C. Bryant - Broken

Kira and Ussay circled around to the back of the fountain where they would be out of view, lit the candle and waited for the blade of the knife to heat. Ussay wasn’t happy with Kira’s decision to cauterize the wound, but Kira felt it was the only way. Unfortunately, it took three times to get the bleeding to fully stop and even then it didn’t seem completely sealed. Kira wrapped a strip of fabric around Ussay’s finger and blew out the candle.

The guests eventually filed into the dining hall where the kitchen staff had prepared a celebration feast. Neither Kira nor Ussay wanted to call attention to themselves, so they stayed in the garden chatting. It wasn’t long before Octavion returned from hunting with Cade and found the girls sitting under a shade tree. He’d changed into something more casual and had a large tan knapsack thrown over his shoulder.

“How would you ladies like to accompany the prince to the meadow for a fine afternoon meal? I have had the staff gather some of the finest cuisine prepared in this castle in years.”

At first, Ussay seemed excited about the invitation, but then declined. “Perhaps another day,” she said.

“If you insist,” Octavion teased. “I guess it will just be the three of us then, my love.”

Kira looked at him curiously. “Three?”

Octavion smiled. “It was actually Cade’s idea. He thought you ladies could use some time away from the festivities.”

“Cade?” Ussay perked up.

Octavion offered his hand to help her stand and then motioned in the direction of the fountain. “I believe he has reconsidered his feelings. He would like to have a word with you, my lady.”

Ussay blushed. She looked at Kira with hope in her eyes, then flitted off to the fountain with her feet barely touching the ground. She looked like a little fairy in her white ball gown.

Octavion was clearly pleased with himself. His smile was wide and his dimples deep. He caught the questioning look in Kira’s eyes. “What? You are not the only one who knows how to play match maker.”

“He told you?”

“I have never seen a man more confused in my life. I told him it was time he followed his heart and not his legs.” He offered his hand to Kira, much like he had for Ussay, but after helping her up, he pulled her into his arms.

“She’s crying,” he said.

Kira pushed away from him. “What?”

He smiled. “All is well, Kira. He is letting me watch.”

“Well, that’s not fair. I wanna see.”

He shook his head. “No. He only showed me a glimpse. She was smiling through her tears. I take that as a good sign.”

“A very good sign.”

He adjusted the pack on his back and took her hand. “Shall we go? The stable boy prepared you a mount.”

“A mount? ” They’d only been riding together once before, but it ended in a disaster. Her horse had bucked her off and she’d broken her arm. Even after healing it, she’d still managed to take a dip in a pond filled with leaches. Not an experience she wanted to repeat. “I thought we’d take the carriage or better yet a leap in your arms. I am not riding a horse. You know how I. .”

He put a finger to her lips to stop her protesting. “Luna is Mara’s horse. She is very gentle and I have instructed them to put one of my smaller saddles on her. I assume you will not be swimming so you will be fine.”

Kira brushed his hand away from her face. “May I speak now?”

He grinned. “You may.”

“I would love to ride with you.”

The foursome spent the better part of the day taking advantage of each other’s company. The food was, to say the least, unbelievably delicious. Ussay kept trying to be the servant-picking up after them and offering to fetch water from the nearby stream. That is until Octavion scolded her for it.

Cade, on the other hand, appeared to totally enjoy himself. Several times Kira tried to get his attention to apologize for her rash behavior, but he only had eyes for Ussay. It didn’t take long for Octavion and Kira to get the hint and excuse themselves to take a long walk. Cade and Ussay were more than happy to be left alone under the seclusion of a large pine tree.

Pride Meadow reminded Kira of the box canyon in her world-a narrow strip of land divided by a meandering stream of crystal clear water. Lush green grass and wildflowers spread out across the entire meadow. Instead of jagged cliffs, a tall mountain rose up on one side and on the other a dense stand of pine trees seemed to go on forever.

Octavion and Kira left the horses tied near Cade and Ussay’s carriage and took their walk along the edge of the stream until they came to a fallen tree that spanned the water. Octavion sat next to it and motioned for her to join him, but instead she plucked a daisy from the ground and hopped up on the log and laid her head back to bask in the sun. Their heads were only inches apart, even though he sat on the ground. She draped her arm over his shoulder, letting her hand rest across his chest. He threaded his fingers through hers and rubbed his thumb back and forth on her palm.

“I have something I need to tell you,” he said.

“Is it good news or bad?”

“A little of both.”

Kira sighed. “Be gentle, I’m enjoying the day too much to have it ruined.”

When he didn’t respond, she took her hand back and slid down to sit next to him so she could see his face. “I’m not gonna like this, am I?”

He shook his head. “But you need to know.”

She took a deep breath and tried to prepare herself for the news. “Tell me.”

“Luka spoke to several of the Royals at the ceremony today. He was able to gain more information about our little problem.”

“You mean the prince I killed?”

He smiled. “I was trying not to upset you by putting it so blunt, but yes. He said the prince was from Kazedon. His name was Eros, the only son and heir of King Tyrious.”

“Shandira’s prince,” she mumbled.

“What?”

“I thought I told you.” So much had happened since that day in the barn, she couldn’t remember what she told him and what she hadn’t.

“Told me what?”

“Shandira said the reason she wanted Lydia dead was because Bastian had introduced her to a prince and they were to be married, but only if her gifts were unique. It was the only way his father would allow it. She said he was a. . collector, I think is how she put it. That’s why she was so mad at me.”

Octavion pinched the bridge of his nose. “Oh, Kira. Why did you not tell me before? It all makes sense now. Shandira has been doing his dirty work.”

“I thought I did. I’m sorry.”

“No wonder he is so angry. He not only lost his only heir, but the possibility of a grandchild with unique gifts. And with Shandira stuck in your world, Draego had taken over where she left off.”

The hair stood up on the back of her neck as he spoke. “So that’s why he wants me dead.”

“Yes.”

“Well that’s just great. So now what? I spend the rest of my life looking over my shoulder? I refuse to live like that.” She looked down to discover the daisy completely mutilated in her lap. She brushed it away and stood.

Octavion jumped to his feet and took her by the arm. “It does not have to be that way, Kira. My father has already sent word to King Tyrious and he has agreed to meet us. Luka and I leave in the morning.”

Kira pulled away from him and stepped back. “No. You can’t go, Octavion. You promised you’d never leave me again. They will kill you instead.”

“Calm down. If a king agrees to meet in peace, there is little danger. He will honor his word.” He stepped closer and drew her near. “He has always been a fair man. He is not thinking clearly because he grieves the loss of his son.”