He buried his face in her hair and took in the scent of her. How could she ask this of him? How could he not go? He relaxed his hold on her and gently took her face in his hands. Her dark eyes were filled with so much pain and fear that it nearly broke him in two.
“Promise me,” she whispered.
“What kind of a man would I be if I did not avenge you?” It was as if the words he spoke released V’Larian into the air and she took it into her lungs. He watched as every muscle in her body surrendered to the imaginary drug, the emotion drained from her face and she retreated back into her shell. She looked away, curled back into her ball and drew the covers up around her.
“Then leave.”
He tried to swallow the lump in his throat. “Not before I say my piece.” If these were the last words she’d ever hear flow from his lips, he wanted them to make a difference. He turned his back to her and tried to say what was in his heart.
“I knew you long before I ever stepped foot into your world. I dreamed of a girl with emerald eyes and auburn hair, but I thought her an illusion. I had never seen such beauty.” He looked around the room as memories of his sister flooded his mind. “When you befriended Lydia, I knew you were the one, but fought my feelings. I refused to bring you into a world such as ours-involve you in our flight from danger.
“My feelings for you quickly turned to frustration and then to anger. If I could not have you, then I would feel nothing. I would block my emotions like I blocked Shandira’s thoughts, letting no one, and nothing, in.” He turned back and brushed his fingers through her hair. “You interrupted my life, Kira. You stirred the fire I had suppressed for so long and now there is no way to put it out.”
She slowly turned toward him and looked into his eyes, hers brimming with tears.
“I love you,” he said. “Nothing can change that, not even this.”
Her bottom lip quivered. “But I can’t give you an heir.”
He smiled. “There will be plenty of children in the castle to spoil. I am not so vain to think I can only love a child that comes from my seed. And as for an heir. . I have cousins who would be more than happy to fill that void.” He drew her back into his arms and held her until she stopped shaking. When he was sure she understood how he felt, he continued. He sat back so he could see her tear stained face.
“There’s more,” he said. Luka, could you please come to Kira’s room?
Kira tensed and then looked around the room. “Did you call Luka?”
“Yes.”
When Luka appeared at Octavion’s side, Kira took one look at the way he was dressed and began to protest again.
“You can’t both go. Who will protect the castle? What if. .?” She turned her focus to Luka. “You have to tell him.”
“Tell me what?” Octavion asked.
“Octavion, I’m so sorry,” Kira said. “I should have told you, I know that now. I didn’t want you to worry.”
“Kira, tell me what?”
This time Luka answered. “The Royals that attacked her were the same ones outside Ussay’s cottage. They have her scent and were hunting her.”
“And you knew this? How could you keep this from me, Luka? I thought they were rogue hunters who smelled her blood, that they were long gone. I never would have let her go to the cemetery alone.”
“If you remember correctly, you were unable to be near her at the time.”
He looked into Kira’s eyes. The darkness of them made it more difficult to read, but he still sensed she kept something from him. “What else?”
“Tell him the rest,” she said to Luka. “I won’t have any more secrets between us.”
Octavion glared at Luka.
“The man Kira killed in the canyon-the one that attacked Cade-it seems he was a prince.”
“What?” Octavion felt the muscles in his back swell and his eyes burn. If what he said was true, they were in trouble. “Which kingdom?”
“I’m not sure,” Luka said. “I have enquired, but as of this morning, heard nothing.”
“Shandira’s prince,” Kira whispered. “It’s why she’s so mad at me and why. . she did this.” She pointed to her bandaged arm.
The rage he felt for his older sister and the Darkords suddenly channeled in a different direction. How could he leave her alone now? He stood and walked to the window. The twin crescent moons reflected enough light on the lake that white caps could be seen cresting the waves. It would storm tonight.
“Luka, you will have to stay.”
“We have already discussed this cousin. I am going with or without you. This is my doing and I will. .”
“Luka!” Octavion roared. He turned and stepped closer to his cousin. He felt his inner beast rising to the surface. “Perhaps you did not understand my order. I am prince. You will stay and protect Kira. Do you understand?”
Luka straightened and slammed his fist onto his chest. “As you wish, Prince Octavion.” His sarcasm only made Octavion angrier.
“Leave us,” Octavion ordered.
Luka glared at him one last time and disappeared.
Kira had taken her position under the covers again-her knees drawn up-only this time she faced him. “You’re still going?” She’d gone back into her shell. Her frail voice barely audible.
Octavion’s heart sank. “Kira, please do not deny me this. I will only be gone a day or two, no more.”
She didn’t respond, just closed her eyes and pulled the covers closer to her.
“I have waited so long to vent this rage I fear I may take it out on someone else. You of all people know what I am capable of. Who do you suggest I hurt next? Arela?”
When she said nothing, he walked to the door, but stopped short of opening it. “I love you.” His heart beat rapidly in his chest, threatening to break through. He wanted to turn back and hold her like he always had, but he knew the beast inside him needed to be released and he couldn’t do it here. He reached for the door and pulled it open.
“Octavion?” she whispered.
He swallowed hard. “Yes, my love.”
A long moment of silence passed between them.
“I don’t want to go home. Please come back. . safe.”
Octavion’s heart clenched. “They will never hurt you again. You have my word.” Then he left the room.
When he got to the bottom of the stairs, Luka waited. He leaned against the railing with his arms folded, a smirk on his face.
“Did giving me an order make you feel better?” Luka asked.
Octavion snarled at him. “You are not going.”
“There is a snag in your little plan, cousin. You forget I also answer to a higher authority. I told Mother what you said and she spoke to your father. The king. You remember him.” He pushed away from the railing and adjusted his weapons. “He said if it displeased you, he could make it a Royal decree. I am going.”
“And who did my father say would protect the castle and keep Kira safe?”
“I believe he said something about you being arrogant and then he mumbled something else about him protecting the castle for the past two years and perhaps he should tan your hide like when you were a child. Shall I go on?”
“Did he happen to mention the fact that you and your brother were here as well, or did he choose to leave that part out?” He and his father obviously didn’t agree when it came to Kira, especially on the matter of her safety. “And as long as we are discussing the safety of the woman I love.” He transformed instantly, grabbed Luka by the throat and pressed his back against the rail. “You ever keep something like that from me again and I will rip your heart out. Am I understood?”
An instant later, Luka had transformed as well. He ripped Octavion from the step and tossed him against the wooden door. Luka went at him with all his force and Octavion let him. Luka took him to the floor and pinned him there, but only long enough to express his opinion. “You dare talk about keeping secrets? Perhaps Kira should know everything.”