What should have been a handicap had turned into a strength for the other woman, allowing her empathic senses to compensate. Tierni didn’t perceive the world in the same way other Haldeel did.
In the short time Kira had known Tierni, the other woman had discovered how to use those senses in a way that gave her the advantage.
Deceiving her was impossible. She could read feelings like they were an open book.
Not only that, but as long as someone was around her, she could use their perception of the world to navigate, “seeing” it through their eyes.
In the time since their last encounter, it seemed Tierni had managed to rise to one of the Haldeel’s highest positions.
Tierni’s veil fluttered as her head tilted, recalling Kira to the present.
She’d been rude.
As surprising as Tierni’s new status was, Kira was happy to see the scared little girl she’d once known succeed in a way Tierni hadn’t been able to conceive of when Kira first met her.
Kira let that feeling flush through her, the pleasure and warmth. The joy and pride. The happiness at seeing her friend again.
"Tierni," Kira said softly, holding those feelings close.
"You do remember."
"Yes."
Tierni's gaze swept up to where Jin hovered above Kira's head.
"Little Jin, I see you're as dapper as always," Tierni said.
"And you are wearing much nicer clothes than the last time I saw you," he responded.
Tierni inclined her head. "This is true."
With a deliberate movement, the royal turned, sweeping her train out of her way in a practiced gesture.
"I'm glad we got to meet again," Tierni said before she disappeared into her crowd of guards.
The leader of those guards remained behind as the rest marched away, giving Kira her second shock of the afternoon.
She blinked at the Haldeel, noting the familiar markings on his arms and face.
His lips lifted in a smirk as he made a gesture that when translated would mean her legs were showing. To a Haldeel, the saying was the equivalent of the human saying that she was wearing her emotions on her sleeve.
"When it rains, it pours," Jin said, almost more shocked than Kira.
Neither expected to see Lieven here. Though they should have.
Lieven had been Tierni's companion all those years ago, protecting her in the darkest circumstances. He was the reason Kira understood the nuances of the Haldeel language, both verbal and nonverbal, as well as she did. He'd been the one to undertake the painstaking process of educating her.
"Lady. Lord." Lieven greeted both of them. "You look well."
Considering their last encounter had ended with Kira half dead, that wasn't saying much.
"You seem calmer. Steadier. This pleases me greatly," Lieven continued, making the gesture for relief and happiness.
Lieven sobered as he left behind the past in favor of that of the present, adjusting his position so he was partially facing both Raider and Kira.
"The Haldeel wish to extend their sincerest gratitude," Lieven started.
At the same time, Odin's voice came over the coms. "Kira, you're never going to believe this."
