Broken

“I have something I need to tell you,” he said.

“Is it good news or bad?”

“A little of both.”

Kira sighed. “Be gentle, I’m enjoying the day too much to have it ruined.”

When he didn’t respond, she took her hand back and slid down to sit next to him so she could see his face. “I’m not gonna like this, am I?”

He shook his head. “But you need to know.”

She took a deep breath and tried to prepare herself for the news. “Tell me.”

“Luka spoke to several of the Royals at the ceremony today. He was able to gain more information about our little problem.”

“You mean the prince I killed?”

He smiled. “I was trying not to upset you by putting it so blunt, but yes. He said the prince was from Kazedon. His name was Eros, the only son and heir of King Tyrious.”

“Shandira’s prince,” she mumbled.

“What?”

“I thought I told you.” So much had happened since that day in the barn, she couldn’t remember what she told him and what she hadn’t.

“Told me what?”

“Shandira said the reason she wanted Lydia dead was because Bastian had introduced her to a prince and they were to be married, but only if her gifts were unique. It was the only way his father would allow it. She said he was a. . collector, I think is how she put it. That’s why she was so mad at me.”

Octavion pinched the bridge of his nose. “Oh, Kira. Why did you not tell me before? It all makes sense now. Shandira has been doing his dirty work.”

“I thought I did. I’m sorry.”

“No wonder he is so angry. He not only lost his only heir, but the possibility of a grandchild with unique gifts. And with Shandira stuck in your world, Draego had taken over where she left off.”

The hair stood up on the back of her neck as he spoke. “So that’s why he wants me dead.”

“Yes.”

“Well that’s just great. So now what? I spend the rest of my life looking over my shoulder? I refuse to live like that.” She looked down to discover the daisy completely mutilated in her lap. She brushed it away and stood.

Octavion jumped to his feet and took her by the arm. “It does not have to be that way, Kira. My father has already sent word to King Tyrious and he has agreed to meet us. Luka and I leave in the morning.”

Kira pulled away from him and stepped back. “No. You can’t go, Octavion. You promised you’d never leave me again. They will kill you instead.”

“Calm down. If a king agrees to meet in peace, there is little danger. He will honor his word.” He stepped closer and drew her near. “He has always been a fair man. He is not thinking clearly because he grieves the loss of his son.”

“So what’s the good news?”

Octavion cringed. “That is the good news. The bad news is I will be away for most of the day and I will miss you terribly.”

Kira caught something moving out of the corner of her eye. At first it startled her, especially after their conversation about the Royals and her life being in danger, but when she turned to see what it could be, the impending doom gave way to joy. On the other side of the stream was the mama tiger she’d met in the woods, her two cubs scampering behind her. They’d entered the meadow through the trees and were romping around in the sunlight.

Kira jutted out her bottom lip and put on the most pitiful pleading face she could manage. Octavion took one look at her pathetic attempt to gain his permission and caved.

“Go ahead,” he said. “But keep your appendages out of their mouths please.”

She kicked off her shoes and hopped up on the log.

“And watch their claws,” he added as she gained her balance and made her way across the stream.

Once on the other side, she looked back to see Octavion lying back on the grass, his elbows propping him up. He held a long stalk of grass between his teeth and sported a content smile.

“You’re not joining me?” she asked.

“I would rather watch from a distance.”

“Chicken.” He was obviously afraid the mama would reject him like before and his ego couldn’t take it.

He smiled and motioned behind her. “Might want to turn around. You are about to be attacked.”

Kira spun around to see both cubs running right for her. One was surefooted, while the other stumbled with every other step. Kira recognized her instantly, the same clumsy cub that tripped over her paws before. Kira dropped to her knees and let them attack. Although they were larger than the first time she’d seen them, they were still small enough for her not to feel threatened. She was amazed at how they seemed to trust her.

Kira gave them both rub-downs, one behind the ears and the clumsy one on her belly. She’d rolled over the second she came near Kira, begging for attention. When they’d had enough of her, they caught sight of a butterfly- looking creature and chased after it.

The mama circled around and gracefully lowered herself to the ground a few feet away. She basked in the afternoon sun-her light blue eyes sparkling in its rays. Kira patted her leg, trying to coax her closer.

“Kira,” Octavion warned from across the stream.

“I’ll be fine.”

The tiger rose to her feet and came closer. Octavion straightened.

“She’s okay. Let her come over,” Kira said.

She watched the mama cat inch closer. When she was within arms reach, Kira slowly put out her hand so the tiger could get her scent, but instead of smelling it, the cat lowered her head and rubbed against Kira’s hand, a rumbling purr emanating from her chest.

Octavion’s shoulders relax.

The big cat lowered herself to the ground. Kira wanted to cuddle up next to her like she had with Toran, but knew she was wild, so kept some distance between them. She gently rubbed behind the white tiger’s ears. In her mind, it was Toran she touched. She missed his gentle spirit. She would have given her life that day to see him running free in this meadow. At least knowing he no longer suffered at the hands of those monsters brought her some comfort.

“Have you picked one out yet?” Octavion asked from across the water, taking her away from her memories.

Mama seemed irritated at the interruption. She lazily got to her feet and walked toward her cubs.

Kira turned to Octavion with a disgusted look on her face. “You did that on purpose.”

He chuckled. “I merely asked if you had a favorite. I thought you might want to start training one to be a companion.”

“You mean a pet?” Having Toran around was a treat, but she felt certain taming a wild tiger wasn’t exactly like having a house cat, no matter how much they trusted her.

He shook his head. “We do not believe it is kind to keep any animal as a pet. We do, however, let them live with us occasionally. If they choose to leave or stay, that is up to them.”

She thought about that for a moment while watching the cubs play. She could definitely imagine her life with one of them by her side. As if on cue, they turned to face her. At first, they both plodded across the meadow toward Kira, but then one stopped and sat down on his haunches. He patiently watched as the clumsy little female crossed the distance between them, stumbling twice before reaching her lap. As before, she rolled over and let Kira rub her tummy.

Kira turned to find Octavion leaning back again. “I guess she chose me,” she said.

“It would seem so.”

Kira jumped. Octavion’s sudden appearance behind her startled her and scared the cub. The little creature’s entire body tensed as she sprang into the air, puffed up like a cotton ball and hissed. She backed away slowly, but not before bearing her tiny teeth and sending Octavion a warning in what could only be described as a ferocious