On one hand, there was nothing more seductive than a promise like the one he’d just given her. On the other, she knew the tolls such a vow could exact—particularly for a man in Graydon’s position.
Graydon’s thumb sent a fleeting caress across her cheekbone. His other dragged her lower lip, desire burning in his eyes as he stared at the spot he touched.
Just when she thought he’d close the last few inches, Graydon withdrew. His hands dropped to his side as a mask descended.
“I did what I felt right.”
Graydon stalked away, his powerful strides carrying him down the avenue toward the Shining Palace.
“How bad is this?” Kira asked Finn, not taking her eyes off Graydon.
“The oath of Aliria can only be given once in a lifetime.”
Kira looked at him. “That’s not what I asked.”
“Most women would consider his vow the height of romantic declarations.”
Kira rolled her eyes and headed for the fortress’s entrance. “As Graydon would say, I’m not most women. Quit playing games and tell me what this means.”
Finn strolled after her. “There’s no need to fret. The oath is a promise of protection and support between two equals.” There was a pause. “Moreover, it’s one he’s made to you before.”
Kira scowled at him. “Does everyone know?”
Everyone but her that was.
Amusement touched Finn’s face. “Not everyone.”
Just him, Graydon’s oshota, and Joule, she was guessing.
“How is this different than the vow of an oshota?” Kira asked.
“It’s not. Technically.”
The arched doors of the fortress parted, allowing them entrance. Kira paused on the threshold to send Finn a no-nonsense stare.
She was getting a little tired of the teasing.
His expression sobered. “An oshota’s vow is one of service. I will fulfill your orders to the best of my capability. The oath of Aliria is a promise of help whenever you face strife. As such, the giver does not serve at the other’s behest. In simple terms, it is a promise offering protection. Nothing more.”
Somehow Kira had a hard time believing that. The first time Graydon gave her that vow Joule had seemed almost shocked. Not to mention, the weight of those words seemed much heftier than what Finn was suggesting.
“Doesn’t this conflict with the oath he made to the emperor?”
That was the part truly giving Kira trouble. She knew how much serving as the emperor’s Face meant to him. It was one of the highest positions a Tuann could hold, and this vow could jeopardize everything.
“I wouldn’t worry about it too much,” Finn said. “Although an oath like this can cause a conflict of interest, Graydon wouldn’t have given it without considering the ramifications.”
What went unsaid was Finn’s admonishment to trust Graydon.
Kira did, but there was a part of her that worried.
She’d long passed the age where she prayed for someone to rescue her. Honestly, Kira didn’t think she’d ever been given to such flights of fancy. She’d always considered it her and Jin against the universe. Any saving they needed, they’d do themselves.
Still, there was something appealing in knowing someone cared enough to make an oath for her. One that said they’d be there waiting if she should ever need it.
“The first Overlord to use the oath of Aliria made it to an unrequited love as a symbol of his esteem. There is no pressure to return it,” Finn informed Kira as they stepped into the fortress.
The great hall that served as the entryway for the fortress was every bit as intimidating and majestic as the rest of Roake’s home. High ceilings and stone walls were softened by fabric banners carrying Roake’s insignia and colors.
