Four hours later, Octavion had been thoroughly cleansed by seven beautiful women wearing nothing but flimsy gowns. Every curve of their bodies shone through the sheer fabric as they swayed one way or the other in front of one of the many candles in the room. The gowns barely reached mid-thigh and Octavion felt certain they wore nothing underneath. They cleansed every inch of his body from head to toe, which humiliated him beyond belief. These young women were either harlots who hoped to seduce him or virgins who didn't know better than to tempt a man with such promiscuous behavior.
By the time they brought out the vessels filled with sweet smelling oils to rub onto his skin, he'd had enough. He protested vehemently, but was told if he wanted to see King Ramla, it was necessary. For the remainder of his torture, he closed his eyes and tried to think about how all this would be worth it if Ramla agreed to his request.
After he'd been completely slathered, rubbed raw and clothed in plain white trousers and oversized tunic, he was told to wait. He could either stay awake or sleep, but he had to remain on a stone bench in the main hall, flanked by two armed Royals. Sleep was impossible, not because it would be uncomfortable, but because all he could think about was Kira. He'd enquired several times, but was told her needs were being met and that he should remain there or he'd have to go through the cleansing process again.
So he sat.
And waited.
Octavion wondered if all this was some kind of test. Perhaps they expected him to give into the temptations while bathing, or get tired of waiting and decide Kira's life wasn't worth the trouble and discomfort. All kinds of thoughts scurried around in his head, including a list of possible demands from King Ramla. The list was short. What could a king who has everything want in return for a little magic?
It wasn't until the room filled with early morning sunlight and the castle was abuzz with servants scrambling to their work, that someone finally came to retrieve Octavion. By then his backside was numb from sitting on the stone bench and his feet tingled alive when he stood to follow the manservant.
A few moments later, they entered a magnificent garden, the likes of which Octavion had never seen-ornate shrubs sculpted into strange creatures, flowers with blooms larger than a stew pot and stone statuaries that towered over them.
In the middle of a small courtyard stood King Ramla. To Octavion's surprise, he wore a simple outfit, one you might find a commoner wearing-brown twill pants, a dark blue tunic and leather sandals. No jewels or precious metals adorned his clothes or hung around his neck, only a simple silver band around the middle finger on his right hand.
But what shocked Octavion the most, was that the mighty King Ramla-a man feared by everyone-played ball with a young boy. Not in the traditional sense, but by magic, making the ball whirl around in the air with a flick of their wrists. The boy ran up to the king and tried to hold the ball in the air with so much concentration a pained expression twisted his face. The ball fell to the ground and rolled under a bush shaped like a lion. Ramla laughed from deep inside his gut, then patted the boy on the head.
“Run along, now. We shall finish your lesson later. I have business to attend to.” Ramla gently patted the boy's back. The boy turned, gave the man a hug and scurried under the bush to get the ball.
Octavion straightened to his full stature, finally gaining the king's attention. When their eyes met, Octavion bowed deeply and lowered his eyes. “Forgive the intrusion, Your Excellency.” His heart hammered against the inside of his chest and he was sure Ramla could hear it. There were a few moments of awkward silence before Octavion straightened again, meeting the king's eyes.
“Walk with me,” was all Ramla said as he turned his back to Octavion and began a leisurely stroll down the stone path.
Octavion fell in step behind him, amazed at the lack of security surrounding the king-not a single guard in sight. In fact, he hadn't seen anyone since the young boy left, not even a gardener working among the many flowering shrubs.
Ramla paused and motioned for Octavion to walk beside him, something he'd never seen a king do before, not even his father. It was a show of disrespect to consider one's self an equal to such esteemed power, so it took some effort to remain at his side and look the man in the eye when he spoke.
“I am told you have visited another planet,” Ramla said.
“Yes, it is called Earth.” Octavion clasped his fingers behind his back to keep from fidgeting. “It is much like Ophira. Perhaps I could tell you about it one day.”
They'd only walked a short distance when the narrow path opened into a small courtyard where several stone benches surrounded a large fountain. Water poured out of a bowl being held by the sculpted hands of a young maiden and spilled into a shallow pond decorated by multi-colored tiles. King Ramla lowered himself to one of the benches and motioned for Octavion to do the same.
Octavion eyed the stone bench and wondered if his buttocks could take another moment sitting on the hard surface. He reconsidered when his thoughts wandered back to Kira and the request he needed to make of the king. Being obedient to Ramla’s request to join him was the least he could do under the circumstances. He moved to the bench opposite the king and sat, resting his hands in his lap.
“So, tell me of this. . Earth,” Ramla said, gesturing toward the sky.
Octavion sighed. The last thing he wanted to do was reminisce about his last few years on Earth. He needed to steer the conversation in another direction. Kira's life depended on it. “Please forgive me, Your Excellency. I would like nothing more than to tell you everything about Earth, but I have come on an urgent matter and there is little time. If you could only listen to my request, I will spend hours telling you everything about my journey.”
Ramla's brow furrowed. “I am well aware of your concern, Prince Octavion. May I presume you mean to pay for your request with such menial information about a planet I could visit easily if I so desired? Is your human worth so little to you?”
Octavion gripped the stone bench with his hands and tried not to show his irritation. “No, Your Excellency. The information you seek is free whether you help me or not.”
“And what exactly are you willing to give in exchange for the human's recovery?”
The human. “Kira. Her name is Kira, and I would give my own life if it would save hers.”
Ramla folded his arms. “Ah, a life is a simple thing to give-takes no effort at all to drive the point of a dagger into one's heart. A split second and your pain would be over. A coward's way out of this world. She must not mean much to you.”
Octavion shot to his feet in anger, then quickly reconsidered. He lowered himself to one knee in front of the king. “She means everything to me. Name your price and it is yours.”
Laughter erupted from Ramla's chest and it was all Octavion could do not to lose his temper. If the king knew how close Kira was to death, why did he taunt him, goading him so? Why didn't he simply tell him what he wanted so he could pay the price, or refuse so he could take Kira home to die?
When Ramla's laughter settled into a wide smile, he finally said, “Young love. How highly we value its worth, yet when asked to sacrifice something dear to us in order to save it, we fail miserably and let it fade away or die. I suspect this is the case with your. . Kira.” He stood and began walking back toward the castle.
Octavion didn't budge. “Name your price!”
Ramla paused on the pathway, then turned back to meet Octavion's eyes.
“Name your price.” Octavion repeated, daring to meet the king’s gaze full on.
Ramla studied him, then said, “Very well, then. I will heal your human. And in return you will give up your crown, swear allegiance to me and leave Xantara forever, never to return.”
“Agreed!” Octavion stood and put his hand out for Ramla to shake.
Ramla's eyes remained glued to Octavion's. “Without your human.”
Octavion's hand slowly fell to his side as a large lump formed in his throat. “I am blood bound to her. I will agree to swear allegiance to Panthera, but only if we are both allowed to serve you.”
“I have no need for a human. You have my price. Accept it or return to Xantara and watch her die.”
Octavion's heart clenched. How could he leave her? She'd never understand the sacrifice he'd made for her or what he'd given up to save her life. But if he didn't agree to the king's terms, Kira wouldn't have a life. Either way, he'd be without her, but if he agreed to King Ramla's price, at least Kira would live and have the opportunity to find someone else to love.
“May I at least stay with her until she wakes?” Octavion asked. “I would like to put my affairs in order and say my goodbyes.”
Ramla didn't answer at first. He rubbed his fingers across the stubble on his chin, eyeing Octavion with much concentration. “I will allow it. Truth be known, I am not sure where you will fit into my kingdom as yet. I may need time to consider your placement.” He motioned for Octavion to come closer. His eyes pierced clean through to Octavion's soul. “This may take some time. I will send someone to fetch you when I am ready for your service. My time. My terms. Agreed?”
Octavion let the air out of his lungs while struggling to hold back his emotions. “Agreed.” This time he didn't extend his hand and Ramla didn't request it. The deal was made and of two things Octavion was absolutely certain: The first-Kira's life would be saved. The second-she would spend the rest of her life hating him.