C. Bryant - Broken

He gently pulled her chin up until their eyes met. Tiny threads of yellow invaded his. “You mean you could have stepped through to the other side?”

She nodded. “I thought you saw what happened. Shandira drew her dagger and as she brushed past Lydia to step through the portal, she caught her in the side. I couldn’t reach Lydia, so I grabbed Shandira by the hair and pulled her back into the cave. I don't think I really thought about it, I just knew I couldn't let her get all the way through that portal.”

“But you could have pushed her through and I could have helped you.”

Kira lowered her eyes and began fiddling with the Crystor. “I saw your face.” She looked up to meet his eyes again. “You were a little distracted with the scent of my blood.”

The muscles in his jaw clenched. He stood and went to the window. His shoulders rose and fell with each labored breath as he pulled his fingers into clenched fists. But he didn't say anything. He didn't have to. Kira knew he blamed himself for not being in control of his cravings and for not protecting her-that he thought he’d been weak.

Ussay still stood a few feet away, holding the tray. She watched as he stood there, saying nothing. Then she looked at Kira. “Shall I take this back to the kitchen, my lady?”

“No, bring it here,” Kira said.

Octavion spun around and took the tray out of Ussay’s hands. “I will get that.” He returned to sit beside Kira and put the tray on the bed between them. She only caught a glimpse of his eyes before he looked away, but the fire she saw burning within their depths was unmistakable. She knew that look-she’d seen it every time he struggled to gain control of his hunger.

“Ussay, could you give us a minute, please?” Kira asked.

“Oh, yes, my lady. I will be close if you need me.” She curtsied and left the room.

“Octavion?”

He’d been going through the arrangement of fruit on the tray, breaking several of the larger sections into bite-sized pieces. But when she said his name, he paused and slowly raised his eyes to meet hers.

“When was the last time you fed?”

“I am fine.”

“When? I want to know. Please.”

He hesitated for a moment and then looked down, fiddling with the food again. “I hunted the night I brought you here.”

Kira put her hands on his. “Stop doing that and look at me.”

His head shot up. “Kira, I am fine,” he snapped. His eyes were on fire now, not even a shred of blue invaded his lion eyes.

“Okay, that’s it. I’m not eating until you hunt.” She pushed the tray away. “Besides, I’m getting tired and I need to rest. Maybe you should go.”

“I am not the one who has been lying in bed for over a week. And I am not leaving.” He took a hunk of cheese and broke off a piece. He held it to her lips. “Now eat, please.”

Kira pressed her lips together, folded her arms in front of her chest and shook her head.

“Kira.” He growled again. “I will force feed you if I have to.”

“You wouldn’t dare. .” He stuck the piece of cheese in her mouth between words, but she spit it out. “I’m not eating until you promise you’ll hunt tonight. ”

“You are stubborn.” He huffed out the air in his lungs.

She didn't respond, just held her ground by clamping her mouth shut.

The corner of Octavion's lips curled into a grin and she wished she could see those dimples she loved so much.

“All right, you win. If you eat, I will hunt.”

“Tonight?” she asked.

“Yes, tonight.” He broke off another piece of cheese and held it up for her to take. She opened her mouth like a little bird and he placed it inside. With each bite she took, she made him take one as well. Her stomach ached and it took only a very few bites before she felt full.

Kira yawned.

Octavion looked toward the window. “It will be dark soon. You won’t be able to see much, but. . would you like to sit by the window for a moment?”

Kira yawned again, and then nodded.

He called Ussay to retrieve the tray and pulled back the covers. Kira put her arms around his neck so he wouldn’t have to touch her back while he lifted under her legs. He stepped to the chair, but instead of putting her down, he sat and lowered her across his lap. She leaned against his shoulder and looked out across Xantara.

The sun had already set on the distant horizon, but burnished rays lit the rooftops of the homes lining the cobblestone streets in the village. Lanterns glowed in many of the windows which gave a homey glow to the entire scene. She closed her eyes and breathed in deeply. The sweet fragrance of flowers drifted up from the gardens below.

In the sky, the first star shone to one side of a sliver of a moon at least two times larger than Earth’s moon. To the other side was another, much smaller than the first. Their reflections shimmered in the calm waters of the lake that stretched out to the right of the village.

“I forgot you have two moons.”

“Yes. It is why our cravings are so much stronger here.”

“How long before they are new?” she asked, judging by their size, it wouldn’t be long.

He sighed. “Three nights.”

She tried not to think about what that meant for her as she snuggled deeper into his warm embrace. The only image she wanted in her mind was of him, even if he did look a bit disheveled.

Kira felt something brush against her cheek. In her dream she saw Nigel kneeling near her shelter in the clearing. Even though she knew in her heart he wouldn’t hurt her, she still jerked awake and put her arms up for protection.

“Don’t!” she screamed.

It took a few seconds for her to realize where she was. Octavion sat on the edge of her bed-both hands in the air as if in surrender. At first he didn’t say anything, then lowered his hands. “I am sorry. I did not mean to frighten you.”

She let the tension in her muscles melt away as she took in a breath. “It’s okay.” She rubbed her eyes and pulled at her covers. “I can’t get them. . out of my head. Maybe you should let me wake on my own for awhile.” She looked around the room. The light didn’t seem to be as bright as the day before and she smelled rain. “What time is it?”

He smirked. “Sorry, I left my watch in my blue jeans.”

“Very funny.”

“It is a little after mid day,” he said.

He’d trimmed his beard short to his face. A thin line of whiskers ran from his sideburns along his jaw. Both sides met at his chin, where the beard filled out and connected to his mustache. It was perfect. Besides making him look even more handsome-which she hadn’t thought possible-it exposed his dimples. She gently traced the bristly hairs with her fingers.

“You shaved. I like it.”

He winked. “I thought you might.”

“You’re color is better, too. Did you hunt?” She gave him a sideways glare.

“I am a man of my word. I spent all night hunting in the rain. It was quite refreshing.” He smiled, the truth of his words evident by the sparkle in his dark blue eyes.

“I have a surprise for you,” he said. “I asked Ussay to prepare you a bath.”

“Seriously?” She untangled her legs from the sheets and clumsily pulled herself up to sit.

Ussay entered through a door on the right. “Your bath is ready, my lady.”

“Kira. Please call me Kira.”

Ussay looked at Octavion who nodded his approval.

“As you wish. . Kira.” Ussay smiled.

“Okay, then. You need to get out so I can get undressed.” Kira pointed to the door.

Instead, he threw back her covers and scooped her up in his arms.

“Octavion, put me down.”

“You are too weak to walk. I will help get you into the water.” A mischievous grin crossed is face.