a little bird and he placed it inside. With each bite she took, she made him take one as well. Her stomach ached and it took only a very few bites before she felt full.
Kira yawned.
Octavion looked toward the window. “It will be dark soon. You won’t be able to see much, but. . would you like to sit by the window for a moment?”
Kira yawned again, and then nodded.
He called Ussay to retrieve the tray and pulled back the covers. Kira put her arms around his neck so he wouldn’t have to touch her back while he lifted under her legs. He stepped to the chair, but instead of putting her down, he sat and lowered her across his lap. She leaned against his shoulder and looked out across Xantara.
The sun had already set on the distant horizon, but burnished rays lit the rooftops of the homes lining the cobblestone streets in the village. Lanterns glowed in many of the windows which gave a homey glow to the entire scene. She closed her eyes and breathed in deeply. The sweet fragrance of flowers drifted up from the gardens below.
In the sky, the first star shone to one side of a sliver of a moon at least two times larger than Earth’s moon. To the other side was another, much smaller than the first. Their reflections shimmered in the calm waters of the lake that stretched out to the right of the village.
“I forgot you have two moons.”
“Yes. It is why our cravings are so much stronger here.”
“How long before they are new?” she asked, judging by their size, it wouldn’t be long.
He sighed. “Three nights.”
She tried not to think about what that meant for her as she snuggled deeper into his warm embrace. The only image she wanted in her mind was of him, even if he did look a bit disheveled.
Chapter Eight
Kira felt something brush against her cheek. In her dream she saw Nigel kneeling near her shelter in the clearing. Even though she knew in her heart he wouldn’t hurt her, she still jerked awake and put her arms up for protection.
“Don’t!” she screamed.
It took a few seconds for her to realize where she was. Octavion sat on the edge of her bed-both hands in the air as if in surrender. At first he didn’t say anything, then lowered his hands. “I am sorry. I did not mean to frighten you.”
She let the tension in her muscles melt away as she took in a breath. “It’s okay.” She rubbed her eyes and pulled at her covers. “I can’t get them. . out of my head. Maybe you should let me wake on my own for awhile.” She looked around the room. The light didn’t seem to be as bright as the day before and she smelled rain. “What time is it?”
He smirked. “Sorry, I left my watch in my blue jeans.”
“Very funny.”
“It is a little after mid day,” he said.
He’d trimmed his beard short to his face. A thin line of whiskers ran from his sideburns along his jaw. Both sides met at his chin, where the beard filled out and connected to his mustache. It was perfect. Besides making him look even more handsome-which she hadn’t thought possible-it exposed his dimples. She gently traced the bristly hairs with her fingers.
“You shaved. I like it.”
He winked. “I thought you might.”
“You’re color is better, too. Did you hunt?” She gave him a sideways glare.
“I am a man of my word. I spent all night hunting in the rain. It was quite refreshing.” He smiled, the truth of his words evident by the sparkle in his dark blue eyes.
“I have a surprise for you,” he said. “I asked Ussay to prepare you a bath.”
“Seriously?” She untangled her legs from the sheets and clumsily pulled herself up to sit.
Ussay entered through a door on the right. “Your bath is ready, my lady.”
“Kira. Please call me Kira.”
Ussay looked at Octavion who nodded his approval.
“As you wish. . Kira.” Ussay smiled.
“Okay, then. You need to get out so I can get undressed.” Kira pointed to the door.
Instead, he threw back her covers and scooped her up in his arms.
“Octavion, put me down.”
“You are too weak to walk. I will help get you into the water.” A mischievous grin crossed is face.
“You will not.” But in the midst of her protest he crossed the room and walked through the arched doorway she’d seen earlier. Along both walls were shelves and hooks where clothes hung-trousers on the right, and shirts and tunics on the left. The biggest walk-in closet she’d ever seen. Through another doorway they came to a large brass tub sitting in the center of the room. Steam rose from the water’s surface.
“No, Octavion. It’s too hot.” The thought of hot water hitting her back sent her struggling to get free.
“Hold still, Kira. I will drop you.” He adjusted his hold and stepped closer to the water. “The steam is not from heat. I added something to help sooth the pain of your wounds.”
Kira relaxed the sore muscles in her body and waited for him to set her on her feet, but instead he lowered her into the tub, clothes and all.
“
Octavion laughed.
“What?” She couldn’t see what was so funny, but then Ussay gasped. Kira looked down to find her nightgown, now soaking wet and clinging to every curve of her body, was almost completely transparent. She quickly gathered the fabric to cover her breasts, then picked up a sponge and threw it at him.
“Get out!” she shouted.
He bowed. “As you wish, my lady.” He left the room snickering.
“Men,” Kira said, only half serious. How could she be mad? She was safe in Xantara with the man she loved.
Ussay giggled.
Between the two of them, they managed to pull the gown off. Kira leaned her head back and Ussay poured a bucket of warm water over her hair. It felt as though years had passed since she’d had a bath or shower. Her skin craved a good scrubbing. Ussay opened a small bottle and poured a dollop of lavender liquid into the palm of her hand. The fragrance reminded Kira of Lydia. Her hair always smelled like that.
Kira’s heart ached. As much as she wanted to ask Ussay about what had happened, she thought better of it. She didn’t want to get her in trouble. So while Ussay gently massaged her scalp, Kira thought of something else to occupy her thoughts.
“Have you taken care of me since I arrived?”
“Yes.” Ussay lowered her eyes and Kira wasn’t sure if she was shy or being respectful.
“How long have you worked in the castle?”
“Since my thirteenth year.” She lifted another bucket of water into the air and gently rinsed the soap from Kira’s hair. “I am in the middle of my sixteenth year now.”
Her strong accent suited her. Even more surprising was that Kira understood her at all. Back on Earth, the Crystor magically taught her to speak and understand Eldor, but the tiny thread of silver wasn’t working now. Not even a tingle of power remained. Maybe it was like learning any other language-her mind simply remembered the right words.
“Did you know Octavion. . before he left? I mean, before he came to my world?”
Ussay walked to the side of the tub, picked up a sponge and poured some of the soap mixture onto it. “I have known him my whole life. My mother worked here and I came with her. May I wash your back? I will be
