Free Beloved by C.K. Bryant Page A

if she’s being held captive or if she went of her own accord. Perhaps her emotions can tell us.”
    “I don’t know. I mean . . . at first, I only sensed confusion, and even then it was more like a mix of several different emotions, like she wasn’t sure how she felt. And she was in a lot of pain.” She put her hand on the back of her head. “Here.”
    The image of Kira’s auburn hair tangled in the bark of a tree flashed in his mind. With the amount of blood that saturated her braid and puddled on the forest floor, she’d been injured badly. But why hadn’t she healed herself? Octavion brushed his fingers through his hair. “Draego threw her against a tree and she hit her head. Maybe that is why she is confused.”
    Lydia rubbed her wrist. “Well, I don’t think it’s because of the Crystor. I suddenly have this tingling sensation on my right wrist.” She pushed up her sleeve. “And what’s up with this welt?”
    Octavion ran his finger over the raised skin. “Does it hurt?”
    “No, not really. Maybe Kira’s messing with the Crystor to let me know she’s still alive. It has to be working properly because—”
    “You can still feel her.” He finished the sentence for her. He’d thought the same thing, that their connection meant Kira had not only regained her healing powers, but also her strength and enhanced senses. It’s what kept him hopeful, that she was a little better equipped to protect herself.
    Lydia walked to the chair and sat, wiping away her tears with her sleeve. “What else do you know about what happened to her?”
    Octavion moved closer. “Not much. The only clues are a few foot prints. Cade believes one of them belongs to Nigel.”
    Lydia had been looking down picking at her fingernails. Her head shot up when he mentioned the Darkord’s name. “Nigel? But didn’t he and his brother join up with Shandira?”
    “Yes, at first. Then Nigel changed. He brought her food and water, and helped her open the portal between our worlds so I could save her.” He shook his head, wondering if he’d made the right decision. “I gave him his freedom in exchange for his help. Now I am not sure that was a good idea.”
    “You think he might have kidnapped her? Or maybe helped Draego?”
    Octavion sighed deeply. “Honestly, I do not know what to believe. Every fiber of my being says not to trust him, but then Kira insists he is watching over her, that he has a sense of guardianship and wants to protect her.”
    Lydia leaned forward, her elbows on her knees. “Well if that’s true, he’s not doing a very good job. Where was he when she fought Shandira and why didn’t he protect her when she was attacked?”
    “Good question. I have wondered the same thing myself.” He offered her his hand and pulled her to her feet. “So, are you and your kindred spirit well enough to help me ‘kick some Darkord butt’ as Kira would say?”
    A smile spread across Lydia’s face and the spark that had been missing in Altaria’s eyes came to life in Lydia’s. It was good to have her back.
    “Do you think Father will still let us go—now that I’m back, I mean?”
    Octavion chuckled. “Does he have a choice? Even if he forbade it, you would find a way to sneak out.”
    “True.” She rubbed her wrist again. “Maybe now that I’ve reconnected with Altaria, we will be able to sense where she is.”
    “It’s what I’ve been hoping for. You’ve kept us waiting for a very long time. You have been missed.”
    “Maybe by you and Father, but I have a feeling someone else isn’t happy to see me.” She tapped a finger to the side of her head. “I’m getting an earful, if you know what I mean.”
    Octavion sighed. At least they were communicating. “I do know. The two of you have a lot to talk about, the most important of which is that you cannot show your face because everyone thinks you are dead. Remember that when you hear her thoughts and pleas for freedom.”
    “Freedom?” Lydia looked