"The Luatha Overlord plays well with the meaning of words." Graydon strode toward them, his expression arrogant and amused as he regarded them.
Unlike Liara, he'd left off the cape, his footsteps echoing in the large space. He moved with purpose and efficiency. He looked like a knight striding out of humanity's past. Powerful. Brutal. Dangerous.
"The relationship between Luatha and Roake has been—" there was a brief hesitation as Graydon considered the right phrasing. "Fraught with tension since the Sorrowing."
Liara didn't speak, her chin lifting in challenge.
Kira didn't have to ask whether Graydon's assessment was correct or not. She could read the answer in Liara's suddenly smooth expression; all emotion wiped away.
Yup, there was definitely something there.
"If you want to know about House Roake, you should ask the Emperor's Face. After all, he was one of them once," Liara said, her tone cutting.
Graydon's expression remained amused.
Liara flicked a glance at Kira. "Did you ever wonder how they learned about you? That information isn't floating around. Someone would have had to tell them—and it wasn't us."
This wasn't about Kira. This was a power play. Liara was upset with Graydon and still hurting from the attack on her House.
"Sowing dissent, cousin?" Kira asked.
It was to Liara's credit that she flushed at the question.
Kira's smile was soft. "I'm not a tool to be used against others."
It was best Liara learned that now, before she made a mistake she couldn't come back from.
Movement from the doorway attracted Kira's attention as Ziva and Joule appeared. Kira had rescued the two children back on O’Riley Station when the air gondola they'd been riding in had been sabotaged and was in the process of crashing. That one act had set this entire situation in motion, but she found she couldn't regret it.
The two had somehow found a way past her defenses. They were persistent. Joule intent on protecting those he had no business trying to protect. He looked to be in his early teens. Thirteen or fourteen at most.
His face still held the slightest trace of baby fat, but his facial bones were defined. One day he was going to break hearts.
Ziva was an adorable mini-replica, modeling her behavior off the older boy. Several years younger than Joule, she had white-blond hair and eyes of the deepest blue. Her cuteness belied the fighter within. Right now she was small, but Kira knew with the right training and time to grow she'd be fierce. Already she didn't let her young age or small size stop her from throwing herself into the midst of danger.
What were they doing here?
They approached with hesitant steps. Joule's gaze came up to meet hers, his expression filling with guilt and something else. Stubbornness. That's what it was.
Well, well, it looked like he'd finally gotten over his hero worship.
Joule's attention slid to where Silas regarded him steadily.
Joule took a deep breath, steeling himself. "We've come to petition to join House Roake. If accepted, we would train there until we pass ouradva ka."
Kira started to object.
Liara stopped her with a touch on her wrist. "Don't interfere. This is his choice."
"Who is your sponsor?" Silas asked.
"I am," Graydon rumbled from beside Kira.
Kira fixed Graydon with a hard look. That hadn't been the agreement.
"To gain entrance into Roake, he needs a sponsor. Same with theadva ka.Do you really want him trained by her warriors?" Graydon asked. "I thought you liked the boy. He'll have a far better shot at becoming an Overlord if trained by Roake."
Liara pressed her lips together tight but didn't argue. Kira took that to mean Graydon was right.
