Broken (4 page)

“Run along, now. We shall finish your lesson later. I have business to attend to.” Ramla gently patted the boy's back. The boy turned, gave the man a hug and scurried under the bush to get the ball.

Octavion straightened to his full stature, finally gaining the king's attention. When their eyes met, Octavion bowed deeply and lowered his eyes. “Forgive the intrusion, Your Excellency.” His heart hammered against the inside of his chest and he was sure Ramla could hear it. There were a few moments of awkward silence before Octavion straightened again, meeting the king's eyes.

“Walk with me,” was all Ramla said as he turned his back to Octavion and began a leisurely stroll down the stone path.

Octavion fell in step behind him, amazed at the lack of security surrounding the king—not a single guard in sight. In fact, he hadn't seen anyone since the young boy left, not even a gardener working among the many flowering shrubs.

Ramla paused and motioned for Octavion to walk beside him, something he'd never seen a king do before, not even his father. It was a show of disrespect to consider one's self an equal to such esteemed power, so it took some effort to remain at his side and look the man in the eye when he spoke.

“I am told you have visited another planet,” Ramla said.

“Yes, it is called Earth.” Octavion clasped his fingers behind his back to keep from fidgeting. “It is much like Ophira. Perhaps I could tell you about it one day.”

They'd only walked a short distance when the narrow path opened into a small courtyard where several stone benches surrounded a large fountain. Water poured out of a bowl being held by the sculpted hands of a young maiden and spilled into a shallow pond decorated by multi-colored tiles. King Ramla lowered himself to one of the benches and motioned for Octavion to do the same.

Octavion eyed the stone bench and wondered if his buttocks could take another moment sitting on the hard surface. He reconsidered when his thoughts wandered back to Kira and the request he needed to make of the king. Being obedient to Ramla’s request to join him was the least he could do under the circumstances. He moved to the bench opposite the king and sat, resting his hands in his lap.

“So, tell me of this . . . Earth,” Ramla said, gesturing toward the sky.

Octavion sighed. The last thing he wanted to do was reminisce about his last few years on Earth. He needed to steer the conversation in another direction. Kira's life depended on it. “Please forgive me, Your Excellency. I would like nothing more than to tell you everything about Earth, but I have come on an urgent matter and there is little time. If you could only listen to my request, I will spend hours telling you everything about my journey.”

Ramla's brow furrowed. “I am well aware of your concern, Prince Octavion. May I presume you mean to pay for your request with such menial information about a planet I could visit easily if I so desired? Is your human worth so little to you?”

Octavion gripped the stone bench with his hands and tried not to show his irritation. “No, Your Excellency. The information you seek is free whether you help me or not.”

“And what exactly are you willing to give in exchange for the human's recovery?”

The human.
“Kira. Her name is Kira, and I would give my own life if it would save hers.”

Ramla folded his arms. “Ah, a life is a simple thing to give—takes no effort at all to drive the point of a dagger into one's heart. A split second and your pain would be over. A coward's way out of this world. She must not mean much to you.”

Octavion shot to his feet in anger, then quickly reconsidered. He lowered himself to one knee in front of the king. “She means everything to me. Name your price and it is yours.”

Laughter erupted from Ramla's chest and it was all Octavion could do not to lose his temper. If the king knew how close Kira was to death, why did he taunt him, goading him so? Why didn't he simply tell him what he wanted so he could pay the price, or refuse so he could take Kira home to die?

When Ramla's laughter settled into a wide smile, he finally said, “Young love. How highly we value its worth, yet when asked to sacrifice something dear to us in order to save it, we fail miserably and let it fade away or die. I suspect this is the case with your . . . Kira.” He stood and began walking back toward the castle.

Octavion didn't budge. “Name your price!”

Ramla paused on the pathway, then turned back to meet Octavion's eyes.

“Name your price.” Octavion repeated, daring to meet the king’s gaze full on.

Ramla studied him, then said, “Very well, then. I will heal your
human
. And in return you will give up your crown, swear allegiance to me and leave Xantara forever, never to return.”

“Agreed!” Octavion stood and put his hand out for Ramla to shake.

Ramla's eyes remained glued to Octavion's. “Without your human.”

Octavion's hand slowly fell to his side as a large lump formed in his throat. “I am blood bound to her. I will agree to swear allegiance to Panthera, but only if we are
both
allowed to serve you.”

“I have no need for a human. You have my price. Accept it or return to Xantara and watch her die.”

Octavion's heart clenched. How could he leave her? She'd never understand the sacrifice he'd made for her or what he'd given up to save her life. But if he didn't agree to the king's terms, Kira wouldn't have a life. Either way, he'd be without her, but if he agreed to King Ramla's price, at least Kira would live and have the opportunity to find someone else to love.

“May I at least stay with her until she wakes?” Octavion asked. “I would like to put my affairs in order and say my goodbyes.”

Ramla didn't answer at first. He rubbed his fingers across the stubble on his chin, eyeing Octavion with much concentration. “I will allow it. Truth be known, I am not sure where you will fit into my kingdom as yet. I may need time to consider your placement.” He motioned for Octavion to come closer. His eyes pierced clean through to Octavion's soul. “This may take some time. I will send someone to fetch you when I am ready for your service.
My
time.
My
terms. Agreed?”

Octavion let the air out of his lungs while struggling to hold back his emotions. “Agreed.” This time he didn't extend his hand and Ramla didn't request it. The deal was made and of two things Octavion was absolutely certain: The first—Kira's life would be saved. The second—she would spend the rest of her life hating him.

The wait was the worst. Octavion still hadn't been allowed to see Kira. Rather, he’d been instructed to stay in the hall near her door until the healers finished with her. Occasionally he heard Kira moan, but received no word as to her well-being.

For several hours he watched people come and go; some brought clean linens and others scurried about while whispering as if they'd seen a strange being from another world. Which he supposed they had. He wondered if they were disappointed when they saw she looked as they do—except for the red hair. As far as he knew, no Ophiran had ever had red hair.

As he paced, he tried to occupy his mind with her memory—her sweet smile, her silken auburn hair and emerald eyes. Her tender touch when she’d healed him and her soft lips when they’d kissed. He smiled when he thought of that day near the falls. She’d wanted him to propose, but he’d teased her and said she’d have to wait. How he wished he’d savored those moments.

And then there was her confession. In the heat of passion, she’d pushed him away and professed her conviction to remain pure. She would save that precious gift for her wedding night. A gift she would save for another now that he’d traded his allegiance for her life.

When the door opened and Ussay walked out, Octavion was taken aback by her troubled expression.

“What is it?”

She shook her head. “Please forgive me. I know I promised to stay by her side, but I cannot bear another moment.” She collapsed onto the bench near the door and put her face in her hands. Tears streamed down her cheeks as she sobbed.

Octavion knelt in front of her and gently forced her hands away so he could see her eyes. “What are they doing to her?”

Ussay leaned back against the wall and used the hem of her apron to wipe the moisture from her face. “You know I can handle almost anything. I have assisted Gregor with many procedures and seen things that would make most women faint. But this . . . this is . . . they . . . BLOOD WORMS! They have completely disrobed her and are letting disgusting blood worms crawl all over her body and burrow under her skin.” She leaned forward and clamped her hands on his shoulders. “They are sucking her dry. Why would they do that?”

Octavion felt the muscles in his back and shoulders swell and his eyes begin to burn. “I do not know, but I intend to find out.” He shrugged out of her grasp, but didn't bother stepping to the door. He simply appeared on the other side, only to be horrified by the sight. Not only was she completely covered with the slimy little creatures, but lay on the amber stones he'd seen earlier, making her entire body glow with heat. Her auburn hair resembled bright red flames as it splayed out around her head.

Rowin stood a few feet away, observing the healers work. When he caught sight of Octavion, he instantly appeared in front of him, blocking Octavion’s view of Kira. “You were instructed to wait outside.”

Octavion curled his fingers into fists. “What are you doing to her?”

Rowin crossed his arms over his chest. “If you were the alchemist you claim to be, you would have seen the signs and known she'd ingested the blood of a Darkord.”

“Darkord?” Octavion had to admit he'd noticed her eyes weren't as bright as they’d been after sharing their blood, but he thought it was because of the other poison she'd ingested and the fact that the Crystor wasn't working properly. It didn't even cross his mind she may have bitten Zerek or Nigel while fighting back.

Rowin continued. “The blood worms draw the poison out and cleanse her body of impurities. We were about to remove them. I suggest you distance yourself in case they burst and her blood is spilled. After all, you wouldn't want to kill her after all the work we have done saving her life.” He motioned toward the door.

Octavion glanced over Rowin's shoulder and vowed not to tell Kira about the worms. She'd be mortified if she knew they were a cross between a leech and tick from her world—a blood sucker with sharp pinchers for burrowing under the skin. The first time they'd gone to the falls, she'd been mortified over one leech he'd quickly removed for her. Knowing these parasites roamed her body freely would give her nightmares. The sooner they removed them the better.

“Please be gentle,” Octavion said, then turned to exit the room.

Once in the hallway, he found Ussay fully composed. She ran her hands down the front of her apron and reached for the door handle.

“Wait,” Octavion said. “They are removing them. Perhaps you should wait another moment . . . or two.”

Ussay turned, her face squished into a nauseated expression that almost made him laugh. “Or three,” she said.

Octavion took her hand and guided her to the bench where she sat. “I am going for a short walk. The fresh air will do me good. I will not be long.”

“Perhaps that is wise . . . considering.”

Octavion looked at the closed door, wishing he could be there to hold Kira. He could almost feel a part of his heart break at the thought. Would he have the chance to hold her before King Ramla summoned him? And more, how could he survive without ever holding her again?

*

Octavion returned to find the door to Kira's room wide open, sunlight splashing across the hall. At first, he thought he'd taken a wrong turn—gone down the wrong hall—but then he heard Ussay humming. Eager to see Kira, he rushed into the room, but stopped when light from the window caught him in the face, momentarily blinding him. He put his hand up to block the rays.

Tears burned the back of Octavion’s eyes as Kira’s resting form came into view. She wore a long white gown, her hair brushed and sculpted into an intricate braid and her peaceful face had regained its healthy glow. His pulse jumped in his throat at the sight of her beauty.

Ussay sat near the fireplace, stuffing something into her bag. “Rowin said we can take her home now, there is nothing more they can do for her.”

Octavion stepped to Kira's side and brushed her warm cheek with his fingers. “Is she warm because of the stones?”

Ussay stood and joined him on the other side of the raised bed. “No, he said he was only instructed to remove the poison, the rest is up to us.”

“You mean she could still die?” Octavion asked with more than a little edge to his voice.

“That is what I asked. He said something about her being bound to another soul and perhaps magic was not the answer. He asked about her bracelet.”

“What did you tell him?”

Ussay shifted her weight to one foot. “Nothing. Then he said if we saw to her needs, dug the infection out of her back and used the proper medicines, she would recover. I do not like him very much.”

“Nor do I.” Octavion gathered the gown around Kira's knees and lifted her into his arms. He turned to Ussay. “Are you ready?”

“More than ready.” She wrapped her arms around his waist. “Take us home, please.”