screech. Her mama, on the other hand, roared her disapproval.
“Sorry, mama,” Kira said. “He really has no manners.” She turned and slapped Octavion on the arm. “You’re mean.”
He laughed. “Have you thought of a name? Perhaps
Kira glared at him, but he was right. The reason she liked her so much was for that very reason. “No, I don’t want to give her a complex.” She thought for a moment about what to call her then remembered the sign above Kueelok’s door. “Is there a word in your ancient language that means clumsy?”
He thought for a moment. “It does not translate quite right, but Mahli means
“Mahli. . I like it.”
“Mahli, it is then,” he said. “We will have to visit her often so she can imprint with you. Do you think you are up to that?”
“Absolutely.”
He helped her stand, but she’d had her feet curled up under her and they’d fallen asleep. When she tried putting all her weight on them she stumbled into his arms. He smirked then turned to look at Mahli, who stumbled again, trying to catch up with her brother.
“Don’t say it,” she begged.
“Shall I carry you back?” he teased.
“No.” She pushed him away, picked up her skirt and started for the log. She glanced behind her to find Octavion with his arms folded as if waiting for her feet to fail her again.
“You will fall,” he said.
“Wanna bet?” She jumped up on the log, but half way across, her right foot sprang to life, sending a million tiny pins and needles into the bottom of her sole. It was like stepping on a porcupine. She jerked, sending her scrambling for balance-and right into the water.
She came up gasping for air and soaking wet. Octavion still stood on the bank of the stream, trying hard not to bust out laughing.
“Why didn’t you catch me?” she yelled. She knew all too well he could have caught her in midair and landed on the other side without even touching the water.
He chuckled. “Are you all right?” He stepped closer to give her a hand, but she refused. Instead, she skimmed the surface of the water with her cupped hand and splashed him.
“You made me ruin my new dress.” She grabbed her soaked skirt and marched up onto the opposite bank. If it weren’t for the added weight of the soggy fabric, she would have kept right on walking, instead she sloshed onto the grass and began wringing it out.
Octavion crossed the log with the grace of a cat. He jumped down, scooped her up into his arms, and took her to his hunting cottage. The trip was a little more violent than usual, causing a head rush. When he kicked in the door and set her on her feet, she felt nauseous. She stepped over to the hearth and sat down.
“Whew! I feel like I just got off a roller coaster.”
Octavion sat next to her and put his arm around her waist. “Are you all right?”
She nodded. “Why did it feel so different this time?”
“I am sorry. I should have been more careful.” Octavion stood and started preparing the fire. “You need to get out of those wet clothes.”
“What?”
He paused long enough to make his point. “Take off your clothes. It will be dark soon and you will catch a chill.”
Kira looked around the room in horror. There was no private place for her to undress. No matter how creative she was she’d be completely exposed. “Um. . maybe you should take me back to the castle.”
He struck the flint with his knife, igniting the kindling with the first spark. “They are still celebrating. Are you sure?”
Wouldn’t that be great if she walked in looking like a drowned rat? “No, but couldn’t you take me directly to my room?”
“I want to spend more time with you without interruption. Being alone in your room isn’t proper.”
“And here is?”
He chuckled. “No, but no one can see us here.”
“What about Cade and Ussay? We can’t leave them out there alone.”
He turned to sit next to her again. “Ussay’s finger started bleeding. Cade had to take her home. I had him send one of the servants for our horses.”
“Why didn’t you tell me?”
He smiled. “I was having too much fun watching you play with. . Mahli.”
“Ugh. Well, if you think I’m undressing in front of you, you’re crazy. And what am I supposed to put on while my clothes dry?”
He pulled his shirt up over his head. “You can wear my shirt. It will be long enough to cover your. . umm-” He chuckled. “It is a bit damp in the front from bringing you here, but if you leave it in front of the fire until you get your dress off, it should be dry.”
Kira barely heard his words. She was too busy staring at the scabbed over claw marks on his chest and shoulder. She gently touched one with her finger then looked into his calm blue eyes. “You would tell me if she was here, wouldn’t you?”
He took her wounded hand and without taking his eyes off hers, began unraveling the wet bandages from around her broken finger. “You are safe here, Kira. If I felt you were in danger I would not leave tomorrow.”
His words only confused her. “So I’m not in danger from the Royals hunting me, either?”
He shook his head and smiled. “King Tyrious called off his men until after our meeting. It would be bad for his reputation if something happened to you before we were able to plead for your life.”
“Oh, well. . we wouldn’t want his reputation tarnished,” she teased. But inside she was shaking. Actually, she shook on the outside, too. Despite the roaring fire, she felt chilled to the bone.
He spread the bandage along the front of the hearth to dry, kissed her cheek and stood. “I will be outside if you need me.” Then he disappeared.
Kira quickly stripped down to her skin and put on his shirt. The hem reached about mid thigh, which actually covered more than her shorts did back home. She had to admit it felt strange having her legs exposed. She would have never thought she’d like, or even get used to, the long dresses. She actually enjoyed living in a fairytale world-except for the danger, the lack of a hot water at her fingertips, and a few other minute conveniences of her world. Like a shower and toilet.
She grabbed the chair from the desk and put it near the fire, then draped her dress over the back to dry. She took the combs out of her hair and put them on the mantle and began twisting her hair in her hands to wring out the excess water. When she yelled for Octavion to come back in, his expression when he came through the door made her laugh. He spun around on his heals and faced the door.
“The shirt was your idea. Deal with it,” she teased.
He carefully made his way to the overstuffed chair, keeping his back to her the whole time. “It is not the shirt, Kira. The light of the fire is behind you. Your silhouette leaves very little to the imagination.”
“Oh.” She quickly sat on the hearth and wrapped his shirt tightly around her, covering herself the best she could with her arms.
Octavion propped his feet on the rickety ottoman and leaned his head against the back of the chair, closing his eyes. “Do not mind me.”
“Do you at least have a comb or brush I can use? My hair is totally tangled.”
Without offering to lend her a hand, he motioned above his head to a small wooden box. “That belonged to my mother. You might find something in there.”
“Well, could you hand it to me?”
“I would have to open my eyes.” He smirked.
“Ugh! You’re a lot of help.” She inched her way around the ottoman and slipped to the side of his chair to reach for the box. She was fully aware of what happened to the length of his shirt as she reached above her head
