C. Bryant - Broken

A shiver ran through her. Who would do that? If it were Draego and his brother, they would have killed her, not tucked her into bed. It had to be Octavion. But if she asked him, and it wasn’t, he’d freak-probably lock her away where no one could get to her. At the very least, he’d hover and not let her have a moment of independence or privacy.

She made a mental note to ask Cade next time she saw him. In the meantime, she’d have to be more careful. Not assume anything and keep her wits about her. No more stupid moves.

When Ussay returned with breakfast, Kira had already dressed, made her bed and sat on the window seat watching the staff scurry about in the garden, clipping old buds off bushes and trimming the shrubs. She couldn’t help but notice Mara sitting near one of the many fountains, barking orders and pointing out all their mistakes. Maybe her sharp tongue came from pregnancy hormones-though Kira doubted it.

“Is she always like that?” Kira asked.

Ussay leaned over and looked out the window to see who Kira pointed at. “Lady, Mara?”

“Yeah.”

“She tends to be nicer when Nestor returns from one of his many business trips. I think she misses him terribly.”

“That makes sense. I’d be grouchy too if Octavion were away a lot, especially if I was that pregnant.”

While Kira ate, Ussay straightened the rest of the room and remade the bed. Kira didn’t say anything, she figure if someone checked to see if it had been done properly Ussay would get the blame, not Kira for messing it up.

Ussay gathered the dirty clothes and linens and left the room. A few minutes later she returned with a lavender dress, matching ribbons and a white shawl. She laid them out on the bed.

Kira looked down at the simple prairie-type dress she’d chosen that morning. “I’m already dressed.”

“The festival is a very important time for us. I thought you might want something special. It is up to you, of course.”

“Oh, well in that case. .” What could it hurt? Lavender was one of her favorite colors.

Ussay scurried about, first helping Kira take off her dress, then helping her put on the other one. She braided her hair with tiny ribbons, weaving them through the intricate braid and forming a bow at the end.

“I have enquired about the flute music to the night staff.” Ussay blurted. “No one saw or heard anything. Are you sure you did not dream it?”

“I’m sure.”

“We should tell Octavion. He would want to know if a stranger is near the castle, especially so near to your room.” She glanced up at Kira.

“No, I don’t want him to know. Not yet.”

Ussay shook her head. “I cannot keep something like this from him.”

“I’m not asking you to deceive him or lie, just. . please, don’t volunteer the information. Can you do that?”

Ussay nodded. “I can try, but he knows me. I have never been able to keep anything from him.” Then she took away the breakfast tray and left the room.

Kira stepped to the full length mirror and took in the full effect of her girly outfit and hair. If it weren’t for the scar on her face and dark eyes, she’d have admitted she looked beautiful. As it was, she knew people wouldn’t notice her dress as much as her red hair and ebony eyes. At least they’d lightened a little since she woke and emerald green shone around the edges.

Kira glanced over the shoulder of her reflected image when Ussay returned to the room. “Thanks for your help. I do look better in this.”

“You are very welcome.” Ussay stepped to Kira’s side and adjusted a strand of hair, tucking it behind a section of ribbon. “Are you ready?”

Kira nodded. Her stomach in knots- nerves , she told herself. She took a deep breath, practiced her smile with a brief curtsy and followed Ussay out the door. When they got to the top of the stairs, she felt him. Octavion’s spirit embraced her. She didn’t know why she hadn’t noticed before, but now that she knew her ability to sense an approaching Royal was a rare gift, she seemed to be more in tune with the differences, more able to distinguish between one Royal and another. She recognized Octavion’s loving spirit long before his masculine physique appeared-behind her.

“May I be your escort, my lady?” Kira felt the warmth of his breath on her neck and it made her shiver. He put his hand on the small of her back and turned her to face him. “Are you all right?” he asked in gentle, smooth tones.

Kira smiled. “I’m fine now.”

He crooked his arm in her direction. “Shall we?”

Ussay waited at the bottom of the steps, so Kira linked her arm with his and together they began their decent. For some reason, Kira thought the festivities would be in the garden. Maybe because she’d seen Mara there earlier and the servants seemed to be preparing it for something. But Octavion led both girls in the opposite direction-through the front door and into the courtyard.

Octavion motioned for Ussay to come closer. “We can go together.”

Ussay’s eyes widened. “Oh, no. I will walk.”

“Nonsense. This is much quicker and more fun.” He wrapped one arm around Kira’s waist and pulled her close, then opened his other arm, coaxing Ussay closer.

“Fun?” Ussay swallowed hard. “When I was a child you dropped me in the river.”

Octavion threw his head back in a laugh that came from his gut. “I forgot about that. You were being a pest that day, asking too many questions. I thought cooling you off would do the trick.”

A shy smile spread across Ussay’s face, her cheeks a little pinker. “I was a curious child. That is true.” She stepped into the crook of his arm and he drew her in.

“Close your eyes ladies. This one will be quick.”

Kira barely clamped her eyes shut and they were there. No bright lights. No romantic sensations. Nothing. It was then that she realized how much control Octavion had over Kira’s emotions when they traveled. He obviously didn’t want to share any of that with Ussay, so held everything back. She had to admit, she preferred the other way of traveling. It was as though their spirits intertwined and were one. She liked knowing he’d shared that part of him with her and no one else.

Ussay giggled as she stepped away from Octavion’s hold. “I forgot how much fun that is. Thank you.”

Octavion chuckled. “And you are dry.”

“Yes, and a little dizzy.” She scanned the crowd before setting eyes on Cade. A smile spread across her innocent face. “Cade is here and it looks like he saved us a place to sit.” Ussay ran her hands down the front of her skirt, combed her fingers through her long brown hair, then walked off in Cade’s direction.

Kira wasn’t dizzy, but it did take her a moment to get her bearings and figure out exactly where they’d landed. The festival spread out in front of her, alive with people buzzing about, children laughing, and merchants displaying their wares. Canopies stretched over long poles for shade and several colorful tents were scattered around the large open field where the children played. Off to one side several small fires burned in rock lined pits. Three roasted the carcass of a large animal stretched out on a spit. Large cast iron pots hung from tripods over the others.

Kira turned to see the landscape behind her and realized they were on a hill overlooking Xantara. The view was almost identical to the scene Lydia had shown her when she opened the portal to show how she’d taken pictures of her homeland. Only they were a little further away from the cemetery. From where she stood, Kira saw several headstones and a mound of freshly turned soil. It made her heart clench. She missed Lydia more than ever. She would have loved coming to the festival and sharing Xantara’s traditions with her friend.