They stood face to face, neither one willing to give in to the other. Octavion pushed the air out of his lungs and stepped back. “You may track them, but first kill is mine.”
Luka put his hand on Octavion’s shoulder. “Agreed.”
The wait was agonizing. Night fell over the kingdom long before Gregor and Mara came out of Kira’s room. When Octavion saw the expressions on their faces, the heart he’d tried so desperately to hold together shattered into a million pieces.
“Perhaps we should sit,” Gregor said.
“I want to see her,” Octavion insisted.
Mara put her hand on her back for support and waddled over to stand between Luka and Octavion. “We need to talk first, dear. There are some things you need to know.”
Luka took his mother by the arm and appeared an instant later at the base of the stairs. They walked through the doorway to the grand hall. Gregor preferred to walk, so Octavion followed him to where the others waited and took a seat.
Gregor spoke first. “I believe she is through the worst of it. I have given her one of your mixtures for the pain. It should also help her rest.”
“And her ability to have children?” Octavion cringed as the words left his mouth.
Mara sat in a chair next to him. She touched his hand with a mother’s tenderness. “I can sense everything within a woman’s womb, but only darkness rests in hers. I also sense her body is slightly different than ours, so. . time will tell. I am sorry I cannot tell you more.”
Octavion turned to face her. “Then you do not know for sure?”
Mara looked at Gregor who shook his head. “I wish I could tell you different, son. With the pain she has endured, I believe there to be damage.”
Octavion looked away to hide the tears welling in his eyes. “But you are not certain.”
Mara’s gentle squeeze of Octavion’s hand brought his emotions to the surface. “You should never give up hope, dear. She is from another world. Her resistance may be stronger.”
“Does she know. . everything?”
“Yes,” Mara took her hand back and placed it on top of her round belly. “It was difficult to console her. . in my current condition. I do not believe she is well with it, which is why we wanted to speak with you.”
Octavion glanced at Gregor and then back to Mara. They both avoided his eyes. “What are you saying?”
Gregor cleared his throat. “It is not the physical recovery we are concerned about. It is her will to live. She has asked to be left alone and has refused to take nourishment-even water.”
Mara continued. “Ussay tried to take her hair out of the braid and Kira pushed her away. She turned her back to us and curled into a ball. Even her tears have stopped. She simply stares at nothing as if in a trance-not responding to any of us.” Mara put her hand on Octavion’s. “I believe she fears your heartache.”
“She thinks I will want someone else, that I will no longer love her.”
“That may be the reason she asked not to see you,” Mara said.
“Is that everything?” Octavion asked.
“I have said my piece,” Gregor said. “I would like to stay in the castle tonight in case I am needed.” He stood and stepped to the arched doorway, then paused. “I expect you both to return without injuries.” Then he left the room.
Mara let out a long drawn-out sigh. “I take it by your attire you two are leaving?”
“Yes.” Luka got up from the chair and knelt near his mother. “We will be careful. I do not want you to worry.”
She put her hand on the side of his face. “I am your mother. I will always worry.”
As Octavion listened to their exchange, his mind filled with regret. It was the loving exchange of a mother and son, something he’d never experienced in his lifetime and something Kira may never know. The reality of it struck his heart and he had to excuse himself from the room. He traveled to his chambers where he lost complete control of his emotions. He knew something of what Kira felt. The emptiness within her would never be filled no matter how much those who loved her tried.
His father remarried and gave Octavion a substitute mother that loved him as her own, but his heart still held empty space. It wouldn’t matter how comforting his words, Kira also had a place that would remain void and cause her pain for the rest of her life.
Octavion, Luka’s thoughts interrupted. Have you reconsidered?
No, I must see Kira and then we will leave. Octavion wiped tears from his face and tried to compose himself. This would not be easy. He would have to choose his words carefully and not say anything that would leave her twisting his words to feed her sadness.
As he entered the room, he saw her lying in the middle of the bed with her knees pulled up, hugging a pillow. Her back was to Ussay who sat on the edge of the bed, fresh tears in her eyes. At least she’d managed to change her clothes and clean up a little.
He motioned for her to come to him. As she slowly stood and approached him, he noticed a large bruise beginning to darken on her neck. His revenge would be for her as well.
Kira moaned. “Please leave,” she whispered.
Ussay shook her head. “She will not let me help her.”
Octavion brushed a strand of hair back from Ussay’s face and kissed her cheek. “You have done all you can. Let me have a moment with her.”
Ussay nodded.
He watched as she left the room and pulled the door shut. The room felt eerily quiet. The knot that had formed in his throat hours before threatened to strangle his words, but he pressed forward. When he neared the bed, his stomach tightened and he wanted to run. What could he possibly say to ease her pain? He closed his eyes and took in a deep breath.
“Please. Leave,” she whispered again. Her monotone voice was cold and lacked emotion.
He sat on the bed. “Why are you pushing me away?” When she didn’t answer he put his arm on her shoulder, but she shrugged out from under it and scooted further away.
“Kira, please turn over. I want to see you.”
“I. . can’t.”
“Then I will come around to the other side of the bed.”
She reached behind her and grabbed his arm. “No,” she said. “Just leave me alone. I can’t. . look at you.” She released him, pulled the pillow closer and began to cry. “Go. . away.”
“Kira, I’m not leaving until I see you. I have to know you are all right.” He put his hand back on her shoulder and this time she didn’t move away. “Please.”
“I will never be. . all right. I. . want. . to go home.”
Her words cut deep. He didn’t want to lose her, but if taking her home meant she’d be safe, he’d do it. It wasn’t like he’d be around to protect her after Ramla came for him anyway. What kind of a life could she have here alone?
“You are too fragile to travel right now. As soon as I am sure it is safe in your world, I will take you wherever you want.” He ran his hand down her trembling arm and found her hand buried in the pillow. “I will not be gone long.”
As her hand brushed against the leather cuff on his wrist, she turned quickly toward him and grabbed a handful of his vest in her fingers. “Why are you wearing this? You’re dressed to fight.” She shook her head. “You are not going back there. I won’t let you.”
“Kira, calm down, I will be fine.”
“No!” she screamed. “They will kill you! You don’t know what they’re capable of. They have no mercy.”
“Kira, you will hurt yourself, please.”
“I won’t let you go.” Her fingers fumbled with the front of his vest, trying to remove it. Without success, she moved on to the leather cuffs at his wrists and then to the swords strapped to his back. He couldn’t get her to stop flailing her arms at him so he grabbed her and pulled her close.
“Shh, you need to stop this.”
“Promise me. . promise you won’t go,” she managed between sobs. “I can’t lose you, too.”