said.
Octavion took her hand and guided her to the bench where she sat. “I am going for a short walk. The fresh air will do me good. I will not be long.”
“Perhaps that is wise. . considering.”
Octavion looked at the closed door, wishing he could be there to hold Kira. He could almost feel a part of his heart break at the thought. Would he have the chance to hold her before King Ramla summoned him? And more, how could he survive without ever holding her again?
Octavion returned to find the door to Kira's room wide open, sunlight splashing across the hall. At first, he thought he'd taken a wrong turn-gone down the wrong hall-but then he heard Ussay humming. Eager to see Kira, he rushed into the room, but stopped when light from the window caught him in the face, momentarily blinding him. He put his hand up to block the rays.
Tears burned the back of Octavion’s eyes as Kira’s resting form came into view. She wore a long white gown, her hair brushed and sculpted into an intricate braid and her peaceful face had regained its healthy glow. His pulse jumped in his throat at the sight of her beauty.
Ussay sat near the fireplace, stuffing something into her bag. “Rowin said we can take her home now, there is nothing more they can do for her.”
Octavion stepped to Kira's side and brushed her warm cheek with his fingers. “Is she warm because of the stones?”
Ussay stood and joined him on the other side of the raised bed. “No, he said he was only instructed to remove the poison, the rest is up to us.”
“You mean she could still die?” Octavion asked with more than a little edge to his voice.
“That is what I asked. He said something about her being bound to another soul and perhaps magic was not the answer. He asked about her bracelet.”
“What did you tell him?”
Ussay shifted her weight to one foot. “Nothing. Then he said if we saw to her needs, dug the infection out of her back and used the proper medicines, she would recover. I do not like him very much.”
“Nor do I.” Octavion gathered the gown around Kira's knees and lifted her into his arms. He turned to Ussay. “Are you ready?”
“More than ready.” She wrapped her arms around his waist. “Take us home, please.”
Once they got Kira settled into her bed, she started thrashing about, mumbling something about Toran. Tears streamed down her cheeks as if reliving her days in captivity. He’d made the mistake of thinking once they'd returned to Xantara her suffering would be over-that she would magically wake up and everything would be all right. He was sadly mistaken. It seemed it had just begun. “Ussay, help me roll her over to her side. I need to have a look at her back.”
Ussay hiked up her long dress and climbed onto the bed. She gently took Kira’s arm and pulled toward her as Octavion lifted. Kira resisted. She flailed her arms, hitting Ussay on the thigh. They let her slip back onto the bed.
“She is strong,” Ussay said.
“You have no idea.”
“Octavion,” Kira mumbled.
Octavion leaned closer and kissed her cheek. “I am here.”
“Hold me.” She wasn’t awake, but possibly remembering a time when he’d held her before. His arms ached to hold her again.
“Ussay, latch the door.” He kicked off his boots and went around to the other side of the bed. When Ussay turned to come back from locking the door, she paused and drew in a short swift breath.
“Octavion. It is not proper,” she said.
“You will say nothing of this. Do you understand?”
“Yes, of course.” She lowered her eyes.
“Now help me with her.” He pulled back the covers and slid in beside Kira. As he leaned his back against the tapestry headboard, he rolled her over and pulled her in against his chest. She reacted by snuggling close and wrapping an arm around him.
“What shall I do?” Ussay asked.
“Can you clean the wounds by yourself?”
“Yes, but. . her gown fastens in the front. I cannot get to it.”
He reached under the covers and withdrew his knife. “Then cut it off.” He flipped it in his hand so he held the blade and presented her with the handle.
“But. . she will be
“Ussay. I've already seen far more than will be exposed if you cut the back of her gown away. Slit the fabric to reveal her wounds. There is no need to remove the entire gown.”
“As you wish, Sire.” She hesitantly took the knife.
“Would you please stop doing that? You have been my friend your whole life. While we are alone, you do not need to be so formal.”
“I do not want to anger you. . like before.”
“I am sorry for my temper, but do you not see what lies before you. I was concerned for her safety and to be told to forget about her and let her die was inconsiderate on your part. Perhaps a little understanding is in order.”
“I am sorry as well.” She carefully cut a slit in the gown near the neckline, put the knife down and tore the fabric, exposing Kira’s back down to her waist.
Octavion cringed at the sight of swollen welts and open wounds. Even though they’d cleansed and medicated them before and most were scabbed over and healing, two of the deeper gashes were red and swollen, oozing yellow puss. Cleaning them would be painful. He looked at Ussay. “Are you sure you can do this?”
“Yes.” She went to the bureau and retrieved a piece of rolled leather tied with a thin strip of black cord. She laid it on the bed, pulled the cord and unrolled it. Inside were several small divided sections, each holding a metal instrument. She chose one with a dull edge. “I do not want to cut her. This should work to remove the infection. Do you have a tight hold?”
“Yes, but before you begin, hold it in the flame of that candle.” He’d learned about bacteria in Kira’s world.
“You want me to
“No, but the heat from the flame will sterilize it. Trust me. I will explain later.”
She followed his instructions and carefully removed the puss from the infected areas. She was meticulous about her work. With each scrape of the tool, Kira tensed. Her painful sighs soon gave way to pleas for Zerek to stop torturing her. When she cried out for Toran and began sobbing, Octavion told Ussay to stop. She’d had enough. The majority of the infection had been removed-the gods willing, the salve would do the rest.
“I am sorry it caused her so much pain,” Ussay said.
“You were very gentle. You should be a physician.”
She blushed. “You know it is not allowed. But I do enjoy assisting Gregor.” She cleaned the small tool and put it back in the pouch.
“Ussay, may I ask a great favor?”
She paused and looked at him. “Of course.”
“I know you have already devoted a great deal of your time seeing to Kira's needs, but I would like to make the position permanent. I need someone I can trust. Would you consider it?” Kira’s shivering body began to stir again. He pulled the covers up around her shoulders, gently brushed her hair from her face and pressed his lips against her warm forehead. She responded by curling one side of her mouth into a smile.
“I would be eternally grateful,” he added.
“I have been tending to my mother’s needs when I am not working with the children in the castle. . but perhaps my aunt could take on the task. May I see to that before I commit?”
“Of course. It will be dark soon-go now and make the preparations. I will sit with Kira until you return.”
