castle. Both Ussay and Arela tried several times to distract her, but she graciously refused, promising Arela she’d spend time with her and the other children later. When Ussay brought an afternoon meal, she accepted it. She’d eaten very little over the past few days and her stomach punished her with its churning.
Ussay peeled something that looked like a banana, except for the bright yellow fruit inside. “You are getting too much sun. Perhaps we should wait in the garden. There is plenty of shade there.”
“Maybe when we’re finished eating.” Kira watched as she finished removing the peel. “What is that?”
Ussay smiled, but didn’t answer. “Would you like some?” She broke off a small piece and handed it to her.
Kira eagerly took a bite. It tasted like strawberries covered in whipped cream. “Why haven’t you given me this before?” She reached for another piece so Ussay gave her the whole fruit. She took a huge bite and scarfed it down.
“I did. You refused it.”
Kira stopped eating long enough to dispute her claim. “I would have remembered tasting this. What is it called?”
She picked another one from her basket, peeled it quickly and took a big bite. “Koostai,” she mumbled.
“Koostai? You’re lying. That stuff you tried to feed me that smelled like dirty socks?”
Ussay nodded and then took another bite.
“But it was gray.”
“It turns that color when it is cooked and mashed. It also smells bad, but it retains its sweet flavor.” She seemed pleased with herself.
“Well, you can feed me this anytime you want.” They both laughed.
When they’d finished with their meal, Kira helped Ussay clean up and found a shady place in the garden. She welcomed the flower’s fragrance, a drastic change to the stables on the other side of the courtyard. She’d only been there a few minutes when Luka came through the glass doors sporting a white linen bandage on his arm.
“Shall I try to get sympathy from the ladies?” he teased.
“Maybe you should try picking one and being faithful.” She’d been joking, but judging by the look on his face, she’d struck a cord.
“My heart has already chosen.” He sat next to her on the stone bench. “It is not easy when circumstances prevent a union.”
Kira sighed. “I’m sorry, Luka. I shouldn’t have said anything.”
“Not to worry, Kira.” He gently laid his hand on hers. “It is a rare gift to have someone who feels as you do toward Octavion. True love does not come easy in our world.”
Luka tensed, dropping her hand.
“What is it?” she asked.
He smiled. “I believe my cousin is jealous. I enjoyed our visit, even though it was cut short.” He stood and walked away.
“Wait. What are you talking about?” But he didn’t answer. He walked through the glass doors of the castle and disappeared from her view.
“Have you found another, so soon?” A deep voice came from behind her. She turned to find Octavion leaning against a tree, sporting his dimples. “Perhaps I should leave again.”
“Don’t you dare.” She jumped to her feet, took two steps and leapt into his arms. He barely had time to catch her.
As he pulled her close she felt his heart pounding inside his chest. He leaned down, buried his face in her hair and took in her scent. “I want to take you someplace. Will you go with me?”
“Anywhere,” she whispered.
He scooped her up in his arms and looked into her eyes. “May I kiss you?”
For some reason, his words pricked at her heart strings. He’d never asked permission to kiss her before she’d been attacked-before she’d become barren. Maybe things
“Did I say something wrong?”
She looked back into his deep blue eyes. “No, these are happy tears. And yes, you can kiss me.”
Octavion’s brow furrowed as he held her gaze. “I will never leave you like that again, Kira-never.”
She closed her eyes as he pressed his lips to hers. His warm breath rushed over her like a summer breeze as he continued kissing her face and neck. She reacted by arching back slightly. His whole body tensed and he pulled away. She opened her eyes to find his face cringing with pain. He adjusted his hold on her.
“Close your eyes, Kira.” He flashed his dimples.
“Wait. Are you hurt?” But before he could answer, a flash of light almost blinded her and the garden began to spin. She closed her eyes in time to avoid the disorienting effects of the leap. When she opened them again they stood in the forest. He gently lowered her to the ground.
“No, I am not hurt.” But he cringed again when she lightly touched his left side.
“Octavion, let me see that.” She pulled his tunic up enough to expose a purple and black bruise over his ribs the exact size of a man’s boot. “Who did this?”
“Kira, it is nothing. I will be fine.”
“Are they broken?”
“No, I believe they are only bruised.” He brushed her hand away and pulled down his shirt. “Now will you let me show you why I brought you here?” He spun her around, pulled her back against his chest and wrapped his arms around her. Then he pointed.
At first she only saw trees and bushes, but then looked closer. A small stone chimney jutted out of the greenery-a billowing cloud of smoke making its way up through the trees. Beneath it she could barely make out an old weathered piece of wood-a door to a small structure completely overgrown with ivy.
“Who lives here?” she asked.
“It is mine. I used to come here as a young boy. I spent more time here than in my chambers. It suited me better than the castle. When I grew older and began to hunt, I came here when the moons were new.”
“Who started the fire?”
“I did. I opened the portal here so I could wash up and change before I came for you.” He released her and took her hand. “Come. I want you to see the inside.”
“Is this where you went the other night?”
“Yes.” He walked her to the door, turned the latch and led her inside. “It is a mess. I have not had time to clean.”
The glow from the fire made the room warm and inviting. She’d spent so much time in his chambers at the castle that she hadn’t given much thought to the fact that it held no personal effects except for a few books and clothes. Now she knew why. This place screamed Octavion. The rich woodsy aroma of musk and leather filled her senses as he coaxed her further into the room.
“Do you like it?” he said as he closed the door behind them, the rusted hinges groaning and squeaking from lack of use.
“I never want to leave. It’s. . home.” The bed shoved against the wall in the far corner had posts and rails made of tree branches-their bark removed and rubbed smooth. The thick and lumpy mattress was covered with several worn blankets while the pillow cases appeared to have once been fine linen, but were also worn with tattered edges.
Bookshelves lined the opposite corner of the room, filled with old books, glass bottles and metal vials intermingled with wooden boxes, stacks of papers and a glass jar holding paint brushes. In front of the shelves sat an overstuffed chair that had seen better days and a small wooden bench used as a foot stool. She could visualize Octavion sitting there reading or enjoying the warmth of the fire.
To her left, the cobblestone fireplace stretched to the ceiling adorned with a large hand carved mantle that ran the entire width. A simple hearth raised up from the floor just enough to provide more seating, especially on cold nights. The pelt of a black bear-like creature covered the floor beneath it.
“Kira, are you all right? You are so quiet.” She hadn’t notice he sat on the edge of the bed. He patted the mattress beside him, releasing a small poof of dust. “Care to sit with me?”
“Sure.” But instead of sitting on the edge like he had, she hiked up her dress and climbed into the middle of
