Beloved (31 page)

Octavion didn’t bother opening the door for Kira. He didn’t have to. It lay on the ground, its hinges twisted and broken. He stepped across the threshold, kicked a few splintered pieces of the desk to the side, then led Kira in to stand beside him. Out of the corner of her eye she could see him watching her, assessing her reaction. Seeing everything he held so dear broken and scattered around the room shone a stark light on the pain she’d caused. What she’d done to him was unforgivable.

She scanned the room slowly, stopping when her eyes caught sight of the box that once contained his mother’s belongings. Stepping over the rubble, she knelt on the bear skin and picked up the box. Miraculously it was still in one piece, though the lid hinge didn’t quite close right.

One by one, she began gathering up his mother’s things and placing them back into the box. Octavion watched for several minutes, then grabbed a few chunks of wood that used to be the bed frame to build a fire. The warmth quickly filled the room as Octavion repaired the door as best he could and started tossing out everything that wasn’t salvageable.

When she finished with the box, Octavion righted the shelves and she replaced the box to its proper place. She turned to see what was left in the room. The mattress lay in the corner along with two tattered blankets and the only pillow that had survived. The chair that once sat next to the desk still had four legs, but the back was gone. The ottoman was somehow unscathed, though the comfortable chair that matched it was in pieces and sat atop the pile just outside the door. The floor could have used a good sweeping, but all and all it looked pretty good.

“I will bring more furniture up later. And maybe a bigger, more comfortable bed.” Octavion went to the corner and gave the mattress a gently kick. A poof of dust billowed up into the air.

“Big enough for two, I hope.” She moved next to him and wrapped her arm around his waist. “But this one will do for now.”

Octavion looked at her curiously. “Now? You want to sleep
here
?”

She stepped in front of him and ran her fingers up the front of his shirt until they caught in the strings that loosely held the collar closed. She pulled them open, exposing the hairs on his chest. “I wasn’t planning on sleeping.”

His fingers encircled her wrists and he took a step back, his face twisted with confusion. “Is that why you wanted to come here?”

“Yes.”

He dropped her hands and turned his back to her. “I made a promise and—”

“To wait until we were married.” She interrupted.

He slowly turned to face her. “Exactly.”

“Then what’s the problem?” She propped her fists on her hips, wishing she wore something besides the long sleeved nightgown that covered her entire body right down to her toes. It left way too much up to his imagination and certainly didn’t temp him in any way.

“Problem?” He threw his hands up gesturing for her to look at their surroundings. “Try everything. You in a white dress. The Elders of Lor witnessing the union. An official ceremony. Flowers.
Lydia
at your side helping with everything . . .
frilly
. Did I leave anything out?”

Kira laughed. “First of all, I don’t need all that pomp and circumstance. I don’t want it. It would only draw more attention to my return to Xantara and make me a bigger target.

“Second, we’re already blood bound and from what Lydia tells me, that means we’re married . . . as in
forever.
I don’t need the Elders of Lor to witness some fancy ceremony with all the flowers and frills. Your gods know our hearts and know we are bound. That’s good enough for me.”

“And what about Lydia? She will be angry if you choose not to have an official ceremony. You know how she gets.”

Kira let out an over exaggerated sigh and dropped her arms to her side. “She’ll get over it, Octavion. I promise.”

Octavion’s right eyebrow lifted slightly and he flashed his dimples. He studied her for a long moment before he spoke again. “I have an idea. Wait here.” And he was gone, leaving her in the wake of his leap.

Kira plopped down on the hearth and folded her arms across her chest. “Men!” She’d practically thrown herself at him,
twice
, and he leaves her waiting. For what, she had no idea.

Barely a minute passed before Octavion appeared in front of her, the blankets, comforters and pillows from her room in the castle pilled so high, she couldn’t see his face. She only knew it was him because she felt his spirit arrive a split second before his body did. He dropped the pile near the lumpy mattress and began spreading the linens out. He puffed up the pillows and tossed them at one end, then shook out the down comforter and let it fall without a wrinkle, covering the mattress, pillows and part of the floor.

Kira couldn’t help but smile. Of course he would want this to be the perfect moment for her. No grungy torn blankets to keep them warm after making love. He wanted the best, or at least the best he could provide considering where they were and the condition of the cottage.

He brushed his hands together as if he’d finished an important task, then turned to face her. “One more thing.”

Once again he disappeared, reappearing a split second later with the hem of his tunic turned up and filled with white rocks.

“What are those for?”

“You will see.” One by one he held each stone in the palm of his hand, placing them around the bed and on the shelf and mantle, each charmed with light. When he was finished, the space glowed as if it were filled with flickering candles, yet there were no flames.

Kira smiled up at him as he narrowed the distance between them. “About time you used your Jayde powers to impress me.”

“I am glad you approve.” His demeanor was playful and seductive, something she hadn’t seen in him since they visited the falls in her world. He stepped closer and held out his hand, and for the life of her she couldn’t breathe. She just sat there looking into his deep blue eyes, wishing she could dive inside and swim around in the love she saw there.

“Well?” he asked, his smile growing wider.

Warmth rush to Kira’s face and she imagined her cheeks glowing with embarrassment. She lowered her head and let her hair flop over half her face. When she looked up, both Octavion’s hands were extended toward her, his fingers wiggling as if luring a kitten to come play. She gladly put her hands in his and let him pull her to her feet.

She took a deep breath in hopes of calming the butterflies in her stomach, but it didn’t help. The instant he touched the top button on her gown, her insides melted and she was all his. Nothing could have come between them at that moment. They were meant to be together—the trials they’d been through and the time he’d spent searching for her proved that. There was no question in her mind or her heart. This was the man she wanted to spend eternity with.

Octavion watched Kira sleep until a tiny sliver of sunlight streaked through the window. He knew he should wake her—it wouldn’t be long before Nigel returned to the castle and found her gone—but this was a memory he wanted to savor for the rest of his life. A precious moment he’d hope she’d cherish as well. Though he knew deep down she would hate his decision to trade his allegiance to Panthera for her life.

It wouldn’t be long now before King Ramla sent for him. He could feel it in his soul—like the solid rock walls of a cave closing in on him with no way out. The very thought sucked the air right out of his lungs. He took a deep breath, closed his eyes and tried to calm himself the only way he knew how.

Kira sighed and snuggled closer. “Are you purring?” she asked in a sleepy whisper.

Octavion smiled in spite of his melancholy mood. He cleared his throat and peered down at her. “I am sorry I woke you.”

She stretched her legs and arms, then tangled them around his. “You didn’t. Your sister’s been in my head for about an hour.”

Octavion groaned. “Nigel?”

She looked up at him, her eyes sparkling like emeralds caught in the morning sun. “He can be a little annoying. I told her we got up early and went for a walk, but I don’t think she believes me.”

“I am surprised she has not launched her questions at me.”

“I told her not to. I wanted this time with you to be special, just the two of us.”

Octavion pulled her closer and kissed her forehead. “It has been more than special, Kira. Holding you like this . . . I have dreamt of it my whole life.”

Kira nudged his side. “You haven’t known me that long.”

“My heart has known you forever and right now that is all that matters.”

Octavion? Seriously. It doesn’t take a genius to figure out where you are. Kira’s morning maid is not happy to find her bedding gone
.
And did you forget today is the Moon Festival? People from all over are arriving at the castle and in the arena area. You need to be here. I can’t—

HUSH! We will be along in a moment. Now leave us be
.

Octavion growled. “I think our
walk
is over.”

Kira rubbed her forehead. “Is she yelling at you, too?”

“What do you think?”

Their lips met in a long passionate kiss, warming him to the core. When he pulled away, he saw her eyes filled with the same desires he felt surging through his body. “I want to spend all day here with you, but we’d better get back.”

“Spoil sport.”

Octavion slid out of bed, making sure Kira was modestly covered. “I will wait outside while you dress.”

Kira sat up, keeping the comforter held against her chest. “Actually, Al is bringing me some clothes. I didn’t think I should go back dressed in my nightgown. Besides, it’s not in the best of shape.” She motioned to where it fell in a heap after he practically tore it off her.

Octavion laughed. He’d only gotten the first three buttons unfastened before losing patience and ripping the fabric in two. Buttons scattered all over the room.

“I almost forgot. Probably a good idea to request something else to wear.” He was pretty sure his sister would never let him live this one down, but he didn’t care. Being with Kira like this was long overdue and consummating their union would insure her place in the kingdom, even in his absence.

A knock came at the door, which now leaned precariously in the doorway, the rusty hinges broken in his rage. “Wait!” he yelled. He grabbed his trousers and tunic, slipped them on and turned to face Kira. “Al can bring you back to the castle after you’ve dressed. I should get to my princely duties before Father comes looking for me.”

Kira frowned. “You’re leaving me?”

The words nearly broke his heart. If she only knew the pain they would cause her soon, she wouldn’t utter them now. “I will see you soon.” He pointed to her necklace. “Call me if you need transportation to the arena, or anywhere else for that matter.”

“How long am I supposed to wait out here?” Altaria yelled.

Kira laughed. “Come in.”

Altaria pushed the door in. It slammed to the floor, making a huge cloud of dust fill the room. “About time.” She tossed a pile of wadded fabric in Kira’s direction. “Get dressed. We have a full day. This is going to be the biggest festival we’ve ever had. Father has agreed to let the women compete in the games.”

Octavion was already headed out the doorway when he heard her words. He turned back to face his sister. “Over my dead body.”

Altaria closed the distance between them and shoved him the rest of the way out the door. “You have no say in the matter. Besides, it will be women against women so you needn’t worry about one of us getting hurt. Not that we would. I could take on any man and win. You know that.”

“Same here,” Kira blurted.

Octavion growled. As much as he hated the idea, he was curious about how strong Kira had become and what she’d learned while in Lairdor. He needed to know she could take care of herself since he wouldn’t be around to protect her. But he also knew how dangerous it would be putting her in a crowd full of armed strangers. He’d have to convince her to stand down this time.

“Well? You just going to stand there or are you going to let Kira get dressed?” Altaria gave him another shove.

“Yes, my lady.” Octavion took two steps back, bowed as if he were her loyal servant and disappeared.

That’s princess to you, brother
.

Octavion appeared in his sleeping chambers, and stepped to the open window. He could see the entire village from there and a portion of the festival arena. In all his years, he’d never seen so many people in one place. Tents were pitched from the edge of the forest to the south shore of the lake. Having so many competitors would normally excite him. He loved watching the games. But this time it terrified him. Even with the help Lairdor would provide, protecting Kira with so many strangers roaming about was going to be nearly impossible.