blink.
Rowin stepped further into the room and motioned for Octavion to lay Kira on the bed. “She will be well taken care of while you are away. Your maid may wait over there.” He pointed to a small bench near the oversized fireplace. No fire burned within its dark cavernous walls, but several of the glowing stones lay around its base.
Ussay quickly moved to her position, dropping the small satchel she'd packed at her feet. Her dark brown eyes scanned the room. Not many servants could boast about seeing any part of Panthera and
Instead, he stepped to the bed. His heart ached when he looked down at the fragile girl he held. He thought of the times he'd held her close, safe in his arms. It nearly tore him in two to see her like this-broken and at the mercy of strangers to save her life. She made no sound when he laid her limp body on the bed.
Octavion brushed a strand of hair back from her damp forehead and leaned in to softly kiss her feverish lips. “You are safe, Kira. You are going to be all right.” He swallowed the lump in his throat. If only he believed his own words. There was no way to know for sure if she’d survive, even with Pantherian magic. He leaned closer and whispered, “I love you. Be strong. Do not give up.” He straightened the hem of her gown and positioned her hands at her sides. He took a few steps back.
Rowin simply nodded and the five maids seemed to magically come to life. One unlaced Kira’s gown while another poured a green liquid into a wash basin and sponged her face and hair. The other three scattered to various locations around the room and retrieved clean linens, various herbs and a basketful of more glowing rocks, these casting an amber glow.
“We should leave them to their work,” Rowin said, pointing toward the door.
Octavion turned to Ussay. “You will stay with her.”
“Of course. I will not leave her side for even a moment.” She turned her attention back to the women. As hard as it was to trust Rowin’s people, he had to believe Kira’s needs would be met and pray to the gods her life would be spared.
Chapter Four
Four hours later, Octavion had been thoroughly cleansed by seven beautiful women wearing nothing but flimsy gowns. Every curve of their bodies shone through the sheer fabric as they swayed one way or the other in front of one of the many candles in the room. The gowns barely reached mid-thigh and Octavion felt certain they wore nothing underneath. They cleansed every inch of his body from head to toe, which humiliated him beyond belief. These young women were either harlots who hoped to seduce him or virgins who didn't know better than to tempt a man with such promiscuous behavior.
By the time they brought out the vessels filled with sweet smelling oils to rub onto his skin, he'd had enough. He protested vehemently, but was told if he wanted to see King Ramla, it was necessary. For the remainder of his torture, he closed his eyes and tried to think about how all this would be worth it if Ramla agreed to his request.
After he'd been completely slathered, rubbed raw and clothed in plain white trousers and oversized tunic, he was told to wait. He could either stay awake or sleep, but he had to remain on a stone bench in the main hall, flanked by two armed Royals. Sleep was impossible, not because it would be uncomfortable, but because all he could think about was Kira. He'd enquired several times, but was told her needs were being met and that he should remain there or he'd have to go through the cleansing process again.
So he sat.
And waited.
Octavion wondered if all this was some kind of test. Perhaps they expected him to give into the temptations while bathing, or get tired of waiting and decide Kira's life wasn't worth the trouble and discomfort. All kinds of thoughts scurried around in his head, including a list of possible demands from King Ramla. The list was short. What could a king who has everything want in return for a little magic?
It wasn't until the room filled with early morning sunlight and the castle was abuzz with servants scrambling to their work, that someone finally came to retrieve Octavion. By then his backside was numb from sitting on the stone bench and his feet tingled alive when he stood to follow the manservant.
A few moments later, they entered a magnificent garden, the likes of which Octavion had never seen-ornate shrubs sculpted into strange creatures, flowers with blooms larger than a stew pot and stone statuaries that towered over them.
In the middle of a small courtyard stood King Ramla. To Octavion's surprise, he wore a simple outfit, one you might find a commoner wearing-brown twill pants, a dark blue tunic and leather sandals. No jewels or precious metals adorned his clothes or hung around his neck, only a simple silver band around the middle finger on his right hand.
But what shocked Octavion the most, was that the
“Run along, now. We shall finish your lesson later. I have business to attend to.” Ramla gently patted the boy's back. The boy turned, gave the man a hug and scurried under the bush to get the ball.
Octavion straightened to his full stature, finally gaining the king's attention. When their eyes met, Octavion bowed deeply and lowered his eyes. “Forgive the intrusion, Your Excellency.” His heart hammered against the inside of his chest and he was sure Ramla could hear it. There were a few moments of awkward silence before Octavion straightened again, meeting the king's eyes.
“Walk with me,” was all Ramla said as he turned his back to Octavion and began a leisurely stroll down the stone path.
Octavion fell in step behind him, amazed at the lack of security surrounding the king-not a single guard in sight. In fact, he hadn't seen anyone since the young boy left, not even a gardener working among the many flowering shrubs.
Ramla paused and motioned for Octavion to walk beside him, something he'd never seen a king do before, not even his father. It was a show of disrespect to consider one's self an equal to such esteemed power, so it took some effort to remain at his side and look the man in the eye when he spoke.
“I am told you have visited another planet,” Ramla said.
“Yes, it is called Earth.” Octavion clasped his fingers behind his back to keep from fidgeting. “It is much like Ophira. Perhaps I could tell you about it one day.”
They'd only walked a short distance when the narrow path opened into a small courtyard where several stone benches surrounded a large fountain. Water poured out of a bowl being held by the sculpted hands of a young maiden and spilled into a shallow pond decorated by multi-colored tiles. King Ramla lowered himself to one of the benches and motioned for Octavion to do the same.
Octavion eyed the stone bench and wondered if his buttocks could take another moment sitting on the hard surface. He reconsidered when his thoughts wandered back to Kira and the request he needed to make of the king. Being obedient to Ramla’s request to join him was the least he could do under the circumstances. He moved to the bench opposite the king and sat, resting his hands in his lap.
“So, tell me of this. . Earth,” Ramla said, gesturing toward the sky.
Octavion sighed. The last thing he wanted to do was reminisce about his last few years on Earth. He needed to steer the conversation in another direction. Kira's life depended on it. “Please forgive me, Your Excellency. I would like nothing more than to tell you everything about Earth, but I have come on an urgent matter and there is little time. If you could only listen to my request, I will spend hours telling you everything about my journey.”
Ramla's brow furrowed. “I am well aware of your concern, Prince Octavion. May I presume you mean to pay for your request with such menial information about a planet I could visit easily if I so desired? Is your human worth
