Broken tc-2, page 13
part #2 of The Crystor Series
Cade seemed uncomfortable with the compliment. “You owe me nothing.”
As Octavion walked away, Cade leaned closer and whispered, “What is wrong?”
She rubbed a piece of lace at her cuff between her fingers. “Nerves-meeting the king and all.”
“Kira, I am not a fool. Is it the prince thing? I have not told Octavion, if that is what you are worried about.” He turned in his seat so he faced her. “You are safe in Xantara. It is rare for a strange Royal to penetrate the castle walls without permission. The penalty is severe and we always take extreme precautions to prevent it.”
“In case you haven’t noticed, we’re not in the castle. We’re not even inside the village walls anymore.”
“True, but you have me to protect you here.” He winked, then slapped one of his legs. “As long as I do not have to chase them down, you should be safe enough.”
“I’m not worried about that,” she lied. “And I’m sure you’re a great protector” She tried to straightened the now mutilated piece of lace. “Can I ask you something?”
Cade folded his arms and waited for her to continue, but she didn’t know how to ask. He’d want to know the reason behind her question.
“Umm. . I wonder what kind of music you have in your world. I miss it.”
A smirk crossed Cade’s face. “Music? That is your question?”
“Yeah. I thought you’d have some musicians here at the festival. Arela said there might be a flute player. Does Octavion play the flute?” She hadn’t planned to make the question so specific, but now that she had, she regretted it.
Cade let out a hoot. “Octavion? Play a flute?” He broke out in laughter, so hard she couldn’t tell if she’d said something funny or felt great pain-or both. One hand held his stomach while the other clenched the spot on his back where he’d been injured. Every time he took a breath he moaned from the pain, then went right back to laughing.
Kira slapped his arm. “Stop that, people are staring.” Two women sitting with Mara craned their necks to see around a rather plump lady in a red dress. Kira smiled and shrugged, pretending she had no idea why Cade acted like a complete imbecile. “You’re gonna get me in trouble.”
A few more guttural laughs and Cade finally slowed to an occasional chuckle. “Why would you ask such a thing? A Royal-no a prince-would never stoop to play an instrument meant for a commoner, especially Octavion.” He stretched, but cringed before his back straightened completely.
“I asked about music in general. The part about Octavion playing a flute just slipped out.”
“Then the answer is yes. We usually have music at events like this.” He turned to face her, his expression grave. “But we felt it improper because Xantara is still in mourning.”
“Oh.” Kira felt like she’d been kicked in the gut. Only a few days had passed since Lydia’s death. Of course they’d want to respect the Royal family’s feelings.
“I am sorry, Kira. I wish I could speak to you about it, but-”
“I know,” she blurted, putting her hand up between them. “You’re not allowed.”
They sat in silence for a moment. Cade cleared his throat again. “Would you like something to drink? I could call Octavion to fetch us something.”
Kira quickly scanned the crowd for Octavion. Several young boys watched him with intent curiosity while he twisted a piece of rope or leather in his hands. “No, he’s enjoying himself. Point me in the right direction and I’ll get something for us.”
“Are you sure? I could send someone to find Ussay.”
“I’m sure. I need to get up and move around anyway.” She stood and turned to face him. “Anything particular you want?”
He pointed to a large canopy where several wooden barrels were stacked. Three lay on their sides with spigots drilled into the ends. A large robust man stood next to them, filling cups in a variety of sizes provided by the villagers lined up beside him. “Unless you want to scoop water from the river down below, there is no other choice than what is provided for us in those barrels. Do not worry though. King Belesgar always provides the best nectar for the festivals.”
“Nectar?”
“A mixture of several local fruits. It is quite delicious.”
Kira wrinkled her nose. “It isn’t wine, is it? I hate wine.”
Cade laughed. “No, Belesgar saves that for special occasions.”
“Oh.” Kira glanced back to the man dispensing the fruit juice. “We didn’t bring cups.”
“No need. He provides them for Royals.”
Kira propped her fists on her hips. “I’m not a Royal. I’m a commoner, remember?” She understood there had to be a hierarchy of some sort, but hated how commoners were treated like a lower life form; just one step away from being slaves. Barbaric.
Cade smirked. “You are far from common. You will be queen one day.”
“Whatever.” She dropped her hands and walked away. As much as she wanted to spend the rest of her life with Octavion, she knew in her heart she wasn’t queen material. Not even close. Even the thought made the hairs on her arms twitch. Besides, it wasn’t like he’d proposed.
The line of people waiting to get their cups filled wrapped around the refreshment tent, past the display of intricately woven baskets and stopped behind stacks of cages filled with live poultry. The birds-for lack of a better description-were unlike any foul she’d ever seen. The strangest one had light blue feathers on its chest, green feet and a large red quill sticking out the top of its head. The rest of its body was totally bare, as if shaved clean. They were loud and obnoxious, the stench almost unbearable.
Kira took her place at the end of the line despite several offers to let her go to the front. Everyone she met seemed nice-smiled, curtsied or offered to assist her in some way-but she couldn’t help notice the stares. Whether it was her hair, eyes, or the fact she was from another planet, she didn’t know, but it bugged her. Even if their intensions were good, she still couldn’t shake the uneasy feeling she was on display. But then, she’d felt that a lot lately.
She tried to blow it off and enjoy the contrast between the warm sun beating down on her skin and the cool breeze wafting up from the distant lake. Unfortunately, the line moved agonizingly slow and the stench from the birds soon became unbearable. After several minutes of trying not to breathe, she decided her thirst wasn’t worth sacrificing fresh air. She slipped out of line and began making her way back to her seat near Cade. As she rounded the corner of the basket weaver’s tent-almost tripping over the guide wire-her focus shifted to the cemetery. Lydia’s final resting place called to her as if they still shared the magical connection of the Crystor.
Kira twisted the tiny thread of silver between her fingers, being careful not to kink the bracelet. It had no powers now-even its magical qualities couldn’t connect her with Lydia beyond the grave-but she was sure the reason it hadn’t fallen off was because of Altaria. Their connection seemed more important now than ever.
“Would you like to visit her grave?” she said aloud so Altaria could hear.
A warm sensation filled her heart. She wasn’t sure she could endure the grief that visiting Lydia’s grave would bring, but if that’s what her new kindred spirit wanted, she’d do it. She lifted the hem of her skirt and began the walk up the slight incline to the cemetery.
“Kira!”
Kira released her skirt and let out a deep sigh. Octavion. So much for visiting her friend. She slowly turned, making no effort to close the distance between them.
“Where are you going?” Octavion said as he came close enough for her to see into his eyes. Happiness shone in his countenance-more than she’d ever seen before. He brushed an unruly strand of hair away from her face and tucked it behind her ear. “Cade said you were thirsty. You should have said something. I would have gone for you.”
Kira smiled up at him, trying not to reveal the disappointment in him finding her. She felt the pull of Lydia’s grave even more strongly now that she’d been interrupted. “I wanted to go for a walk.” She motioned toward the cemetery. “Please don’t tell me there’s some stupid law against visiting her grave. It’s bad enough not being able to talk about her.”
Octavion closed his eyes for a moment, as if praying for help to find the right words. He opened his deep blue eyes and took her hands in his. “I need to talk to you about something, but. .” He glanced in the direction of his father, then turned back to face her. “Not now. Not here.”
Kira pulled her hands from his and wrapped her arms around herself. “Look. I know you can’t talk about her. I know you can get in trouble if you do. Fine. I get it. But you’ve had time to grieve. You went to her funeral. You said your goodbyes. I need to see her grave. I need to tell her how much I miss her.” She turned away from him to hide the tears streaming down her face.
His warmth engulfed her as he wrapped his arms around her from behind. His lips brushed her ear. “Then I shall take you.”
“Alone.”
Octavion stiffened. “Kira, I-”
Kira spun around, breaking his hold on her. “Don’t say no. I need this.”
Their eyes locked for a few tense moments before he finally spoke. “Very well, then. But I want to stay here where I can see you if you need me.”
“But-”
He pressed his lips to hers, most likely to keep her from protesting. When they parted, she leaned into his arms and let him comfort her. She inhaled, her breath catching before her lungs filled with air. He smelled so good-felt even better. She didn’t want to leave the security of his arms, but she had no choice. She needed to do this-for herself and for Altaria.
Chapter Nineteen
Kira let a handful of dirt sift through her fingers. She thought kneeling by Lydia’s grave would be unbearable, that she’d break down in gut wrenching sobs, begging her for forgiveness. Instead, she felt nothing but emptiness. The body that lay beneath was not her friend, but a hollow shell where a loving spirit once lived. In her heart she knew Lydia hadn’t left them-not completely. She felt her everywhere and knew she would always be with her-like Altaria.
That’s how she’d survive this, knowing Lydia’s spirit still lived and watched over them. It gave her hope. Hope that one day Altaria and Lydia would reunite-in death.
She wondered if they believed in heaven on Ophira. She hoped so. “We’ll see her again, Al. I promise.”
This time, no warmth burned within her, no sign that Altaria even existed. Only a cold chill buried deep beneath the surface of her skin. She ached to see Lydia’s face, crooked smile and those beautiful green eyes with their flicker of Altaria’s icy blue behind them.
A soft whimper filled Kira’s ears and for a brief moment she thought it was her imagination. After all, she’d heard and seen things in her mind before. But then it came again-a girl’s muffled sobs.
Kira looked to see if Octavion still watched. He crouched in front of one of the boys she’d seen him with earlier, a piece of rope tangled in the youth’s fingers. Octavion laughed, then took the strand of rope from him. It warmed places in her heart she didn’t know she had-places where even Altaria’s sorrow couldn’t reach.
Another heart wrenching sob filtered through the trees. As much as she didn’t want to intrude, she felt pulled toward the sound. She knew all too well what it felt like to be alone with your grief. Maybe she could give some comfort or at the very least make a new friend in this wild and dangerous world.
Kira stood, brushed the dirt and grass from her skirt and started through the trees toward a stone structure, its walls crumbling from age and neglect. She followed the whimpers through a wooden door sagging from a single rusty hinge. Her heart clenched when she recognized the plain tan dress and brown hair hunched over a stone bench.
“Ussay?” Kira rushed to her side, the cold damp stone pressing against her knees as she knelt. “What it is? Are you hurt?”
The girl laughed, then slowly turned to face Kira. “Looking for someone?” Everything about the imposter felt evil, right down to her sinister grin and black eyes. A female Darkord.
Crap!
Kira tried to stand, but her feet tangled in her dress and she fell back to the ground. The girl reached out and grabbed Kira’s leg, but Kira dug her heel in the dirt between two stones and pushed as hard as she could, trying to break the girl’s hold. The girl lurched forward and grabbed a handful of Kira’s dress. Kira managed a good kick to the girl’s face with a thrust of her foot. Blood sprayed onto the girl’s dress-Ussay’s dress. Panic gripped Kira’s heart as she quickly scanned the room. Where was Ussay?
The girl buried her face in her hands, giving Kira the freedom she needed to escape. “You broke my nose,” the girl yelled. “Get her!”
Kira jumped to her feet and ran full force into a solid mass of muscle, a man’s chest. Before she could change directions, he wrapped an arm around her waist and grabbed her braid, yanking her head back.
“And where do you think you are going?” he asked.
“Let go of me!” Kira drove the heel of her hand up under his chin and thrust her knee into his groin. The man released a guttural groan before doubling over, pulling her to the ground with him. She’d forgotten about her tender back until it slammed onto the stone floor. She rolled to her side and tried to catch her breath.
The girl stood next to Kira and sliced the blade of her knife through the front of Ussay’s dress, letting it fall to the ground at her feet. Underneath, she wore black leather pants and a thin blouse that left very little to the imagination. She kicked the dress aside, then used the same boot to kick Kira square in belly.
Kira grabbed her stomach and drew her knees up. “What do you want from me?”
“Get up!” the girl said.
“Not until you tell me-”
The girl delivered another kick, cutting off Kira’s words. “I said get up!”
“Okay, okay.” Kira choked out the words, then rolled to her knees and pull herself to her feet-the pain in her stomach made it almost impossible to straighten. She stepped back from her attackers. “Now what? Torture? Poison? Or maybe you just want to mess with my head.”
The man regained his feet and circled around to grab Kira from behind. He drew his knife and put the blade to her throat. “How about I cut your tongue out to silence that mouth?”
“Well you wouldn’t be the first to try.” Kira grabbed his arm and tried to pull it away. It only made him tighten his arm around her stomach and apply more pressure. Bile rose in her throat and she had to swallow hard to keep from throwing up-although spewing vomit all over the Darkord did cross her mind.
“Enzo!” the girl called over her shoulder. “Bring her out here!”
A shuffling sound came from the back of the structure, followed by a muffled whimper. A few seconds later, another man, this one far more dangerous looking than the first, came from under the staircase with Ussay in his arms-his hand pressed firmly over her mouth. She wore a soiled slip torn free from one shoulder and her eyes were red and swollen, her face stained with tears.
“Let her go,” Kira demanded.
“I will release her after I deliver a message from a friend of yours,” the girl said, her voice now a little too nasal. “You remember Shandira, yes?” She stepped closer, so close Kira could see the break in her nose. “She seeks revenge for what you have done and we are more than eager to deliver a blow that will bring you and your prince the kind of grief she suffers.”
The girl reached into a small pouch hanging from her belt and pulled out a bundle about six inches long and as big around as her wrist. She unfolded the flaps of leather to expose a clump of long, white, needle-like spikes. She gripped it at the base with the piece of leather, then brought it up to Kira’s face. She spread the spines out, exposing a clear membrane that held them together like the lace on a fancy Victorian fan.
Ussay gasped, bit down on the man’s hand and tried to wrestle out of his arms. “Kira, do not let them touch you with tha-” Her words were cut off by a solid punch to her ribcage. The man clamped his hand back over her mouth.
“Ussay! Don’t fight them,” Kira yelled. “Do what they say.” She glanced at the open door, hoping Octavion would notice her missing from the cemetery and come to find her. Even if she screamed, she wasn’t sure she’d be heard over all the noise from the festival. And she hadn’t gained enough strength back from her last ordeal with Shandira to fight more than she already had. Now, more than ever, she wished Altaria would take control of her body so she could kick some Darkord butt.
“What is that?” Kira asked. After Ussay’s reaction, she wasn’t sure she wanted to find out.
The girl made a grand gesture with the object, lightly brushing it across Kira’s cheek-as if that alone would scare her. “The dorsal fin of a S’Kiff-a beautiful fish that lives in the depths of our many oceans. One prick to your skin will bring you more pain than you can bear.” A menacing grin crossed her face. “And render your womb barren and your prince without an heir.”
Her words pierced Kira’s heart. In this world, having an heir meant everything, especially for a prince. Kira had taken Shandira’s hope of giving her prince an heir and now she planned to do the same to her.
“Kira!” Octavion called from a distance.
The man holding Ussay pushed her to the ground and took off through an opening in the back of the structure.
“Coward,” the girl yelled.
All at once the room exploded with voices and movement. Ussay screamed. Octavion appeared at the door demanding Kira’s release. Seconds later Luka-with three other Royals-entered the room, completely transformed and ready to fight.
Kira lurched forward after being shoved by her captor, who Octavion immediately took down. As big and strong as the man seemed, he didn’t have a chance. The force behind the man’s shove, caused Kira to slam full force into the girl and both tumbled to the ground in a heap. For several blurred moments, Kira wasn’t sure who was where and which groan or cry of profanity came from whom.
