Elena’s reluctance was obvious as she clung to Kira’s hand.
“Go.” Kira released Elena and patted her arm. “Keep your head down and listen to Wren.”
She sent an appreciative look Wren’s way, grateful he’d watch over Elena in her stead. Her seon’yer hesitated before stepping forward to wrap Kira in a hug.
“Have faith, my yer’se. You are not abandoned yet,“ he said into her ear with one final squeeze.
Kira gave him a shaky smile. “I’m here, aren’t I?”
If that wasn’t a show of faith, she didn’t know what was.
“Stay the course.” Wren hesitated. “And thank you for what you did for my daughter. I know you could have settled things in an alternative fashion.”
By that Kira assumed he meant, she could have killed Elise.
The thought had occurred—especially when Graydon’s coma lingered with no end in sight. But such an action would have been impetuous. As angry as she was with Elise, that didn’t mean she wanted her truly dead.
“I couldn’t. She’s family.” Kira watched as the oshota guarding Elise prodded her toward the audience chamber. “Even if it doesn’t feel like it right now.”
If there was one rule Kira lived by, it was that you didn’t kill your family. Not unless there was truly no other option.
Elise might still die if the Tuann decided to exact vengeance. But it wouldn’t be by Kira’s hand.
It was a small distinction—but an important one.
The thought sent a pang through her. Perhaps she wasn’t as sanguine about the possibility of Elise’s demise as she was pretending.
Kira wasn’t sure how much of that hesitation came from Elise’s confession. For all she knew, Elise’s desperation had compelled her to feed Kira lies designed to prey on her sympathy.
Wren’s nod held exhaustion. These last few days had taken their toll on her seon’yer, aging him. To find his daughter after all this time, only to see her arrested had to be agonizing.
Wren didn’t say anything else as he ushered Elena in front of him, trailing behind Elise and her guards.
Auralyn paused beside Kira, waiting until Wren was out of earshot. “You’ve done a good job until now, but your part in this is done. We’ll handle those two. From here on out, your focus should be on yourself and that soul bound of yours. Nothing else.”
It was good advice from a woman who treated her words like precious treasures to be doled out only when absolutely necessary.
Kira nodded, taking comfort in the knowledge that if she wasn’t here Auralyn and Wren would pick up the slack. They’d watch out for Elena and though it would hurt, they would accompany Elise to the bitter end if the Tuann decided to exact justice.
With this she’d freed Kira from the last thing holding her back. Elena’s safety was the only thing that might have prevented her from doing what she had to for Jin.
Auralyn had just removed that weight from her.
Auralyn dipped her chin in a gesture of respect before sauntering after the rest.
“Not following them?” Kira asked, looking up at Raider.
He frowned after Auralyn and the other two, his expression grumpy. After a moment, he shook his head. “No. An idiot got themselves arrested and can’t be trusted on their own.”
“I know you’re not talking about me.”
Raider flashed her a smile. “Of course not. I mean the other idiot in my life.”
Kira rolled her eyes before focusing on Harlow. Her uncle waited on the threshold of the audience chamber, Caius the only one at his side.
Harlow held out a hand to her. “Ready?”
Kira took it, trying not to let him feel the way it trembled. “No, but life doesn’t usually care about that.”
