“Where is Ussay?” Octavion asked. He’d brought Kira to her room in the castle the instant he saw the welt on her arm. Not because of the wound itself, but because the fin needed to be removed and he couldn’t do it himself for fear of it bleeding.
“She is in the hall.” Luka said. “I tried taking her home so she could get cleaned up and change, but she insisted on staying with Kira. She feels responsible.”
“I need her to remove this,” Octavion said.
“No!” Kira yelled. “She’s not touching it. I don’t want to take a chance of her getting pricked by it. I’ll do it myself, just give me a pair of tweezers or a knife. I can get it out.”
Octavion sat on the bed next to Kira, her face scrunched in pain. He didn’t have the heart to tell her how bad it would get before her ordeal was over-worse than any physical torture she’d ever endured. And the long term damage would render her barren. Although they’d never discussed having children, he knew it would break her heart.
He took Kira’s trembling hand. “Look at you. You are shaking. There is no way you can take that out. At least let Luka get Gregor. Ussay can be here if he needs her help.”
Luka disappeared from the room without a word. A few moments later he burst through the door, Gregor in tow.
The old man grumbled something under his breath before he spoke. “You boys think you can rip me from my home at a moment’s notice and assume I will be at your beck and call day and night. I do have other patients and-”
“Gregor!” Octavion scolded. “Stop complaining. My father pays you well to be at our disposal. Have you forgotten that?”
Gregor’s face softened. “No, dear prince. Please forgive my rudeness. I did not know it was you who required my services.” He moved closer and bowed.
Ussay stood at the door, still wearing Luka’s tunic over her torn slip. “May I help?” Her voice barely a whisper.
“Yes,” Octavion said. “But I need to speak with you first.” Lacing his fingers through Kira’s hair, he held her tear stained face in his hands. He wiped the moisture from under her eyes with his thumbs then kissed her forehead. “I need to explain what will happen next-what the S’Kiff will do to you.”
Kira’s chin quivered and more tears welled up in her eyes. “I already know. And I know you’ll need to choose someone else to marry now. Someone who can give you an heir. You can take me back home. I don’t belong here anyway.”
“What? No. I do not want anyone else. We belong together-whether in your world or mine. This changes nothing, Kira. Do you understand? Nothing.”
Kira stifled a sob. “It changes everything.”
Octavion took her in his arms and held her close. “I love you. Nothing can change that. Not even this.” A spasm ran through her body and he laid her back on the pillows. Her injured arm shook violently.
“It hurts,” she cried, pulling her arm close to her body. “Get this thing out of me. Make it stop.”
Octavion turned to Luka. “Perhaps Mara would be better suited to explain this and give her comfort.”
“Consider it done.” Luka vanished.
Gregor stepped closer. “S’Kiff?”
“Yes,” Octavion said. “The tip is still in her arm. Can you take it out-gently?”
“Of course. I will need someone to hold her arm.”
“Ussay can help, but I need to ask her something first.” He turned back to Kira. “I will not be far. You will be all right, Kira. I promise. As bad as it gets, this will not take your life. Do you understand?”
Kira nodded. “I know. What I don’t get is why she doesn’t just kill me.”
“Who?”
She cringed from another surge of pain. “Shandira.”
Octavion clenched his fists and stood. “Shandira did this? You saw her?”
“No. I mean yes, she sent them. No, I didn’t see her.”
He swore. “This ends now.” He turned and left the room, grabbing Ussay’s wrist on the way out and pulling her down the hall to a bench. He motioned for her to sit. “What happened? What were you doing up there and how were you involved? Who did this?”
“You think I had something to do with this?” Ussay asked.
“I do not know what to think.”
Ussay crossed her arms. “I would never hurt Kira. Never.”
Octavion pointed to the closed door leading to Kira’s room. “Then explain this to me. How did you get involved? You were supposed to be at the festival.”
“Maybe you should ask Cade. I went to sit with him and he told me to leave.”
“Why would he do that?”
She ran her hands through her tangled hair. “I do not know. We have been seeing each other since our youth. He said he wanted to ask my uncle for my hand, but he wanted to wait until the festival so he would be in a good mood. When I saw him there, I thought perhaps he had already done it, but when I sat down, he said he changed his mind. All the time he spent in bed made him think about his future and. .” She buried her head in her hands and mumbled, “He does not want me.”
Octavion let out a deep sigh and crouched in front of her. He gently pulled her hands away from her face and lifted her chin until their eyes met. “He has a crippling injury, Ussay. That takes a lot out of a man. Perhaps he feels he can no longer provide for you, that you would be better off with someone else.”
“So he said that to save me? So I would not be burdened with him?”
“Perhaps.” Octavion used a section of his sleeve to wipe some of the dirt from her face. “Now, why were you in the Aubelet?”
“I went there to be alone. I go there sometimes to pray and think. But when I got to the door I heard voices. They were talking about Kira, so I stayed and listened. They said Shandira’s name. I got scared and turned to leave, but they heard me. They said they could use me as bait. Then Kira came to the cemetery. The girl took my dress and pretended to be me so Kira would come to my aid. I did everything I could to stop them but. . but they were stronger than me.”
Ussay’s shoulders slumped forward and she tried to cover her face with her hands, but Octavion held them fast between his. “I tried to scream. I tried to warn her. I should have fought harder to-”
“No,” Octavion cut in. “They would have killed you.”
“I would rather die than see her suffer like this-to know she will never have children.”
Octavion stood and took a step back. The muscles in his shoulders ached to transform, to take his rage out on something or someone. Anyone. “Send for me if she asks.”
He didn’t wait for an answer, merely appeared a moment later in his lair. All the days he’d spent waiting for Kira to wake from her nightmares he imagined his revenge. Over and over he plotted and planned how he would escape to her world and rip the hearts from the monsters that hurt her. Always afraid to leave her alone, he’d held back. And then she woke. She healed quickly and the thought of leaving her fled from his mind, especially since he did not know when the king of Panthera would claim him. But he would wait no longer.
With his focus and determination on dispensing his vengeance, he transformed himself into the mighty warrior his enemies feared. The leather and steel he strapped to his body were mere weapons. The real force to be reckoned with was the beast within him. He would unleash the curse that flowed through his veins and he wouldn’t hold back. It wouldn’t be easy to leave Kira, but with the task set before him, he could not delay and he would not fail.
As Octavion neared her room, he saw Luka standing at the top of the stairs, his demeanor much like his own. He, too, had suited for war.
“I will do this alone, cousin,” Octavion said.
“I did not come to get your permission,” Luka said. “I took the Darkords into her world and created this mess. I should be the one to help you take them out.”
“Is it not enough that Cade has suffered? I will not look into your mother’s eyes again and see the pain of a fallen son. You will not go.”
“I will either be at your side or on your heels. The choice is yours.” He folded his arms across his chest. “You know I am a good tracker and I am familiar with their scent. You would be a fool not to take my offer.”
They stood face to face, neither one willing to give in to the other. Octavion pushed the air out of his lungs and stepped back. “You may track them, but first kill is mine.”
Luka put his hand on Octavion’s shoulder. “Agreed.”
The wait was agonizing. Night fell over the kingdom long before Gregor and Mara came out of Kira’s room. When Octavion saw the expressions on their faces, the heart he’d tried so desperately to hold together shattered into a million pieces.
“Perhaps we should sit,” Gregor said.
“I want to see her,” Octavion insisted.
Mara put her hand on her back for support and waddled over to stand between Luka and Octavion. “We need to talk first, dear. There are some things you need to know.”
Luka took his mother by the arm and appeared an instant later at the base of the stairs. They walked through the doorway to the grand hall. Gregor preferred to walk, so Octavion followed him to where the others waited and took a seat.
Gregor spoke first. “I believe she is through the worst of it. I have given her one of your mixtures for the pain. It should also help her rest.”
“And her ability to have children?” Octavion cringed as the words left his mouth.
Mara sat in a chair next to him. She touched his hand with a mother’s tenderness. “I can sense everything within a woman’s womb, but only darkness rests in hers. I also sense her body is slightly different than ours, so. . time will tell. I am sorry I cannot tell you more.”
Octavion turned to face her. “Then you do not know for sure?”
Mara looked at Gregor who shook his head. “I wish I could tell you different, son. With the pain she has endured, I believe there to be damage.”
Octavion looked away to hide the tears welling in his eyes. “But you are not certain.”
Mara’s gentle squeeze of Octavion’s hand brought his emotions to the surface. “You should never give up hope, dear. She is from another world. Her resistance may be stronger.”
“Does she know. . everything?”
“Yes,” Mara took her hand back and placed it on top of her round belly. “It was difficult to console her. . in my current condition. I do not believe she is well with it, which is why we wanted to speak with you.”
Octavion glanced at Gregor and then back to Mara. They both avoided his eyes. “What are you saying?”
Gregor cleared his throat. “It is not the physical recovery we are concerned about. It is her will to live. She has asked to be left alone and has refused to take nourishment-even water.”
Mara continued. “Ussay tried to take her hair out of the braid and Kira pushed her away. She turned her back to us and curled into a ball. Even her tears have stopped. She simply stares at nothing as if in a trance-not responding to any of us.” Mara put her hand on Octavion’s. “I believe she fears your heartache.”
“She thinks I will want someone else, that I will no longer love her.”
“That may be the reason she asked not to see you,” Mara said.
“Is that everything?” Octavion asked.
“I have said my piece,” Gregor said. “I would like to stay in the castle tonight in case I am needed.” He stood and stepped to the arched doorway, then paused. “I expect you both to return without injuries.” Then he left the room.
Mara let out a long drawn-out sigh. “I take it by your attire you two are leaving?”
“Yes.” Luka got up from the chair and knelt near his mother. “We will be careful. I do not want you to worry.”
She put her hand on the side of his face. “I am your mother. I will always worry.”
As Octavion listened to their exchange, his mind filled with regret. It was the loving exchange of a mother and son, something he’d never experienced in his lifetime and something Kira may never know. The reality of it struck his heart and he had to excuse himself from the room. He traveled to his chambers where he lost complete control of his emotions. He knew something of what Kira felt. The emptiness within her would never be filled no matter how much those who loved her tried.
His father remarried and gave Octavion a substitute mother that loved him as her own, but his heart still held empty space. It wouldn’t matter how comforting his words, Kira also had a place that would remain void and cause her pain for the rest of her life.
Octavion, Luka’s thoughts interrupted. Have you reconsidered?
No, I must see Kira and then we will leave. Octavion wiped tears from his face and tried to compose himself. This would not be easy. He would have to choose his words carefully and not say anything that would leave her twisting his words to feed her sadness.
As he entered the room, he saw her lying in the middle of the bed with her knees pulled up, hugging a pillow. Her back was to Ussay who sat on the edge of the bed, fresh tears in her eyes. At least she’d managed to change her clothes and clean up a little.
He motioned for her to come to him. As she slowly stood and approached him, he noticed a large bruise beginning to darken on her neck. His revenge would be for her as well.
Kira moaned. “Please leave,” she whispered.
Ussay shook her head. “She will not let me help her.”
Octavion brushed a strand of hair back from Ussay’s face and kissed her cheek. “You have done all you can. Let me have a moment with her.”
Ussay nodded.
He watched as she left the room and pulled the door shut. The room felt eerily quiet. The knot that had formed in his throat hours before threatened to strangle his words, but he pressed forward. When he neared the bed, his stomach tightened and he wanted to run. What could he possibly say to ease her pain? He closed his eyes and took in a deep breath.
“Please. Leave,” she whispered again. Her monotone voice was cold and lacked emotion.
He sat on the bed. “Why are you pushing me away?” When she didn’t answer he put his arm on her shoulder, but she shrugged out from under it and scooted further away.
“Kira, please turn over. I want to see you.”
“I. . can’t.”
“Then I will come around to the other side of the bed.”
She reached behind her and grabbed his arm. “No,” she said. “Just leave me alone. I can’t. . look at you.” She released him, pulled the pillow closer and began to cry. “Go. . away.”
“Kira, I’m not leaving until I see you. I have to know you are all right.” He put his hand back on her shoulder and this time she didn’t move away. “Please.”
“I will never be. . all right. I. . want. . to go home.”
Her words cut deep. He didn’t want to lose her, but if taking her home meant she’d be safe, he’d do it. It wasn’t like he’d be around to protect her after Ramla came for him anyway. What kind of a life could she have here alone?
“You are too fragile to travel right now. As soon as I am sure it is safe in your world, I will take you wherever you want.” He ran his hand down her trembling arm and found her hand buried in the pillow. “I will not be gone long.”
As her hand brushed against the leather cuff on his wrist, she turned quickly toward him and grabbed a handful of his vest in her fingers. “Why are you wearing this? You’re dressed to fight.” She shook her head. “You are not going back there. I won’t let you.”
“Kira, calm down, I will be fine.”
“No!” she screamed. “They will kill you! You don’t know what they’re capable of. They have no mercy.”
“Kira, you will hurt yourself, please.”
“I won’t let you go.” Her fingers fumbled with the front of his vest, trying to remove it. Without success, she moved on to the leather cuffs at his wrists and then to the swords strapped to his back. He couldn’t get her to stop flailing her arms at him so he grabbed her and pulled her close.
“Shh, you need to stop this.”
“Promise me. . promise you won’t go,” she managed between sobs. “I can’t lose you, too.”
He buried his face in her hair and took in the scent of her. How could she ask this of him? How could he not go? He relaxed his hold on her and gently took her face in his hands. Her dark eyes were filled with so much pain and fear that it nearly broke him in two.
“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.”