Neither Graydon nor the emperor wanted to become anything like those monsters.
"And me?" Kira asked.
Graydon quirked an eyebrow. "I believe you've already made your deal."
An introspective look entered Kira's gaze as she considered.
She nodded. "That's fair."
Graydon felt a pulse of fierce pleasure. Whether Kira knew it or not, she'd already accepted her place among the Tuann. If she hadn't, she would have fought tooth and nail against that statement.
Progress. Slow and frustrating, but there, nonetheless.
Graydon could be patient.
He had a feeling Kira was worth the wait. Her layers seemed endless. A protection she'd needed to survive what she had. But Graydon had a feeling when they were finally pulled back, they would expose a woman with a soul like no other. Beautiful and pure.
Already, she'd given him brief glimpses of that woman when she interacted with her niece and Jin. Those all too brief moments where she forgot to guard herself. The taste was addictive and he found himself utterly enthralled.
Kira rolled her lips between her teeth as she looked like she was debating something. "There's something you should know."
Graydon waited.
Kira's gaze met his. "I think Elise is somewhere on this planet."
TWELVE
KIRA PRESSED HER lipstogether as her words hovered in the air. What she wouldn't give to take those words back.
But she couldn't.
They were already out, waiting for the universe to bestow a blessing or a curse. Hard to tell which.
Graydon wasn't the easiest of individuals to predict. He used a veneer of sarcasm and wit that was as likely to draw blood as his sword.
He could very easily use her confession against Kira.
