In the golden hour before sunset, the Shining Palace had developed a reddish hue as the sun’s rays began to fade. The remnant of the earlier storm allowing the setting ball of fire to put on a brilliant show.
“You can’t run from it. Distractions only work for so long.”
There was no shortcut to dealing with grief. It was a truth Kira knew better than anyone.
For such an advanced race, the Tuann were surprisingly shitty at handling loss.
Kira supposed being so long lived played a part in that. Maybe it would have been the same for her if she hadn’t grown up under the shadow of grief’s presence.
A specter that eventually came for them all.
Kira looked back at Tinsley. “Eventually that thing you’re trying to avoid sinks its claws back into you.”
Edris’s gaze sharpened on Kira as if he were seeing her for the first time.
“You understand then,” Tinsley said, an impassioned look on her face. “Proof there are others like you who survived can give her hope.”
Kira nodded. “I do.”
“You’ll help us then.”
“I will not.”
Devastation moved across Tinsley’s face. Her mouth opened and then closed as she struggled to find words.
“Why?” Tinsley’s voice cracked.
“Because you’re forgetting all those you lost aren’t sweet children anymore.”
And as long as they continued to ignore that fact, Kira didn’t think it would be a good idea to introduce the forty-three to them.
Boden scowled. “They will always be our children.”
Graydon shook his head as Kira glanced in his direction. “Don’t look at me. I don’t understand the point you’re trying to make either.”
He wasn’t the only one, Kira saw as her gaze moved from to Harlow and finally to Wren.
It was the issue she kept butting up against. No matter how many times she said it they couldn’t wrap their heads around the why of it.
The reason their children refused to come home.
Jin’s engines whirled as he circled Kira drawing her attention. She stared at him for a moment, contemplating.
There was one way she knew of that might help them understand but it involved sharing secrets that weren’t only hers to share.
As always Jin seemed to anticipate what she was thinking. “They will not like this.”
No. They wouldn’t.
“Selene and Alexander seem to be doing whatever they want. I think it’s time we do the same,” Kira answered.
Jin made a soft sound that was close to a laugh as Kira bent, holding her hand at knee height. “What were you doing when you were about this age?”
Confusion showed on Tinsley’s face as her gaze darted from Kira to her hand. “What does that have to do with anything?”
Kira’s words were relentless as she continued as if Tinsley hadn’t spoken. “You were probably treasured. I’m betting dozens came running the moment you made the smallest cry.”
Tinsley’s mouth closed as she frowned at Kira.
