness increasing with each passing moment. How she longed to be lying in Octavion’s arms underneath the same sky in her world. Her memory of the clearing, the glowing fire and the warmth of his embrace created a longing for him she’d only experienced in her dreams. So much time had gone by, so much wasted time, littered with tragedy and pain. If only she knew there would be only happiness in the future.

Lost in her thoughts, she hadn’t heard the approaching footsteps outside her door until they were nearly upon her. They stopped outside her door—two long shadows appeared beneath it, but the door remained closed.

“Is someone there?” she asked, but got no reply.

The shadows moved, and a white envelope slipped beneath the door from the other side.

“Octavion?” She threw the shawl to the floor and ran to the door, but when she pulled it open and stepped out into the hall, it was empty—almost. A fine white mist lingered for an instant and the welcome aroma of musk engulfed her senses. He’d been there.

She retrieved the envelope from the floor, closed the door and returned to her perch near the window. She broke the seal, flipped open the envelope and pulled out the piece of paper. She held it to her face and took in a deep breath. She sighed.
Just what I need to complete the day.
She hesitated for only a second, anticipating his words, then unfolded the paper.

Kira,

I must keep a distance between us this night.

Know that I am near and will see you in your dreams.

Sleep well, my love,

Octavion

As she read the words again, a sweet melody filtered through the window. Barely a whisper, it drew her in like an invisible string, pulling her toward it. She walked to the glass doors, pulled them open and stepped out onto the balcony. The cool air sent a shiver up her back, but she didn’t care. She heard the melody clearly now. The trill of a flute echoed up the side of the castle and calmed her heart. A lullaby—something to help her sleep. She strained in the darkness so see who played it, but the trees and bushes of the garden kept him hidden. It could only be Octavion. Who knew he could play the flute? Another chill made her quiver.

A childish giggle escaped as she quickly ran back into the room, ripped the blankets from the bed and grabbed what pillows she could carry. She threw the pillows onto the cold stone floor of the balcony, wrapped herself in the blankets and snuggled down to enjoy her own private performance. She lay with her face pressed gently against the railing, still trying to get a glimpse of him. When his flute fell silent she begged for more.

“Again,” she pleaded.

A few moments of silence passed before the melody continued. She lay there, completely content, even though the cool night air threatened to disturb her comfort. She took in each gentle note as it echoed across the lake. Somewhere between reality and her dreams, it stopped again. She pulled herself awake.

“Don’t stop,” she mumbled. “Please . . . one more.”

The music began again, but this time it faded into the night as she finally gave into sleep.

*

When Kira woke several hours later, she’d been tucked warmly into her bed. The sun wasn’t up yet, but its predawn light crept across the floor, splashing across the far wall. She remembered Octavion commenting on how beautiful the sunrises were, so she took her covers to the window seat and waited. As the stars faded away and the sky glowed in several shades of amber, she was taken aback. She couldn’t recall ever seeing the hues that shone across the morning sky—their perfect reflection mirrored in the motionless lake below. She sat there until the sun made its appearance and a fine mist settled on the lake—a scene Lydia would have captured perfectly with her camera.

Lost in the memory of her friend, she barely heard a sweet voice say her name. She looked around the room, but no one was there. Was she hearing a memory? She released her body from the blanket cocoon and stepped over to the door. She opened it, but saw no one.

“I must be losing my mind.” She closed the door, but when she turned around to go back to the window, someone had taken her place.

“You are Kira.” A little girl in a white nightgown bounced up and down on the window seat. She flipped her long blonde hair behind her back with a jerk of her head.

Kira smiled. “And you must be Arela.” She crossed the room and sat next to her. “How old are you?”

Arela dropped to her knees, straitened her spine and stuck her tiny pert nose in the air. “I am in my sixth year and I am very smart.” Then she relaxed again and giggled. “My mother says I am . . . obstinate. Do you know what that means?”

“I do. It means you are stubborn.”

“Yes, but I am not. I believe she is teasing me. My brothers like to tease me. Do you know my brothers?”

“I do.” Kira got a kick out of her banter. She talked so quickly it was like listening to a cartoon character on fast forward.

“Your hair is pretty. How did you get that scar on your face? You talk funny—did you know that?” Arela leaned closer to Kira’s face. “Your eyes are too dark. Are you going to the festival today?”

She didn’t give Kira a chance to answer any of her questions before jumping off the seat. She ran to the bed, propelled herself up and started bouncing up and down. Pillows flew in all directions. Arela giggled and twirled around as she jumped. Kira feared she would fall, so moved to the bed and grabbed Arela around the waist, pulling her off. Kira lowered Arela’s feet to the ground.

“Arela, will you do Kira a favor and see if Ussay has arrived at the castle yet?” Arela spun around in circles, making the ruffles on her gown fly. When she stopped she lost her balance and stumbled. Kira caught her before she hit the floor.

“I spin too fast.” Arela looked up at Kira with beautiful brown eyes. “I will get Ussay.” And she vanished.

Kira hadn’t expected her to do the usual Royal disappearing act. It took her by complete surprise. She stood there with her hands outstretched as if the little girl were still in them. Before she had a chance to recover, Kira felt Arela about to enter the room. It was the first time Kira had been able to distinguish between Royals. Arela’s sweet spirit surrounded her seconds before her wiggly little body appeared.

“Ussay is coming now. She wanted to race, but she is too fast for me, so . . .
boosh
, I win.” She held up her arms in triumph.

Kira gave her a quick hug. “Thank you, Arela.”

Arela giggled and climbed back on the bed. She stood and gave one little bounce right as Ussay came through the door.

“Arela,” she scolded. “You know better. Get down from Kira’s bed.”

“Yes, Miss Ussay.” Arela’s smile quickly turned to a frown. She slid off the bed and came to stand next to them. “Lady Kira?” She curtsied. “I am sorry for jumping on your bed.”

“Thank you, Arela.”

Then, as quickly as it faded, her spicy personality returned. She skipped over to the door and then turned to look at Ussay. “Can Kira come to the moon festival?”

“I will leave that up to her, Arela—perhaps if she is up to it.” Ussay looked at Kira and lowered her voice. “How is your stomach? Would you like something to eat?”

“I'm actually feeling much better. Octavion's flute playing last night did wonders for my mood and to be perfectly honest, I'm starving.”

Ussay's eyes widened. “Octavion plays the flute?”

“Well, yeah. I mean, I guess it was him. The music came from the garden right after he sent me a note. Who else would it be?”

Arela impatiently cleared her throat. They were obviously not paying enough attention to her.