“Trust your Overlord,” Makon advised.
Kira flicked a look at him, holding still as he reached forward to snap the collar around her neck.
Cold bit into the skin around her throat as the collar settled into place. Ice spread in her veins, traveling from her neck until it invaded every inch of her body.
By the time Makon stepped back, the last remnant of ki in her body had vanished, leaving behind a heaviness that dragged at Kira’s limbs. It sapped the color from the world, turning it a little less vibrant.
Makon nodded at Harlow. “It’s done.”
“Happy now?” Harlow asked.
“I know you don’t believe this, but I have the best interests of our people at heart,” Jarek said calmly.
Harlow lifted a lip but didn’t comment.
“What about Elise?” Kira asked when Makon gestured for her to precede him. “She’s a daughter of Roake as well.”
Harlow hesitated at the sight of Wren hovering next to his daughter, his blank face not quite masking the yearning. A flicker of emotion showed in Harlow’s expression before it was stamped out.
“And she shall be treated as such,” Harlow agreed.
Solal didn’t give way as a pair of Harlow’s oshota approached.
“She has not formally been acknowledged as a daughter of Roake, like Kira has. Moreover, she injured the emperor’s Face. I cannot allow her to leave our custody,” Solal said.
“A compromise, then,” Makon inserted smoothly when Harlow’s expression darkened. “Members of Roake will accompany her until her fate has been decided.”
Harlow and Wren shared a long look before Harlow inclined his head. “That is acceptable.”
The matter settled, Makon once again gestured for Kira to follow him.
Not yet. There was still one matter to settle.
Kira searched and found Jin in the grasp of one of Jarek’s oshota. “What are you planning to do with him?”
“When he wakes, he will face trial,” Jarek answered.
Kira wasn’t a fan of that suggestion. Right now, Jin was defenseless and would be for days. He’d have no way of protecting himself if the Tuann decided they would prefer to skip holding a trial for him.
Devon pushed his way through the oshota. “You don’t have to worry. I won’t let anything happen to him.”
There was a promise in his gaze, a level of determination Kira hadn’t seen in him before.
Whatever the rest of the Tuann thought, there was at least one who saw beyond Jin’s outer layer to the amazing person inside.
Devon would protect Jin. That would have to be enough.
Kira nodded, her gaze sweeping the arena in search of those she’d had to leave behind when she answered the summons.
“The injured, including Finn and your human, have already been taken to the Shining Palace to receive treatment,” Makon informed her.
A wave of relief went through Kira as Makon’s words removed the weight from her shoulders.
Now was the time to take a step back in retreat. As long as the Tuann came to the right conclusion they could have all the trials they wanted.
And if they didn’t—well, Kira wouldn’t be held responsible for that. They’d been warned.
If the Tuann thought something like this collar could contain her, they had another think coming.
