Broken tc-2, page 16
part #2 of The Crystor Series
Arela still clung to Kira’s drenched body. She pulled her away and took her face in her hands.
“I’m okay, sweetie. You don’t need to be afraid.”
Arela whimpered and let out a sob. “Why. . did. . you?”
“Arela, look at me.” Kira brought Arela’s face up so their eyes met. “I didn’t jump. I fell. Do you understand? I was trying to get down and I fell.” Kira hoped her words would console the little girl and convince Mara she shouldn’t string her up and hang her from the rafters. Once again, Kira had caused her son pain.
Arela nodded and then fell back into Kira’s arms.
“Mara, is Nestor in the castle?” Kira asked. “Cade needs help getting back to his room.”
“He is reprimanding the guards for not keeping a closer eye on your room and the garden. I will send for him.”
Only a few seconds passed before Kira felt an unfamiliar spirit enter the room. Much like the king’s, his spirit felt calm and peaceful, but lacked the sense of majestic nobility. Instead she felt knowledge and understanding. When he appeared, she was taken aback. She’d been secluded for days and hadn’t actually met him yet. His stature was much like Luka’s but he stood at least six inches taller and wore his black hair long. It fell over his shoulders and then continued down the front of his chest. It looked like threads of silk and glowed in the light of the candle Mara brought from the other room.
He stepped closer to his son. His strong chiseled jaw tightened as he surveyed the scene-only glancing briefly in Kira’s direction. Without a word, he lifted his agony stricken son from the soaked bed and disappeared into the night. Their mist swirled around Mara and melted away.
Mara sighed. “He is a quiet man, but the love he has for his children is without comparison.” She turned to face Kira and stroked her daughter’s long hair. “You must not worry, Kira. Cade will heal. He has not yet learned his limitations.”
“I’m really sorry. It was my fault. I honestly didn’t go out there to take my life. I just. . needed to feel something.”
Mara patted Kira’s hand. “I am glad you are well, dear. We are all worried about you.” She looked around the room at all the water and the soaked linens. “Where is Ussay? She has been instructed to stay by your side.”
“I sent her home. I’m afraid I haven’t been very nice to her.”
“Nonsense. It should not matter how she is treated, she has been given a task and has failed. Perhaps I should. .”
“No. Don’t do anything. She is my servant and I will reprimand her. Besides, she was only following my orders, which is a good thing, right?”
Mara smiled, clearly pleased that Kira had finally grasped the concept of being a Royal. “As you wish, dear.”
Another flash of lightning illuminated the room. Arela tensed. This time a few seconds passed before a low rumble could be heard in the distance.
“Arela, you need to get out of these wet clothes.” Kira lifted her from her lap and set her feet on the floor.
Arela’s bottom lip quivered. “But, where will you sleep? Your bedding is wet.”
She was right. Cade brought half the lake with him when they leaped and it was all in her room. “I don’t know, sweetie. Maybe I could sleep in Octavion’s chambers tonight.”
Her bottom lip jutted out even farther. “You could sleep in my bed if you like. I do not take up much space.”
Kira looked at Mara for her approval. She smiled and nodded. “It would save me from running in her room after every flash of lightning. She has been terrified of the storm nearly her whole life.” Mara yawned and then rubbed her belly. “And this little one takes all my energy these days. I could use the sleep.”
“It’s settled then. We will brave the storm together.” Kira tucked a wet strand of hair behind Arela’s ear. “Now run along and put on a dry gown. I’ll be there in a sec.”
Mara took her daughter’s hand. “Come on, dear. I will help you.” As they closed the door behind them, Mara mumbled, “If Ussay was here I would have her build a fire.”
Kira shook her head. I’d like to see her last one day in my world. . without maid service, she thought to herself.
She quickly stripped the linens from the bed so the mattress would have a chance to dry by morning. The rest she would take care of later. She had no intention of letting Ussay clean up another one of her messes.
When Kira slipped under the covers, Arela had already fallen asleep. Although rain still pelted the windows, the thunder had been silent for quite some time. She turned on her side to face Arela. Her innocent face lay softly on the pillow and looked so peaceful. Octavion’s words still echoed in her mind and for the first time she thought she might even believe them.
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.
Gazing at the face before her, she understood. The warm light of any child’s love could help fill the empty space in her heart.
“Kira, wake up.” An impatient voice echoed in Kira’s head. Half way out of her dream, she felt a tug on the sleeve of her gown and a rush of cold air as the covers flew off her body.
“Arela,” Kira complained. “Let me wake up, first.” She struggled to pry open her eyes, but the brightness of the sun coming through the opened window blinded her. As she tried to focus, Arela stepped between her and the sunlight. Its brilliance radiated from behind her yellow hair and white gown making her glow like an angel.
“Come see.” Arela grabbed Kira’s hand and pulled her out of bed. She barely got her feet planted on the floor when Arela jerked her forward. She stumbled to the window and tried to squint away the sun.
“Look.” Arela pointed off to one side of the lake where there were still a few storm clouds on the horizon. There-in all its brilliance-was a rainbow. Kira had never seen so much color. The hues were deep like the colored glass in the castle windows. One end came out of the lake and the other one disappeared out of view behind the mountain.
“It’s beautiful,” Kira said.
“It is a promise.”
Kira looked down to find Arela’s sparkling brown eyes. “What kind of promise?”
Arela seemed pleased with the question. She hopped up on the window seat and explained like she was a seasoned scholar.
“It always comes after a horrible storm. Mother says it is our promise that all is well and the beginning of a new day. It is like starting fresh. The rain has washed the sadness of the world away and all that is left is happiness. She says the rain drops are happy tears from the gods of Lor.”
“Your mother is very wise.”
“I am as well.” Arela looked at the rainbow again. “I believe today’s promise is for you, Kira.” She turned to look into Kira’s eyes and smiled.
“And why do you think that?” Kira felt tears burning her eyes as Arela smiled back at her.
“It washed your sadness away.” She reached for Kira’s face with her finger extended and touched the corner of her eye. When she drew back her hand, there was a single tear on the tip of her tiny finger. “See, happy tears.”
“You are right, Arela. You are very wise.” Kira picked her up and spun her around in a circle. Arela let out a squeal before Kira pulled her close and hugged her.
“Kira!” Ussay’s frightened voice came from Kira’s room and echoed through the castle.
Kira smirked at Arela. “I think I’m in trouble.”
Arela giggled. “Maybe I should tell her you jumped in the lake.”
“I fell, remember. And no, we won’t tell her that. Why don’t you get yourself dressed and I will go deal with Ussay?”
Arela’s bottom lip pushed out and her brow furrowed.
“What’s that face for?”
She shrugged.
“Arela, tell me.”
She over exaggerated a sigh. “Mother needs me to help take care of the other children. I hoped you might want to go with me.” She flashed her big brown eyes. They reminded Kira of a puppy begging for a treat.
“I’ll tell you what. I need to take a bath and get dressed. When I’m finished I will have Ussay bring me to see you. Does that sound all right?”
Arela suddenly became animated, jumping up and down, and clapping her hands. “Oh, yes. I cannot wait to tell the other children.” Then she skipped into her dressing chambers.
Kira took a deep breath and let it out slow. She was about to face the firing squad and deserved it. Maybe if she fell to her knees and begged Ussay’s forgiveness she might speak to her again.
Chapter Twenty Two
“We need to have Mara’s seamstress make you a few new dresses. You have become horribly thin.” Ussay pulled the laces tight in the back of Kira’s dress, but left plenty of room to breathe. Thank goodness they didn’t have corsets in this world.
“Don’t worry. I’m sure I’ll put the weight back on.”
Ussay had been very generous with her forgiveness, especially since Kira helped clean up the water mess. She wasn’t, however, happy about Cade getting hurt. Again. Even though Ussay managed to hold her tongue, her short answers and occasional silent treatment made it obvious that the idea of Cade being hurt saving Kira upset her.
“So, what’s the story between you and Cade?”
“Story? What do you mean?”
“You like Cade. Does he like you?”
“No, he does not like me.” Ussay finished with the dress and switched her focus to Kira’s hair. “Would you like it in a braid today?”
“No, it’s fine down. You’re avoiding my question.”
Ussay blushed. “There is nothing between us.”
Kira sighed. “I thought you were to be betrothed. Did you change your mind?”
Ussay’s head shot up. “No. I am not good enough for him.” She lowered her eyes again. “I thought he had feelings for me. . and then. . he has no need for me. It is that simple.”
“Well, maybe we should plan an outing and invite Cade to come with us. Maybe if you two spent some time together, he’d change his mind. That is, when he’s feeling better.”
Ussay didn’t say anything at first, her fingers busy detangling Kira’s hair. “Do you think he would come?” she finally asked.
“Of course. After all, I need protection and you must stay with me at all times.”
She giggled and then curtsied. “As you wish, my lady.”
Kira stood and twirled around. “Well, how do I look?” But before she could answer, the door flew open and Arela ran in.
“Lady Kira,” she cried, trying to catch her breath. “Mother received word. Octavion and Luka are arriving in the courtyard.” Then she disappeared.
Kira looked at where the little girl’s mist quickly faded away. She couldn’t move. Every emotion she’d hidden for the past few days came flooding back at once. She didn’t know if she should laugh or cry, but she was pretty sure by the look on Ussay’s face, regardless of what emotion she decided to show, it would be expressed as they ran for the stairs. Ussay grabbed Kira’s hand and pulled her out the door. At the top of the stairs, she let go and continued her descent alone, leaving Kira to pause about half way down. She watched expectantly as Luka walked through the door, his mother and father trailing close behind him.
Her heart leapt into her throat, waiting for Octavion to follow. They all fussed over a wound on Luka’s arm even though he insisted he was fine. When Luka looked up and their eyes met, he took in a deep breath and pushed the others aside.
“Kira,” he said, but there was something different in his voice. Regret? No, not regret. Pain. Sorrow.
Octavion. Kira put her hand over her mouth to keep from screaming. “No,” she whispered, as she collapsed onto the stairs and buried her face in her hands. “Al, he’s dead. He’s really dead.” The pressure living in her chest for days now caused her heart to race and she couldn’t breathe.
“Kira.” The voice unfamiliar, yet strong and kind.
She looked up to find Nestor and Luka on either side of her, concern in their eyes. All those days of not being able to cry and now she couldn’t stop. “I told him not to go. I pleaded with him.”
“Shh, Kira. He is not dead. Calm down and I will explain,” Luka said.
She tried to slow her breathing. “Then where is he?”
Luka took her hand. “He is fine. After we opened the doorway to our world, I stepped through. But Octavion thought he saw Shandira so he grabbed the journey stone and closed the portal.”
“You left him alone? You have to go back, she’ll kill him.”
“It will be all right, Kira. He told me he is finished fighting. Cael and Zerek are dead and so are her scouts. She is on her own now. We could have tracked her, but he wanted to come back to make sure you were all right.” He looked at his father and then back to Kira. “He had a horrible nightmare last night-woke screaming your name. He saw you take your own life. We would have come back then, but it is too dangerous to travel through the portal in darkness.”
Kira grabbed the front of his shirt. “You can’t just leave him there alone.”
“He will not fight her. I know him. He will leap from one place to another until he is certain she has not followed. Then he will open the doorway and step through.”
She tried to calm her racing heart by taking in a deep breath. “How long?”
“There is no way to tell and we cannot risk asking him. She will hear his thoughts. It could be soon or. . a day or more. He will not take the chance of Shandira entering our world. It is better to keep her there.”
Goose bumps rose on her arms as Kira thought of Shandira being turned loose on Ophira. Everything they’d gone through, including Lydia’s death, would be in vain.
“When you saw me downstairs. .” she swallowed hard. “Why did you look at me with so much sadness, like. . he was dead? I don’t think I read your expression wrong.”
He smiled. “Because I thought you were dead, not Octavion. When I saw you, my heart slammed against my chest and I thought it might stop.” He put his hand on the side of her face. “My cousin will be very happy when he returns.”
She nodded. “He won’t be the only one.”
Luka opened his arms for comfort and she leaned into them. His warmth felt good against her face, but her arms longed for another.
“Perhaps I should hope he stays on the other side. I could grow accustomed to this.”
Nestor growled.
Kira pulled away and slapped Luka on the arm-his wounded arm.
“Aaah. Again with the abuse. Perhaps I should seriously consider the armor.”
Nestor smiled, but remained silent.
“And maybe I should tell Octavion you’re hitting on me.” She braced herself on Luka’s shoulder and stood, trying her wobbly legs. They would do. “Will you need stitches in that arm?”
“Yes,” Nestor said.
“No,” Luka argued. “I will not have. .”
Nestor’s glare cut him off.
“Yes, father.”
Kira chuckled as she walked past them and went back to her room. Once she was sure everyone had cleared out of the entry she went to the courtyard to wait. She sat near the fountain until the sun rose directly above the castle. Both Ussay and Arela tried several times to distract her, but she graciously refused, promising Arela she’d spend time with her and the other children later. When Ussay brought an afternoon meal, she accepted it. She’d eaten very little over the past few days and her stomach punished her with its churning.
Ussay peeled something that looked like a banana, except for the bright yellow fruit inside. “You are getting too much sun. Perhaps we should wait in the garden. There is plenty of shade there.”
“Maybe when we’re finished eating.” Kira watched as she finished removing the peel. “What is that?”
Ussay smiled, but didn’t answer. “Would you like some?” She broke off a small piece and handed it to her.
Kira eagerly took a bite. It tasted like strawberries covered in whipped cream. “Why haven’t you given me this before?” She reached for another piece so Ussay gave her the whole fruit. She took a huge bite and scarfed it down.
“I did. You refused it.”
Kira stopped eating long enough to dispute her claim. “I would have remembered tasting this. What is it called?”
She picked another one from her basket, peeled it quickly and took a big bite. “Koostai,” she mumbled.
“Koostai? You’re lying. That stuff you tried to feed me that smelled like dirty socks?”
Ussay nodded and then took another bite.
“But it was gray.”
“It turns that color when it is cooked and mashed. It also smells bad, but it retains its sweet flavor.” She seemed pleased with herself.
“Well, you can feed me this anytime you want.” They both laughed.
When they’d finished with their meal, Kira helped Ussay clean up and found a shady place in the garden. She welcomed the flower’s fragrance, a drastic change to the stables on the other side of the courtyard. She’d only been there a few minutes when Luka came through the glass doors sporting a white linen bandage on his arm.
“Shall I try to get sympathy from the ladies?” he teased.
“Maybe you should try picking one and being faithful.” She’d been joking, but judging by the look on his face, she’d struck a cord.
“My heart has already chosen.” He sat next to her on the stone bench. “It is not easy when circumstances prevent a union.”
Kira sighed. “I’m sorry, Luka. I shouldn’t have said anything.”
“Not to worry, Kira.” He gently laid his hand on hers. “It is a rare gift to have someone who feels as you do toward Octavion. True love does not come easy in our world.”
Luka tensed, dropping her hand.
“What is it?” she asked.
He smiled. “I believe my cousin is jealous. I enjoyed our visit, even though it was cut short.” He stood and walked away.
“Wait. What are you talking about?” But he didn’t answer. He walked through the glass doors of the castle and disappeared from her view.
