Amila aimed a happy expression her way. "Don't be. That was fun to watch. I didn't know some of those human insults before. Flibberjibit was my favorite."
Kira snorted. "You probably won't hear them again. We tend to make things up when the mood strikes us."
A yawn cracked Kira's jaw.
"You're tired," Finn said. "The healing you received would have strained your normal resources. You should retire. They will clean up."
Kira didn't argue. The encounter with Graydon on the terrace, followed by the contest with Jin had left her feeling pleasantly drained for once. Exhaustion made his order more palatable than it would be otherwise. She had a feeling that soon it would be less of a decision and more of her falling unconscious at their feet.
CHAPTER EIGHTEEN
"This way," Ayela said, bowing her head diffidently as she led Kira along the hall. "We're late. Preparing you took longer than I anticipated."
Kira smiled at the subtle jab, meant to imply Kira's lack of attractiveness as the cause, given how hard the girl had to work to make her appealing.
Ayela had claws, delicate but sharp, nonetheless. Good for her.
Kira didn't move any faster, continuing at the same pace, despite the look of irritation the other woman shot her.
She didn't care. They'd get there soon enough. For now, she concentrated on not tripping over the long fabric of her dress.
The wave in her hair had been magnified and then woven with strings of precious metals.
The dress she'd been given to wear was fitted on top and through the waist, before falling in a graceful train behind her. It was diaphanous and floaty, except for the metal woven into the bodice and waist.
Excluding its length, it was surprisingly easy to move in since it was short in front, long in back. If she didn't turn too quickly or forget about the excess she was dragging, she'd be fine.
Secretly, Kira adored the way it drifted around her legs.
Ayela slowed her pace to accommodate Kira, her expression wiped clear of any irritation.
Jin rotated his eye to Kira and blinked once, as if to ask if she was picking up on their guide's impatience too.
She nodded.
"You helped with the children yesterday?"
