Facets of Revolution, page 47
“Happy now?” Harlow asked.
“I know you don’t believe this, but I have the best interests of our people at heart,” Jarek said calmly.
Harlow lifted a lip but didn’t comment.
“What about Elise?” Kira asked when Makon gestured for her to precede him. “She’s a daughter of Roake as well.”
Harlow hesitated at the sight of Wren hovering next to his daughter, his blank face not quite masking the yearning. A flicker of emotion showed in Harlow’s expression before it was stamped out.
“And she shall be treated as such,” Harlow agreed.
Solal didn’t give way as a pair of Harlow’s oshota approached.
“She has not formally been acknowledged as a daughter of Roake, like Kira has. Moreover, she injured the emperor’s Face. I cannot allow her to leave our custody,” Solal said.
“A compromise, then,” Makon inserted smoothly when Harlow’s expression darkened. “Members of Roake will accompany her until her fate has been decided.”
Harlow and Wren shared a long look before Harlow inclined his head. “That is acceptable.”
The matter settled, Makon once again gestured for Kira to follow him.
Not yet. There was still one matter to settle.
Kira searched and found Jin in the grasp of one of Jarek’s oshota. “What are you planning to do with him?”
“When he wakes, he will face trial,” Jarek answered.
Kira wasn’t a fan of that suggestion. Right now, Jin was defenseless and would be for days. He’d have no way of protecting himself if the Tuann decided they would prefer to skip holding a trial for him.
Devon pushed his way through the oshota. “You don’t have to worry. I won’t let anything happen to him.”
There was a promise in his gaze, a level of determination Kira hadn’t seen in him before.
Whatever the rest of the Tuann thought, there was at least one who saw beyond Jin’s outer layer to the amazing person inside.
Devon would protect Jin. That would have to be enough.
Kira nodded, her gaze sweeping the arena in search of those she’d had to leave behind when she answered the summons.
“The injured, including Finn and your human, have already been taken to the Shining Palace to receive treatment,” Makon informed her.
A wave of relief went through Kira as Makon’s words removed the weight from her shoulders.
Now was the time to take a step back in retreat. As long as the Tuann came to the right conclusion they could have all the trials they wanted.
And if they didn’t—well, Kira wouldn’t be held responsible for that. They’d been warned.
If the Tuann thought something like this collar could contain her, they had another think coming.
Four days later
Kira waited at the end of Graydon’s bed as Quillon completed his examination. The healer’s expression was regretful as he shook his head. “I can’t tell you anything different than what the other healers already have. He is sleeping comfortably, but there is no way to tell when he will wake up.”
The answer hurt. As did the knowledge that there was nothing anyone could do.
“Thank you for taking the time,” Kira told Quillon.
His face was full of sympathy as he squeezed her hand before making his departure.
Finn saw him out as Raider joined her at the bed. His arm was in a sling. He was nearly back to full health, but the healers wanted him to keep it immobile for a few more days since they weren’t sure how a human’s physiology would react to their medicine.
They seemed to think different meant weaker, but Kira had already caught Raider testing the range and motion of his arm.
She was betting it wouldn’t be long before he ditched the sling for good.
“What did you tell Elena about her mother?” Kira asked.
It was the first time they’d had a chance to talk since the arena. Elise and Aeron had been taken into custody immediately after Kira.
Unlike Kira, Elise didn’t get to keep a modicum of freedom in the form of the prisoner collar. Instead, she’d been placed under guard, her movements restricted.
Kira didn’t know if that meant a prison cell or a nice room. Quite frankly, she couldn’t bring herself to care.
It would be a long time before she forgot Elise’s betrayal. Much less forgave it.
According to Finn, Elise had asked to speak with Kira.
Not her daughter. Not Raider.
A fact that had to burn.
Raider shook his head. “I haven’t been able to figure out what to say.”
Kira could imagine. How did you tell your daughter that her mother not only doesn’t have any desire to see her after a lifetime of absence but that she also attacked the aunt that raised her?
Kira wouldn’t even begin to know where to find the words.
“Wren and Auralyn are watching her for now. The old man looks like he has aged a century,” Raider confessed.
Another person Elise’s actions had hurt.
“How are you handling this?”
Raider snorted. “About as well as you’re handling that.” He nodded at Graydon’s immobile form.
Kira smirked. “You mean fragile. Angry. Like there’s this ball of rage you don’t know what to do with because if you do anything, try to set it down or aim it somewhere else, you’re afraid it might burn down the world?”
“Something like that.”
The answer drew a smile from her. It died as she returned her attention to Graydon’s face.
“I should be happy she’s alive.” Kira’s throat was tight. “I spent so much time feeling lost when I thought she was dead. This should be a good thing.”
There had been a point where she would have given anything to have Elise back. She hadn’t cared how that might come about.
It turned out she’d overestimated her threshold of acceptance.
“Elise’s return has brought up a lot of bad feelings in all of us,” Raider agreed. “It’s made me question a lot of what I thought I knew about her.”
If anyone understood the conflicting feelings in Kira, it would be Raider.
Elise had once been his everything. To have her returned in such a way that he had to doubt what they’d once had must be agonizing.
Kira couldn’t forget that she wasn’t the only one Elise had betrayed.
What she’d done to Raider and Elena was arguably worse.
“What a pair we make,” Kira said, tilting her face to the ceiling.
Raider grunted as Finn returned, the oshota taking up a position against the wall. Kira had tried to convince him to take a seat since he’d been hurt worse than Raider, but the man had refused.
He was taking his loss of consciousness after the battle with the face changer and her choice to confront Elise alone hard.
He’d been even more bull-headed and stubborn since he’d reported to her side immediately after he woke up.
“The question of Elise and her return can wait,” Raider announced. “Jin’s situation is more pressing right now. Things don’t look good. I’ve already put a call in with Jace. He doesn’t think the Consortium has the resources to pursue a case for Jin being their property. Evidently, while we’ve been here getting our asses kicked, the Consortium has decided they no longer wish to abide by the Haldeel’s treaty. Several factions have motioned to reject the demands the Haldeel and Tuann have made as recompense for the Consortium’s part in the attack on the quorum.”
Kira’s feeling of disconnection faded as she gave Raider a sharp look. “What are you saying?”
Raider’s face was grave as he met her eyes. “The Consortium plans to withdraw from the alliance with the Haldeel.”
Kira sucked in a breath. “How can they do that?”
Did they not remember how many died in the last war against the Tsavitee? Without the Haldeel’s protection, they would be ripe for invasion. They’d lose everything they’d worked to rebuild over the past decade.
“They are convinced they’re strong enough to withstand anything the Tsavitee throw at them.”
Kira let out a huff that told him what she thought of that idiocy. “They’re fools.”
Raider’s grunt said he agreed. “Be that as it may, Jace says he lacks the influence necessary to stop this. He’s in the process of relocating his forces to one of Himoto’s secondary bases.”
“The ships Luatha gave him?”
“Also relocated. He’ll keep them hidden until they’re needed.”
There would come a time Kira would have to reckon with the fact that Centcom and the Consortium had decided to blow up a treaty over which so much blood had been spilt to forge. But not now.
Right now, all she had room for was Jin.
Humanity could wait.
“The Haldeel?”
Kira still had allies among them. A royal who owed Jin her life.
Tierni would do everything in her power to help. The question was timing. The trial began tomorrow.
Even if she could get in contact with Tierni, there was no guarantee the other would be able to come to their aide on such short notice. Or that she’d be able to cut through the political red tape to do so.
Raider scratched his jaw with one thumb. “Alexander put in a few calls. He used the communication marble the Haldeel gave you. Not that he shared how any of those calls went.”
“He wouldn’t. Alexander likes to play things close to the vest.”
It meant his machinations were harder to counter but it also left those with most reason to be concerned in the dark.
Raider started to turn and then hesitated. “You should prepare yourself. Elise will be there tomorrow.”
Kira’s hands clenched and then relaxed. She dipped her chin in acknowledgement.
“I have to face her sometime, I suppose,” Kira said.
“Tomorrow is going to be tough, and there’s no guarantee you’ll win.”
Raider didn’t need to say the consequences if they lost. The Tuann would destroy Jin and likely Kira in the process.
Raider’s shoulder brushed hers as he lowered his voice. “This might be the point where you consider an alternative exit strategy.”
Their gazes met as they shared a knowing look.
Kira dipped her chin to show she understood. “I’ll keep that in mind.”
Raider’s lips twisted. “You do that, Phoenix.”
Finn watched Raider depart, saying nothing as the human lifted a hand toward him in goodbye.
Only when he was gone did Finn push off the wall. “I’ll wait outside.”
Kira appreciated the gesture, knowing how hard it was for the oshota to leave her on her own.
Finn closed the door behind him, giving Kira privacy to share what might be her last moments with Graydon.
If only she knew what to say. The exact series of words that might make what she was about to do okay.
Kira moved to the head of the bed, taking a seat in the chair waiting beside it. She settled into the soft cushions with a heartsick feeling.
“This is quite the predicament,” Kira informed Graydon.
The door behind her opened as someone stepped into the room. Kira chose to ignore them as she brushed a lock of hair out of Graydon’s face.
”I do love you. That’s part of what makes this so hard.“ Kira reached for Graydon’s hand, taking it in hers. “I won’t let them kill Jin. You might not approve what I do next.”
It was a warning—for herself and the room’s other occupant.
Kira would like to believe any rescue attempt would end with no one hurt except for a few bruises and maybe some broken bones, but she’d be lying to herself.
Graydon possessed a protective nature that rivaled Kira’s own. He might not be able to forgive her for doing what she felt she had to.
Kira’s clogged laugh held a touch of self-deprecation. “I guess Elise is a little easier to understand now.”
Maybe Elise’s loyalties to Kira and Raider had conflicted with what she felt was her duty to the generals. If so, Kira couldn’t help being a little sad for all of them.
Pain twisted Kira’s heart as she gave him a sorrow filled smile. “This is why I tried so hard not to love you.”
She’d seen this coming and yet fell for him anyway.
She was a fool.
With nothing left to say, Kira rose. She hovered over Graydon for a moment before leaning down to whisper in his ear. The words were familiar ones. The same ones he’d given her on Ta Da’an and then again standing in front of Roake’s fortress.
Speaking the oath of Aliria to him felt right. Important.
A promise that even if circumstances and life separated them, she would be here if he ever needed. His shield and his sword.
It might be all she could ever give him.
Kira pressed a kiss against his lips and straightened to find the emperor watching her. He said nothing as she stepped away from the bed and advanced across the room.
Throughout it all, Torvald made no move to prevent her departure.
It was with mixed feelings that she stepped into the hallway. In any situation where you were facing a superior force, the element of surprise couldn’t be overstated. An element she’d just shot to hell by giving the emperor warning.
Call it a sign of respect to the man lying comatose in that bed or some vain hope that the emperor had even the smallest iota of empathy for his firstborn.
Either way, she’d let him know her intentions. What he chose to do with that knowledge was in his hands.
Kira found Finn standing at attention outside the door. No greetings were exchanged as they made their way toward Roake’s avenue by silent agreement.
Since Finn had woken up after his injury, the mood between them had been uncharacteristically strained. More so than could be explained by Kira’s actions of heading to the sanctum alone.
Of Finn and Raider, she was the least injured.
Still, he was quiet. As if he was wrestling with something only he knew.
Kira left him to his silence, more preoccupied with memorizing every detail of their journey to be worried about what was going on inside his mind. The way the sun’s rays slowly faded from the sky. The golden tinge of the horizon. The flags flapping in the wind. The salty smell of the ocean and the brisk breeze against her face.
A cold front was coming. There’d be snow soon.
Too bad Kira wouldn’t be here to see it. She’d have liked to have experienced a snowfall in Roake’s fortress. Snug in the warmth of her room drinking a cup of laug as nature decorated the world with white.
They reached the entrance of the fortress all too soon.
Finn stopped at the door, his expression unreadable. He gave her an abrupt nod. “I’ll let you go alone from here. There are a few things I need to take care of.”
Kira didn’t think she was imagining the unspoken goodbye as Finn bent in a respectful manner and touched his chest.
He looked up. His eyes catching hers for a long moment before he strode away without another word, leaving Kira staring after him speechless.
Where was he going? His room was in her suite.
As her near constant shadow for weeks, it was hard to wrap her head around his sudden departure.
She hadn’t realized how lonely it would be with him no longer at her side.
Feeling at a loss, Kira went inside the fortress, making her way to her floor where she found herself standing in front of a door that wasn’t hers.
The entrance to her parents’ bedroom beckoned. A silent reminder of the things she’d be giving up if she followed this course she was considering.
She owed it to herself and them to know what she’d be missing out on.
Kira gathered herself, searching for the courage to lift her hand and take that final step.
In the end, it was easier than she thought. Almost too easy as she set her hand on the knob. There was a pause as a hum of electricity swept through her, the ki contained in the lock reading her biometrics.
The door gave under her touch, opening a centimeter before stopping.
Kira’s heart pounded in her ears as she stared at the small gap of the opening. This was it. The last thing she needed to do before tomorrow came.
She wasn’t ready. Probably wouldn’t ever be.
Which was why she should just do it and get it over with.
Kira gave the door a push before she could talk herself out of it. The door creaked open, revealing a room much like the one Harlow had given her.
Kira hovered on the threshold, slowly taking in the furnishings. Though its inhabitants had been absent for nearly a century, the room looked like it had been empty for no more than a few days.
Harlow had kept it exactly how it was the day her parents died.
The bed was made but a robe had been tossed over the end of it. Its presence making the room’s emptiness all the more sorrowful.
Her mother had good taste, Kira saw. The robe a delicate weaving of the finest silk. The pattern a work of art in and of itself.
Belongings were scattered throughout the rest of the room. Small things that pointed at the occupants’ personalities. A variety of weapons mounted on the walls that must belong to her father except for the pair of daggers whose hilts looked like they were made from a butterfly’s wings.
Those would be her mother’s, Kira guessed.
There was a small replica of one of Roake’s battleships in the process of being assembled on a table in the corner. The pieces still arranged in neat little lines as if waiting for someone to finish putting them together.
Her parents had been neat but not immaculate. The room had a lived-in feel even after all this time. As if waiting for its owners return.
A picture of Liliana and Harding was hung on the wall. The image of her father was of a younger, less rigid version of Harlow. Love radiated from his gaze as he stared at the side of her mother’s face.
Kira resembled him. Her mother too—in the eyes and her smile. But Harding was the one who’d donated most of her looks.
They seemed happy.
They were happy. It was written in every line of their features. Whatever their ending had been, they’d lived a good life.
If nothing else, that was a source of comfort as Kira crossed the floor. Their lives weren’t filled with only tragedy. They’d laughed and they’d loved and made a million good memories between the two of them.
