walked to the other side of the bed, hiked up her skirt and climbed onto the billowy mattress next to his sister. She motioned for him to come closer, but he didn’t move.
“Explain this first. I do not want you hurt.”
“Okay, but will you at least keep an open mind until I finish explaining it?”
He sat on the edge of the bed. “Yes.”
“Earlier when I touched Lydia, nothing happened, but after you left with your father, I tried again and a bolt of pain shot through me.” She reached across Lydia to take his hand. “I think we need to give Al a chance, let her experiment and find her way back. Lydia had it all figured out, I’m pretty sure if we give Al time, she will too.”
Octavion’s brow furrowed. “But you said it hurt when you touched her. What if she-”
“Nothing will happen to me. I think the pain was so severe because she’s frustrated and desperate to get out. Maybe if we talk to her and tell her we won’t stop until she is settled she will go slowly and it won’t hurt as much. I don’t have all the answers, but it’s worth a try. Besides, I can’t live with her inside me like this and it’s not fair to keep her locked up.”
His expression turned more serious. “Promise me if the pain gets to be too much, you will stop.”
Kira shook her head. “No. Think about it. What if her spirit is half way between Lydia and me and I let go? Will that kill her? Will her spirit be split between the two of us? No, Octavion, I won’t stop until this is finished and you have to promise me you won’t either.”
“What do you mean?”
She squeezed his hand. “I don’t know if this will effect me like when I healed. If it takes my strength and I can’t hold onto her. . I need you to hold our hands together.”
He nodded hesitantly, but remained quiet.
“What are you thinking?” she asked.
He ran his fingers through his hair. “That you are stubborn and will do this whether I help you or not.”
“You’re right. I will.”
He put his hand on the side of her face and gently ran his thumb across her bottom lip. “I love you. You know that, right?”
“Yeah, I know.” Normally, she would have anticipated a kiss, but wasn’t surprised when he lowered his eyes and drew back his hand. Her theory-either he was uncomfortable with Altaria watching or he was thinking about Serena. She pushed that thought away and tried to focus on Lydia. She instructed Octavion to sit behind her so she would have his physical support in case she lost her strength. He pulled her back against his chest and wrapped his arms around her. He took Lydia’s hand in his.
“Promise you won’t let go,” Kira urged.
“I promise.”
Kira held her left hand above theirs and summoned her courage. “Ready?”
“I am if you are.”
“Okay, Al. Take it slow and easy.” Kira took a deep breath. “Here goes.” Kira forced her hand down on Lydia’s. Octavion closed his fingers around them and squeezed gently.
At first she felt the surge of pain like before, but then it burned. The warm feeling she’d felt for days pulsated down her arm and out the tips of her fingers. It felt like a hundred little threads unraveling through each fingertip. She felt them as they extended beyond her own skin, as though she and Lydia were one.
With every beat of her heart, the heat of her body decreased. So much so, that she began to shiver. It felt as though Altaria wasn’t just taking the warmth of her own spirit, but that of Kira’s as well.
“Kira, you are trembling.”
“I’m okay. D. . d-don’t let go.” Her teeth chattered so hard she thought they might shatter.
A few more seconds passed and Lydia took in a deep breath, arched her back and let out a deep moan. Her chest heaved heavily with each breath.
“Oh-kay, I th-think she’s done.”
Octavion released both their hands, then turned Kira so he could see her eyes. A huge grin spread across his face. “You did it.”
“Yeah, but. . I’m really c-cold.”
He pressed his lips to her cheek. “You are like ice.” He pulled a blanket from the end of the bed then wrapped them both in it. The heat coming from his body felt like a hot iron against her skin. She buried her face under his chin as he pulled the blanket up around her head.
They sat there quietly until she felt something touch her leg. Both Octavion’s arms were around her, so she knew it wasn’t him. She slowly pulled the blanket from her face and peeked out. First, she looked up at Octavion, his emotions welling up in his eyes.
He leaned down and whispered in her ear. “Can you come out long enough to say hello to a friend?”
Kira jerked her head around to find Altaria lying on the bed. Her eyes were barely open, but when they met hers, she flashed her crooked smile.
“Thank you,” she whispered.
“Hey you.” Kira returned the smile. “Welcome b-back.”
Al’s bottom lip began to quiver as tears formed in her eyes. “She is not. . bonding. . with me.”
“Who?” Kira barely understood what she said. She’d gotten used to everyone’s accent, but Al’s words seemed jumbled.
Altaria didn’t answer, just closed her eyes while a tear escaped down the side of her face.
“Octavion, maybe your father should be here.” Kira had barely finished her words when the king’s spirit whirled around her. He appeared so quickly it startled her.
He didn’t notice Altaria at first, only looked at Kira sitting on the bed shivering within Octavion’s embrace.
“Why have you summoned me with such urgency?”
Altaria opened her eyes and reached out her hand. “Father?”
Kira watched as the color drained from his face. The emotion that filled the room in that moment warmed Kira’s heart and filled her soul. He took Altaria in his arms and held her tight.
Kira looked up to find Octavion’s tear filled eyes. Overwhelming joy washed across his face. She was so in love with this man and seeing him express his emotions so freely only solidified those feelings.
She still hadn’t warmed completely, but the constant shivering of her insides had calmed. Completely exhausted, she fought to keep her eyes open. For the first time in weeks, she had no pain or pressure in her chest and she could breathe deeply. She adjusted slightly so she could snuggle against Octavion’s chest.
Octavion kissed the top of her head and stroked her hair. “Perhaps we should give my father some time,” he whispered.
His voice seemed so far away, she thought it might be a dream.
Chapter Twenty Seven
A cool breeze swept across Kira’s face causing a strand of hair to tickle her nose. She brushed it away and took in as much air as her lungs would hold, filling her senses with the room’s bouquet-the sweet perfume of flowers from the garden, the hint of fresh baked bread and the pleasant aroma of prepared fruit.
Before opening her eyes, she filled her lungs one more time and stretched her arms and legs to their full length, curling her toes as every muscle in her body flexed. She was grateful for the bed being in the middle of the room, without a headboard. It left nothing to get in the way of the much needed untwisting of her appendages. It was the first time in weeks she’d woke without pain. She opened her eyes and took in the bright sunlight spilling into the room and the curtains billowing on the breeze like delicate angel wings.
A wash basin sat on the dressing table with clean linens folded neatly beside it. Next to that, a plate filled with bread, sliced cheese and fresh fruit-most of which looked like Koostai-made her stomach growl. On the table near her bed lay a single daisy lying atop an envelope sealed with red wax-Octavion’s initial pressed into its center. Gratitude for Octavion and Ussay, and their gentle way of caring for her, filled her heart.
She pulled back the covers and reached for the envelope. It was then she noticed her middle and ring finger
