Caius started to speak, stopping when Kira lifted a hand.
She shot him a hard smile. “I’m not done. Second—I will never undertake an action that would threaten or cause harm to any of the forty-three. No matter what vendettas or blood feuds my House may have. They are family.”
“We don’t hurt family,” Jin added.
A smile played on Caius’s lips. “I notice you didn’t say anything about the humans.”
“The Consortium is a more complicated case.” Kira started walking again. “Did I pass your test?”
Caius stopped, barking out a laugh. “I like you, little heir. I think we’re going to get along nicely.”
He turned back to the palace.
“You’re not coming?” Kira asked in surprise.
He raised a hand in goodbye. “Someone has to make sure the Overlord returns in one piece.”
“So much for Harlow being able to handle himself,” Kira grumbled.
Caius’s voice spoke into her ear, sounding like it was coming from right next to her. “Harlow is a good Overlord who allows us the luxury of fussing over his safety. Never doubt his capabilities, little heir.”
“I don’t know whether to find him irritating or wise,” Jin said from above Kira as they watched him walk into the palace, whistling as if he didn’t have a care in the world.
“Caius holds command of the sixth quadrant of Roake’s territory and is the House’s military adviser. He means well, but he is an acquired taste,” Makon said, facing forward. “Come along. I will show you to your room.”
Kira and Jin didn’t argue, allowing the rest of the journey to be completed in silence.
The longer they walked, the bigger the Fortress of the Vigilant grew in the distance until it dominated the sky. The dark stone of the fortress’s walls seemed to absorb the light as House Roake’s crest flapped in the breeze coming off the ocean beyond. Birds circled in the air, their cries reaching Kira and the others. The fortress was imposing, almost austere as they passed through the avenue gate and crossed a small bridge that spanned the long drop on either side.
Oshota in armor greeted Makon, their curious gazes resting for a second on Kira before moving to Finn.
Jin hummed as he kept pace with Makon, drifting a few feet over his shoulder. They passed through several hallways containing members of Roake, all of whom stopped to stare at Kira’s presence.
Used to it after her previous visit, Kira sent them a respectful nod as she passed.
It wasn’t until they reached a section in the upper levels of the fortress that Kira didn’t recognize that she finally spoke.
“This isn’t the way to my room,” Kira said.
Her room had been on the opposite side of the fortress and several levels below this one.
“That room is no longer acceptable. As an heir of Roake, you deserve quarters in the area designated for the Overlord’s family,” Makon said over his shoulder, his pace never varying.
Kira frowned at his back. “How long do you plan to refer to me by that title?”
She’d hoped it was a passing thing, but that didn’t seem to be the case.
“You are the heir. It is only proper I call you as such.”
Kira shot a look at Finn, asking for help. He turned his head, pretending to examine the artifacts that decorated the wall.
Kira scowled. Did he really think she was stupid enough to believe he was fascinated by sights he’d probably seen a thousand times?
“You accept me just like that?” Kira asked. “No objections? No tests like Caius?”
Makon reached a door and stopped, facing her with the same calm he always seemed to have. “I do not need to. You will be good for this House. I already see that.”
Kira scoffed. “You don’t even know me. I could be a Tsavitee sleeper agent for all you know.”
