Beloved (29 page)

She peeked around the tree trunk to see Nigel pacing. Even at this distance she could see veins bulging in his neck, his face red from anger. It was complete chaos with everyone talking at once, some yelling, some whispering. But as far as she could see, there was no imminent danger. At least not yet. Octavion entering the clearing unannounced would change that, at least for the Lairdorians.

She grabbed her pendent.
Stop! Everything is fine, but if you come
—

Too late.

Octavion burst into the clearing, taking everyone off guard. The handful of Royals present drew their weapons while the commoners took to the trees. Octavion didn’t have a chance. She hoped he wouldn’t fight back. It would only make things worse.

“I mean you no harm,” he said, holding his hands above his head.

His words meant nothing to these people. It only took a moment to strip him of his weapons and his pride. They’d been betrayed before and would not take chances. It took three men to bring him to his knees, but Octavion still didn’t fight back. It happened so fast, Kira barely had time to remember to breathe. She glanced around to find Lydia watching from her hiding place. At least she had the sense to stop at the edge of the trees.

Kira, how long are you going to let this go on?

They won’t hurt him, but maybe he needs a reality check, eh?

Not funny.

Kira jumped down out of the tree, landing behind Blayde. “Let him go. He’s with me.”

Lessa squealed, “Kira!”

Blayde spun around, his expression twisting between anger and joy. “Blessed Zi'ah! Where have you been? We thought you had been taken.”

Nigel whistled the all clear and motioned for those holding Octavion to release him. They did, but not before giving Kira a scolding glare.

Kira propped her fists on her hips. “I went to the creek, like I always do.” She looked around at all the frantic faces, the tension almost palpable. “Why was this such a big deal?”

Lydia stepped out from behind a tree and joined them, but no one seemed to notice until she spoke. “Why is everyone so upset? Even in the short time I was here, no one seemed to care if she wandered off to be alone.”

The clearing quickly filled with the residents of Lairdor. Without counting, Kira could tell there were only a couple missing—most likely out looking for her. Mahli stood next to Nigel, both sporting one of those “if looks could kill” expressions. Now she knew she was in trouble.

Brenna stepped forward. “Nigel saw you leave and go toward the creek. When you did not return, he went looking for you. He found Mahli alone, and strange footprints mingled with yours. The cub is never alone. She’s either with you, in the clearing with us or hunting with Blayde. By the time Nigel got back to the clearing, four of our scouts had returned from different locations with news that King Tyrius had offered a price for your capture.”

Brenna shook her head. “Of course we thought the worst.”

Kira looked up at Octavion. “I should have told them where I was going.”

He moved to her side and wrapped an arm around her shoulder. “It is my fault. I had something important to ask her and the B’Kari forest was the last place I wanted to do that.”

Kira blushed, slowly raising her hand toward Brenna so she could see her ring. “I said yes.”

Brenna gasped, taking Kira’s hand in hers to get a better look at the gemstones. “It is beautiful. What is it for?”

“It means they are betrothed,” Lydia said.

Blayde swore.

Kira thought she was in for an argument about how she was making a huge mistake, but then a mischievous grin crossed Blayde’s face.

“About time,” he said, clamping a hand down on Octavion’s shoulder. “I thought we would be stuck with her throughout the eternities.” He winked at Kira, then let out a ferocious roar that nearly deafened her. Brenna announced the good news, adding her own roar to the mix as Kira covered her ears for what she knew would follow. Every Royal in the clearing followed suit. Kira had learned after the Kapri ceremony when, Mara and Nestor’s baby was named, that it was the way Royal’s expressed their approval, like cheering or clapping in her world. She was pretty sure it was for Kira’s benefit and not Octavion’s though. They hated the prince of Xantara, but loved Kira and would be happy for her choice. Plus, in a place like Lairdor, an occasion to celebrate was rare.

When everyone had finished with their congratulations—some more sincere than others—they gathered near the food distribution table so Octavion could speak with them. He’d convinced Blayde and Brenna to let him address the entire group on the promise he’d leave immediately after. Blayde jumped up on his usual rock and whistled to get everyone’s attention. Some found a seat on one of the crates stacked in the middle of the clearing, while others sat on the ground or stood in the back.

Kira took her place next to Octavion, eager to share the good news with her friends. They’d finally have a permanent place to call home where they could live in peace. That is if they agreed to it.

Octavion took Blayde’s spot on the rock and cleared his throat. “I have come to ask a favor.”

Kira looked up at him. That wasn’t what she’d expected him to say. This wasn’t about favors; it was about providing them with a place to live with no strings attached.

Whispers and grumbling filled the clearing. “And why would we do you a favor?” a man’s voice shouted. “You have done nothing for us.”

Kira couldn’t see who’d spoken, but she shared his frustration. She wanted answers too. “Let him finish,” she said loud enough for everyone to hear. “Then you can ask questions.”

“As I was saying . . .” Octavion repeated more loudly. Kira noticed he seemed to stand taller and push out his chest in a show of strength. “You all know by now that King Tyrius of Kazedon has put a price on Kira’s head. As much as I would like to be with her every moment, there will be times when I cannot. As with all Royals, I will need to hunt and that means leaving her unprotected.”

Nigel moved closer so that he stood directly in front of Octavion. He knelt on one knee and slammed his right fist over his heart—a sign of allegiance. Kira was glad to see him renew his conviction to be her guardian, not because she needed his protection, but because his example would impress the others to do the same. At least she hoped. If they would swear their allegiance to Octavion—to Xantara and King Belesgar—then living in Pride Meadow would come easier to them.

Octavion stepped down from the rock and motioned for Nigel to stand. He placed his hand on his shoulder, accepting his muted show of loyalty. “Thank you, my friend. You have already proven how valuable you are in keeping Kira safe. I have much to repay you for saving her life and providing her a safe haven.”

Nigel nodded, then stepped behind Kira, his dark shadow protecting her from the hot afternoon sun.

Octavion began pacing as he explained about Pride Meadow and how Kira now owned it and could do what she wanted with it. No one seemed to get what that meant until Brenna spoke.

“Would we be free to come and go as we please? Shop in your villages? Trade with your vendors?”

Before he could answer, Lessa piped up. “Wait! Are you saying we could live on Xantarian land?”

“Yes,” Kira said. “And because I own the land, I would give you permission to build your homes there. The meadow is huge. There’s plenty of room to plant crops and for small livestock to graze.”

“What about hunting?” Blayde asked.

Octavion stopped pacing and turned to face Blayde. “Xantara has few Royals, so our hunting lands are rich with prey. As long as you kill only to satisfy your cravings and feed your people—not for sport—then you are free to roam our hunting grounds.” He turned to face the group, specifically Lessa. “And yes, you will be welcomed to everything Xantara has to offer. It may take some time for the villagers to trust you and welcome you, but they will. They are good people with kind hearts.”

“And the Darkords?” A male voice shouted from the back. “Will the villagers trust them?”

“That, I am afraid, may take a little more time. We have all been raised to think all Darkords are evil and have no conscience. I wish I could tell you different, but it is the way of our world.” He motioned for Kira to come closer, so she did, standing in front of him while he placed his hands on her shoulders. “What I can tell you is that I trust Kira and if she vouches for all of you, even the Darkords, that is good enough for me. You are welcome on our land.”

“And swearing allegiance to your king? Is that required?” Blayde asked.

Octavion nodded, pausing for a brief moment in thought. “As you know, Xantara has few Royals, so yes, that would be something I would like you to consider when making this decision. And as I said before, with your allegiance, will come our vow to include you in everything Xantara has to offer.”

Lydia, who’d been watching from the back, moved to Octavion’s side. “That would include our Moon Festival, which just so happens to be tomorrow.”

Several of the women, including Lessa and Cyna, gasped as if they’d had cold water poured over their heads. Jaya jumped up and clapped her hands together, which made the mood of the entire group change in an instant as her gift reached them and softened their demeanor.

“Will there be music and dancing?” Lessa asked.

Before anyone could answer, Blayde piped up, almost cutting Lessa’s question in half. “Will there be games and competitions?”

“And food?” someone yelled from the back.

Octavion laughed. “Yes, all of those things and more. It has been a long while since we have sponsored a competition. I think that would be a wonderful addition to the event.”

“What about the women?” Brenna asked. “Will we be allowed to compete?”

Kira twisted slightly and looked up at Octavion. She fingered her new talisman.
You better say yes
.

The corners of his mouth twitched, but his eyes didn’t meet hers. He gently squeezed her shoulders.
Yes, my love
. “I think we could arrange that.”

After several more questions from the group and satisfactory answers from Octavion, it was decided to move Lairdor to Pride Meadow. At least temporarily. It was almost dark and some kind of move needed to be made immediately. The other details and conditions could be hammered out on a later date, but for now their safety was more urgent.

Luka and Cade were summoned to help with the few possessions. Cade shared visions of the meadow so that the other Royals who’d never been there could have an image to focus on when leaping. What would have taken several days by horseback or wagon was finished before sunset.

Kira was never more grateful for her friends and family.
Family
. She finally knew what that word meant. For a brief moment she wondered where her mother had gone or if she’d ever looked for her, but then she let the thought fade away forever, never to look back on that part of her life again.

With the price on her head, her future was unclear, but there was one thing she knew for sure—she would not have to face it alone.

Kira had grown accustomed to the heavy, foreboding atmosphere of the B’Kari forest, so breathing in the cool, crisp air of the meadow made her lungs convulse into a long line of hacking coughs. It was like she’d been smoking cigarettes for most of her life. She noticed a few others having the same problem, especially Lessa, who’d spent most of her life in Lairdor. Kira felt a little time here would change that.

Once she helped clear a place to build a fire and locate the best area for them to bed down for the night, Kira allowed Altaria to lure her to the castle for a hot bath. She felt guilty for leaving the others behind, but knew they could fend for themselves and would be just as happy bathing in the stream, especially with the cover of nightfall—something they couldn’t do in their previous location for fear of being attacked by Jraks.

As she peeled off her clothes, she caught a glimpse of herself in the mirror across the room. Moving closer, she barely recognized the face looking back at her. She’d seen her reflection in the rippling water, but not like this. Silky black hair flopped over one eye and stuck out in all directions. She ran her fingers through the mess and tucked an unruly strand behind her ear. She leaned closer. The only part of her she recognized was her green eyes, and even they appeared brighter and more like sparkling emeralds than she remembered. Dark streaks of dirt marred her skin from head to toe and she couldn’t remember the last time she trimmed her fingernails. She looked like a wild child who’d been raised by wolves.