Broken (21 page)

She heard the waves crash against the rocks at the base of the cliff—a pulsating rhythm that called to her. She slowly made her way closer and closer to the edge—her feet leaving the softness of the grass and venturing out onto the rocks. She climbed to the highest point as far out as she could reach and still keep her balance. Her feet planted firmly on the cold stone beneath her, she stood. The adrenaline rush gave her what she needed.

She stretched her arms out to her side, closed her eyes and leaned her head back, letting the sting of the rain hit her face and hands—she’d never felt so alive. She took in a deep breath and let the cold air burn her lungs. The force of the wind hit her head on and threatened to push her back away from the edge, but she leaned into it. If only she could fly.

Then, after days of nothing, she felt the warmth of Altaria return. The separation of spirits that caused Lydia’s death had haunted her for days. The thought of them never being together again and Altaria imprisoned in Kira’s body forever, only made her feelings of despair worse.

As Kira opened her eyes and saw the jagged rocks below her, she realized they could still be together—kindred spirits would find each other in death. It was the only way to bring them back together. A final gift she could give both her friends. The ultimate sacrifice—to give her life for Lydia and Altaria, who’d on several occasions, shown their willingness to do the same.

“Altaria,” she pleaded. “Please forgive me. It’s the only thing I can think to do—so you can be with Lydia.” She suddenly felt empty inside, as if Altaria had withdrawn her spirit—perhaps in preparation to rejoin Lydia. “I’m sorry.”

Kira took a step closer to the edge as another flash of lightning came. She braced herself for the jolt of thunder that would follow. When it came, she also felt a familiar spirit surround her. She sighed.

“Go away, Cade. You can’t be my hero this time.” She didn’t have to see him to know he was close by. She held her ground and didn’t move.

“Kira, step down from there, please. You do not have to do this.” She heard fear in his voice.

“I’m fine. Leave me alone.”

“Kira, please.” He seemed closer now. “The way I see it, you have two problems.”

She smiled at his attempt to talk her down. “Just two?”

“First, if you jump, I will have to go in after you and with these legs, we will both die.”

“What makes you think I want to jump?”

“Because I have been out on that very ledge, only I had no feet to stand on. Do you think I want to live the rest of my life without the use of my legs? As soon as I healed well enough to bring myself here, I wanted to end it all.” His voice cracked.

“So what stopped you?”

He paused for a moment. “That would be your second problem.”

Kira turned her head in his direction. He’d perched himself on a rock a few feet away—almost within arm’s reach. “And what might that be?”

“The image of you jumping off this cliff will bring my little sister nightmares for the rest of her life.” He motioned toward the castle.

Kira turned back to find a little girl in a white nightgown pressed against her bedroom window—her hands framed around her face to block out the light from the candlelight in her room. Mara stood behind her.

Kira’s heart sank. What was she thinking? “Oh, Cade, I’m so sorry.” Tears burned her eyes.

Tears—real tears.

“Can you get down alone? I can call my father to help.”

She shook her head. “I’m fine.” She pulled her nightgown up to her knees so she wouldn’t trip. She’d only taken two steps when her foot slipped on the wet rock and slid out from underneath her. She came down hard, slamming into the jagged rock. She reached for Cade, but her hand hit air instead. She struggled to gain her balance, but when she tried to wrap her arms around the bolder she lost her grip.

“Cade!” she screamed.

For an instant Kira saw his face, the panic in his eyes as he leapt off the rock and flew through the air toward her. She felt the force of his body hit her as they both tumbled off the edge and plunged into the lake below. The water was like ice. Cade wrapped his arms tightly around her torso as they sank deeper and deeper into the cold darkness. Her lungs craved air.

Kira kicked her feet to bring them to the surface, making little progress before the water swirled around them like a cyclone, spinning faster and faster until a flash of light almost blinded her. Pain seized her entire body as Cade yanked them from the lake and through the castle walls to land middle of her bed. An explosion of water came down, splashing out around them. She gasped for air, coughing up the water her lungs had taken in. A blood curdling scream pierced her eardrums.
Arela.
She’d seen them fall.

“Arela!” Kira half yelled, half coughed. “I’m okay. We’re in here.”

Cade lay on the bed, gasping for air, his face wrinkled in pain.

“Cade, are you okay?” She tried to help him sit up.

“No!” he cried. “Do not move me. I am hurt.”

The door leading to the morning room flew open and Arela ran toward them. She leapt on the bed and into Kira’s arms.

Mara trailed right behind her, stopping when she heard Cade groan. “What have you done?”

“I will be fine, mother. I just hit the water on my back. I need a moment to let it settle.” He tried to take in a deeper breath, but stopped short with a moan.

Arela still clung to Kira’s drenched body. She pulled her away and took her face in her hands.

“I’m okay, sweetie. You don’t need to be afraid.”

Arela whimpered and let out a sob. “Why . . . did . . . you?”

“Arela, look at me.” Kira brought Arela’s face up so their eyes met. “I didn’t jump. I fell. Do you understand? I was trying to get down and I fell.” Kira hoped her words would console the little girl and convince Mara she shouldn’t string her up and hang her from the rafters. Once again, Kira had caused her son pain.

Arela nodded and then fell back into Kira’s arms.

“Mara, is Nestor in the castle?” Kira asked. “Cade needs help getting back to his room.”

“He is reprimanding the guards for not keeping a closer eye on your room and the garden. I will send for him.”

Only a few seconds passed before Kira felt an unfamiliar spirit enter the room. Much like the king’s, his spirit felt calm and peaceful, but lacked the sense of majestic nobility. Instead she felt knowledge and understanding. When he appeared, she was taken aback. She’d been secluded for days and hadn’t actually met him yet. His stature was much like Luka’s but he stood at least six inches taller and wore his black hair long. It fell over his shoulders and then continued down the front of his chest. It looked like threads of silk and glowed in the light of the candle Mara brought from the other room.

He stepped closer to his son. His strong chiseled jaw tightened as he surveyed the scene—only glancing briefly in Kira’s direction. Without a word, he lifted his agony stricken son from the soaked bed and disappeared into the night. Their mist swirled around Mara and melted away.

Mara sighed. “He is a quiet man, but the love he has for his children is without comparison.” She turned to face Kira and stroked her daughter’s long hair. “You must not worry, Kira. Cade will heal. He has not yet learned his limitations.”

“I’m really sorry. It was my fault. I honestly didn’t go out there to take my life. I just . . . needed to
feel
something.”

Mara patted Kira’s hand. “I am glad you are well, dear. We are all worried about you.” She looked around the room at all the water and the soaked linens. “Where is Ussay? She has been instructed to stay by your side.”

“I sent her home. I’m afraid I haven’t been very nice to her.”

“Nonsense. It should not matter how she is treated, she has been given a task and has failed. Perhaps I should . . .”

“No. Don’t do anything. She is my servant and I will reprimand her. Besides, she was only following my orders, which is a good thing, right?”

Mara smiled, clearly pleased that Kira had finally grasped the concept of being a Royal. “As you wish, dear.”

Another flash of lightning illuminated the room. Arela tensed. This time a few seconds passed before a low rumble could be heard in the distance.

“Arela, you need to get out of these wet clothes.” Kira lifted her from her lap and set her feet on the floor.

Arela’s bottom lip quivered. “But, where will you sleep? Your bedding is wet.”

She was right. Cade brought half the lake with him when they leaped and it was all in her room. “I don’t know, sweetie. Maybe I could sleep in Octavion’s chambers tonight.”

Her bottom lip jutted out even farther. “You could sleep in my bed if you like. I do not take up much space.”

Kira looked at Mara for her approval. She smiled and nodded. “It would save me from running in her room after every flash of lightning. She has been terrified of the storm nearly her whole life.” Mara yawned and then rubbed her belly. “And this little one takes all my energy these days. I could use the sleep.”

“It’s settled then. We will brave the storm together.” Kira tucked a wet strand of hair behind Arela’s ear. “Now run along and put on a dry gown. I’ll be there in a sec.”

Mara took her daughter’s hand. “Come on, dear. I will help you.” As they closed the door behind them, Mara mumbled, “If Ussay was here I would have her build a fire.”

Kira shook her head.
I’d like to see her last one day in my world . . . without maid service
, she thought to herself.

She quickly stripped the linens from the bed so the mattress would have a chance to dry by morning. The rest she would take care of later. She had no intention of letting Ussay clean up another one of her messes.

When Kira slipped under the covers, Arela had already fallen asleep. Although rain still pelted the windows, the thunder had been silent for quite some time. She turned on her side to face Arela. Her innocent face lay softly on the pillow and looked so peaceful. Octavion’s words still echoed in her mind and for the first time she thought she might even believe them.

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.

Gazing at the face before her, she understood. The warm light of any child’s love could help fill the empty space in her heart.

*

“Kira, wake up.” An impatient voice echoed in Kira’s head. Half way out of her dream, she felt a tug on the sleeve of her gown and a rush of cold air as the covers flew off her body.

“Arela,” Kira complained. “Let me wake up, first.” She struggled to pry open her eyes, but the brightness of the sun coming through the opened window blinded her. As she tried to focus, Arela stepped between her and the sunlight. Its brilliance radiated from behind her yellow hair and white gown making her glow like an angel.

“Come see.” Arela grabbed Kira’s hand and pulled her out of bed. She barely got her feet planted on the floor when Arela jerked her forward. She stumbled to the window and tried to squint away the sun.

“Look.” Arela pointed off to one side of the lake where there were still a few storm clouds on the horizon. There—in all its brilliance—was a rainbow. Kira had never seen so much color. The hues were deep like the colored glass in the castle windows. One end came out of the lake and the other one disappeared out of view behind the mountain.

“It’s beautiful,” Kira said.

“It is a promise.”

Kira looked down to find Arela’s sparkling brown eyes. “What kind of promise?”

Arela seemed pleased with the question. She hopped up on the window seat and explained like she was a seasoned scholar.

“It always comes after a horrible storm. Mother says it is our promise that all is well and the beginning of a new day. It is like starting fresh. The rain has washed the sadness of the world away and all that is left is happiness. She says the rain drops are happy tears from the gods of Lor.”

“Your mother is very wise.”

“I am as well.” Arela looked at the rainbow again. “I believe today’s promise is for you, Kira.” She turned to look into Kira’s eyes and smiled.

“And why do you think that?” Kira felt tears burning her eyes as Arela smiled back at her.

“It washed your sadness away.” She reached for Kira’s face with her finger extended and touched the corner of her eye. When she drew back her hand, there was a single tear on the tip of her tiny finger. “See, happy tears.”

“You are right, Arela. You
are
very wise.” Kira picked her up and spun her around in a circle. Arela let out a squeal before Kira pulled her close and hugged her.

“Kira!” Ussay’s frightened voice came from Kira’s room and echoed through the castle.

Kira smirked at Arela. “I think I’m in trouble.”

Arela giggled. “Maybe I should tell her you jumped in the lake.”

“I
fell
, remember. And no, we won’t tell her that. Why don’t you get yourself dressed and I will go deal with Ussay?”

Arela’s bottom lip pushed out and her brow furrowed.

“What’s that face for?”