Authors: C.K. Bryant

Tags: #Teen Paranormal

Bound (44 page)

BOOK: Bound

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Octavion searched Kira’s pockets, finally
finding a small green vial. He knew the poison well—only one cure
could stop its assault on Kira’s body.
Luka! Go to Pride Meadow
and gather three Pyrulis Blooms. They grow along the river
bank—yellow with—

I know what they look like. I’m picking them
now.

Be sure they are in full bloom, no buds.

Done!

A groan came from the Royal lying across the
room and Octavion grabbed the hilt of his knife, but the man did
not move. Cradling Kira in his arms, he stepped to the doorway.
He’d only had three days to prepare himself for the effect Kira’s
blood would have on him with the stronger pull of his world’s two
moons. He wasn’t sure he was ready.

He took in as much air as his lungs would
hold and pushed through the swirling portal to the other side. The
onslaught of cravings struck him like a jolt of electricity as it
rippled through his muscles, bringing him to his knees. He arched
back, causing him to loosen his grip on Kira. She rolled out of his
arms and onto the wooden planks, the wrought iron railing barely
keeping her from tumbling over the edge. Octavion grabbed the
nearby rock wall with his hand, digging his claws into the
crumbling stone. Her scent was like a razor to the back of his
throat, bringing him to his maximum transformation.

A scuffle broke out behind him. The scene
through the portal showed the Royal exchanging blows with Nigel.
Octavion reached through the opening to snatch the journey stone,
just as Nigel grabbed his wrist. When Octavion yanked the stone
through the doorway, Nigel came with it, barely getting through as
it closed. They both slammed against the wall, knocking mortar
loose from between the crumbling stones.

Nigel glanced at Kira lying on the ground.
Let me take her
.

“You and your kind have done enough!”

My kind? And what of your kind? Look at you.
You will kill her. I should have brought her through myself.

Octavion wrapped his fingers around Nigel’s
neck. “I suggest you take your freedom and leave before I
reconsider our bargain.”

Nigel grabbed Octavion’s arm and pushed it
away.
You are a fool to bring her to our world. She will never
survive.

Octavion took a swing at Nigel’s face just as
he disappeared, driving his fist through the Darkord’s wake and
into the rock wall. His ferocious roar caused Kira to moan. He
swore under his breath and went to her side. As he slid one arm
behind her raw back, she came to life, kicking and screaming as if
he were the enemy. She grabbed the iron railing and began dragging
herself along the edge of the balcony.

Octavion carefully pried her fingers from the
cold, black iron, took her by the wrists and tried to calm her with
his voice. “Kira, you are safe.” It was all he could do not to hurt
her—he had little control over his strength at this stage of
transformation and could crush her fragile bones with no
effort.

“No,” she moaned. She continued to struggle,
grabbing at his face with her bloody hand. One of her fingers
grazed his bottom lip.

Instinctively, he licked it.

Every muscle in his body rippled with pain,
but he forced his nature away, trying to soothe her fears. His mind
drifted back to their first kiss. She’d called him something when
he growled at her, something her captors would not know. “Kira, it
is me . . .
Dimples
.”

Her arms relaxed and she stopped fighting
him. “Octavion?” she whispered. Tears sprang to her eyes as she
grabbed the front of his shirt and used what little strength she
had left to pull herself into his arms. Her body trembled against
his chest as he lifted her from the ground.

An instant later, he stood in his sleeping
chambers, several members of the castle staff anxiously awaiting
Kira’s arrival. They all froze in place when their eyes caught
sight of Octavion. Luka stood in the far corner, a piece of fabric
pressed against his nose and mouth. He pulled it away long enough
to bark a set of orders that sent the staff scurrying in every
direction.

Octavion lowered Kira to the crisp white
linens that covered the feather mattress, careful not to scratch
her with his claws when he withdrew his hands from under her tender
back. But Kira held tight to his shirt and wouldn’t let go.

“Don’t . . . leave me,” she whispered.

Her words gripped Octavion’s heart, but he
couldn’t answer. Not without taking in another breath. He peeled
off his shirt and let her take it in her arms.
Luka, the
flowers.

Luka appeared at his side, the flowers in his
fist.
You must leave, cousin—as should I.

Octavion took the flowers, laid two on the
bed beside Kira and began ripping the petals from the third.
Go!
Lock down the castle. No Royals allowed unless I approve
it.

Luka took a few steps back.
As you wish,
but what shall I do with Cade?

Move him to the other wing of the castle for
now. He is of little threat to her in his condition.

Octavion continued shredding the flower until
he’d split the pod in the center and retrieved the tiny pea shaped
fruit from inside. He put his hand behind Kira’s neck for support.
“Kira, you need to wake up.” But she didn’t move. “Kira!”

The muscles in her body tensed and her eyes
cracked open to narrow slits. “Where . . . am I?”

“You are in my home. You are safe, but I need
you to open your mouth and swallow this. It has to be in your
stomach to dilute the poison.”

Kira nodded and opened her mouth like a
little bird. Octavion pressed the tiny fruit between his finger and
thumb, squirting the white puss-like substance onto her tongue.

“Ussay, I need water,” Octavion ordered.

One of the servants stepped to the sideboard,
poured a cup of water and handed it to Octavion. He made Kira drink
a few swallows, then continued the process with the other two
flowers. It was all he could do. Her fate now lay with the gods of
Lor.

Handing the empty cup to Ussay, he backed
away from the bed and watched as the staff surrounded her and began
washing her wounds.

“Sire?” Ussay’s sweet voice was a needed
distraction. “Perhaps you could wait in the hall. I will have a
wash basin and fresh clothing brought to you.”

Octavion nodded. His muscles began to
retract, but he could still feel the burn in his eyes and throat.
“You will come for me when she wakes.”

“Of course.”

He took one last look, catching a glance of
Kira’s sweet face as one of the women stepped to the fire to throw
the soiled sheet into the flames. Doubt crept into his heart at the
sight of her fragile figure. He looked down at his blood covered
hands, his claws barely visible now.
What have I done?
Perhaps Nigel was right. It was stupid to think Kira could survive
in his dangerous world. Even if by some miracle she survived her
injuries and the effects of the poison, her unique scent and
inability to protect herself would make her an easy prey.

His thoughts wandered back to the day by the
river when he revealed his heritage. Kira feared being weak—a
mouse, she’d called herself. He’d tried to convince her that
nothing could be farther from the truth, that she was strong. But
now things were different. In a world filled with wild and hungry
cats, she was indeed a mouse.

###

COMING SOON!

BROKEN

Book Two in THE CRYSTOR Series

Due out SPRING 2012

With Kira injured and dying, Octavion's last
hope is to plead with the king of Panthera for a cure. But King
Ramla's magic isn't free. The price he asks Octavion to pay goes
against everything he's fought so hard to protect and could destroy
his bond with Kira. Will Octavion trade his crown and swear
allegiance to a kingdom feared by all, or will he sacrifice the
woman he loves to remain faithful to his father and Xantara? Find
out when BROKEN takes you on a journey into the savage and
unpredictable world of Ophira.

ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS

So many people helped me along my journey and stuck
with me through the tough times. I’d never be able to list them all
here, but know that I do appreciate each and every one of you.
Without your help and support, this dream would have died long
ago.

A special thanks to my parents for raising me to be
a strong,

independent woman who has the courage to take this
leap.

To Kris Sidwell, for encouraging me to write this
story. Without you, Kira

wouldn’t be the kick-butt warrior she is today.

To Ali Cross for sharing the ups and downs of the
publishing world with me

and for showing me tough love through your little
red pen. I’m a better

writer because of you. And a better friend.

To my niece, Stephanie, for teaching me all her
graphic design secrets.

Thanks to you, my cover rocks.

To all the many writing buddies, friends and family
who critiqued and edited

this book and loved the story enough to encourage me
to

publish it--especially Danyelle Ferguson, my awesome
editor and friend.

And most of all, I’d like to acknowledge my Heavenly
Father for his love

and guidance, and for inspiring my words. Some days
it took

far more than a still small voice to get through my
thick skull.

And to my Savior, who never left my side through the
hard times.

Without Him I would be nothing.

In Loving Memory

Shandra Lee Bennett

1979 – 2010

Shandra always wanted to be the villain in my book,
the opposite of her kind-hearted character.

I think she would be proud of how Shandira turned
out.

If only she’d lived long enough to read it.

I miss you, my friend.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Christine (C.K.) Bryant

Christine has always been a writer. Even
before she could compose a single word with pen, she scribbled her
version of cursive along the open page just to see what it looked
like. As a teen, she swiped her dad's old Royal typewriter so her
muse could breathe life into what her vivid imagination had
created.
She's spent the last twenty-five years married to the man of her
dreams and raising their two sons. After helping run the family
restaurant for most of their marriage, Christine finally broken
away to pursue her dream of being an author.
When she's not with her family or tickling the computer keys, she
loves camping, reading, scrapbooking, listening to all kinds of
music, and making new friends.
Christine currently living in the middle of sage brush and lava
rock with a spectacular view of the Snake River Canyon in South
Central Idaho.