C. Bryant - Broken

“So what’s the good news?”

Octavion cringed. “That is the good news. The bad news is I will be away for most of the day and I will miss you terribly.”

Kira caught something moving out of the corner of her eye. At first it startled her, especially after their conversation about the Royals and her life being in danger, but when she turned to see what it could be, the impending doom gave way to joy. On the other side of the stream was the mama tiger she’d met in the woods, her two cubs scampering behind her. They’d entered the meadow through the trees and were romping around in the sunlight.

Kira jutted out her bottom lip and put on the most pitiful pleading face she could manage. Octavion took one look at her pathetic attempt to gain his permission and caved.

“Go ahead,” he said. “But keep your appendages out of their mouths please.”

She kicked off her shoes and hopped up on the log.

“And watch their claws,” he added as she gained her balance and made her way across the stream.

Once on the other side, she looked back to see Octavion lying back on the grass, his elbows propping him up. He held a long stalk of grass between his teeth and sported a content smile.

“You’re not joining me?” she asked.

“I would rather watch from a distance.”

“Chicken.” He was obviously afraid the mama would reject him like before and his ego couldn’t take it.

He smiled and motioned behind her. “Might want to turn around. You are about to be attacked.”

Kira spun around to see both cubs running right for her. One was surefooted, while the other stumbled with every other step. Kira recognized her instantly, the same clumsy cub that tripped over her paws before. Kira dropped to her knees and let them attack. Although they were larger than the first time she’d seen them, they were still small enough for her not to feel threatened. She was amazed at how they seemed to trust her.

Kira gave them both rub-downs, one behind the ears and the clumsy one on her belly. She’d rolled over the second she came near Kira, begging for attention. When they’d had enough of her, they caught sight of a butterfly-looking creature and chased after it.

The mama circled around and gracefully lowered herself to the ground a few feet away. She basked in the afternoon sun-her light blue eyes sparkling in its rays. Kira patted her leg, trying to coax her closer.

“Kira,” Octavion warned from across the stream.

“I’ll be fine.”

The tiger rose to her feet and came closer. Octavion straightened.

“She’s okay. Let her come over,” Kira said.

She watched the mama cat inch closer. When she was within arms reach, Kira slowly put out her hand so the tiger could get her scent, but instead of smelling it, the cat lowered her head and rubbed against Kira’s hand, a rumbling purr emanating from her chest.

Octavion’s shoulders relax.

The big cat lowered herself to the ground. Kira wanted to cuddle up next to her like she had with Toran, but knew she was wild, so kept some distance between them. She gently rubbed behind the white tiger’s ears. In her mind, it was Toran she touched. She missed his gentle spirit. She would have given her life that day to see him running free in this meadow. At least knowing he no longer suffered at the hands of those monsters brought her some comfort.

“Have you picked one out yet?” Octavion asked from across the water, taking her away from her memories.

Mama seemed irritated at the interruption. She lazily got to her feet and walked toward her cubs.

Kira turned to Octavion with a disgusted look on her face. “You did that on purpose.”

He chuckled. “I merely asked if you had a favorite. I thought you might want to start training one to be a companion.”

“You mean a pet?” Having Toran around was a treat, but she felt certain taming a wild tiger wasn’t exactly like having a house cat, no matter how much they trusted her.

He shook his head. “We do not believe it is kind to keep any animal as a pet. We do, however, let them live with us occasionally. If they choose to leave or stay, that is up to them.”

She thought about that for a moment while watching the cubs play. She could definitely imagine her life with one of them by her side. As if on cue, they turned to face her. At first, they both plodded across the meadow toward Kira, but then one stopped and sat down on his haunches. He patiently watched as the clumsy little female crossed the distance between them, stumbling twice before reaching her lap. As before, she rolled over and let Kira rub her tummy.

Kira turned to find Octavion leaning back again. “I guess she chose me ,” she said.

“It would seem so.”

Kira jumped. Octavion’s sudden appearance behind her startled her and scared the cub. The little creature’s entire body tensed as she sprang into the air, puffed up like a cotton ball and hissed. She backed away slowly, but not before bearing her tiny teeth and sending Octavion a warning in what could only be described as a ferocious screech. Her mama, on the other hand, roared her disapproval.

“Sorry, mama,” Kira said. “He really has no manners.” She turned and slapped Octavion on the arm. “You’re mean.”

He laughed. “Have you thought of a name? Perhaps Stumbles would suit her. She reminds me of you.”

Kira glared at him, but he was right. The reason she liked her so much was for that very reason. “No, I don’t want to give her a complex.” She thought for a moment about what to call her then remembered the sign above Kueelok’s door. “Is there a word in your ancient language that means clumsy?”

He thought for a moment. “It does not translate quite right, but Mahli means without balance .”

“Mahli. . I like it.”

“Mahli, it is then,” he said. “We will have to visit her often so she can imprint with you. Do you think you are up to that?”

“Absolutely.”

He helped her stand, but she’d had her feet curled up under her and they’d fallen asleep. When she tried putting all her weight on them she stumbled into his arms. He smirked then turned to look at Mahli, who stumbled again, trying to catch up with her brother.

“Don’t say it,” she begged.

“Shall I carry you back?” he teased.

“No.” She pushed him away, picked up her skirt and started for the log. She glanced behind her to find Octavion with his arms folded as if waiting for her feet to fail her again.

“You will fall,” he said.

“Wanna bet?” She jumped up on the log, but half way across, her right foot sprang to life, sending a million tiny pins and needles into the bottom of her sole. It was like stepping on a porcupine. She jerked, sending her scrambling for balance-and right into the water.

She came up gasping for air and soaking wet. Octavion still stood on the bank of the stream, trying hard not to bust out laughing.

“Why didn’t you catch me?” she yelled. She knew all too well he could have caught her in midair and landed on the other side without even touching the water.

He chuckled. “Are you all right?” He stepped closer to give her a hand, but she refused. Instead, she skimmed the surface of the water with her cupped hand and splashed him.

“You made me ruin my new dress.” She grabbed her soaked skirt and marched up onto the opposite bank. If it weren’t for the added weight of the soggy fabric, she would have kept right on walking, instead she sloshed onto the grass and began wringing it out.

Octavion crossed the log with the grace of a cat. He jumped down, scooped her up into his arms, and took her to his hunting cottage. The trip was a little more violent than usual, causing a head rush. When he kicked in the door and set her on her feet, she felt nauseous. She stepped over to the hearth and sat down.