It had been a long day, and she wanted to hide from the inevitable just a little while longer.
Graydon's face was soft as he took in her features. "Alright, coli. Have it your way."
She turned into his touch as he gently brushed a finger across her face.
"We did it," Kira said softly.
She was still having trouble believing that.
His nod was small. "We did."
She sent him a crooked smile. "I told you I wouldn't die."
"You did."
Now that it was over, Kira could feel herself relaxing. Elena was safe. Jin would wake up. And for now, the Tsavitee had been routed.
They'd return. They always did.
But hopefully, this experience had taught the Consortium something. At the very least, Jace and his fleet had bought them time.
How much of it was still to be determined.
There was a bump as the shuttle landed. The hatch opened several minutes later to reveal Harlow waiting on the other side. Her uncle prowled inside, his massive presence making the already cramped space feel even smaller as his raptor's gaze landed unerringly on Kira.
"Uncle, what are you doing here?" she asked in surprise as she raised onto her forearm. Last she’d heard, he was supposed to be managing the rebellion on behalf of the emperor.
"You didn't think I'd let you attack a known stronghold of our old masters without support, did you?"
Kira glanced at the oshota in the shuttle and then the window outside where the massive Tuann warship was visible as if to say "isn't that what this is?"
His face held a faint amusement as he moved toward her, nodding a greeting to Graydon. "Thank you for protecting her in my absence."
"It was quite the troublesome endeavor at times," Graydon said, giving way.
Harlow’s face was wry. "I have no doubt."
"You can put your mind at ease for the future," Graydon said, looking down at Kira with amusement. "Just now, a second oshota has sworn himself to her service."
Kira sputtered as Harlow’s eyebrow arched. "And she accepted?"
"She did," Graydon informed him.
Kira gave her lover a scathing look. "What happened to not a word?"
"I thought that only applied in terms of mentioning it to you. Next time, you should be clearer."
Kira stared at him with a partially open mouth, not quite able to believe he’d sold her out.
Wait a minute. Yes, she did. This was Graydon they were talking about. The master manipulator. The man who always had to have the last word.
Of course, he’d told Harlow. Her Overlord. Likely to ensure she couldn’t go back on the agreement.
"I'll get you later," Kira mouthed at him.
"I look forward to it," he murmured back.
Harlow waited until they were done, leveling a displeased look on her. "You, my dear, were supposed to wait. I was not pleased to arrive to find things already in motion."
