Her lips curved up the slightest bit. This might be even easier than she'd assumed.
"She wears your mark," Graydon said in a ruthlessly polite voice.
Kira shifted slightly as she detected the faintest edge of frustration in Graydon. It was unexpected, given their short acquaintance. Graydon wasn't the type to show his emotions easily.
Maybe it was a lingering result of the bond they'd briefly shared? It couldn't be because she'd developed a habit of studying him as closely as he studied her.
“You said she was raised by humans,” the stranger said, the slightest sneer in his voice. “Perhaps they've found a new way to mimic us.”
Kira stiffened at the insult. The obvious scorn told her exactly how he felt about her adopted species.
Graydon's soldiers stilled, the air turning icy. Before, they'd been tense but not on edge. Violence now simmered just below the surface. They hadn't liked the implied insult to their leader or Kira.
Amila stepped forward, placing herself between Kira and the strangers as she stared down a man who'd ventured too close.
"Careful, Roderick. You're not just insulting them when you question me," Graydon said, his voice a silky rumble.
"This should be interesting," Jin said.
Roderick's gaze shifted to him and a look of distaste filled his expression. "Bring her, but the human toy stays here."
"Not happening. He goes where I go." She gave him a friendly smile. Those who knew her would have warned him to be careful. Kira rarely smiled like that unless she was planning something—usually something painful and embarrassing for someone else.
"Children aren't to speak unless invited," Roderick instructed haughtily.
Anger coiled in Kira's gut. This guy was beginning to irritate her.
"Remember the mission," Jin murmured in Japanese. He took a chance in assuming the Tuann present didn't know the language.
"I never forget," Kira said through gritted teeth.
It was tempting to lash out. Oh, so tempting. She could practically taste the satisfaction it would bring, to teach these people the error of underestimating her. However, to do so would be foolhardy and shortsighted.
Instead, she gave him her sweetest smile. Graydon's lips twitched before he quelled his amusement, hiding it as if it had never been. She wasn't the only one beginning to recognize the subtle hints in the other’s expressions.
"I'm far from everything I've ever known. Surely, you wouldn't deprive me of my companions. They give me such comfort," Kira said. It was a shameless play for sympathy, meant to force them to think “poor, little, lost child.”
Graydon, ironically, had been the one to give her this idea with his pacifier comment.
Her ploy worked as Roderick dismissed her, turning to Graydon. Amila and another of Graydon's soldiers exchanged glances, a small trace of humor glinting in their eyes. They knew what she'd done and approved.
"We'll take her from here," Roderick stated brusquely. "You may report to the emperor we've done our duty."
Kira was a little impressed with the man's balls. Graydon wasn't the sort you dismissed. He did the dismissing, not the other way around. Roderick had stomped all over that. He was either secure in his abilities or just plain stupid. Jury was out on which it was.
"I'm afraid we won't be departing yet," Graydon said with a smile devoid of warmth or humor. It was raw, holding all the savagery of a warrior. It said he'd be happy to do this dance with Roderick because he knew beyond a shadow of a doubt, he'd come out the winner in the end. "Until Kira is formally claimed, she remains under the emperor's protection."
Roderick straightened, his frown fierce.
A shuttle roared into sight above. It hovered over the wide field they stood on before lowering and touching down softly.
"How many of youroshotaare you expecting us to House?" Roderick asked, his eyebrows lowered in displeasure.
"Only those present. However, several humans traveled with us," Graydon said before Roderick could relax. "They wanted to ensure their friend was settled and to provide a reminder of home in this difficult time."
Kira fought her smile as Graydon made the same argument Kira had moments before, insinuating the child would be extremely troubled so far from the comforts and people of home. It seemed she wasn't the only one who found Roderick obnoxious.
She never would have guessed how irritated Graydon had been with the Curs’ presence if she hadn't seen his expression when they first came on board.
