The wait was the worst. Octavion still hadn't been allowed to see Kira. Rather, he’d been instructed to stay in the hall near her door until the healers finished with her. Occasionally he heard Kira moan, but received no word as to her well-being.
For several hours he watched people come and go; some brought clean linens and others scurried about while whispering as if they'd seen a strange being from another world. Which he supposed they had. He wondered if they were disappointed when they saw she looked as they do-except for the red hair. As far as he knew, no Ophiran had ever had red hair.
As he paced, he tried to occupy his mind with her memory-her sweet smile, her silken auburn hair and emerald eyes. Her tender touch when she’d healed him and her soft lips when they’d kissed. He smiled when he thought of that day near the falls. She’d wanted him to propose, but he’d teased her and said she’d have to wait. How he wished he’d savored those moments.
And then there was her confession. In the heat of passion, she’d pushed him away and professed her conviction to remain pure. She would save that precious gift for her wedding night. A gift she would save for another now that he’d traded his allegiance for her life.
When the door opened and Ussay walked out, Octavion was taken aback by her troubled expression.
“What is it?”
She shook her head. “Please forgive me. I know I promised to stay by her side, but I cannot bear another moment.” She collapsed onto the bench near the door and put her face in her hands. Tears streamed down her cheeks as she sobbed.
Octavion knelt in front of her and gently forced her hands away so he could see her eyes. “What are they doing to her?”
Ussay leaned back against the wall and used the hem of her apron to wipe the moisture from her face. “You know I can handle almost anything. I have assisted Gregor with many procedures and seen things that would make most women faint. But this. . this is. . they. . BLOOD WORMS! They have completely disrobed her and are letting disgusting blood worms crawl all over her body and burrow under her skin.” She leaned forward and clamped her hands on his shoulders. “They are sucking her dry. Why would they do that?”
Octavion felt the muscles in his back and shoulders swell and his eyes begin to burn. “I do not know, but I intend to find out.” He shrugged out of her grasp, but didn't bother stepping to the door. He simply appeared on the other side, only to be horrified by the sight. Not only was she completely covered with the slimy little creatures, but lay on the amber stones he'd seen earlier, making her entire body glow with heat. Her auburn hair resembled bright red flames as it splayed out around her head.
Rowin stood a few feet away, observing the healers work. When he caught sight of Octavion, he instantly appeared in front of him, blocking Octavion’s view of Kira. “You were instructed to wait outside.”
Octavion curled his fingers into fists. “What are you doing to her?”
Rowin crossed his arms over his chest. “If you were the alchemist you claim to be, you would have seen the signs and known she'd ingested the blood of a Darkord.”
“Darkord?” Octavion had to admit he'd noticed her eyes weren't as bright as they’d been after sharing their blood, but he thought it was because of the other poison she'd ingested and the fact that the Crystor wasn't working properly. It didn't even cross his mind she may have bitten Zerek or Nigel while fighting back.
Rowin continued. “The blood worms draw the poison out and cleanse her body of impurities. We were about to remove them. I suggest you distance yourself in case they burst and her blood is spilled. After all, you wouldn't want to kill her after all the work we have done saving her life.” He motioned toward the door.
Octavion glanced over Rowin's shoulder and vowed not to tell Kira about the worms. She'd be mortified if she knew they were a cross between a leech and tick from her world-a blood sucker with sharp pinchers for burrowing under the skin. The first time they'd gone to the falls, she'd been mortified over one leech he'd quickly removed for her. Knowing these parasites roamed her body freely would give her nightmares. The sooner they removed them the better.
“Please be gentle,” Octavion said, then turned to exit the room.
Once in the hallway, he found Ussay fully composed. She ran her hands down the front of her apron and reached for the door handle.
“Wait,” Octavion said. “They are removing them. Perhaps you should wait another moment. . or two.”
Ussay turned, her face squished into a nauseated expression that almost made him laugh. “Or three,” she said.
Octavion took her hand and guided her to the bench where she sat. “I am going for a short walk. The fresh air will do me good. I will not be long.”
“Perhaps that is wise. . considering.”
Octavion looked at the closed door, wishing he could be there to hold Kira. He could almost feel a part of his heart break at the thought. Would he have the chance to hold her before King Ramla summoned him? And more, how could he survive without ever holding her again?
Octavion returned to find the door to Kira's room wide open, sunlight splashing across the hall. At first, he thought he'd taken a wrong turn-gone down the wrong hall-but then he heard Ussay humming. Eager to see Kira, he rushed into the room, but stopped when light from the window caught him in the face, momentarily blinding him. He put his hand up to block the rays.
Tears burned the back of Octavion’s eyes as Kira’s resting form came into view. She wore a long white gown, her hair brushed and sculpted into an intricate braid and her peaceful face had regained its healthy glow. His pulse jumped in his throat at the sight of her beauty.
Ussay sat near the fireplace, stuffing something into her bag. “Rowin said we can take her home now, there is nothing more they can do for her.”
Octavion stepped to Kira's side and brushed her warm cheek with his fingers. “Is she warm because of the stones?”
Ussay stood and joined him on the other side of the raised bed. “No, he said he was only instructed to remove the poison, the rest is up to us.”
“You mean she could still die?” Octavion asked with more than a little edge to his voice.
“That is what I asked. He said something about her being bound to another soul and perhaps magic was not the answer. He asked about her bracelet.”
“What did you tell him?”
Ussay shifted her weight to one foot. “Nothing. Then he said if we saw to her needs, dug the infection out of her back and used the proper medicines, she would recover. I do not like him very much.”
“Nor do I.” Octavion gathered the gown around Kira's knees and lifted her into his arms. He turned to Ussay. “Are you ready?”
“More than ready.” She wrapped her arms around his waist. “Take us home, please.”
Once they got Kira settled into her bed, she started thrashing about, mumbling something about Toran. Tears streamed down her cheeks as if reliving her days in captivity. He’d made the mistake of thinking once they'd returned to Xantara her suffering would be over-that she would magically wake up and everything would be all right. He was sadly mistaken. It seemed it had just begun. “Ussay, help me roll her over to her side. I need to have a look at her back.”
Ussay hiked up her long dress and climbed onto the bed. She gently took Kira’s arm and pulled toward her as Octavion lifted. Kira resisted. She flailed her arms, hitting Ussay on the thigh. They let her slip back onto the bed.
“She is strong,” Ussay said.
“You have no idea.”
“Octavion,” Kira mumbled.
Octavion leaned closer and kissed her cheek. “I am here.”
“Hold me.” She wasn’t awake, but possibly remembering a time when he’d held her before. His arms ached to hold her again.
“Ussay, latch the door.” He kicked off his boots and went around to the other side of the bed. When Ussay turned to come back from locking the door, she paused and drew in a short swift breath.
“Octavion. It is not proper,” she said.
“You will say nothing of this. Do you understand?”
“Yes, of course.” She lowered her eyes.
“Now help me with her.” He pulled back the covers and slid in beside Kira. As he leaned his back against the tapestry headboard, he rolled her over and pulled her in against his chest. She reacted by snuggling close and wrapping an arm around him.
“What shall I do?” Ussay asked.
“Can you clean the wounds by yourself?”
“Yes, but. . her gown fastens in the front. I cannot get to it.”
He reached under the covers and withdrew his knife. “Then cut it off.” He flipped it in his hand so he held the blade and presented her with the handle.
“But. . she will be exposed.” She looked at him like he’d committed an unforgivable sin.
“Ussay. I've already seen far more than will be exposed if you cut the back of her gown away. Slit the fabric to reveal her wounds. There is no need to remove the entire gown.”
“As you wish, Sire.” She hesitantly took the knife.
“Would you please stop doing that? You have been my friend your whole life. While we are alone, you do not need to be so formal.”
“I do not want to anger you. . like before.”
“I am sorry for my temper, but do you not see what lies before you. I was concerned for her safety and to be told to forget about her and let her die was inconsiderate on your part. Perhaps a little understanding is in order.”
“I am sorry as well.” She carefully cut a slit in the gown near the neckline, put the knife down and tore the fabric, exposing Kira’s back down to her waist.
Octavion cringed at the sight of swollen welts and open wounds. Even though they’d cleansed and medicated them before and most were scabbed over and healing, two of the deeper gashes were red and swollen, oozing yellow puss. Cleaning them would be painful. He looked at Ussay. “Are you sure you can do this?”
“Yes.” She went to the bureau and retrieved a piece of rolled leather tied with a thin strip of black cord. She laid it on the bed, pulled the cord and unrolled it. Inside were several small divided sections, each holding a metal instrument. She chose one with a dull edge. “I do not want to cut her. This should work to remove the infection. Do you have a tight hold?”
“Yes, but before you begin, hold it in the flame of that candle.” He’d learned about bacteria in Kira’s world.
“You want me to burn her?”
“No, but the heat from the flame will sterilize it. Trust me. I will explain later.”
She followed his instructions and carefully removed the puss from the infected areas. She was meticulous about her work. With each scrape of the tool, Kira tensed. Her painful sighs soon gave way to pleas for Zerek to stop torturing her. When she cried out for Toran and began sobbing, Octavion told Ussay to stop. She’d had enough. The majority of the infection had been removed-the gods willing, the salve would do the rest.
“I am sorry it caused her so much pain,” Ussay said.
“You were very gentle. You should be a physician.”
She blushed. “You know it is not allowed. But I do enjoy assisting Gregor.” She cleaned the small tool and put it back in the pouch.
“Ussay, may I ask a great favor?”
She paused and looked at him. “Of course.”
“I know you have already devoted a great deal of your time seeing to Kira's needs, but I would like to make the position permanent. I need someone I can trust. Would you consider it?” Kira’s shivering body began to stir again. He pulled the covers up around her shoulders, gently brushed her hair from her face and pressed his lips against her warm forehead. She responded by curling one side of her mouth into a smile.
“I would be eternally grateful,” he added.
“I have been tending to my mother’s needs when I am not working with the children in the castle. . but perhaps my aunt could take on the task. May I see to that before I commit?”
“Of course. It will be dark soon-go now and make the preparations. I will sit with Kira until you return.”
Ussay’s eyes widened. “Shall I send for someone to be with you?”
Octavion smiled. “I do not need a chaperone. Now go. And give instructions we are not to be disturbed.”
Ussay pulled the drapes closed and left a single candle burning on the table next to the bed. She stirred the fire and added three logs before leaving. He’d hoped the subdued light would bring a peaceful atmosphere so Kira could rest, but his efforts were in vain.
As the fever raged through her body, every detail of her torture came to light. Over and over he listened as she begged her captors to stop their sadistic behavior. Her words twisted his heart as if someone held it in their clenched fist. He’d dreamed of holding her in his arms again-how much joy it would bring for both of them. But this was far from what he’d imagined. His very soul ached from the pain she’d endured.
Normally, he kept his emotions in check, but not this time. The tears burned his eyes and washed over his face. He made no attempt to hold them back. Long after the wounds healed, she would still remember her captors’ faces, their ruthless taunting and most of all, the fact that he wasn't there to protect her. The love of his life was broken and because of his promise to King Ramla, he wouldn’t be around to help heal the emotional wounds that lingered. The thought nearly ripped in in two.
The fire and the candle burned out hours before any sign of light seeped through the cracks in the drapes. He’d held her in darkness, reluctant to move in fear of sparking another bout of terrifying memories. Her body felt cool against his. Her fever had finally ended.
When Ussay returned with her things, she pulled back the drapes, revealing sunshine and a day will-started, then ordered Octavion out of the room. She insisted he bathe.
“You will need to bathe her as well and change her linens.” He slid out from under Kira and made sure she rested comfortably.
“Building. . a fire,” she mumbled.
He pulled the covers up around her shoulders and gently kissed her swollen cheek above where Shandira's blade gouged her flesh. “Yes, my love. I am building a fire.” Maybe the memories of them together would give her the comfort she needed.
“Please send for me when she wakes,” he instructed Ussay.
“Of course,” she said. “Perhaps you should eat something. You look pale.”
He glanced at Kira’s broken and beaten body. “I will eat. . when she eats.” Then he left the room.