“Who lives here?” she asked.
“It is mine. I used to come here as a young boy. I spent more time here than in my chambers. It suited me better than the castle. When I grew older and began to hunt, I came here when the moons were new.”
“Who started the fire?”
“I did. I opened the portal here so I could wash up and change before I came for you.” He released her and took her hand. “Come. I want you to see the inside.”
“Is this where you went the other night?”
“Yes.” He walked her to the door, turned the latch and led her inside. “It is a mess. I have not had time to clean.”
The glow from the fire made the room warm and inviting. She’d spent so much time in his chambers at the castle that she hadn’t given much thought to the fact that it held no personal effects except for a few books and clothes. Now she knew why. This place screamed Octavion. The rich woodsy aroma of musk and leather filled her senses as he coaxed her further into the room.
“Do you like it?” he said as he closed the door behind them, the rusted hinges groaning and squeaking from lack of use.
“I never want to leave. It’s. . home.” The bed shoved against the wall in the far corner had posts and rails made of tree branches-their bark removed and rubbed smooth. The thick and lumpy mattress was covered with several worn blankets while the pillow cases appeared to have once been fine linen, but were also worn with tattered edges.
Bookshelves lined the opposite corner of the room, filled with old books, glass bottles and metal vials intermingled with wooden boxes, stacks of papers and a glass jar holding paint brushes. In front of the shelves sat an overstuffed chair that had seen better days and a small wooden bench used as a foot stool. She could visualize Octavion sitting there reading or enjoying the warmth of the fire.
To her left, the cobblestone fireplace stretched to the ceiling adorned with a large hand carved mantle that ran the entire width. A simple hearth raised up from the floor just enough to provide more seating, especially on cold nights. The pelt of a black bear-like creature covered the floor beneath it.
“Kira, are you all right? You are so quiet.” She hadn’t notice he sat on the edge of the bed. He patted the mattress beside him, releasing a small poof of dust. “Care to sit with me?”
“Sure.” But instead of sitting on the edge like he had, she hiked up her dress and climbed into the middle of the bed to sit cross legged. He smiled and turned to face her. The flicker of the fire made his eyes glow. Although they were the deepest blue, she could see hints of gold hiding inside. He studied her eyes as well and she wondered if their darkness bothered him. His silence made her uncomfortable, so she looked down at her hands.
“I had a dream last night,” he finally said.
Kira nodded. “Luka told me.”
He sighed. “Then you know how terrified I was that I had lost you.” He put his finger under her chin and gently raised her face so their eyes met again. “I am glad it was only a dream.”
“I never would have jumped,” she lied.
A deep crease formed between his eyes. “I did not tell Luka how I saw you die, only that you took your own life.”
Kira cringed. “I. .” Nothing came. She didn’t want to think about how close she came to not only taking her life, but Altaria’s and Cade’s as well.
“Kira. What did you do?”
“Don’t be mad. I didn’t go out there to kill myself. I just needed to feel something. I felt so numb about what had happened to me and heartbroken about Lydia. . and Altaria. I thought you were never coming back. And then Cade showed up and Arela saw me. I tried to get down off the rock, but my foot slipped. I didn’t. . jump, I. . slipped.” She pushed away the burning in her eyes. She was sick of crying. “Cade went in after me. He got hurt, and it’s all my fault.”
Octavion pulled her into his arms and held her there for a moment. His chest heaved and his breathing deepened. “Kira,” he said, his voice deep and throaty. She wondered what she’d said to make him transform, but when he pushed her back and looked into her eyes, they weren’t yellow, but wet. He took her face in his hands. “Never again, do you understand me? My life would end as well.” He shook his head. “You must never think your life. . is worth nothing.”
“I didn’t jump.” She pulled his hands away from her face. She couldn’t tell him the real reason she wanted to take her life-to rejoin Altaria and Lydia’s spirits. “Cade was there-ask him. He’ll tell you I slipped.”
He straightened. “Cade saw the whole thing?”
“Yes. Arela saw me go out there and called him.”
He took his hands back and stood. “Then I shall have him show me.”
“Show?”
He stepped to the fireplace and stirred the coals with a section of rod iron he’d retrieved from a hook at the end of the mantle. “We all have gifts. Cade can send his thoughts, but he is also able to send images of things he’s seen. Like when you shared your memories with Lydia.”
Her stomach swelled into her throat. She had to swallow to keep from getting sick. “You mean you’ll see me. . when I fell?”
He slowly turned to face her. “Yes.”
“Octavion, you don’t have to do. .”
He put his hand up to cut her off. “I need to see it.” He closed his eyes, his face wrinkled in concentration. A few moments passed before his expression changed and she knew he was there, seeing her step closer to the edge of the cliff. She could almost tell what part of the night he watched by his body language and the way his brow furrowed. She knew the exact moment she slipped off the rock-he sucked in a quick breath, then stopped breathing altogether. A few seconds passed and his eyes opened. He looked at her, but said nothing else until he’d returned to her side.
“Cade. . is fine,” he managed. Then he took in a deep breath and turned to face her. Rage flicked around the edges of his eyes. “You lied to me, Kira. You said you did not go out there to take your life. And how long have you been sharing thoughts with Altaria?”
“What? I’m not. I mean. . I didn’t go out there to kill myself. I just wanted to feel the rain on my face, to feel something-anything. I was so numb I couldn’t even cry. But then. . I thought about Lydia.” Her tears flowed freely now, despite her efforts to hold them back. How could she explain this? The very thought of his sister’s spirits spending eternity apart would crush him. And how would he treat Kira if he knew? Even kissing her would be different knowing Altaria saw and heard everything Kira did. But then she’d promised not to keep anything from him. No secrets between them. “Um. . I can’t hear Altaria’s thoughts. But. . I speak to her all the time and. . I can feel her.”
Confusion washed over Octavion’s face. “What do you mean by feel her?”
Kira scooted to the edge of the bed and stood. It was pretty obvious what Altaria wanted. The ache in Kira’s chest was so severe, she could hardly breathe. She wanted out. “Stop it,” she whispered, pressing against the pain.
“Kira, you need to tell me what is going on. Are you hearing Altaria’s thoughts? And why are you grabbing at your chest? Is it your heart again, like when you healed?”
“No, it’s not my heart.” She walked to the little window and tried to peek outside through the ivy that covered it. She turned to face him. “I should have told you, but I promised Lydia I’d keep it a secret, and then when I found out she died, I thought about how upset you would be and. .”
Octavion jumped to his feet, crossed the room and took Kira by the shoulders. “Tell me what?”
“It’s Altaria. She’s not dead. I know it sounds crazy, but it’s true.” She paused for a moment to gather her thoughts.
Octavion dropped his hands to his side. “Kira, there are things. .” He groaned. “You need to tell me everything-from the beginning.”