Kira glared up at the ceiling.
Damn it.
Graydon had always seen too much. It was one of the biggest reasons she hadn’t wanted to get involved with him.
That ship had long since sailed. A fact she was glad for.
Still, she couldn’t help but worry that someday she would push him too far. That her insistence on doing things her way would spell the end of them.
A frown formed as she took in his playful expression, not seeing any of the anger or rebuke she was expecting.
“You’re not angry.”
That was strange. He had every right to the emotion. In his place, she would have pitched a tantrum if someone had brought a dangerous and untrusted person to her super-secret rite of passage.
“It would be a waste of energy to get mad at something I know will never change,” Graydon said with a soft look. “I’ve chosen to see it as fortuitous that he included himself.”
“Why is that?” Kira asked cautiously.
Don’t get her wrong. She was grateful not to be dealing with an annoyed, grumpy Graydon, but it was confusing.
Graydon’s touch was affectionate as he smoothed a piece of her hair off her face. “He is Tuann; no matter his form. That makes the adva ka his birthright.”
“Even though he’s soul bound,” Kira pressed.
“Yes.”
Graydon’s gaze seemed to see straight through her as Kira searched his expression.
There was no deception in his eyes. Only a sincerity that stole her breath.
Kira made a small sound. A tiny mewl of need.
Before Graydon could move, Kira hit the bend of his elbow and tangled her legs with his. She heaved, toppling them both to the floor where she landed on top of him.
She crouched over his body, her hair sweeping forward to brush his face.
Graydon froze under her, his gaze taking in the abundance of emotion in her expression.
His body relaxed as his eyes clung to her face, seeing all the feelings she had trouble putting into words.
Kira had always been a person who felt action spoke louder than words, but right now she wished she had the skill to convey everything she was thinking and feeling.
Her gratitude at the way he saw beyond Jin’s exterior to the truth of him. Her gratefulness for how he was always on her side. A steady presence at her back when she’d grown used to solitude.
She loved this man, she realized.
That vow he’d given her? She’d return it if she could.
He was worth every risk.
Graydon cupped her neck, drawing her down to him. “You leave me speechless, my soul.”
The breath Kira drew sounded clogged with tears as she lowered those last inches to touch her lips against his.
Wet spilled down her cheeks, the taste of salt mixing with the flavor of Graydon.
Their fingers intertwined as Kira pressed their hands against the floor next to his head, needing control in this moment.
