Kira frowned. For Tierni to have told Skye about those events, it meant the adolescent was closer to the royal than Kira previously assumed.
A relation of some kind perhaps?
Kira had been under the impression Tierni destroyed her family upon her rise to power.
Yukina hovered next to Kira as Skye broke away to talk to a Haldeel standing on the sidelines. "Do you have any idea what you're doing?"
"Nope. I thought I'd wing it."
Yukina's expression tightened.
"She'll be fine," Graydon said. To Kira, "Won't you?"
There was a faint pressure in the way he asked that. Kira suspected if she supplied any other answer but yes, he'd drag her off this platform and stash her somewhere safe.
For that reason, she forced her lips into a semblance of a smile. "Of course. Would I accept if I didn't think I would win?"
Jin blew a raspberry through their comms. "Absolutely."
"I'll be fine," Kira reassured them again.
Now if only she could make herself believe it too.
Kira stepped onto the platform, Jin following.
"The drone must stay here," Yukina objected.
Lieven stirred. "That won't be necessary.Za na riKira andZa na riJin are considered one soul in the eyes of our people. I would consider their participation an honor."
At that, Kira gave Lieven a cocky look. "You sure about that? You know we kicked your ass last time."
A broad grin spread on Lieven's face. "Has the smack talk portion of the challenge started?"
Kira didn't answer verbally, instead making a gesture that roughly translated to “bring it.”
An evil chortle came from Lieven as he paid no attention to the disbelieving looks of their audience.
"I will make sure to humiliate you before your ancestors," he said after some thought.
"Come, come, you can do better than that," Kira moved to her side of the stage, taking her position as the remaining sphere moved into place above them.
The taunt awakened his competitive spirit.
"Such boasting. One would think you're afraid." He gave her a pronounced frown. "It's been a while for you, after all."
Jin crowed. "That was a good one. Good job."
Lieven's expression thawed into a real smile. "I would wish you fortuitous tides, but this time I intend to crush your soul."
Kira sketched him a half bow. "May the best one win, then."
Curtains of golden light threaded through with umber and midnight blue flashed around them, forestalling any further conversation.
Piece by piece, a multi-level maze made up of glistening strands of light formed around them.
"Five stories." Jin spun around as he studied the transparent structure. "They've really pulled out all the stops for you."
Kira pressed her palm against the nearest translucent wall, unsurprised when she met firm resistance.
