Broken

gentle.”

Kira nodded and then pulled her hair over her shoulder to get it out of her way.

“What was he like?”

“Octavion? He was my whole world.” Ussay rinsed her back and handed Kira the sponge to finish with the rest of her body, then started rummaging through some clothes that lay across a large upholstered ottoman. She held up a simple blue dress with a bodice that laced up the front. “Would this gown be acceptable?”

What Kira wanted was a pair of sweats and a T-shirt, but she didn't want to hurt Ussay's feelings. “Perfect. Now tell me more about Octavion.” She really wanted to know what he was like before his world came crashing down around him and he had to take Lydia away. She could only imagine what he'd missed.

Ussay brushed the other dresses aside, sat and loosened the ribbon on the blue gown. “I was very young, but he had a kind heart and allowed me to follow him everywhere. He never seemed irritated with me, like other boys. I guess I was a bit of a pest.”

“I’m sure he enjoyed your company.”

She giggled. “I did not give him a choice. He was learning to be an alchemist and, even though it is frowned upon, I wanted to learn as well. He taught me many things. When he left, I continued my learning. I used to sneak into his lair and read his books. It was not the same as learning from him, but I did well.”

When Kira finished with her bath, Ussay held a towel out and helped her stand. Her legs were weak and shaky, but she was able to stand on her own long enough to dress. While Kira laced the ribbon loosely across her chest, Ussay brushed out her hair.

“Could you braid it for me? I’d like it out of my face.”

“Of course.” She ran her fingers through several strands and separated them. “You have beautiful hair. We do not have this color in our world.”

“Really? Not one has red hair?”

“Not one.”

“Wow, so tell me something. Why can’t you learn?”

“Pardon?”

“You said it was forbidden to learn. Why is that?”

“Forgive me. Your accent-sometimes it is difficult to understand your words.”

Kira laughed. “To me, you’re the one with the accent. I’ll try to speak slower.”

“That will not be necessary. I will ask if I do not understand. As to your inquiry, women are permitted to learn if it does not interfere with their duties, but we are not allowed to hold positions as alchemists or physicians. The best I can hope for is to be a midwife.” Ussay flipped Kira’s braid around in front for her to see, but she couldn’t get the full affect.

“Where I’m from, you could do anything, even be a physician.”

Ussay rounded the ottoman and stood in front of Kira, her eyes wide with amazement. “A woman can be a physician?”

“Yeah.. You can be anything you want. Now, I need a mirror.” Kira scanned the room, but didn’t see one.

Ussay’s smile quickly faded. She clutched her neck and took a step back, a fearful expression crossing her face.

“Ussay, are you all right? Did I say something wrong?”

She shook her head. “No, my lady. It is. . not. . I was told not to bring a mirror to your room.”

“What? Who told you that?”

“Octavion. He made me take them out and said you were not to have one.” Ussay began gathering things from around the room-avoiding meeting Kira’s eyes.

“Ussay, would you help me to my room and then please tell Octavion I need to talk to him.”

She curtsied. “Yes, my lady.” Holding her arm out, Ussay offered support as they made their way back into Octavion’s sleeping chambers. Instead of sitting on the bed, Kira sat in the chair so she could see out the window.

“I will return in a moment,” Ussay said as she exited the room.

“Bring me a mirror,” Kira called after her, but Ussay didn’t respond.

A small gap in the rain clouds let a stream of sunlight break through and splash across the room. It felt warm against her face. She gently ran her finger along the scar on her cheek. It felt only a little tender, but mostly it itched. He lied. It was worse than he’d said. So bad, he thought it would upset her to see it.

While she waited, she took in her surroundings. She could see the whole room now that she sat in the corner. A huge fireplace rose up to the ceiling on the other side of the bed-the opening almost big enough for a small person to walk into-the dark wood mantle covered with ornate carvings. Above it hung a tapestry of a lion.

Another window, shrouded with long heavy drapes hung from ceiling to floor, stood to the right of the fireplace-the deep burgundy fabric a drastic contrast to the white stone walls. On the other side of the fireplace sat a large desk with a rectangle bench slid underneath. The only door in the room appeared to be made of the same wood used for the mantle. On either side of the door, built in bookshelves stretched so high a ladder rested at one end to reach the books at the top. The shelves were filled with tattered volumes of all different sizes and colors. Some stood neatly arranged while others were piled askew, like in Octavion’s lair back home.

Home.

It was hard to imagine herself sitting in English class or leaned back on the hood of Lydia’s car listening to her iPod. She wondered if her mother had come back or if she’d tried to contact her. Probably not. A twinge of regret seeped into her heart when she thought of not graduating from high school. She’d worked hard for that day, but what good would a diploma do her now? She had to accept this world as her own if she was to be happy with the man she loved.

She tried to picture Octavion living here. It was so formal and proper, not at all like the life he’d made for himself in the clearing. A prince-the idea boggled her mind. As she glanced out the window she heard heavy footsteps approaching. It didn’t surprise her when the door swung open and Octavion walked in. He paused a few steps from the doorway.

“Kira. .” He said her name like a long drawn out sigh, then put his hand to his heart. “You are beautiful.”

Kira smiled. “You like it?” She tried to stand to give him the full effect of her fancy dress, but he quickly crossed the distance between them and prevented her from getting up.

“Octavion, let me up. I want you to see the dress. I’ve never worn anything like this before. It’s like playing dress up.” She put her arms out to show off the puffy sleeves.

“I was not looking at the dress. You are the one that is beautiful. You could wear dirty rags and I would still think you beautiful.” He knelt on one knee in front of her and took both her hands.

Kira gave him a crooked smirk. “It’s not like you haven’t seen me before. I’m the same person.” Then she remembered her scar. She put her hand up to touch it. “Except for this. Which reminds me, why can’t I have a mirror?”

His brow furrowed. “It is best for now.”

“I already imagine the worst. Why won’t you let me see it?” She pulled her hands away and put them on the arms of the chair.

“It has nothing to do with your scar.” He sat back on his heels and turned to look out the window. A long moment passed before he stood and went to the door. When he opened it, Ussay stood on the other side, a small round mirror in her hand.

“Ussay, how did you know-?”

“She asked me for it. I thought. . I hoped you might change your mind.” She handed him the mirror, stepped into the room and closed the door behind her. “May I stay?”

He nodded, then motioned toward Kira. Ussay flashed a grin and winked as she climbed up to sit on the edge of the bed.

Octavion, on the other hand, hesitated near the door, turning the mirror over and over in his hands. He took a deep breath before returning to his position in front of Kira. He laid the mirror on her lap with the reflective surface hidden, his fingers pressing it down, keeping her from grabbing it up. “Like I said, it is not your scar I have been afraid you will see.” The sunlight streaming in from the window caught in his eyes at just the right angle and she