Broken (20 page)

“Promise me,” she whispered.

“What kind of a man would I be if I did not avenge you?” It was as if the words he spoke released V’Larian into the air and she took it into her lungs. He watched as every muscle in her body surrendered to the imaginary drug, the emotion drained from her face and she retreated back into her shell. She looked away, curled back into her ball and drew the covers up around her.

“Then leave.”

He tried to swallow the lump in his throat. “Not before I say my piece.” If these were the last words she’d ever hear flow from his lips, he wanted them to make a difference. He turned his back to her and tried to say what was in his heart.

“I knew you long before I ever stepped foot into your world. I dreamed of a girl with emerald eyes and auburn hair, but I thought her an illusion. I had never seen such beauty.” He looked around the room as memories of his sister flooded his mind. “When you befriended Lydia, I knew you were the one, but fought my feelings. I refused to bring you into a world such as ours—involve you in our flight from danger.

“My feelings for you quickly turned to frustration and then to anger. If I could not have you, then I would feel nothing. I would block my emotions like I blocked Shandira’s thoughts, letting no one, and nothing, in.” He turned back and brushed his fingers through her hair. “You interrupted my life, Kira. You stirred the fire I had suppressed for so long and now there is no way to put it out.”

She slowly turned toward him and looked into his eyes, hers brimming with tears.

“I love you,” he said. “Nothing can change that, not even this.”

Her bottom lip quivered. “But I can’t give you an heir.”

He smiled. “There will be plenty of children in the castle to spoil. I am not so vain to think I can only love a child that comes from my seed. And as for an heir . . . I have cousins who would be more than happy to fill that void.” He drew her back into his arms and held her until she stopped shaking. When he was sure she understood how he felt, he continued. He sat back so he could see her tear stained face.

“There’s more,” he said.
Luka, could you please come to Kira’s room?

Kira tensed and then looked around the room. “Did you call Luka?”

“Yes.”

When Luka appeared at Octavion’s side, Kira took one look at the way he was dressed and began to protest again.

“You can’t
both
go. Who will protect the castle? What if . . .?” She turned her focus to Luka. “You have to tell him.”

“Tell me what?” Octavion asked.

“Octavion, I’m so sorry,” Kira said. “I should have told you, I know that now. I didn’t want you to worry.”

“Kira, tell me what?”

This time Luka answered. “The Royals that attacked her were the same ones outside Ussay’s cottage. They have her scent and were hunting her.”

“And you knew this? How could you keep this from me, Luka? I thought they were rogue hunters who smelled her blood, that they were long gone. I never would have let her go to the cemetery alone.”

“If you remember correctly, you were unable to be near her at the time.”

He looked into Kira’s eyes. The darkness of them made it more difficult to read, but he still sensed she kept something from him. “What else?”

“Tell him the rest,” she said to Luka. “I won’t have any more secrets between us.”

Octavion glared at Luka.

“The man Kira killed in the canyon—the one that attacked Cade—it seems he was a prince.”

“What?” Octavion felt the muscles in his back swell and his eyes burn. If what he said was true, they were in trouble. “Which kingdom?”

“I’m not sure,” Luka said. “I have enquired, but as of this morning, heard nothing.”

“Shandira’s prince,” Kira whispered. “It’s why she’s so mad at me and why . . . she did this.” She pointed to her bandaged arm.

The rage he felt for his older sister and the Darkords suddenly channeled in a different direction. How could he leave her alone now? He stood and walked to the window. The twin crescent moons reflected enough light on the lake that white caps could be seen cresting the waves. It would storm tonight.

“Luka, you will have to stay.”

“We have already discussed this cousin. I am going with or without you. This is my doing and I will . . .”

“Luka!” Octavion roared. He turned and stepped closer to his cousin. He felt his inner beast rising to the surface. “Perhaps you did not understand my order. I am prince. You will stay and protect Kira. Do you understand?”

Luka straightened and slammed his fist onto his chest. “As you wish, Prince Octavion.” His sarcasm only made Octavion angrier.

“Leave us,” Octavion ordered.

Luka glared at him one last time and disappeared.

Kira had taken her position under the covers again—her knees drawn up—only this time she faced him. “You’re still going?” She’d gone back into her shell. Her frail voice barely audible.

Octavion’s heart sank. “Kira, please do not deny me this. I will only be gone a day or two, no more.”

She didn’t respond, just closed her eyes and pulled the covers closer to her.

“I have waited so long to vent this rage I fear I may take it out on someone else. You of all people know what I am capable of. Who do you suggest I hurt next? Arela?”

When she said nothing, he walked to the door, but stopped short of opening it. “I love you.” His heart beat rapidly in his chest, threatening to break through. He wanted to turn back and hold her like he always had, but he knew the beast inside him needed to be released and he couldn’t do it here. He reached for the door and pulled it open.

“Octavion?” she whispered.

He swallowed hard. “Yes, my love.”

A long moment of silence passed between them.

“I don’t want to go home. Please come back . . . safe.”

Octavion’s heart clenched. “They will never hurt you again. You have my word.” Then he left the room.

When he got to the bottom of the stairs, Luka waited. He leaned against the railing with his arms folded, a smirk on his face.

“Did giving me an order make you feel better?” Luka asked.

Octavion snarled at him. “You are not going.”

“There is a snag in your little plan, cousin. You forget I also answer to a higher authority. I told Mother what you said and she spoke to your father. The king. You remember him.” He pushed away from the railing and adjusted his weapons. “He said if it displeased you, he could make it a Royal decree. I
am
going.”

“And who did my father say would protect the castle and keep Kira safe?”

“I believe he said something about you being arrogant and then he mumbled something else about him protecting the castle for the past two years and perhaps he should tan your hide like when you were a child. Shall I go on?”

“Did he happen to mention the fact that you and your brother were here as well, or did he choose to leave that part out?” He and his father obviously didn’t agree when it came to Kira, especially on the matter of her safety. “And as long as we are discussing the safety of the woman I love.” He transformed instantly, grabbed Luka by the throat and pressed his back against the rail. “You ever keep something like that from me again and I will rip your heart out. Am I understood?”

An instant later, Luka had transformed as well. He ripped Octavion from the step and tossed him against the wooden door. Luka went at him with all his force and Octavion let him. Luka took him to the floor and pinned him there, but only long enough to express his opinion. “You dare talk about keeping secrets? Perhaps Kira should know
everything.
”

Octavion pushed him off and they were suddenly at each other’s throats, both giving and taking blows. “How dare you question my oath to my father?” Octavion roared. He picked Luka up and tossed him effortlessly. He slid across the floor, slamming his back against one of the wall.

Luka let out a cry, then came up fighting. “I gave no oath. If you do not tell her—I will.”

They were both hunched over, ready to attack—nostrils flared, upper lips exposing their feline teeth, claws at the ready—until Mara interrupted their thoughts.

Enough!
she screamed into their heads.
You have woken Arela. Have we not endured enough for one day?

Octavion turned away and tried to calm his rage and Luka did the same.
Forgive me, Mara. Please tell Arela we are finished fighting.
He took in a deep breath and let it clear his head. Mara was right. This wasn’t the time or the place. They had enemies waiting to receive their vengeance.

Please be careful. Send word when you can.

They would have to stay silent and she knew that. Shandira’s gift of slipping into other’s thought conversations was dangerous and they didn’t want her to know they were coming.
You will know when it’s over
, he reassured.

“Octavion,” Luka said. “It may help to know my father will return in a day or so. He will be able to protect Kira.”

“Then perhaps we should be on our way,” Octavion said.

Luka smiled and raised a brow. “Shall I be at your side then?”

“I would be honored.”

It had been nine days since Octavion and Luka stepped into Kira’s world and there had been no sign of their safety or return. Mara refused to let anyone try to reach them through their thoughts in fear of distracting them in battle. One moment of hesitation could cause them to be injured or killed. Kira’s fears and imagination produced images in her mind far too horrifying to leave any hope of them returning at all. She knew what Cael and Zerek were capable of, and with Shandira’s sadistic heart feeding their rage, there would be no mercy.

As the constant pain in Kira’s abdomen faded away, the burning sensation in her heart increased—as if infection had set into it. Day by day it grew until her entire chest felt as though it might burst. Sometimes she struggled to breathe against the weight of it.

Over the days and hours of waiting, Kira managed to push everyone away, even Ussay. Her kind-hearted attempts to cheer Kira up had been in vain. So deep in her own self-pity, even Arela stopped trying to see her. Kira spent all day sitting in front of the window watching the boats on the water come and go, wishing she could hitch a ride back to when things were safe, when Lydia and she were friends—even before Octavion stole her heart. If they’d never met then she wouldn’t have to think how her mistakes cost her friend’s life and destroyed the only man she ever loved. She wanted to wake up—she wanted this nightmare to end.

As night fell and the golden glow of the crescent moons sliced through the dark clouds, a bolt of lightning split the sky. The thunderous roar that followed rattled the windows and shook the seat beneath her. So deep into her thoughts, the power of it shook her to the core. She bolted upright, not sure if she’d been asleep or if her conscious mind had shut down momentarily.

The first few days had been a rollercoaster of emotions. The reality of her loss consumed her and without Octavion there to comfort her, her imagination had run wild. Her thoughts entertained everything from insanity to self-destruction and suicide—someplace she’d never let herself go before.

Now she just felt numb—an unemotional state of nothing that occupied her mind and body. She just wanted to feel again, she kept telling herself, but she couldn’t even cry.

A strong breeze coming off the lake tossed rain against the window. She watched as the tiny rivulets formed on the glass and ran down to puddle on the ledge. Another bolt of lightning illuminated the kingdom before her—this time its companion instantaneously shook the castle walls. Somewhere in her mind she heard a little voice call out to her mother. She’d heard similar voices in her dreams—nightmares of what would never be.

I really am going insane.

When the voice came again, she let her shawl fall to the floor and swung her feet over the edge of the bench and went in search of the source. Only the morning room separated her room from Arela’s. From the outside of the castle it appeared to be a small tower. The tiny round space between what used to be Lydia and Shandira’s sleeping chambers faced the garden and lake. Lined with tall windows, it gave a full view of the sunrise.

As she passed through her doorway, she heard voices coming from Arela’s room. She quietly opened the door a crack. The scene before her pierced through to her heart. Mara held Arela in her arms. Unnoticed by either mother or daughter, Kira closed the door and leaned her back against it. She could still hear Mara trying to comfort Arela, her voice tender and kind.

Kira wrapped her arms around herself and slid to the floor. As she listened, she fell deeper and deeper into the hole in her heart. When Mara started singing a lullaby Kira had reached her limit. She numbly rose to her feet and made her way out of her room. She had to escape. She had to
feel
something. She ran down the dark staircase and out the glass doors that led to the garden.

As soon as the cool air hit her she stopped, letting the rain moisten her face. In the protection of the trees, the fine mist barely reached her. She ventured farther and farther out into the open where she found herself on the other side of the garden. The cold wet grass felt good on her feet, but gave her a chill. She welcomed it. Craved it.