C. Bryant - Broken

“No, I want you to take me. Unless you’d rather I walk alone.”

His eyes finally met hers. “I love you, Kira. I would take my own life before I would let anyone hurt you-even me.”

“I know that. I was stupid. I didn’t mean it. I just got mad because you hate Nigel and if it weren’t for him, I wouldn’t even be here.”

He threaded his fingers through her hair. “I will try to understand how you feel, but he is a Darkord and every fiber of my being tells me not to trust him. I was taught to never trust them and going against that grinds against my back bone.” He pulled her close and wrapped his arms around her. “Can we compromise? If you see him again, tell me. And I will try not to kill him.” A smile spread across his face.

“I think I can live with that.” She buried her head against his chest. “Now take me home. I want to see how Al is doing.”

“How was shopping?” Altaria asked. She sat in the overstuffed chair near the fireplace, her face aglow.

“It was okay.” Kira quickly changed the subject, not wanting Altaria to know the details of her afternoon. “You look fantastic. How are you feeling?”

Altaria gave Kira a suspicious glare, but chose to ignore Kira’s evasion. “Better. Amazing how a little fresh protein can put color in your cheeks.”

“I’ll have to take your word on that one. I like my meat well done.” Kira stepped closer and sat on the little rug laying in front of the fireplace. Octavion had given her the little piece of leather he’d purchased, or rather stolen, with instructions for Altaria to make a bracelet for Kira. He said it would give Altaria something to do.

“Perhaps I could take some beads and make you a necklace to match,” Altaria suggested.

“Actually, I wonder if you could make something else. A bracelet for me would be nice, but I want you to make an arm band for Octavion. I saw him looking at some in the village. Do you think he would wear it?”

Her crooked grin lit up her face. “He would love it. Did you have a design in mind?”

“Not really. The one he looked at had a silver medallion on it, but he wouldn’t let me get it for him.”

Altaria examined the piece of leather, laid it across her lap and then measured it with her fingers. “I will need two more pieces about the same length as this one and the medallion you can get from the silversmith.”

“You mean Kueelok?”

“Yes.” She laughed. “He is a peculiar man, but has a kind heart. Did he have a stone for you?”

“Oh, Al. I can’t wait to show it to you. It’s perfect.”

Altaria touched Kira’s shoulder. “It will be nice to share our thoughts again.”

Kira hadn’t thought of that. “It works with all Royals?”

“It depends on its strength, but our minds will recognize each other so it will be easier for us.”

“Awesome.”

It was already pretty late, so when the king appeared with a cup of hot tea for Altaria, Kira asked him to take her outside the chained door. She preferred not to bother Octavion. She made an excuse about being exhausted from her big day in the village and wanting to sleep. Unfortunately, her mind had other ideas.

Kira had barely snuggled under the covers and blown out the candle when the same horrifying scene of Arela and Shandira played out in her head. Before it had been a nightmare while she slept, but this time the impression felt stronger and more urgent. She threw back the covers and ran into Arela’s room, only to find her sleeping soundly.

Determined not to leave her unattended and vulnerable, Kira grabbed the blankets from her bed and curled up on one of the window seats in Arela’s room. She dozed for most of the night, jerking awake whenever the little girl stirred or Kira heard the smallest of sounds. But when she felt the unmistakable presence of Nestor’s spirit entering the room, Kira lay still. She’d only seen the man a couple of times, but decided she liked him. He seemed to emanate that unique fatherly characteristic lacking in Kira’s life, which made her feel at peace when she was around him. She had a similar feeling when she’d held his newborn son.

Kira watched as he appeared near his daughter’s bed. He leaned over, kissed her cheek and tucked the covers around her neck. When he turned, his eyes met Kira’s and a curious expression crossed his face. He slowly walked toward her, stopping at her feet. Kira drew up her knees to make room for him to sit.

“Are you well, Kira?” he whispered.

She nodded. “I had a bad dream.”

He looked past her to the open doors that lead to her room. “Do you fear sleeping alone? I can have Ussay stay with you.”

“No, I’m not afraid.” She looked at Arela and then back to him. “My dream wasn’t about me.”

A sudden understanding washed across his face. “I am told you are sensitive. This dream-was it a vision?”

Kira shrugged. “I don’t know. I get them mixed up some times, but I had it twice, so. .”

“You trust it?”

“Yes.”

He turned to watch his daughter. She stirred slightly in her sleep. “Is she in danger?”

Kira didn’t want to tell him what she’d seen. It seemed like saying the words out loud would make it all too real and she didn’t want to think about it, but then. . he had to know. She couldn’t stay with Arela all the time and his daughter’s safety was more important than Kira’s fears.

“I saw Shandira take her.”

His head jerked around to find Kira’s face again. The shock in his eyes set her back. “You are certain that is what you saw?”

“Yes.”

He brushed his fingers through his long black hair as a rumbling echoed through his chest. It was much like Octavion when he growled, only softer-she supposed not to wake Arela. “That woman has done enough damage to this family,” he mumbled. Then he stood and offered Kira his hand. “Come child, you need not concern yourself with my daughter. I will stay here tonight. You need your sleep.”

She took his hand, but when she swung her feet off the seat and tried to stand, her feet got tangled in the blankets and she almost fell. In one swift, effortless motion, Nestor scooped her up and carried her to the bed. She didn’t protest. She didn’t even blush from embarrassment.

“Thank you,” she said, as he tucked the covers around her like he’d done for Arela. His warm brown eyes left her feeling calm and relaxed, and his silence comforted her as he strolled back through the doors, leaving them open. He’d be watching both of them tonight.

“Ussay, why didn’t you tell me sooner?” Kira went to her dressing chambers and fumbled through the many gowns that hung on the far wall.

“I thought my best dress would due nicely, but when Mara saw me this morning she seemed disgusted with it.” Ussay plopped down on the large ottoman. “She hates me.”

“She doesn’t hate you. She’s. . spoiled, that’s all.”

Ussay’s head shot up. “Kira, you must not speak of royalty like that.”

“And you need to lighten up. And don’t you dare cry-you’ll make your eyes puffy and we need you to look like a queen, not a commoner.”

By the time they came to the end of the long row of gowns, they’d only made three selections. Ussay quickly tried them on, but they were all too big and made her look like a child playing dress up in her mother’s clothes. She sat back down, more depressed than before. “It is no use. I will have to wear my dress.”

Kira noticed a few white bundles covered with fine linens hanging on one side of the room. “What are those?”

“Ly-fancy ball gowns,” she said, not daring to mention Lydia’s name. Her shoulders slouched even more as she lowered her eyes.