Beloved (22 page)

“Then don’t stay here. Come back to Xantara with me and you could have everything you want. We could leave now.”

Kira looked at her curiously. “You can’t leap like the others. How do you plan to do that?”

Lydia smiled. “A lot of things have changed about me since Altaria and I reconnected. Her shifting is only one of them.”

A tiny thread of panic crept into Kira’s mind. She’d counted on Altaria not being able to bring anyone back here. If that were possible, Lairdor would definitely have to move. “You can’t bring anyone here, Lydia. Not ever.”

“Not even to see you?”

“Especially not to see me. I’ve put everyone in enough danger by bringing you here. Lairdor’s location has to remain a secret.”

Lydia looked around, then lowered her voice to a whisper. “Do you have any idea who you’re living with? They are heathens. They steal and murder children and rape innocent women. How can you stand being here, knowing what they do?”

For the first time, Kira saw her friend in a new light and she didn’t like it. She lowered herself so their faces were mere inches apart. “You have no idea what you’re talking about. You’re a spoiled little rich girl who runs to her over-protective brother every time she gets into a little trouble. And when things get tough, you make Altaria take over so you don’t have to deal with it.” She stood and turned her back to Lydia. “I have something I need to do. Stay here and get some rest.”

Kira grabbed several pieces of fruit and dropped them in Lessa’s portion basket as she passed her pod.

“Why are you giving me your portions?”

“Because you’re way too generous. And don’t think I haven’t noticed you save the smallest portions for yourself. Lydia is my responsibility. I’ll share my rations with her. It will do her good to feel hungry for a change. Maybe she’ll learn something from it.”

“Ah, I see.” Lessa covered her basket with a small cloth. “I am happy to share if you change your mind.”

“Thank you, Lessa. Will you keep an eye on her for a few minutes? I need to do something.”

“Of course.”

Kira jumped to a lower branch so she could use Lessa’s climbing vine to slide down to the ground. A few minutes later, she found Blayde near the creek. He was tossing pebbles at a large rock sticking out of the stream, watching them ricochet off and splash into the water.

“You were a little hard on her, don’t you think?”

“You were eavesdropping?”

“Maybe a little.” He winked.

Kira sighed, knowing he was right. “I didn’t mean to be hard on her.”

“She’s only going on the rumors. What she said isn’t true.” He finally turned to face her. “You know that, right?”

“Everything but the stealing part, right?” She elbowed him in the ribs. “Right?”

He shoved back, but she didn’t lose her balance. “You know we only glean the crops they miss. We trade for the bread—that is one reason I help my father make weapons in his blacksmith shop. For each sword or knife I make for him to sell, I make one for Lairdor. I get a good price for my work.”

“I didn’t know. Do other Royals trade?”

“Brenna spends time in Finvarra with a tailor. She brings some items here for Lessa to help with.”

Kira hadn’t given it much thought, but now she realized the many sewing projects she’d seen Lessa work on had never been worn by anyone in Lairdor. “I wish there was something I could do to help, but I don’t have any talents.”

His brow furrowed. “You have more talents than all of us put together. You can calm a wild animal with a whisper and your power to heal could bring many a higher quality of life and even help some provide better for their family.”

“But if I’m seen . . .”

“Yeah, that is a problem.”

They stood for several moments in silence before Kira finally spoke again. “So, what did you need to talk to me about?”

He suddenly looked nervous, adjusting the knife at his side and running his fingers through his hair. “Now that I am here, I feel foolish asking about this.”

“Well, I’m here, so spit it out.”

He turned toward her, a boyish grin on his face. “She is . . . perplexing.”

“Who?”

“Your friend.”

“Lydia?” Kira snorted. “This is about Lydia?” She couldn’t help herself. She had to laugh.

Blayde tried to punch her in the shoulder, but Kira ducked in time for him to hit air instead. “It is not funny.”

“I’m sorry, but of all the words I could use to describe Lydia, perplexing isn’t one of them. Spoiled? Yes. Sassy? Always. But
perplexing
?” She laughed again. “Why would you think that? You’ve only seen her sleep.”

He was suddenly serious as he leaned closer and whispered. “She has two spirits.” He turned away, pinching the bridge of his nose. “There is something wrong with her.”

“You can see Al?”

“That is the name you called her last night and today she is Lydia. I do not understand. Is it her shifting that makes you call her by a different name?”

Kira put her hand on his shoulder. “Maybe you should sit down for this one.”

He nodded, then moved to where a tree had fallen. They both straddled the log, facing each other. He folded his arms.

“It has nothing to do with her shifting,” Kira started. “Her mother was a commoner and her father is a Royal. Somehow the combination gave her two completely different spirits. When Lydia is in control of their body, she is the commoner and has no real gifts, but Altaria is a Royal. Though her cravings aren’t nearly as strong. Her gift is shifting, as you saw last night.” She looked down at the markings on her wrist, the only remnants of the original charmed bracelet Octavion had given her.

“Lydia and I have been friends for a few years, but I never knew about Altaria until a little while ago. She spent most of the time locked up inside their body and was very bitter about it. Then Lydia was injured and the only way to save her was for me to become her healer.” She held her hand up so he could see the markings better. “The Crystor binds us. I am her healer and I’m supposed to protect her, though I’ve failed miserably.”

“She is here and alive. You must have done something right.”

Kira shrugged. “I’m not sure that’s because of me. I’m the one that usually gets us in trouble.”

“I can see that.” He winked at her.

“Hey!” She slugged his arm. “We’re not talking about me here. I thought you wanted to know about Lydia?”

“Then stop putting yourself down and tell me.”

“Whatever.” Kira broke a piece of bark off and it crumbled in her hand. She brushed it away. “Anyway, Al and I didn’t used to get along, but then something happened and we were forced to become friends. Best friends. Now it’s just weird. I like them both equally, but for different reasons. I wonder if our friendship will ever be the same. When Lydia is here, I miss Altaria.”

“And you miss Lydia when Altaria is here?”

“Yeah, it’s weird.”

“I would never have that problem. I see them both at the same time—or at least their spirits. Even when one speaks, I hear the other in the distance. Which is why I was so confused. I did not understand how that could be possible. And their eyes . . .”

“I know. They flicker sometimes. That used to drive me crazy until I found out about Altaria. I’m used to it now.”

Blayde swung his foot over the log and stood. “I should probably get back to Brenna. Jaya is having a tough time and she might need a break.”

“What’s wrong with Jaya?”

Blayde smiled. “She’s young and wild. She can’t seem to get enough to satisfy her hunger and Brenna is having a hard time keeping her out of the village.”

“Oh, no. Yeah. You better go help.” An image of Octavion in chains flashed in her head and that was the last thing she wanted for Jaya.

Octavion.

“Can I ask a favor first—two, actually?”

“Of course. What do you need?”

“Can you take Mahli hunting?”

He smiled. “Consider it done. What else?”

“Well, when you can take a break from Jaya, would you consider meeting with Octavion? Lydia could use a change of clothes and I thought I would ask him for a few extra blankets and some food. There’s no reason why he can’t help out while his sister is here.”

“Are you sure that’s a good idea?”

“No, but if Lydia asks him, he’ll do it. Have you ever been to Xantara?”

“Once. I went with Nigel when he insisted on making sure you were all right.”

She thought about running into him in the village. That must have been how he got there when he’d lost his ability to travel. “There’s a hill overlooking the village where the cemetery is.”

“I know the place.”

“Okay, good. Well, tucked into the trees is a structure. They call it the Aubulet. Let me know when you can meet him and I will have him bring the things there.”

“He will want to see you.”

“I know. I’m not ready for that. For now, he’ll have to be happy with knowing I’m alive and safe.” She swung off the log to stand in front of him. “Thanks for all your help. You could have made me leave the other night, especially since I’ve put us all in danger.”

He cupped the side of her face in his hand and brushed his thumb gently across her cheek, something he’d never done before. His eyes softened. “I will miss you terribly.” And then he was gone, leaving the warmth of his hand on her face and his mist swirling around her.

His words pierced her heart. Without saying the actual words he’d admitted her biggest fear—she’d be asked to leave. She’d broken the one iron clad rule in Lairdor—don’t reveal their location to anyone.

She fell to her knees and buried her face in her hands. The feelings of abandonment left by her mother had been locked away in a place so deep she thought they’d be gone forever. Now they threatened to choke her as the thought of leaving her new family pulled them out and twisted them around her heart.

Kira?
Lydia’s thoughts only deepened the ache.
Octavion wants to
—

Not now
. She threw up her resistance to block Lydia’s thoughts. That was the last thing she needed. She had to think this through without Octavion’s words influencing her decision. Yet, somehow she knew she couldn’t do this on her own.

Octavion stood in the Aubulet, a large crate filled with the items Kira requested at his feet. She’d refused to let Lydia be their go-between on any subject other than what she needed him to send, so he was more than frustrated. It didn’t help that she was sending someone to retrieve it instead of allowing him to bring it to her.

Are you alone
? An unfamiliar voice intruded on his thoughts.

For the moment
. “Show yourself.”

One of the rickety beams above his head creaked and groaned, sending a storm of dust and debris raining down on him. He shook the dust out of his hair and brushed several leaves and twigs off his shoulders. “Was that necessary?”

The same boy he’d seen the night before jumped to the ground on the other side of the crate. “No, but I have to admit it was fun.”

Octavion wanted to knock the smirk off his face but he restrained himself for Kira’s sake. As long as she called the shots, he’d play nice—for now. “I am Octavion. And you are . . .?”

“I know who you are. And you have no need for my name, though I am sure you remember it from the other night.” He reached for the box, but Octavion was quicker.

“Not so fast.” He grabbed the boy’s arm and twisted it behind his back. So much for diplomacy. He wanted some answers. “You are going to take me to Kira and my sister. Understood?” Octavion felt the tip of a knife pierce his thigh.

“Let go or I’ll sever the artery.”

“I am sure Kira will be very excited to hear you have killed me. Want to try another tactic?” He tightened his grip and put more pressure on the boy’s arm. He leaned closer to his ear. “Perhaps you would like to lose this arm.”

“I only need one to kill you, so go ahead.” He pressed the blade a little deeper.

Octavion groaned. He could tell it wasn’t deep, but the boy was twisting it just enough to cause pain.
Lydia, tell Kira her friend has drawn blood and I am about to rip his head off. See if that gets her riled up enough to come save him.