“I didn’t lie. Kira really was given a mental health assessment when she woke up from her coma which expressed a concern for her mental wellbeing. They even issued a tixsi as a companion animal.”
Tixsis were a common choice for military veterans, particularly those who served on ship. Looking like a cross between a rabbit and a chinchilla, the tixsi was smaller than either a dog or cat and fit easily into ship life.
It was the minor empathic abilities they possessed that allowed them to anticipate when their companion was in mental distress and provide relief.
Alexander’s lips quirked as he looked at Kira. “She had that tixsi for a whole two hours before she lost it. They found it a day later trembling and terrified in a small closet in the belly of the station.”
“It wasn’t my fault,” Kira said defensively, feeling Finn and Caius’s stares on her. “The tixsi ran away.”
“Yes, apparently her mental state scared the poor thing so bad that it preferred to flee rather than spend another moment in her company,” Alexander agreed.
Kira stomped ahead, joining Makon as he led them through the halls.
“After that, it was agreed it would be best if Kira wasn’t responsible for another living creature,” Alexander continued. “As a compromise since Kira couldn’t be released under her own cognizance, Admiral Himoto designated Jin as her support drone and ordered a program be uploaded to help him with his new duty.”
“Then he really is what you claimed,” Caius said, sounding impressed as the exit of the palace came into view.
A woman’s silhouette stood in the doorway, the sun beyond casting her face into shade. Despite that, Kira could guess her identity as Alexander’s entire being seemed to soften.
“On paper anyway,” he said, distracted as Selene stepped forward to meet them.
Caius frowned as Alexander’s pace increased. “What does that mean?”
Alexander barely looked at him as he reached Selene. “Whether Jin ever acted in the capacity of a support drone is up for debate.”
Selene tilted her face up to look at Alexander. “Did you accomplish what you needed?”
“I did. My victory was never in doubt.”
Kira rolled her eyes. And he called her arrogant.
Alexander touched Selene’s elbow, his body hovering protectively over hers. “I’ve kept you waiting too long.”
“You know I don’t mind,” Selene said with a soft smile.
Alexander looked over at Kira as he started to herd Selene away. “Do me a favor and try not to cause any further trouble.”
Selene glanced a Kira. “I will find you later. I imagine you have a few questions for me.”
Kira watched them go, disappearing into the palace with a pair of oshota shadowing their movements.
“His bedside manner hasn’t gotten any better,” Jin observed.
Kira didn’t think it ever would.
“It’s curious,” Caius said from beside her. “House Asanth is notorious for their arrogance. I never thought I’d see one of their descendants willing to assort with a woman whose affinity is so common that it is no help in pinpointing her birth House.”
Jin started for the door where Makon waited. “I dare you to call Selene common to her face. I want to be there when she shows you how ‘common’ she is.”
Kira laughed softly under her breath as she and Finn strolled after Jin, stepping onto one of the five avenues that extended from the palace like spokes on a wheel. This one was maintained by House Roake. If they followed the several miles long avenue they’d eventually arrive at the Fortress of the Vigilant, Roake’s stronghold on Ta Sa’Riel.
“Don’t take me wrong. I meant no insult. I simply find it amazing that a House notorious for their arrogance has a descendant like him,” Caius said in a conversational voice. “You do realize our House has blood feud with his?”
Kira looked away from the sky as she walked toward the fortress in the distance. “That has little to do with either of us.”
Caius pursed his lips. “I beg to differ. You proclaimed yourself heir to this House. As such, you’ve inherited our vendettas. Eventually, your old ties will have to be severed.”
Kira stopped walking. “First—I called myself a daughter of Roake. The word heir was never mentioned.”
