C. Bryant - Broken

To her right, small high back, dark wooden chairs framed a wide open space. She recognized it from sharing Lydia’s memories-the grand hall where she’d danced with Bastian. Lydia’s mother died that night. So had Serena-or so she’d been told.

At the far end of the room stood a small platform that held two larger chairs made of an intricately carved wood with cushions covered in gold fabric, their backs stretching almost to the ceiling. Thrones.

“She is in the garden,” Luka said as he led her through a large set of glass doors.

“Kira, dear.” A sweet voice echoed off the castle walls.

Kira turned toward it and saw a woman sitting near a small fountain in an overstuffed chair. At first she carried a little extra weight around her belly, but then realized she was pregnant-very pregnant. The woman stood, pressing one hand on the small of her back for extra support. Luka quickly dropped Kira’s arm and went to her waddling figure.

“Mother, you must not get up. You need to stay off your feet. You heard what the midwife said.” He took her arm and turned her back toward the fountain.

“Nonsense, I must meet our guest,” she protested.

Kira followed Luka and, once he had his mother settled, introduced herself. “You must be Mara,” she said, extending her hand. “My name is Kira. I need to thank you for bringing Octavion’s letter yesterday.”

Mara’s eyes widened slightly as she shook her head. Kira had obviously said too much.

“ Mother? You went to the village yesterday? Must I have Father lock you in your room?”

“Oh, Luka,” she said with a wave of her hand. “Do not be so dramatic. I was there and back in an instant. No harm done.” She pushed him aside. “Now go tell Ussay we need a cup of her tea and perhaps a bite to eat. Are you hungry, dear?” She still had a death grip on Kira’s hand from their introduction.

“I’ve eaten, thank you.” Kira sat on the stone bench across from Mara and took back her hand. “But tea sounds great.” Suddenly aware of her posture and how dirty she felt, Kira inconspicuously glanced down to check her fingernails. They were filthy so she tucked them into the creases of her dress. She straightened her back and made sure her feet were square on the cold stone-a very uncomfortable position.

“How is your foot, dear? Luka said you had a mishap the other night.” Mara put her hand on top of her belly and tucked the red fabric up under her breasts. It made her stomach look even bigger.

Kira stuck her foot out from under her dress. “It’s better. Hardly hurts anymore.”

Mara gasped. “Where are your shoes, girl. Have you been without them this whole time?”

Before she could answer, Ussay came through the glass doors with a large silver tray displaying a fancy ceramic tea pot and two cups. She also had a plate of pink and green cookies with some kind of nut in the middle Kira couldn’t identify.

“Ussay. How could you let her go without shoes? Have you no sense?” Mara’s voice was condescending and cruel. It was all Kira could do to hold her tongue-she didn’t want Ussay to lose her job on account of her.

Ussay put the tray down and curtsied. “Forgive me, my lady. I will give her mine.” She slipped her shoes off and put them over near the hem of Kira’s dress.

“Mara, please don’t be angry with Ussay. She offered her shoes several times and I refused. She even took me to the cobbler, but he didn’t have anything that would fit me. It isn’t her fault.” Kira pushed the shoes toward Ussay. “They are too big anyway and will make it difficult for me to walk. I go barefoot all the time at home.”

Ussay stood there watching Mara’s expression, waiting to hear her next command.

Mara eyed the shoes and Kira’s bare feet. “Very well, then. Take your shoes, Ussay.” Then she kicked off one of hers. “Perhaps mine would be a better fit. We cannot take the chance of you cutting your foot again in a castle filled with Royals.”

Ussay slipped her shoes back on. “Oh, no, my lady. You must not offer your own shoes. I will find some for her.”

“Nonsense. I have plenty of shoes.”

Kira reached down to pick up the shoe, but Ussay grabbed it and knelt in front of her.

“Allow me, my lady.” She took Kira’s foot and settled it into the shoe-a perfect fit.

“There,” Mara said. “Ussay, go to my dressing chambers and pick out a pair of shoes for Kira. Make sure they are comfortable.” She waved her hand in the air to dismiss her.

“Mara, I couldn’t,” Kira said.

“My dear, I have more than enough shoes for one woman. The cobbler seems to think if he brings me a pair before each moon phase I will not eat him.” She laughed. “I do not have the heart to tell him my craving for the flesh of a commoner left me years ago.”

Kira wasn’t sure what to say. Hearing her talk about brutality in such a cavalier manner struck her as beyond strange and made Kira very uncomfortable. She didn’t know if she could ever get used to it.

“I am sorry dear. I forgot my manners.” As she poured them both a cup of tea and nibbled on one of the cookies, Kira glanced at their surroundings. A major case of Deja Vu struck her as the memories Lydia shared with her the night of her attack flashed through her head. They sat near the same fountain where Lydia’s mother struck her head and died. It made Kira very uneasy.

“So, when are you due,” Kira asked, trying to shake the bloody image from her mind.

“Pardon me, dear?”

“The baby, when are you due?”

“I am not sure I understand your question.” She seemed irritated with Kira for not speaking more clearly.

“When will the baby be born?”

“Oh, that is up to the child. When he is ready, he will certainly let us know.” She rubbed her stomach. “I am hopeful it will be soon. He is getting too big.”

“You know it’s a boy?”

Mara nodded. “It is my gift. I can sense a woman’s womb, feel the child growing within and this is going to be a strong boy.” She jumped. “And he can kick as well.”

Kira’s back hurt from forcing herself to sit straight. When Ussay came through the doors with an armful of shoes, relief washed over her. Maybe she could slouch while everyone focused on her feet.

“Ussay, what have you done? And why did you bring so many shoes? Honestly, girl. Can you make a decision on your own?”

“Forgive me, my lady. I thought perhaps Kira would like to choose.” She quickly arranged the shoes in front of her. “I will take them back if you like.”

Mara considered the selection Ussay displayed. “No, that is fine. You were right. It should be her choice.”

Well, finally . Mara paid Ussay a compliment. Kira’s first impression of Luka’s mother wasn’t a good one. If this is how a woman of royalty acts, Kira would never fit in. She tried to imagine herself as the wife of a prince, strutting around the castle in a pair of blue jeans and sneakers. The image made her snicker.

Kira pointed out the pair that looked the most comfortable, a simple tan slipper with flowers embroidered on the top. Mara seemed to approve. Ussay gathered the rest and started for the door, but Mara called her back.

“Ussay, have you changed the linens in Kira’s room?”

“Not yet, my lady. I will do it immediately.” Then she curtsied.

“Actually,” Kira interrupted. “Is there another room I can stay in?”

Mara looked confused. “Is Octavion’s chambers not to your liking, dear?”

“It’s perfect. I just don’t want to put Octavion out. If you have a smaller room, maybe in the servants quarters? I’m pretty easy to please.”

Kira caught the look on Ussay’s face out of the corner of her eye. Her mouth hung open again.