She couldn’t say what made her choose that door out of all the rest. Simply that it felt right.
Like it was waiting for her to claim it.
Kira went to push it open, surprised when color spread from the place she’d touched.
A bird took shape next to the tree. Its wings spread as reds and oranges mixed with an electric blue until it looked like fire trailed in its wake.
“It’s a phoenix,” Jin said in an awed voice.
Kira stopped and stared, admiring the addition of the bird. One of the most powerful entities in human mythology.
There was a reason Kira had chosen the phoenix as her call sign over all others.
It was because the phoenix was a creature revered for its ability to resurrect itself from the ashes of its downfall. Having fallen a time or two herself, Kira could admire the fortitude it took to pull itself back together.
The sound of footsteps behind Kira announced Baran’s departure.
Jin took the opportunity to slip out of Kira’s sleeve, dropping to the ground as she pushed open the door.
The focal point of the room beyond was the bed. Soft and dreamy, its design delicate and feminine. It seemed to sing Kira’s name, the comfortable sheets and pillows beckoning her.
How nice would it be to lay down and forget everything for a while?
The same glowing vines below were present along one wall here too. They climbed toward the ceiling, an intricate tapestry.
Kira whistled as she leaned against the door’s frame and looked around, Jin having already disappeared.
Good thing too, given the man watching her from his seat on the opposite side of the room.
“This is certainly fancy. Not the sort of accommodations I’d expect in a challenge as strenuous as the adva ka.”
“Those who work hard should be rewarded,” Graydon told her with a faint smirk. “Don’t you agree?”
Coli, subtleness isn’t in your skill set, Graydon thought at her with a silent rumble of laughter. For all her attempts to go unnoticed, she shone as brightly as any star.
Personally, he found it quite amusing.
A woman set on obscurity unable to achieve it because of her excellence.
Yes, it was entertaining to watch, if nothing else.
Had Kira been anyone but the heir of Roake, he was sure Torvald would have already drafted an invitation requesting she pledge her service to him.
As it was, Roake had lucked out in its chosen heir.
“First your warning in the arena. Now your presence in a place I’m certain would meet with disapproval.” The tilt of Kira’s head was almost coy as she stepped into the room, letting the door close behind her. “What’s the matter, Graydon? Miss me?”
This time Graydon’s rumble was audible. “Always, coli.”
Every second she spent away from him. She was an ache in his bones. A gaping hole in his soul.
Warmth expanded in his chest as he caught the way she froze in place, her eyes blinking rapidly as if his answer had surprised her.
It took effort to remain seated and not respond to her delightful reaction.
Tension entered his body as he controlled his breathing, watching Kira with a careful gaze.
A predator afraid of spooking his prey before it was time.
