Octavion pushed him off and they were suddenly at each other’s throats, both giving and taking blows. “How dare you question my oath to my father?” Octavion roared. He picked Luka up and tossed him effortlessly. He slid across the floor, slamming his back against one of the wall.
Luka let out a cry, then came up fighting. “I gave no oath. If you do not tell her-I will.”
They were both hunched over, ready to attack-nostrils flared, upper lips exposing their feline teeth, claws at the ready-until Mara interrupted their thoughts.
Enough! she screamed into their heads. You have woken Arela. Have we not endured enough for one day?
Octavion turned away and tried to calm his rage and Luka did the same. Forgive me, Mara. Please tell Arela we are finished fighting. He took in a deep breath and let it clear his head. Mara was right. This wasn’t the time or the place. They had enemies waiting to receive their vengeance.
Please be careful. Send word when you can.
They would have to stay silent and she knew that. Shandira’s gift of slipping into other’s thought conversations was dangerous and they didn’t want her to know they were coming. You will know when it’s over, he reassured.
“Octavion,” Luka said. “It may help to know my father will return in a day or so. He will be able to protect Kira.”
“Then perhaps we should be on our way,” Octavion said.
Luka smiled and raised a brow. “Shall I be at your side then?”
“I would be honored.”
Chapter Twenty One
It had been nine days since Octavion and Luka stepped into Kira’s world and there had been no sign of their safety or return. Mara refused to let anyone try to reach them through their thoughts in fear of distracting them in battle. One moment of hesitation could cause them to be injured or killed. Kira’s fears and imagination produced images in her mind far too horrifying to leave any hope of them returning at all. She knew what Cael and Zerek were capable of, and with Shandira’s sadistic heart feeding their rage, there would be no mercy.
As the constant pain in Kira’s abdomen faded away, the burning sensation in her heart increased-as if infection had set into it. Day by day it grew until her entire chest felt as though it might burst. Sometimes she struggled to breathe against the weight of it.
Over the days and hours of waiting, Kira managed to push everyone away, even Ussay. Her kind-hearted attempts to cheer Kira up had been in vain. So deep in her own self-pity, even Arela stopped trying to see her. Kira spent all day sitting in front of the window watching the boats on the water come and go, wishing she could hitch a ride back to when things were safe, when Lydia and she were friends-even before Octavion stole her heart. If they’d never met then she wouldn’t have to think how her mistakes cost her friend’s life and destroyed the only man she ever loved. She wanted to wake up-she wanted this nightmare to end.
As night fell and the golden glow of the crescent moons sliced through the dark clouds, a bolt of lightning split the sky. The thunderous roar that followed rattled the windows and shook the seat beneath her. So deep into her thoughts, the power of it shook her to the core. She bolted upright, not sure if she’d been asleep or if her conscious mind had shut down momentarily.
The first few days had been a rollercoaster of emotions. The reality of her loss consumed her and without Octavion there to comfort her, her imagination had run wild. Her thoughts entertained everything from insanity to self-destruction and suicide-someplace she’d never let herself go before.
Now she just felt numb-an unemotional state of nothing that occupied her mind and body. She just wanted to feel again, she kept telling herself, but she couldn’t even cry.
A strong breeze coming off the lake tossed rain against the window. She watched as the tiny rivulets formed on the glass and ran down to puddle on the ledge. Another bolt of lightning illuminated the kingdom before her-this time its companion instantaneously shook the castle walls. Somewhere in her mind she heard a little voice call out to her mother. She’d heard similar voices in her dreams-nightmares of what would never be.
I really am going insane.
When the voice came again, she let her shawl fall to the floor and swung her feet over the edge of the bench and went in search of the source. Only the morning room separated her room from Arela’s. From the outside of the castle it appeared to be a small tower. The tiny round space between what used to be Lydia and Shandira’s sleeping chambers faced the garden and lake. Lined with tall windows, it gave a full view of the sunrise.
As she passed through her doorway, she heard voices coming from Arela’s room. She quietly opened the door a crack. The scene before her pierced through to her heart. Mara held Arela in her arms. Unnoticed by either mother or daughter, Kira closed the door and leaned her back against it. She could still hear Mara trying to comfort Arela, her voice tender and kind.
Kira wrapped her arms around herself and slid to the floor. As she listened, she fell deeper and deeper into the hole in her heart. When Mara started singing a lullaby Kira had reached her limit. She numbly rose to her feet and made her way out of her room. She had to escape. She had to feel something. She ran down the dark staircase and out the glass doors that led to the garden.
As soon as the cool air hit her she stopped, letting the rain moisten her face. In the protection of the trees, the fine mist barely reached her. She ventured farther and farther out into the open where she found herself on the other side of the garden. The cold wet grass felt good on her feet, but gave her a chill. She welcomed it. Craved it.
She heard the waves crash against the rocks at the base of the cliff-a pulsating rhythm that called to her. She slowly made her way closer and closer to the edge-her feet leaving the softness of the grass and venturing out onto the rocks. She climbed to the highest point as far out as she could reach and still keep her balance. Her feet planted firmly on the cold stone beneath her, she stood. The adrenaline rush gave her what she needed.
She stretched her arms out to her side, closed her eyes and leaned her head back, letting the sting of the rain hit her face and hands-she’d never felt so alive. She took in a deep breath and let the cold air burn her lungs. The force of the wind hit her head on and threatened to push her back away from the edge, but she leaned into it. If only she could fly.
Then, after days of nothing, she felt the warmth of Altaria return. The separation of spirits that caused Lydia’s death had haunted her for days. The thought of them never being together again and Altaria imprisoned in Kira’s body forever, only made her feelings of despair worse.
As Kira opened her eyes and saw the jagged rocks below her, she realized they could still be together-kindred spirits would find each other in death. It was the only way to bring them back together. A final gift she could give both her friends. The ultimate sacrifice-to give her life for Lydia and Altaria, who’d on several occasions, shown their willingness to do the same.
“Altaria,” she pleaded. “Please forgive me. It’s the only thing I can think to do-so you can be with Lydia.” She suddenly felt empty inside, as if Altaria had withdrawn her spirit-perhaps in preparation to rejoin Lydia. “I’m sorry.”
Kira took a step closer to the edge as another flash of lightning came. She braced herself for the jolt of thunder that would follow. When it came, she also felt a familiar spirit surround her. She sighed.
“Go away, Cade. You can’t be my hero this time.” She didn’t have to see him to know he was close by. She held her ground and didn’t move.
“Kira, step down from there, please. You do not have to do this.” She heard fear in his voice.