Broken

bench at the foot of the bed. All around the perimeter of the room were bits and pieces of Lydia and Altaria-ribbons and bows neatly arranged on the top of a dressing table, colored bottles adorning the back of three dressers and a full length mirror in the corner near one of the windows. On either side of the door stood built-in book cases, like in Octavion’s room, but these held bolts of fabric, rolls of ribbon and several ceramic vases. The books, though not as many, were all neatly arranged in order of size. On one shelf there were tiny figurines of young women adorned in beautiful gowns with hems swirling up as if they were dancing.

Kira thought being here would bring her peace, perhaps even closure, but she’d been wrong. It only brought the memory of Lydia closer to her heart, causing real pain. It was almost as if she were there, calling out to her as before, but there were no words echoing in her mind, only the constant throb of loneliness in her chest.

Altaria.

She would never again feel smooth fabric between her fingers or look at her beautiful face in a mirror. She’d never hold a sword in her hand or speak her mind. Her thoughts would forever be locked in a body that wasn’t hers. Kira wondered how much longer she’d feel her presence or if she’d slowly wither away.

She put her head in her hands and released the gut wrenching sobs she’d held back for days. She missed both of them-and the pain she felt in her chest was the only part of Altaria she had left.

“Kira?”

She slowly raised her eyes to find Octavion standing in the doorway, his face weary and worn. Seeing him only made her sorrow worse and the tears came faster. She couldn’t speak as she lost herself in her grief.

He hesitantly moved closer and knelt in front of her, but he didn’t offer his embrace to hold or comfort her. Instead, he looked into her eyes for the longest time before finally speaking; his voice laced with deep emotion. “I have hurt you far too many times to count. Seeing you like this. .” He turned his head away. “I do not blame you for wanting to be as far away from me as possible.” When he turned back and their eyes met, his were filled with tears as well.

Kira shook her head. “I’m not mad at you.” She looked around the room and then back to him. “It’s this room. I. . I miss her so much.”

The pain in his eyes sent her into his arms. He scooped her up and carried her to one of the window benches and sat, cradling her to him. Having his strong arms around her was exactly what she needed.

“How can you not be angry with me?” he whispered in her ear.

Kira pulled her face back enough to see his eyes. “How can I be mad at you for something that isn’t your fault? You didn’t choose to be this way.” She paused for a moment and wiped a few tears from her face. “I am angry that you weren’t honest with me, though.”

She took a deep breath and adjusted herself so she sat next to him. “You should have told me you were fighting the pull of your moons. I would have understood.”

“I know. And I am sorry, but I could not leave you. I waited for days for you to wake, worrying you would die, so once you woke there was no way I could leave you.” He gently wiped away the rest of her tears.

“I understand that, but if you told me you needed some space and what was happening I wouldn’t have cut my foot or disabled Luka. I also wouldn’t have had to listen to you outside Ussay’s cottage growling and snarling half the night. If I would have known what to expect I. . why are you looking at me like that?”

He’d suddenly straightened, his whole body gone ridged. “Kira, I was not in the village last night or the night before, nor do I know where Ussay’s cottage is.”

“But you said my name. I heard you say my name.” A shiver ran through her.

Octavion stood and put his hand to his forehead. The eerie feeling she’d become accustomed to returned right before Luka appeared in the room.

“Luka, have I been in the village at all these past two nights?”

Luka looked at Kira with her tear stained face and then back to his cousin. “You know we did not. I would never allow that to happen. Is there a problem?”

Octavion repeated what Kira told him. “Send a message to all the Royals in our kingdom, see if any were in the village. If we have Royals from another kingdom hunting here, we need to increase our patrols and send a warning to the villagers.”

“But, how did he know my name and where I was staying?”

Octavion took in a deep breath and let it out slow. “It is what worries me the most.”

Luka stepped forward and tried to reassure her. “I am sure it is nothing, Kira. Perhaps it was a jealous commoner trying to frighten you away. After all, you have caught the eye of the second most eligible bachelor in the kingdom.”

Octavion gave a hoot. “You are not even in the running, cousin.”

Luka chuckled, promised to check with the other Royals and alert the guards if they discovered anything serious, then left-through the door.

“So,” Octavion said. “Would you like to go someplace with me? I found something while I hunted I think you will like.” He stood and offered his hand.

“Ugh! More walking.” Kira took his hand and reluctantly stood on her tired and sore feet. “Good thing Mara gave me some shoes.”

“What is wrong with your feet?”

“Well, someone didn’t do a very good job cleaning up the broken mirror and I cut my foot. And if that wasn’t bad enough, I had to cauterize the wound so the Royals in this town wouldn’t eat me and then I got dragged all over town in my bare feet so my scent wouldn’t be in one place. The things I go through for you.” She smiled up at him. “The least you could do is kiss me.”

Octavion flashed his dimples and scooped her off her feet. “Let me show you the advantages of staying in this room.” He walked to the glass doors, swung them open and stepped out onto the balcony. “Besides the beautiful sunrises you’ll take in out here. .” He leaned down and pressed his lips to hers, she closed her eyes as she felt the floor beneath them begin to shake.

It seemed like an eternity since they’d traveled together, especially while in the middle of a kiss, but nothing could have prepared her for the feelings surging through her body as they left the safety of the castle balcony and sailed through time and space in Octavion’s mind. His cravings weren’t the only thing that was stronger in Xantara. She’d never felt so much pleasure and joy all in the same moment.

When the air around her cooled and he pulled his lips away, she could barely breathe. She tried to take in air, but it caught in her stomach and made her head spin. She looked up to find his dimples deeper than she’d ever seen. But even though he smiled and seemed happy to be with her, what she saw in his eyes told a different story.

Hunger.

Chapter Fifteen

“You okay?” Octavion asked, obviously proud of himself.

“I am now.”

“Wait until you see what I have for you.” He helped her to sit on the ground next to a tree. He looked at her curiously. “Can I trust you to stay here? Seems I remember the last time I asked you to stay, you took off at a dead run.”

Kira laughed. “As long as you aren’t too long, I think I can sit still.” She curled her legs up under her dress and straightened the wrinkles in the fabric with a brush of her hand.

“It may take a moment. I have not gained her trust yet and she may be a little shy with you,” he mumbled as he walked through the trees and out of sight.

Kira sat quietly, surrounded by the beautiful sounds and sights of a forest much like the one from her world, except all the colors were much more vibrant. In addition to the lush green grass, completely void of weeds or anything unpleasant to the eye, fragrant flowers bloomed everywhere. Beautiful blossoms clung to vines that wound their way up several trees and a fuzzy rust-colored moss grew on many large rocks.

She heard Octavion’s voice in the distance and wondered what he could possibly be up too. As his voice got closer, she saw movement in the trees. At first she thought her imagination had kicked into overdrive. She had to