"The path has stabilized," a Luathan tech called.
Finn appeared at her shoulder, looking at the arches with a complicated expression on his face.
"We will leave after Silas steps through," he said.
"You're coming with us?" That surprised her. With the level of barely concealed tension between Liara and those from Roake, she hadn't thought they'd let any of Liara's people into their House.
His eyes lowered to meet hers. "I'm originally from House Roake. Where you go; I will follow."
Her eyes widened. She twisted to find Graydon and glared. He met her gaze calmly.
Tricky bastard. He'd planned this from the beginning. He'd appointed Finn as her oshota specifically so he would stay with her even when House Roake claimed her.
Would any of this have been possible if she hadn't negotiated her freedom from Liara? Did he anticipate that too?
His eyes smiled at her before he stepped through the doorway after Silas.
Raider paused beside her. "I think you might have a problem with that one. He's nearly as tricky as you."
Kira slid a sidelong look at him. Raider's snicker was quiet as she marched toward the gate. "I definitely would have preferred any of the other three over you," she muttered.
FOUR
Kira braced for pain, expecting the world to wrench sideways before dissolving around her. The pain was noticeably absent as she stepped through the world gate with as much ease as she'd step through any doorway.
That was where the similarities ended. Going from Ta Da'an to Ta Sa’Riel was like stepping from a warm pool into a hot sauna. The Mea'Ave at the planet's core surged, reaching up in an embrace that spoke of welcome and joy while at the same time overwhelming every one of Kira's senses.
This Mea'Ave wasn't like the one on Ta Da'an. It was ancient and powerful.
Processing the immenseness of it all was impossible. Knowledge hovered out of reach, threatening to submerge her mind under its weight.
Kira's mental defenses snapped into place, useless against the entity.
It was like being strapped to the underside of a hoverboard while re-entering atmo and getting hit with the bulk of the turbulence. It was intense and scary. Exhilarating and humbling all at once.
Kira made an inarticulate gurgle as she stumbled, suddenly breathless. Graydon was there in the next moment to steady her, his hands comforting as he kept her upright.
"Breathe. Just breathe." His chest rumbled beneath her ear as she fought to stay standing. "It's the planet welcoming you. Remember what we did last time."
The Mea'Ave at the planet's core rolled over like an eager puppy as it reached out to her, pouring through her senses. Kira was prepared, letting its energy flow through her before returning the energy to the planet in a clumsy attempt that nevertheless relieved the worst of the pressure.
Her legs threatened to give out before she steeled herself. She would not embarrass herself in front of these people. She refused to start off with a mark against her.
Gradually, the giant pressure sitting on her chest loosened and her ribs expanded, allowing her to suck in a grateful breath of air.
This was different than last time. More intense.
"This planet is older," Kira guessed with her eyes still closed. She didn't know when they had slipped shut.
Graydon made an approving sound. "Yes."
Kira opened her eyes as the Mea'Ave subsided, taking in her surroundings. She stood on a wide circular ledge, deep grooves creating lines running its width, meeting and bisecting it in places.
Before her, an endless ocean of turbulent gray stretched, its waves crashing far below, bringing with it the smell of salt and brine.
Behind her was the gate that connected this planet to Luatha's. Runes were written on its side as Silas stood in front of it, his hands upraised, and his forehead furrowed in concentration.
Teleportation. Or something so close to it that it didn't matter.
