C. Bryant - Broken

Ussay leaned back against the wall and used the hem of her apron to wipe the moisture from her face. “You know I can handle almost anything. I have assisted Gregor with many procedures and seen things that would make most women faint. But this. . this is. . they. . BLOOD WORMS! They have completely disrobed her and are letting disgusting blood worms crawl all over her body and burrow under her skin.” She leaned forward and clamped her hands on his shoulders. “They are sucking her dry. Why would they do that?”

Octavion felt the muscles in his back and shoulders swell and his eyes begin to burn. “I do not know, but I intend to find out.” He shrugged out of her grasp, but didn't bother stepping to the door. He simply appeared on the other side, only to be horrified by the sight. Not only was she completely covered with the slimy little creatures, but lay on the amber stones he'd seen earlier, making her entire body glow with heat. Her auburn hair resembled bright red flames as it splayed out around her head.

Rowin stood a few feet away, observing the healers work. When he caught sight of Octavion, he instantly appeared in front of him, blocking Octavion’s view of Kira. “You were instructed to wait outside.”

Octavion curled his fingers into fists. “What are you doing to her?”

Rowin crossed his arms over his chest. “If you were the alchemist you claim to be, you would have seen the signs and known she'd ingested the blood of a Darkord.”

“Darkord?” Octavion had to admit he'd noticed her eyes weren't as bright as they’d been after sharing their blood, but he thought it was because of the other poison she'd ingested and the fact that the Crystor wasn't working properly. It didn't even cross his mind she may have bitten Zerek or Nigel while fighting back.

Rowin continued. “The blood worms draw the poison out and cleanse her body of impurities. We were about to remove them. I suggest you distance yourself in case they burst and her blood is spilled. After all, you wouldn't want to kill her after all the work we have done saving her life.” He motioned toward the door.

Octavion glanced over Rowin's shoulder and vowed not to tell Kira about the worms. She'd be mortified if she knew they were a cross between a leech and tick from her world-a blood sucker with sharp pinchers for burrowing under the skin. The first time they'd gone to the falls, she'd been mortified over one leech he'd quickly removed for her. Knowing these parasites roamed her body freely would give her nightmares. The sooner they removed them the better.

“Please be gentle,” Octavion said, then turned to exit the room.

Once in the hallway, he found Ussay fully composed. She ran her hands down the front of her apron and reached for the door handle.

“Wait,” Octavion said. “They are removing them. Perhaps you should wait another moment. . or two.”

Ussay turned, her face squished into a nauseated expression that almost made him laugh. “Or three,” she said.

Octavion took her hand and guided her to the bench where she sat. “I am going for a short walk. The fresh air will do me good. I will not be long.”

“Perhaps that is wise. . considering.”

Octavion looked at the closed door, wishing he could be there to hold Kira. He could almost feel a part of his heart break at the thought. Would he have the chance to hold her before King Ramla summoned him? And more, how could he survive without ever holding her again?

Octavion returned to find the door to Kira's room wide open, sunlight splashing across the hall. At first, he thought he'd taken a wrong turn-gone down the wrong hall-but then he heard Ussay humming. Eager to see Kira, he rushed into the room, but stopped when light from the window caught him in the face, momentarily blinding him. He put his hand up to block the rays.

Tears burned the back of Octavion’s eyes as Kira’s resting form came into view. She wore a long white gown, her hair brushed and sculpted into an intricate braid and her peaceful face had regained its healthy glow. His pulse jumped in his throat at the sight of her beauty.

Ussay sat near the fireplace, stuffing something into her bag. “Rowin said we can take her home now, there is nothing more they can do for her.”

Octavion stepped to Kira's side and brushed her warm cheek with his fingers. “Is she warm because of the stones?”

Ussay stood and joined him on the other side of the raised bed. “No, he said he was only instructed to remove the poison, the rest is up to us.”

“You mean she could still die?” Octavion asked with more than a little edge to his voice.

“That is what I asked. He said something about her being bound to another soul and perhaps magic was not the answer. He asked about her bracelet.”

“What did you tell him?”

Ussay shifted her weight to one foot. “Nothing. Then he said if we saw to her needs, dug the infection out of her back and used the proper medicines, she would recover. I do not like him very much.”

“Nor do I.” Octavion gathered the gown around Kira's knees and lifted her into his arms. He turned to Ussay. “Are you ready?”

“More than ready.” She wrapped her arms around his waist. “Take us home, please.”

Once they got Kira settled into her bed, she started thrashing about, mumbling something about Toran. Tears streamed down her cheeks as if reliving her days in captivity. He’d made the mistake of thinking once they'd returned to Xantara her suffering would be over-that she would magically wake up and everything would be all right. He was sadly mistaken. It seemed it had just begun. “Ussay, help me roll her over to her side. I need to have a look at her back.”

Ussay hiked up her long dress and climbed onto the bed. She gently took Kira’s arm and pulled toward her as Octavion lifted. Kira resisted. She flailed her arms, hitting Ussay on the thigh. They let her slip back onto the bed.

“She is strong,” Ussay said.

“You have no idea.”

“Octavion,” Kira mumbled.

Octavion leaned closer and kissed her cheek. “I am here.”

“Hold me.” She wasn’t awake, but possibly remembering a time when he’d held her before. His arms ached to hold her again.

“Ussay, latch the door.” He kicked off his boots and went around to the other side of the bed. When Ussay turned to come back from locking the door, she paused and drew in a short swift breath.

“Octavion. It is not proper,” she said.

“You will say nothing of this. Do you understand?”

“Yes, of course.” She lowered her eyes.

“Now help me with her.” He pulled back the covers and slid in beside Kira. As he leaned his back against the tapestry headboard, he rolled her over and pulled her in against his chest. She reacted by snuggling close and wrapping an arm around him.

“What shall I do?” Ussay asked.

“Can you clean the wounds by yourself?”

“Yes, but. . her gown fastens in the front. I cannot get to it.”

He reached under the covers and withdrew his knife. “Then cut it off.” He flipped it in his hand so he held the blade and presented her with the handle.

“But. . she will be exposed .” She looked at him like he’d committed an unforgivable sin.

“Ussay. I've already seen far more than will be exposed if you cut the back of her gown away. Slit the fabric to reveal her wounds. There is no need to remove the entire gown.”

“As you wish, Sire.” She hesitantly took the knife.

“Would you please stop doing that? You have been my friend your whole life. While we are alone, you do not need to be so formal.”

“I do not want to anger you. . like before.”

“I am sorry for my temper, but do you not see what lies before you. I was concerned for her safety and to be told to forget about her and let her die was inconsiderate on your part. Perhaps a little understanding is in order.”