“I have to face her sometime, I suppose,” Kira said.
“Tomorrow is going to be tough, and there’s no guarantee you’ll win.”
Raider didn’t need to say the consequences if they lost. The Tuann would destroy Jin and likely Kira in the process.
Raider’s shoulder brushed hers as he lowered his voice. “This might be the point where you consider an alternative exit strategy.”
Their gazes met as they shared a knowing look.
Kira dipped her chin to show she understood. “I’ll keep that in mind.”
Raider’s lips twisted. “You do that, Phoenix.”
Finn watched Raider depart, saying nothing as the human lifted a hand toward him in goodbye.
Only when he was gone did Finn push off the wall. “I’ll wait outside.”
Kira appreciated the gesture, knowing how hard it was for the oshota to leave her on her own.
Finn closed the door behind him, giving Kira privacy to share what might be her last moments with Graydon.
If only she knew what to say. The exact series of words that might make what she was about to do okay.
Kira moved to the head of the bed, taking a seat in the chair waiting beside it. She settled into the soft cushions with a heartsick feeling.
“This is quite the predicament,” Kira informed Graydon.
The door behind her opened as someone stepped into the room. Kira chose to ignore them as she brushed a lock of hair out of Graydon’s face.
”I do love you. That’s part of what makes this so hard.“ Kira reached for Graydon’s hand, taking it in hers. “I won’t let them kill Jin. You might not approve what I do next.”
It was a warning—for herself and the room’s other occupant.
Kira would like to believe any rescue attempt would end with no one hurt except for a few bruises and maybe some broken bones, but she’d be lying to herself.
Graydon possessed a protective nature that rivaled Kira’s own. He might not be able to forgive her for doing what she felt she had to.
Kira’s clogged laugh held a touch of self-deprecation. “I guess Elise is a little easier to understand now.”
Maybe Elise’s loyalties to Kira and Raider had conflicted with what she felt was her duty to the generals. If so, Kira couldn’t help being a little sad for all of them.
Pain twisted Kira’s heart as she gave him a sorrow filled smile. “This is why I tried so hard not to love you.”
She’d seen this coming and yet fell for him anyway.
She was a fool.
With nothing left to say, Kira rose. She hovered over Graydon for a moment before leaning down to whisper in his ear. The words were familiar ones. The same ones he’d given her on Ta Da’an and then again standing in front of Roake’s fortress.
Speaking the oath of Aliria to him felt right. Important.
A promise that even if circumstances and life separated them, she would be here if he ever needed. His shield and his sword.
It might be all she could ever give him.
Kira pressed a kiss against his lips and straightened to find the emperor watching her. He said nothing as she stepped away from the bed and advanced across the room.
Throughout it all, Torvald made no move to prevent her departure.
