Broken (33 page)

“I think I can live with that.” She buried her head against his chest. “Now take me home. I want to see how Al is doing.”

*

“How was shopping?” Altaria asked. She sat in the overstuffed chair near the fireplace, her face aglow.

“It was okay.” Kira quickly changed the subject, not wanting Altaria to know the details of her afternoon. “You look fantastic. How are you feeling?”

Altaria gave Kira a suspicious glare, but chose to ignore Kira’s evasion. “Better. Amazing how a little fresh protein can put color in your cheeks.”

“I’ll have to take your word on that one. I like my meat well done.” Kira stepped closer and sat on the little rug laying in front of the fireplace. Octavion had given her the little piece of leather he’d purchased, or rather stolen, with instructions for Altaria to make a bracelet for Kira. He said it would give Altaria something to do.

“Perhaps I could take some beads and make you a necklace to match,” Altaria suggested.

“Actually, I wonder if you could make something else. A bracelet for me would be nice, but I want you to make an arm band for Octavion. I saw him looking at some in the village. Do you think he would wear it?”

Her crooked grin lit up her face. “He would love it. Did you have a design in mind?”

“Not really. The one he looked at had a silver medallion on it, but he wouldn’t let me get it for him.”

Altaria examined the piece of leather, laid it across her lap and then measured it with her fingers. “I will need two more pieces about the same length as this one and the medallion you can get from the silversmith.”

“You mean Kueelok?”

“Yes.” She laughed. “He is a peculiar man, but has a kind heart. Did he have a stone for you?”

“Oh, Al. I can’t wait to show it to you. It’s perfect.”

Altaria touched Kira’s shoulder. “It will be nice to share our thoughts again.”

Kira hadn’t thought of that. “It works with
all
Royals?”

“It depends on its strength, but our minds will recognize each other so it will be easier for us.”

“Awesome.”

It was already pretty late, so when the king appeared with a cup of hot tea for Altaria, Kira asked him to take her outside the chained door. She preferred not to bother Octavion. She made an excuse about being exhausted from her big day in the village and wanting to sleep. Unfortunately, her mind had other ideas.

Kira had barely snuggled under the covers and blown out the candle when the same horrifying scene of Arela and Shandira played out in her head. Before it had been a nightmare while she slept, but this time the impression felt stronger and more urgent. She threw back the covers and ran into Arela’s room, only to find her sleeping soundly.

Determined not to leave her unattended and vulnerable, Kira grabbed the blankets from her bed and curled up on one of the window seats in Arela’s room. She dozed for most of the night, jerking awake whenever the little girl stirred or Kira heard the smallest of sounds. But when she felt the unmistakable presence of Nestor’s spirit entering the room, Kira lay still. She’d only seen the man a couple of times, but decided she liked him. He seemed to emanate that unique fatherly characteristic lacking in Kira’s life, which made her feel at peace when she was around him. She had a similar feeling when she’d held his newborn son.

Kira watched as he appeared near his daughter’s bed. He leaned over, kissed her cheek and tucked the covers around her neck. When he turned, his eyes met Kira’s and a curious expression crossed his face. He slowly walked toward her, stopping at her feet. Kira drew up her knees to make room for him to sit.

“Are you well, Kira?” he whispered.

She nodded. “I had a bad dream.”

He looked past her to the open doors that lead to her room. “Do you fear sleeping alone? I can have Ussay stay with you.”

“No, I’m not afraid.” She looked at Arela and then back to him. “My dream wasn’t about me.”

A sudden understanding washed across his face. “I am told you are sensitive. This dream—was it a vision?”

Kira shrugged. “I don’t know. I get them mixed up some times, but I had it twice, so . . .”

“You trust it?”

“Yes.”

He turned to watch his daughter. She stirred slightly in her sleep. “Is she in danger?”

Kira didn’t want to tell him what she’d seen. It seemed like saying the words out loud would make it all too real and she didn’t want to think about it, but then . . . he had to know. She couldn’t stay with Arela all the time and his daughter’s safety was more important than Kira’s fears.

“I saw Shandira take her.”

His head jerked around to find Kira’s face again. The shock in his eyes set her back. “You are certain that is what you saw?”

“Yes.”

He brushed his fingers through his long black hair as a rumbling echoed through his chest. It was much like Octavion when he growled, only softer—she supposed not to wake Arela. “That woman has done enough damage to this family,” he mumbled. Then he stood and offered Kira his hand. “Come child, you need not concern yourself with my daughter. I will stay here tonight. You need your sleep.”

She took his hand, but when she swung her feet off the seat and tried to stand, her feet got tangled in the blankets and she almost fell. In one swift, effortless motion, Nestor scooped her up and carried her to the bed. She didn’t protest. She didn’t even blush from embarrassment.

“Thank you,” she said, as he tucked the covers around her like he’d done for Arela. His warm brown eyes left her feeling calm and relaxed, and his silence comforted her as he strolled back through the doors, leaving them open. He’d be watching both of them tonight.

“Ussay, why didn’t you tell me sooner?” Kira went to her dressing chambers and fumbled through the many gowns that hung on the far wall.

“I thought my best dress would due nicely, but when Mara saw me this morning she seemed disgusted with it.” Ussay plopped down on the large ottoman. “She hates me.”

“She doesn’t hate you. She’s . . . spoiled, that’s all.”

Ussay’s head shot up. “Kira, you must not speak of royalty like that.”

“And you need to lighten up. And don’t you dare cry—you’ll make your eyes puffy and we need you to look like a queen, not a commoner.”

By the time they came to the end of the long row of gowns, they’d only made three selections. Ussay quickly tried them on, but they were all too big and made her look like a child playing dress up in her mother’s clothes. She sat back down, more depressed than before. “It is no use. I will have to wear my dress.”

Kira noticed a few white bundles covered with fine linens hanging on one side of the room. “What are those?”

“Ly—fancy ball gowns,” she said, not daring to mention Lydia’s name. Her shoulders slouched even more as she lowered her eyes.

“Perfect.” Kira grabbed several at once and threw them to the floor. “Hurry, help me open them so we can take a look.”

“Oh, no, Kira. I cannot wear something so beautiful,” Ussay protested.

“Yes, you can. Now grab that one over there and try it on.”

After going through most of the gowns, leaving them strewn around the dressing chambers and Kira’s room, they were both exhausted. They’d made quite a mess, but still hadn’t found the perfect dress to fit Ussay’s petit stature. Kira had almost given up until she saw a small bundle hanging behind a selection of outerwear opposite the doorway. She reached up, took it to the floor and peeled the linens from around it. When she held it up for Ussay to see, the poor girl’s eyes about popped out of her pretty little head.

“I remember her wearing that dress. It was her first ball. She was only fourteen and not allowed an escort, but her mother wanted her to feel a part of the festivities. She had it made special.” Ussay looked at Kira and shook her head. “I cannot.”

“We’re out of time, Ussay. The ceremony will start any minute and you have to be there. It’s not every day you get to be the center of attention.” Kira threw it at her. “Now put it on.”

Ussay had kept the fact that she was the commoner who expressed a desire to be a part of the Khapri ceremony a secret. It didn’t help matters that Mara had waited until late last night to announce her decision. It left no time to prepare.

Kira had already dressed in her new green dress when Ussay first entered the room. She only needed to make a few last minute adjustments to the combs in her hair and to put on her shoes.

When Octavion arrived to escort Kira to the ceremony, she insisted he take Ussay instead. She quickly made her way down the stairs alone so the two of them could make a grand entrance and get that “wow” factor Kira had been hoping for. This was the perfect occasion to show Cade what he could have with Ussay and she wasn’t about to pass it up.

When she got to the bottom of the stairs Kira found the grand hall packed full of people. Most were dressed in fancy Royal attire of deep blues and burgundies accented with gold and silver. All were adorned with jewels of every color imaginable—accessorized to the max. Even the men had masculine styles of adornment.

Her entrance seemed to signal the others to find their seats. She wound her way through the crowd to find Cade sitting off to one side, near the front of the room. She wanted to make sure he had full view of Ussay’s descent and catch any comments he may throw her way, so she scooted in next to him.

“You look lovely this morning, Kira,” he said. “Where is my cousin? I thought he went to fetch you.”

Kira winked at him and patted his hand. “He did, but took one look at Ussay and had a change of heart.”

He looked at her curiously, while the rest of the room fell silent. They both looked up to see Octavion nearing the top of the stairs with his prize. Ussay had made a last minute decision to take her hair out of her braid and sweep it up on one side, leaving several wavy curls drifting down the left side of her dress. It made her youthful face look more mature and sophisticated. Her gown of soft white chiffon-like fabric seemed to float when she moved.

Kira turned to see Cade’s expression and found him not breathing. She nudged him with her elbow to get his attention, but he ignored her. She wasn’t sure if the expression on his face held shock or jealousy, but either way Ussay’s entrance seemed to have the desired effect on him.

As the couple descended the staircase, Kira saw Octavion’s mouth moving. Ussay had her head down, watching her step, but when he spoke she straightened and looked straight ahead. He said something else, causing the nervousness to wash from her face and be replaced with a smile—her cheeks turning a shade darker than their natural pink. He was coaching her, easing her anxiety, which made Kira love him even more.

“She looks like an angel,” Kira said for Cade’s benefit.

He swallowed hard. “Yes, she does.” His eyes hadn’t once left Ussay’s beautiful visage.

“Too bad you’re such a jerk. You might have had a chance with her.”

He turned to face Kira. “Pardon me?”

“You heard me. She’s in love with you, though I can’t figure out why. Seems you pushed her away for no good reason. It sounds a little selfish and cold to me.” Kira hadn’t planned on being so blunt, but somehow she had a feeling it was what he needed. “And then to get your mother to be rude to her? Absolutely shameful.”

He turned to watch Ussay as she walked through the crowd. Octavion handed her off to Nestor, who led her to the front of the room where she sat in a chair facing the group. She folded her hands in her lap like a sophisticated lady.

“And who do you suppose would dance with her at our wedding?” Cade said through clenched teeth.

Kira turned to find his eyes flashing with anger. Threads of gold began to show around their edges. “It sounds like someone is feeling sorry for himself. Perhaps you should go back out to that cliff we love so much and take a flying leap.”

He looked away in time to avoid her next rebuke.

She put her hand on one of his useless legs and softened her voice. “Cade, I’m sorry, but you need to get on with your life, not stop it from happening.”

Octavion circled around the crowd and came to stand behind them, signifying the end to Kira’s lecture.

“You two look like you are having fun,” Octavion teased.

Cade’s mouth curved into a frown.

Kira, on the other hand, quickly changed the subject. “Who are all these people?”

Octavion crouched behind her and rattled off the names and affiliation of the various invited guests. Some were from the village—prominent scholars, teachers and elders who advised the king on important matters. Others were royalty from Mara’s kingdom, Finvarra and Nestor’s, Morganstar. They’d all gathered for the naming of this little child. If she didn’t know better, she’d have thought he was a prince.

Kira felt suddenly grateful she wasn’t the one spilling her blood in a room full of Royals. The very thought made her cringe.

“How much danger is she in?” she asked.

Cade shot her a warning look. “Do you really think we would put her in danger?”

Kira couldn’t help notice his fierce protectiveness. Perhaps their little chat had influenced him after all. “Maybe not intentionally, but how can you control an entire room full of Royals?”