Beloved (32 page)

Kira slipped the frumpy brown dress over her head and let it fall down over her body. It was a bit tattered and way too big for her, not at all like the clothes she’d worn before while living in the castle. She synched the string tight that ran up the front of the bodice and tied a messy bow. “What’s with the dress?”

Al sat on the hearth, her eyes closed to let Kira have a little privacy. Not that she needed it. They’d bathed together several times in the creek back home and Kira had let go of being overly modest a long time ago. Trying to dress in a small pod made of branches wasn’t easy and sometimes she’d just turn her back to everyone and get the job done quickly. The women didn’t mind and the men always gave her the space she needed.

“It belongs to Lessa. I didn’t want to go back to the castle and explain to Nigel why you needed a new dress.” Al opened one eye, then the other. A mischievous smile crossed her face. “You look like a small child in that thing.”

Kira finger combed her hair and tucked both sides behind her ears. “Well it’s not my fault she’s bigger than I am. And you could have brought me pants. I much prefer wearing them anyway.” She couldn’t help but notice Altaria was sporting a new pair of leather trousers and a brown vest that was cut close to her figure. She did have a beautiful white blouse under it, the sleeves spilling out from under the shoulder seems, but the knee-high boots and thick belt were definitely not feminine.

“Me as well.” Altaria stood and motioned toward the white linens and pillows in an untidy pile across the room. “Taking those back? Or will you need them later?” She winked.

Kira’s face warmed with embarrassment. “I’m not giving you any details if that’s what you’re asking.”

Altaria put her hand up between them. “Stop right there. He is my brother. I do not need details to satisfy any curiosity because I have none.” She gave a full body shiver that made Kira snort.

“Enough said.” Kira hiked up the hem of her dress, which was a good three inches too long. “Are we ready to go?”

“Not quite. Lydia would like a word.” Only a second passed and Lydia’s face came into view. Oh how she’d missed that face.

Kira dropped her dress and wrapped her arms around her friend’s shoulders.

“Whoa.” Lydia returned the embrace, then squirmed out of Kira’s grasp. “Where did that come from?”

“I missed you.”

“I just saw you yesterday.”

“I know, but that was in Lairdor and everything was so crazy and uncertain. Now . . . well . . . Octavion and I—”

“Ew! I don’t want details either.”

“And I’m not giving them. What I was going to say is that we’re together now. Our future is bright and with my new friends and family living in Pride Meadow, everything feels . . .
right
.” She sat on the hearth. “Now what did you need to talk to me about?”

“Oh, that.” Lydia joined her then looked down at her hands and began twisting the hem of the vest between her fingers. “I, um.”

“Since when do you have trouble telling me how you feel or asking me for something? Spit it out.”

Lydia dropped her hands in her lap and looked at Kira. “Can you ask Blayde to stop staring at me? He’s driving me nuts.”

Kira couldn’t help herself. She broke out laughing so hard her stomach felt like it might burst. “Are you serious?”

“Stop laughing at me. He makes me feel like I have a hairy mole on the end of my nose. And he says I’m, what’s the word?”

“Perplexing.” Kira had managed to calm the laughter down to a wide smile, but her gut still ached. She wrapped her arms around herself and took a deep breath.

“That’s it.” Lydia threw her hands up. “He’s so annoying.”

“I’ll agree with you there. He can be quite the tease and sometimes I want to string him up by his toes.”

“Exactly what I was thinking. Maybe we could do it together.”

Kira laughed again. “I think I’ll pass. He’s faster and stronger than you think.” She knew because she’d hung in a tree by her feet while he stood nearby laughing at her attempts to get free. “Maybe he likes you.”

The expression that crossed Lydia’s face made her look like she’d just sucked on a lemon. “Like me? As in
like,
like me?”

“Is there any other kind?”

Lydia suddenly looked sad. She glanced over at the tussled blankets and pillows. “That’s probably not going to happen for me.”

“How can you say that? If nothing else, you’re the princess of Xantara and any man would be proud to be your husband. But even without that, you’re beautiful and funny, and—”

“Have two spirits. What if he only likes one of us? What if he makes me stay hidden so he can be with Altaria?”

So that was it. “Well, you wouldn’t have to worry about that with Blayde.”

“What do you mean?”

Kira took Lydia’s hand and gave it a squeeze. “It’s his gift. He can see spirits.”

Lydia’s face twisted into a combination of confusion and disbelief. “You mean he can see
dead
people? That’s not possible. Our spirits go to Lor when we die.”

“No, not dead people. The best way I can explain it is that he sees us as we really are—in spiritual form. He told me when he looks at you, regardless of what face your body decides to display, he sees both your spirits. That’s why he always looks confused. He’s trying to figure you out because he’s never seen anyone like you before. It’s like going crossed eyed for him because he’s seeing double—only not, because you are both different. Does that make sense?”

Lydia’s face actually began to glow as her tear-filled eyes flickered back and forth from green to icy blue. “He can see both of us?”

“Yeah. Pretty cool, huh?”

“Yeah. Cool.”

Kira stood and pulled Lydia to her feet. “Ready to go now?”

“Yeah, but Altaria will have to take you back.”

“I know.”

“Oh, that reminds me. Everyone still thinks I’m dead, so you can’t say anything. In fact, Ussay thinks Altaria’s a friend of yours from your world. Silly, I know, but it works for now.”

“No problem.”

Altaria appeared, a genuine smile on her face. She whispered. “He sees both of us.”

Kira just smiled. She could see the joy in her friend’s face and knew what she was feeling If not with Blayde, then perhaps another would possess the same gift and would fall in love with Lydia and Altaria as one. Kira smiled to herself to know what this meant for her friends—for the first time, they could hope for love, to be loved wholly.

When Altaria and Kira appeared in Pride Meadow, Kira was taken aback. She couldn’t believe the progress her people had made in only one day. In addition to everyone having their own lean-to, the men had already started gathering rocks for the foundation of their storehouse and communal kitchen, and the women were clearing a small area to plant herbs and a few small vegetables. Kira knew a larger area would be cleared later for more significant crops, but this one would serve their immediate needs.

Lessa wiped her dirty hands on her apron and ran to greet the two women. “What do you think?” She motioned at the changes they’d already made.

“Amazing. I can’t believe you did all this in less than a day. Did you even sleep last night?” Kira gave Lessa a quick hug.

“No, not at all, but we also had help early this morning.” She pointed at Altaria and then at two men, each hefting a very large rock. They dropped the rock in place, then turned so Kira could see their faces.

“Luka and Cade?”

“And Altaria,” Lessa added. “They’ve been such a great help. Luka and Cade showed the men where the best place is to hunt and Altaria brought us some plant bulbs and starter sprigs for the herbs. She’s also brought more blankets, linens and fabric to make dresses.”

Kira gave Altaria a nudge with her elbow. “She did, eh?”
Just being nice or trying to stay close to the annoying young man who thinks you’re perplexing?

Shut up!

Kira laughed, earning a strange look from Lessa. “I’m glad they’ve been helpful.” Kira pulled the string on her dress and loosened it. “Thanks for the dress. Where can I change?”

“Change?” Lessa asked.

“Yeah. You
are
going to the festival, aren’t you?” No way was she going without them.

Lessa’s eyes widened. “I thought that was tomorrow.”

“Nope. It’s today,” Kira said. “In fact, it’s probably already started.”

“They are still setting up,” Altaria said. “There will be an opening ceremony first, then the games will begin. I believe a meal has been planned for everyone at midday, as well.”

“Oh, my.” Lessa was suddenly animated as she turned and ran toward the other women who were turning the dirt with crude shovels. “Ladies, we need to clean up. The festival is
today
.”

Nothing else needed to be said. The entire camp exploded with excitement and urgency as everyone scrambled to the creek to wash up and then to their makeshift shelters to change. The men weren’t as giddy as the women, but still showed their eagerness, most likely for the games and free food.

Kira laughed. “I guess they’re coming with us.”

“It would seem so,” Altaria replied. “Perhaps it would be less confusing and complicated if we went to the castle to change. I have some things I am sure would fit you.”

“That would be great. Thanks.” Kira turned to give her a hug, but then reconsidered. The old Altaria’s attitude was finding its way back into her personality and Kira wasn’t sure if she’d reciprocate the gesture or lay her out on the ground by sweeping her legs out from under her.

They were both in the mood to spar, especially with the king allowing women to participate in the games. This was bound to be a great day in the kingdom of Xantara. Women not only competing, but wearing trousers like men while doing so. A trend she hoped they would adapt for every day. As much as she enjoyed playing dress up for the few days she’d lived in the castle, she much preferred her time in the forest because she could wear whatever she wanted and nobody cared.

Altaria grabbed Kira by the arm, her strength evident in her firm grip. “Ready?”

“Yep.”

Traveling with Altaria was like riding down a water slide in an amusement park. Literally. While the trip itself was a huge adrenaline rush, the landing was a little amiss. Altaria managed to land with her feet planted firmly on the courtyard bricks, but she somehow managed to put Kira on the edge of the fountain, her feet tangled in the long hem of her dress. Thank goodness Nigel was there to catch her when she lost her footing and headed for the water or she would have been a wet mess.

Nigel lowered Kira to the ground and gave her a look she tried to ignore. He was not happy with her and their usual sign language wasn’t needed to figure that out. “Thanks,” she managed before being attacked by Mahli. Kira stopped to give her cub a hug, then straightened to face Altaria.

“I thought you said you could land true?”

“I can and did. You are the one that didn’t land true.” The corners of her mouth twitched into smirk.

“Very funny.” Kira buried her hands in the layers of fabric that hung from her waist and headed for the door. “Come on, Mahli. You can keep me company while I change.”

The not-so-little cub fell in step behind her and followed her through the door. Altaria wasn’t far behind, as was Nigel, who stopped at the top of the stairs, taking a guardian stance.

Kira rolled her eyes. He was taking his job a little too seriously in her opinion. Was he planning to follow her everywhere she went from now on? As much as she appreciated all he’d done for her, that wasn’t going to work. She didn’t want to feel like a prisoner.

“If it makes you feel any better, Octavion asked him to watch after me as well.” Altaria plopped down on the bench at the end of the bed and waited while Kira changed.

“Really? That’s weird. I mean, all you have to do is disappear and he can’t follow you, so that doesn’t exactly work.”

Altaria smiled. “I know, but if it makes my brother feel better, I’ll put up with it . . . for a while.”

Kira glanced over at the door and the shadows of Nigel’s boots under it. “He’s a good man, Al. He’s been through a lot and he’s saved my life more than once. I’ve grown to think of him as a brother. In fact, all of Lairdor is my family now. I would die for every single one of them, if it came to that.”