Bound by C.K. Bryant Read Free Book Online Page B

explanation as he sorted through a few of the
bottles. “I have many gifts afforded me by my heritage, one of
which allows me the skill of knowing the healing qualities of many
plants, herbs, and metals. I have studied with the masters in my
homeland and read many books. Some of these containers are filled
with very powerful tinctures and remedies, while others are
dangerous poisons.”
    Kira glanced over at Lydia’s frail body. Dark
circles had formed under her eyes and her breathing seemed labored.
“So, one of these can cure her, then?”
    “No. It will take more than that.” Octavion
took a small box from one of the shelves. Inside was a black satin
bag. He carefully loosened the string at one end and poured
something into the palm of his hand.
    “This is a healing charm,” he said, opening
his hand for Kira to see.
    She blinked hard and leaned closer. He’d
already placed his hand inches from her face, so now she was
practically nose to palm. His hand was empty. She straightened and
gave an over-exaggerated sigh. “There’s nothing there.”
    His eyes shifted to his palm before
refocusing on her face. He looked at her curiously. “You cannot see
it?”
    “See what?”
    His brow creased with frustration as he took
her hand and pressed her fingertips to the center of his palm. When
he let go, she kept her fingers there, rubbing them across what
felt like a tiny metal snake coiled in his hand. It was icy to the
touch. She pulled her hand back.
    “But how can that be?” she asked. “Why can’t
I see it?”
    “I am not certain. Let me try something.” He
drew his fingers through a small section of her hair, letting it
all fall away except for a single strand. The brush of his skin
against her face made her shudder.
    “May I?” he asked.
    She nodded.
    He plucked the hair from her scalp, then
picked up the invisible healing charm and twisted her hair around
it. At first, she saw nothing, but when he held it in the
candlelight, it slowly came into view. It looked like a silver
bracelet, but when Kira looked closer she realized it had no clasp.
Instead the ends were frayed like the end of a rope. The chain
wasn’t really a chain, either—it was more like a solid stream of
liquid silver—and the strand of her hair had disappeared. He laid
the bracelet back in his palm and held it out again. It seemed to
move on its own, settling into the creases of his hand.
    She wanted to touch it, but seeing it move
like that made her think her imagination had taken over again. She
quickly drew back when he brought it closer to her face.
    “It will not hurt you,” Octavion said.
    Kira took a deep breath and pinched the
silver material between two fingers. This time it warmed to her
touch.
    “It’s beautiful, but how does it work?” she
asked, letting it fall back into his hand.
    “My mother was a visionary and a healer. When
she died, my father kept a lock of her hair. This bracelet was made
from several of those strands, along with one of my sister’s. It
was meant to serve as a divining tool to locate Lydia if she got in
trouble, but we later found it had healing qualities. It must be
worn by someone not of royal blood—a commoner.” He motioned
toward Kira.
    Again with the stupid blood . “You mean
me, don’t you?”
    “That was my hope.”
    “But that still doesn’t tell me how it works
or how something like this even exists. Where did you get it? Who
was your mother, and why do you keep talking about your blood?”
    “Octavion,” Lydia’s frail voice barely
carried across the small space. She’d been stirring slightly, and
now her eyes opened to thin slits. She blinked hard, as if trying
to focus. Octavion laid the healing charm on the black bag and went
to her side. He adjusted her blanket and stroked the side of her
face, trying to comfort her.
    “I won’t lose . . . another . . . friend,”
she managed between each breath.
    “Tell me what else to do, Lydia. I cannot
watch you die like this. I