“You should be more concerned about yourself,” Finn informed Kira as Raider started after Auralyn.
“There’s no fear of that. I’m plenty worried already.”
Jin glided into the training room. “Let’s see what fresh nightmares they have in store for you.”
“Oh goody,” Kira grimaced, trailing behind Jin with the unsettling sense of feeling like a prisoner walking to her execution.
The Warrior’s Hall was a familiar sight. Mats covered the floor except for a narrow strip along the walls, offering a protective surface for those training in the middle of the room. Simulators where Tuann could conduct mock battles against holograms existed off to one side.
To her left, a wall was papered in sapphire-blue banners, names written on them in white. It was a memorial wall meant to remember those who’d fallen in defense of Roake.
Kira’s gaze lifted, finding the largest of the banners located in a place of honor. Its blue had faded with age until the letters that spelled out her father’s name, Harding, were nearly unintelligible.
Catching sight of Harlow’s distinctive burgundy hair, Kira changed direction to skirt the edge of the mats.
As she passed, a woman slammed her opponent into the ground right next to Kira.
“Sorry, heir.” The woman flashed a smile that said she wasn’t sorry at all as her opponent groaned.
“Arley, do you have to be so violent in front of the heir,” someone called at the woman’s back.
Arley moved away, giving her opponent room to rise. “Better the heir understands us now rather than later.”
Kira almost laughed at the challenge she saw on Arley’s face as she continued toward Harlow.
“It’s been a while since someone wanted to test us,” Jin crooned.
Kira schooled her features to an expression of neutrality as she made her way across the room. If she had to guess, she’d say these were some of Harlow’s oshota. Warriors responsible for the safety of the House.
Probably here to get a look at the prospective heir and judge for themselves whether she had what it took to be their next leader.
Kira didn’t pay them any attention as she reached Harlow, Caius, and Wren whose expression was hard to read as she joined them.
“You’re late,” her seon’yer said.
Kira offered no excuse for her tardiness. It would do her no good and likely lead to more trouble when the other was determined to find fault with her.
Kira didn’t know if Wren’s mood was a form of retaliation for placing herself in danger or if he had ulterior motives.
Either way, the result was the same. She had to take what was coming without an ounce of protest.
Sometimes your best way out of a situation was to take the hit and keep going. Arguing would only lead to worse results—even if you were right.
Caius covered his mouth, looking at the ground.
The three men looked over as a commotion started at the entrance. Graydon prowled toward them, Amila and Solal flanking him as the rest of his oshota lingered on the edge of the room.
“Did I miss anything?” Graydon asked.
“You’re right on time. She was late,” Harlow informed him.
Graydon lifted his eyebrows at Kira, a faint smile lingering on his lips. “Brave of her.”
Kira rolled her eyes at him, not reacting otherwise as those training in the hall drifted in their direction to form a circle around Kira and the others.
It looked like she’d been right earlier—they were here because of her.
Oh goody.
