Kira wasn’t going to dignify that with a response.
She jerked her head at the oshota.“You heard him earlier.Move or be moved.”
Neither her nor Jin missed the way the oshota glanced at Dylan as if asking for permission.
Jin’s eyebrows lowered slightly before his features smoothed into a neutral expression she couldn’t help but be proud of.
Her own expression perfectly neutral, she focused on the oshota.
Their deference toward Dylan was something to consider.It suggested he outranked them in some fashion.Until now, she’d assumed he was a throwaway.Someone good at his job but who’d probably pissed off the powers that be somewhere along the way.Enough that they put him on Jin detail.
Kira grumbled silently to herself in frustration.
Trust Jin to pick someone so important that he commanded the respect and obedience of his peers.
The oshota opened the door and stepped out of the way, their reluctance obvious.
Jin ushered Kira forward.“After you.”
“You’re the emperor’s offspring.Why can’t you go first?”
“Because they see me as a child.I’ve decided to lean into that.”
The mischievous grin he shot her said he was going to raise Hell.Kira was going to be right there with him for all of it.
Seven
Kira
TheoshotablockedFinnand Talon before they could follow Kira and Jin into the chamber.“Roake’s heir and the child may enter.No one else.”
Finn’s jaw ticked with anger as he stared the oshota down.His aggression showed that he was about one second from forcing his way through if the other Tuann didn’t move.
Talon kept a cooler head as he grabbed his friend by the shoulder.“Easy, now.They’re just doing their job.”
“Finn,” Kira warned with a shake of the head.“Don’t.I’ll be fine.”
Finn’s expression cracked, revealing a brief flash of frustration and fury that felt like a punch to Kira’s chest.“You keep saying that.”
He stalked away, leaving Kira reeling.
Talon watched him go before bowing his head to Kira in a gesture that was more mocking than respectful.“Heir.”
He strolled after his friend with a lazy amble.
“You do, you know.”Jin smirked when Kira’s gaze dropped to him.“I understand why, of course.But it’s really annoying for those of us that you continually leave behind.”
“I don’t know what you expect from me,” Kira griped.
She already felt terrible.She didn’t need him piling on.
It wasn’t like she’d chosen this situation.She hadn’t told the oshota to prevent Finn and Talon from following her.That order came from on high.Likely straight from the emperor himself.
She was just the poor hapless victim caught in the middle, trying to ride the waves while avoiding getting sucked under.
“Everything, Nixxy.We expect everything.Haven’t you learned that by now?”
“Asshole,” Kira muttered under her breath.
