Beloved (17 page)

Octavion knocked on Altaria’s door several times, but got no response. An instant later he stood on the other side, worried something had happened to her. To his surprise, curled up on the bed under a rather lush comforter lay his other sister, Lydia. He quickly closed the shutters on the window and moved to the side of the bed.

Lydia.
He didn’t want to say her name aloud in case someone passing in the hall should overhear.

She groaned and stretched, then settled back into the cocoon she’d created without truly rousing.

He used a section of her own hair to tickle her nose.

She swiped it away. “Stop,” she whined.

“You are the one who wanted to leave at first light.” He tickled her nose again, this time drawing the section of hair across her lips.

She rubbed her face, scrunching it up like she’d eaten something sour. “That wasn’t me. I’d rather sleep all day. This bed is so comfortable.”

He nudged the bed with his knee, making it shake. “And it has been slept in by every traveler with enough coin to pay for it, regardless of his cleanliness or disease.”

Lydia’s eyes flew open and the comforter flew into the air as her feet hit the wooden planked floor. “Ew!” She danced around the room, shaking the skirt of her gown like it was covered with live embers. “You could have told me. I’ve never stayed in an inn before.”

Octavion couldn’t help but laugh. Even though she should have remained hidden, he was happy to see her. “Would you like to know more about your bath water?”

She froze in a strange position with her hands held out to her side and one leg up in the air. It was the first time he’d ever wished he could capture a moment with her camera. The look on her face was priceless.

“Argh! Get out! I need to get dressed.” She shoved him toward the door, then stopped suddenly, holding him back from touching the knob.

He looked over his shoulder to see what had caused her change in demeanor and found Altaria looking back at him.

“What?” he asked.

“Meet me near the stables. I have something I need to do. It won’t take long.”

“I will wait in the hall.”

“If you are not near the stable, I will leave without you.” She opened the door and motioned for him to exit the room.

“And how do you plan to get past me?” He stepped into the doorway, blocking her exit.

A mischievous grin crossed her face. “I have special gifts, remember?”

To that, he had nothing to say. Her newly revealed gift had changed the dynamics of his self-designated protector role and he wasn’t sure how he felt about that. While he refused to believe she no longer needed him, she certainly had the ability to elude an attacker merely by shifting her form into a common animal no one would take a second glance at.

“I will meet you near the stables,” she said again, then slammed the door in his face.

He heard the key turn in the lock and her footsteps on the other side as she moved away from the door. He’d lost this battle, but that didn’t mean she’d win the war. He summoned his cousins and between the three of them, they positioned themselves so they could see every window and door of the inn.

They watched for several moments as people came and went, but Altaria didn’t appear. Frustrated, he called to her mind.
Where are you
?

Exactly where I said I would be. Where are
you?

He appeared by the stables and found her leaning against a fence post dressed in leather pants and an oversized tunic. Her hair was in a tight braid, black as night, and ran down the middle of her back. The only reason he knew it was her was her light blue eyes and crooked smile. Even her facial features were slightly different.

“Well, what do you think?” She turned slowly, showing off her girlish figure.

“How did you get out of the inn?”

“I told you. I have gifts.”

“Altaria. How?”

She took her time walking over to stand in front of him, looked up in his eyes and said, “In here.” She tapped the side of her head.

“What? But you cannot do that without getting confused. What if you landed wrong and put yourself in danger?” He called Luka and Cade to join them and they appeared a moment later, both wearing expressions of shock and maybe a little amusement.

“I land true now. Lydia and I figured out the problem. All she has to do is withdraw her spirit like she does when I shift and I can travel anywhere. No more landing in sheep dung and no more relying on you to take me where I want to go.”

And no overprotective brother watching her every move. He was pretty sure that was what she really wanted to say. She’d not only found her freedom and gift, but her independence as well. He had a feeling that from now on, he’d be spending most of his time getting her out of trouble.

“Impressive,” Cade finally said.

“I agree,” Luka added.

Octavion clamped his hand over Altaria’s shoulder. “Come on boys, lets see if my sister is strong enough to take us all to Orrin.”

A few seconds after Cade and Luka each grabbed one of Octavion’s arms, they appeared in Orrin safe and sound. Altaria’s eyes lit up with delight, but her face oozed attitude and an ‘I told you so’ smirk.

As much as he hated to admit it, he was proud of her. She’d come a long way since that little girl he’d escaped to Earth with. Despite her attire, she’d grown into a capable woman—a beautiful warrior princess who had earned his trust and respect.

They’d spent two days in Orrin and the only sign they’d found that Kira may be close was the infernal itching that drove Altaria crazy. It didn’t help that Lydia was constantly in her head giving her a deluge of unsolicited advice. For the first time in their lives, Lydia was the one locked up inside their body and she didn’t like it one bit. But she had no choice. If their identity were to remain a secret, she’d have to stay hidden a little longer. Though they’d both agreed the truth—that Lydia’s death had been faked to keep her safe—would be revealed as soon as Kira was found. Whether by accident or their own devices, they refused to live the rest of their lives in a lie.

Altaria hesitated before entering the rustic tavern. She’d purposely lingered just outside the door to avoid the stench coming from inside. The only reason she even considered going inside was because Luka had met Nigel in the establishment a few times and thought someone may have seen him, but so far they’d had no luck.

She shoved the door open with her shoulder, avoiding the filthy handle so as not to get her hands dirty. Once inside, it took a few seconds for her eyes to adjust to the darkness before she spotted Octavion sitting at the corner table. Cade stood nearby conversing with two men.

She glanced around to find Luka, but didn’t see him so she made her way to Octavion’s table, hugging the walls to avoid contact with any of the patrons. By the time she arrived at the table, she’d heard enough rude comments about her attire and female body parts to last her a lifetime.

“Hey,” she said as she pulled a chair to the table and sat down. “Where’s Luka?”

Octavion didn’t answer and she could tell by his blank stare that he was concentrating—her theory solidified when he put a finger up to silence her.

She scanned the room again. Now Cade was gone.

“What’s going on?”

He reached for her hand and gave it a squeeze, his breathing deepened and the corners of his mouth curved up slightly.

Her heart leapt into her throat. “Tell me,” she whispered. “Did Luka find her?”

The next moment he was pulling her behind a dark piece of fabric, through a doorway at the back of the tavern and into the kitchen. Cade stood on one side near the oven with a knife pressed against the innkeeper’s throat. Luka knelt on one knee in front of a young girl, not much older than his sister, Arela. He held a section of her hair in one hand and a dripping wet rag in the other.

Tears streamed down the girls face. “Please, sir. Let my father go.”

He gently swiped the rag across one cheek, then the other. “How is it that your face is healed? Tell me the truth and you are both free to go.”

Her bottom lip quivered. “I cannot.”

“Leave her be,” the innkeeper yelled. “She knows nothing about the person you seek.”

Octavion let go of Altaria’s hand and motioned for Luka to move out of the way while he took his place in front of the girl. He gently tucked her hair behind her ear and examined her face. “Do you know who I am?”

She shook her head at first, then her eyes widened and her trembling hand flew to her mouth. She gasped. “P-prince Octavion?”

He nodded. “I will not hurt you or your father. You have no reason to fear me.” He glanced over her head. “Cade, let him go. We mean them no harm.”

Cade obeyed, but both Cade and Luka blocked the man from going to his daughter’s aid. The innkeeper grabbed a chunk of wood near the brick oven and took a swing at Cade, barely missing his face.

“Easy, friend,” Luka said. “We only want information, nothing more.”

Octavion took the girls hand and softly patted it. “My cousin there is a friend of Nigel’s. Do you know him?”

She nodded. Her quivering breath caught.

“He has done a wonderful thing and kept Kira safe for me, but now I need to find them. I think you know Kira. Did she heal your face?”

She shook her head and pulled her hand away, tucking it behind her back. “I have never met her.”

Altaria moved closer and knelt next to Octavion. “What’s your name?”

She sniffed. “Thea.”

“That’s a pretty name. I’m Altaria. Kira is my friend.” She pulled up her sleeve and showed Thea the welt on her wrist. “See this. Kira has a silver one exactly like it that binds us. It’s what gives her the power to heal.”

Thea’s hand slowly reached for her face, her fingers traced the curve of her cheek. “I promised.”

Altaria smiled. “That’s good. It means you’re a true friend. But friends also keep each other safe. That’s why I’m looking for her. She’s in danger and if you are a true friend, you will help her. Can you do that?”

Thea looked at her father, her eyes brimming with tears. “Papa?”

The innkeeper surrendered the piece of wood and stepped past Cade and Luka to join his daughter. She clung to his apron as he enveloped her in his arms. “We both gave our word.”

Octavion stood. “I know.”

Altaria watched as her brother let his wounded heart and desperation fill his eyes. So vulnerable and broken—something he’d not let even her see.

The innkeeper took in a deep breath and let it out slowly. His reaction told her he’d felt a similar loss, perhaps the mother of the little girl he held in his arms. He looked down at his daughter, her innocent eyes seeking his approval. He leaned down and took her face in his strong hands. Though no words were spoken, silent understanding passed between father and daughter.

Thea wiped her tears and stood as straight as a board. She stepped away from the security of her father’s arms and turned to face Octavion. “Yes. Kira healed me.”

Altaria could feel the emotion burst from her brother’s heart as if it filled the room with life-giving air. He lifted Thea from the ground and drew her into his arms. “Thank you,” he whispered into her long hair. He lowered her to the ground and crouched in front of her, gently wiping away what remained of her tears. “Kira has a kind heart and will not be angry with you. I promise.”

She lowered her eyes. “I gave my word.”

Octavion lifted her chin with his finger. “Sometimes we have to go against our word to save the ones we love. Even if it goes against everything we are taught.”

He stood and extended his hand toward the innkeeper. “I am sorry for the way you were treated. Our journey has been long and they meant well.”

The innkeeper hesitated, then gripped Octavion’s hand in friendship. “You will keep this between us, I hope. If word got out—”

“Of course.” Octavion took back his hand and released the tension in his shoulders. “Do you have any idea where they went from here? I need to find Kira before the moons are new. It is too dangerous for her to be out there with Royals hunting.”

The innkeeper twisted his hands around his apron. “Nigel would never divulge the location of Lairdor. It put them in too much danger.”