“You heard me. She’s in love with you, though I can’t figure out why. Seems you pushed her away for no good reason. It sounds a little selfish and cold to me.” Kira hadn’t planned on being so blunt, but somehow she had a feeling it was what he needed. “And then to get your mother to be rude to her? Absolutely shameful.”
He turned to watch Ussay as she walked through the crowd. Octavion handed her off to Nestor, who led her to the front of the room where she sat in a chair facing the group. She folded her hands in her lap like a sophisticated lady.
“And who do you suppose would dance with her at our wedding?” Cade said through clenched teeth.
Kira turned to find his eyes flashing with anger. Threads of gold began to show around their edges. “It sounds like someone is feeling sorry for himself. Perhaps you should go back out to that cliff we love so much and take a flying leap.”
He looked away in time to avoid her next rebuke.
She put her hand on one of his useless legs and softened her voice. “Cade, I’m sorry, but you need to get on with your life, not stop it from happening.”
Octavion circled around the crowd and came to stand behind them, signifying the end to Kira’s lecture.
“You two look like you are having fun,” Octavion teased.
Cade’s mouth curved into a frown.
Kira, on the other hand, quickly changed the subject. “Who are all these people?”
Octavion crouched behind her and rattled off the names and affiliation of the various invited guests. Some were from the village-prominent scholars, teachers and elders who advised the king on important matters. Others were royalty from Mara’s kingdom, Finvarra and Nestor’s, Morganstar. They’d all gathered for the naming of this little child. If she didn’t know better, she’d have thought he was a prince.
Kira felt suddenly grateful she wasn’t the one spilling her blood in a room full of Royals. The very thought made her cringe.
“How much danger is she in?” she asked.
Cade shot her a warning look. “Do you really think we would put her in danger?”
Kira couldn’t help notice his fierce protectiveness. Perhaps their little chat had influenced him after all. “Maybe not intentionally, but how can you control an entire room full of Royals?”
Cade turned away, clearly disgusted with her question.
“We have all taken turns hunting throughout the night,” Octavion said. “It may be risky for her, but the Royals in this room are all seasoned. Not one is young or has a wild heart. We wouldn’t allow it. The only exception is my cousin here.” He patted Cade on the shoulder. “But even he knows his limits.”
“So if any of their senses are stirred in any way, they will leave the room?” Kira asked.
“Yes,” Octavion said.
With her curiosity satisfied, Kira turned her attention to the others in the room. It was all so formal and grand, it made her nervous. She watched as a few late guests arrived and took a seat with the others. Her heart raced with anticipation. Mara sat in the front row holding the baby, with Luka on one side and Arela on the other. Nestor stood at the head of the room near the king’s empty throne, his broad shoulders square and his head held high-the perfect stance of a proud father.
Flanking the empty throne stood two men, both dressed in white robes, their faces stern and ridged as if they were statues.
“Who are they?” Kira asked.
“The Elders of Lor,” Octavion said. “They oversee all religious ceremonies to make sure they are performed properly.”
Octavion leaned toward her and whispered in her ear. “I have princely duties. I will be right back.” Then he stood and walked to the front of the room to take his place to the right of the throne. All eyes were on him as the room fell silent. Octavion nodded his head and they all stood in unison. Kira had secretly slipped off her shoes, so she clumsily fumbled to put them back on so she could stand as well. As soon as she did, she felt the majestic spirit of the king enter the room. Before anyone else knew he was coming, she bowed her head and lowered herself toward the floor. When King Belesgar appeared an instant later the entire room followed suit.
The king appeared as she’d never seen him before. His pants, vest and jacket were all white with gold trim and buttons. He had a dark blue robe around his shoulders that met at the base of his neck, held there by an ornate piece of silver embedded with a ruby. His simple crown, a thin ring of gold and silver twisted together with one clear gem in the front, suited him perfectly, though not what Kira had expected.
He stayed standing long enough to make an impression, then gracefully took his throne. Kira hadn’t noticed until the king sat that Octavion had made an addition to his attire. He also wore a crown, but his was a single strand of silver and held no gem. She was suddenly overcome with the magnitude of his calling-a
As soon as the king had settled, Octavion motioned for everyone to take their seats. He welcomed everyone, turned the ceremony over to Nestor then made his way back to stand next to Kira.
“Nice crown,” Kira teased.
“Yours will be even more wonderful when you are my queen,” he teased back.
Kira looked up to find his eyes sparkling at her, his dimples deeper than she’d ever seen. Then he put his serious face on and instructed her to pay attention to Nestor. It was, after all, rude to chat while the father of the honored child made his presentation.
The first part of the ceremony included stories of their history and family lineage. Kira learned more about their people in those few minutes than the entire time she’d spent in Xantara. Nestor spoke of their forefathers and the sacrifices they’d made to keep their people safe, the ancient curse that plagued them all and the blessings they’d received by being loyal and obedient to it.
He told the story of a hybrid whose unusual cravings from birth caused a nursemaid to be bitten, but her blood had tamed his wild heart. It began a tradition that spanned over centuries and was now a necessary part of their lives-the Khapri. Taming the young ones had brought peace to what had once been a dangerous way of life for anyone tending the Royal children.
Nestor went to Ussay and offered his hand. She graciously took it as he pulled her to her feet and led her to a small round pedestal placed in front of the king. Luka stood and circled around behind her, holding what appeared to be a small piece of white fabric.
Kira sat far enough away she couldn’t quite make out what was going on. She pulled on Octavion’s hand to get his attention. “What are they doing?” she whispered.
Octavion lowered himself to one knee. “It is the cleansing part of the ceremony. They will wash her hand of all impurities with a special liquid blessed by the Elders.”
Luka produced a vile and poured a small amount of the clear liquid in the palm of Ussay’s hand. He took the fabric and spread it from her wrist to her fingertips. Arela stood and went to his side. She took the vile and cloth and put it in a small tapestry bag and returned to her seat.
Luka then went before the king, bowed at his feet and was given a small metal tube that was open at one end and solid at the other. The solid end was rounded and embedded with small jewels. Kira could barely make out some kind of ornate craftsmanship on the sides. Luka returned to the pedesetal and stood quietly while Nestor went to Mara and retrieved his child.
Cade straightened. His breathing had deepened and he seemed to be having trouble sitting still.
Kira leaned over to Octavion and whispered in his ear. “Did Cade hunt last night?” She’d learned to recognize the signs of transformation and Cade clearly struggled with it.
Octavion shook his head slightly. “He refused. He had been two nights before and said he would be fine.”
Kira shot him a look of disbelief.
Octavion shrugged and continued with his lesson on the Khapri.
The last part of the ceremony would be the toughest, he said. It was time for Ussay to give her sacrifice and everyone literally moved to the edge of their seats. Nestor held his son in full view of those watching. Luka gently took Ussay’s hand in his, instructed her to fold all but her middle finger into her palm, then slid the metal tube over
