Kira folded her arms. Now he got it.
“No.” He drew the word out.
“Yup.”
“Not possible.”
“Only it is,”Kira assured him.
“I can’t be related to that idiot.”
Kira gave him a flat stare, reverting to normal speech. “Make me say yes one more time. I dare you.”
Jin didn’t get another chance to deny it as Wren drew his en-blade, and Maksym erected akishield.
"Incoming," Amila barked.
NINETEEN
THREE DOTS APPEAREDagainst the backdrop of the sky, details becoming clearer as they neared. More elegant and refined than Kira would expect from a rescue vessel, the trio held more in common with pleasure crafts.
Sails that looked like butterfly wings jutted from the main hull. Their design put Kira in mind of a vibrantly colored dorsal fin on one of the deadly fish the Haldeel stocked in their ponds.
Like those predators, the vessels cut through the air with an efficiency that was as reliable as it was deadly.
Jin retreated to Kira's side as the ships prepared to land. "Look who finally shows up when the fun is already over."
Kira allowed the change in subject, knowing he’d talk when he was ready. Truthfully, she was grateful the revelation went over as well as it had.
"Let's keep our thoughts to ourselves,” Kira told him. “We can't afford to offend the Haldeel."
While Kira's actions had been necessary to preserve Devon's life, they could also be seen as presumptuous. Kira didn't want to be made the scapegoat in the event the Haldeel needed to save face.
Jin grumbled but didn't say anything else as the first of the ships lowered in a gentle landing.
"Is that a royal cutter?" Kira asked, feeling slightly sick as she caught sight of Haldeel soldiers wearing the armor of the royal guard.
