She still wasn't sure how she felt about what she saw the night before and she certainly wasn't ready to hear what Octavion had to say about it with the villagers watching and waiting for her reaction.
“Tell her. . there will be no reply,” Kira said.
Ussay motioned for Braden to return with Kira’s answer and then put her hand on her shoulder. “What is it?”
Kira slipped the letter up the sleeve of her dress and brushed off the front of her skirt. “Nothing. Can we get those shoes now? I’d really like to go back to your cottage.”
“As you wish,” Ussay said.
Chapter Twelve
The cobbler had two pairs of shoes-both made for children and way too small. Ussay offered Kira hers, but she refused. By the time they got back to the cottage her feet were on fire. Kira felt grateful they at least weren’t bleeding or all their work would have been in vain. Ussay helped Kira wash them and apply salve. Kira convinced her to apply the same medicine to the scratch on her wrist-the infection appeared to be getting worse.
As the room slowly began to lose its light, Ussay lit a candle and let Kira help replace the black pieces of cloth in the windows. Because of the cramped space, Narissa agreed to stay the night with Ussay’s aunt so they had the room to themselves. Kira offered to stay on the floor, but Ussay refused. When the sounds of the village grew silent, Kira knew the time of darkness was near. Ussay seemed to sense her need for privacy and began straightening the already organized cupboard on the other side of the room.
Kira numbly slipped the envelope out of her sleeve. What could he possibly have to say? She already knew he’d be mortified by what happened the night before and would beg her forgiveness. Reluctantly, she broke the red wax seal and opened it. Inside she found a single piece of parchment. She slid it out of the envelope, unfolded it then held it to her face and took in a deep breath. His musky scent filled her soul with warmth. She’d only been gone one day and she already missed him.
She held the paper in the flickering candlelight and read the words written in her own language.
She folded the paper, inhaled his sent one last time and slid it back into the envelope. “Is it time?”
“Yes.” Ussay walked to the bed and sat beside her. “Are you all right?”
Kira nodded.
“The letter. . it has his scent?”
“Yes.” Kira knew the hidden meaning behind her words and also knew what needed to be done, but she couldn’t bring herself to do it. She clutched the envelope against her chest, hesitant to part with the only tangible piece of him within grasp at that moment. As the tears began to flow, she slowly released it and let if fall into her lap.
Ussay picked it up and held it over the flame. The instant it caught fire, she stepped to the fireplace and threw it on top of the cold ash. Kira watched as the fire consumed it. She leaned over and blew out the candle and the room went black, except for the tiny sparks left from Octavion’s letter. One by one they fizzled out, until only the memory of them remained.
Kira turned her back to the room and curled up under the blanket. When the first scream echoed through the village, she put her hands over her ears and tried to see his face in her mind-his human face-the one she’d fallen in love with. She remembered his deep blue eyes and the way he smiled, exposing his dimples. She lingered on that happy memory. She recalled every detail of his kiss-imagined his arms holding her tight, keeping her warm. Her mind wandered back to the adventures they’d shared until finally she found sleep-her dreams filled with Octavion, the way dreams should be. Dreams a person could lose themselves in. Dreams that could come true.
When she woke, Ussay busied herself building a fire.
“Is it over?” Kira asked.
Ussay jumped. “Kira, you frightened me.”
“Sorry. Did I sleep through the whole thing?” She couldn’t remember feeling so rested.
“Yes. It was actually a quiet night. It is the first time I have seen you sleep without thrashing about. You must have been exhausted.” Ussay grabbed another log and added it to the fire.
Kira barely felt its warmth from across the room. “I guess.” She briskly rubbed her nose to take away the cold.
“Sorry about the chill in the air. The fire will have the room warm in a moment.”
“I’m fine, but how did you sleep? The floor must be freezing.” Kira pulled herself up to sit, but kept the covers wrapped tightly around her body.
“I slept well enough.”
“Well, I don’t care how much you argue with me, I get the floor tonight. It’s the least I can do.”
Ussay’s face lit up and she flashed a big smile. “You, my lady, will sleep in the castle tonight.”
“What? But I thought it wasn’t safe. Don’t we have stay here the night before
Ussay walked over to the window, pulled off the curtain, then opened the door. Parked outside the cottage was a small ornate carriage pulled by two black horses. In the distance Kira heard the deep clang of a bell.
“Octavion sent word. He went out before nightfall and hunted with Luka. When darkness came, he had already satisfied his hunger so the pull of the moons did not affect him as badly.” Ussay closed the door and walked back to sit next to Kira. “He had a good night.”
Kira sighed. “And he’s all right?”
Ussay nodded, her eyes sparkling with the glow from the fire. “I have instructed the coachman to wait. I would like to eat and wash before we return. I cannot offer a bath, but I can get water from the well to rid us of the dust from our walk yesterday.”
“Awesome.”
Chapter Thirteen
Kira managed to make it through her sponge bath and choke down a few bites of an orange-like fruit that tasted like cherries without losing control of her emotions. She couldn’t get Lydia off her mind or out of her heart. She kept having flashes of the day in the canyon when she, Lydia and Octavion sat under a tree and ate lunch together. It was the first time she’d seen Lydia change into Altaria, and the first time she’d gotten a glimpse of what Octavion could become when angered.
It seemed like a lifetime ago.
“Are you ready?” Ussay asked.
“Yeah.” Kira tucked away her memories for another day.
Another time.
As the carriage approached the castle, Kira’s appreciation for its beauty increased. The smooth white stone sparkled in the late morning sun. Several arched windows with colorful pieces of stained glass, interspersed with clear panes, decorated the lowest level. She couldn’t discern a pattern in the glass-each one shone with its own unique brilliance. Clear glass graced the arched windows of the upper levels, many opened wide to catch the cool morning air.
As they crossed the bridge and entered the courtyard, several of the servants exited a small doorway to the
