"And you're not going to do so now." Her muscles ached and she'd crammed all the knowledge into her head she planned to.
"Tired?" he said with a teasing lilt.
Kira snorted. "I'd say nearly getting eaten by a dragon's primordial piscine cousin after surviving an assassination attempt is enough excitement for me."
His expression sobered. "Myoshotaare working on finding who lured thelu-ongso close to the Citadel."
There was a dark promise in his voice. Those responsible would beg for a mercy he didn't have.
In that moment, he was the embodiment of a predator, dark and dangerous. Easily able to conquer his enemies so he could crush them beneath his boot so they might never rise again.
It should have scared Kira. He could very easily turn that dark intent her way. Probably would if he ever learned all her secrets.
It failed to do any of that. She understood him. The person who had put the Tsavitee control collar on thelu-ongand led it to the obstacle course had endangered not only her life but the lives of everyone there.
The protector in Graydon wouldn't allow such an action to stand. He'd hunt down and punish them with all the rage and fury he was capable of.
Kira would do the same. In that, they were alike.
"What brings you out here?" Kira asked, changing the subject.
He settled closer, the heat of his body wrapping around her, warming her against the cooler night. "What? Do you have a monopoly on this terrace? I'll have to inform the Overlord."
Kira looked at him. "You don't strike me as the type to enjoy a quiet night under the stars."
No, he was more apt to find a warm companion to tantalize and tease in bed, driving them mad with passion before leaving them in the morning.
Kira had seen the force of his presence on those around him. Even the Luathan women eyed him with desire when they thought no one was watching.
He was handsome and seductive, likely growing bored almost as fast as he fell into lust. But for a night or a week, he would be insatiable.
He leaned closer, his breath whispering across her face. "I am full of surprises. I'd be happy to show you."
He leaned back and waited.
"Why do I get the feeling your surprises might be more than I can handle?" she asked.
His smile was slow and wicked. "You can handle me,coli. I promise."
Kira ignored the innuendo in that statement, though it was hard. Part of her wanted to take him up on the offer, if only to see if they'd burn as hot and bright as she suspected.
"You were good with the children today," she said instead.
He made a sound of amusement, guessing exactly what she was doing. "I understand what they're going through. I was in much the same situation when I was their age."
"Did your parents die in the Sorrowing?"
There was a strained silence, Graydon's gaze growing distant as painful memories surfaced. "No, they died much earlier."
"What were they like?" Kira asked.
A sad smile touched his mouth. "My mother was soft-spoken, quiet. She let my father lead, unless something threatened me, then she was a fierce foe."
"They were both warriors?" Kira asked. This was a different side of Graydon, softer, more inviting.
"Yes. They wereoshota, the overlord's personal warriors," he said, his voice wistful. He reached up and tugged on a lock of Kira's hair, straightening the wavy piece only to release it and watch with fascination as it sprang back.
"They died protecting their overlord during an assassination attempt. The overlord and many others survived. They did not," Graydon said, an ache in his voice.
