“Either way, your ki nodes were entirely different after your encounter. It was almost like some of the damage had been reversed,“ Quillon continued.
Kira fell silent.
As a species, the lu-ong were shrouded in mystery. They looked like a cross between a dragon and a serpent and were both feared and revered. Stories said that the lu-ong were the ones responsible for saving the Tuann during their flight from the ancient masters.
They were also the ones to teach the Tuann about ki, the soul’s breath that fueled much of their technology.
What’s more, Kira remembered her brief vision of a cosmic tapestry she’d been convinced represented her ki and the baby lu-ong who’d swam among those darkened lights. Every damaged spot he’d touched had come alive again.
Now, Quillon was telling her he’d noticed a difference in her ki channels immediately after that event.
It didn’t take a genius to put the two things together.
“You think the lu-ong healed me.”
“Stranger things have happened,” Quillon said. “The lu-ongs are difficult to know. If they did this, they expect something out of you.”
No surprise there.
Kira had learned a long time ago that you couldn’t get something for nothing. Particularly not with gifts of this magnitude.
“So, I’m healed.” Kira found it a little hard to believe.
Quillon’s smile was brief and didn’t reach his eyes. “You could say that.”
“But you aren’t,” Jin said, sounding suspicious.
Quillon gaze didn’t leave Kira’s. “You’ve fixed some of the damage, yes. The underlying cause is still an issue. If you don’t learn the proper usage of ki, you’ll be right back here again.”
That wasn’t dire or anything.
Quillon patted Kira on the shoulder. “I recommend you stop when you feel pain.”
“You make it sound so easy,” Kira said on a huff of laughter. “Life and death situations don’t usually leave you a choice.”
“That’s why you have an oshota. Rely on him a little. You’ll live longer.” Quillon started for the door. “I’ll let the others know you’re awake. I suggest you rest. They’re going to want to speak to you.”
Quillon disappeared out the door as Jin glided to hover over Kira’s bed.
“Think he’s mad at you?” Jin asked.
Something told her yes.
Kira slid down her pillows until she was flat on her back and staring up at the ceiling again. “I miss my coma.”
nine
Kira tugged at the skirt of the floor length coat she wore, trying to decide if her outfit was a form of punishment.
Designed to showcase Roake’s colors, the coat was a midnight blue with an even darker blue embroidery overlaid on top. The neckline was more revealing than Kira was used to, plunging into a deep vee that ended just above the intricate silver belt she wore around her waist. The vee’s opening was held closed by silver clasps of the same design as the belt.
The coat had a slit in front that came all the way up to the buckle, and when she moved others would catch a glimpse of the skin-tight pants she wore as well as the luxurious pair of calf-high boots.
Overall, the effect was stunning. Particularly when coupled with her burgundy-colored hair left to float loose and untamed around her shoulders.
If only Kira didn’t feel like a pretty doll dressed up for a visit to the guillotine.
Her outfit was a hint as to what was coming. These weren’t the kind of clothes you wore for a walk from one place to another.
