7. Seven

Seven

Kira devoured Graydon’s mouth, her desperation making her frantic.

A beat passed. Two.

Graydon set her away from him, his eyes almost wild. He looked at her like a starving man offered a rare feast. His hunger searing.

They stared at each.

Graydon’s control broke first. He yanked her back to him. This time it was him who ravaged her mouth. Savage as he took what he wanted.

His hands guided her hips, grinding her against him. The delicious pressure sent tingles of need through her.

Kira moaned, desperate for him. If she didn’t have him inside her in the next second, she was going to combust. Go up in flames to become ashes.

She let her hands roam his shoulders and chest, barely noticing as the hard feel of the synth armor changed to the warmth of flesh. His muscles flexed under her touch. She scratched lightly at his skin, relishing the masculine groan that followed.

Kira rolled her hips, causing both of their breaths to catch.

Graydon’s hands slid under her shirt, finding smooth skin. They wandered up the length of her back, creating a trail of fire.

Kira’s head dipped back from the drugging pleasure. "What about the chaterlings?"

Her thoughts splintered as Graydon kissed his way along the side of her neck. He found a sensitive spot, nibbling it for a second before pressing his lips to the edge of her jaw.

"What chaterlings?" he whispered.

Graydon tipped Kira onto her back, coming to crouch over her. Kira held still as he brushed hair away from her face, his thumb caressing her cheekbone as thoughts moved behind his eyes.

"You’re not the only one afraid of loss," he told her a second before he sealed her lips with his.

Kira wrapped her arms around his shoulders as his body moved against hers.

It wasn’t enough. She needed more.

As if he heard that thought, his hands dove under her shirt. He broke their kiss, sweeping the scrap of material up and over her head in an instant.

Kira lay there, bare from the waist up, except for her bra.

Graydon’s gaze swept over her. "The most beautiful thing I’ve ever seen."

His hands traced the path his eyes had just taken. They started at the base of her throat. Dancing over her collarbone until shivers tightened her nipples. Warmth pooled at her center as his fingertips sketched the upper swells of her breasts.

Kira panted. "Graydon."

A throaty rumble came from Graydon. His gaze half lidded as ki manifested around his hand. It sparked, crackling over her skin.

Her clitoris pulsed.

"Shit," Kira breathed.

She yelped as Graydon yanked down the cups of her bra. Because of the way the constricting band sat, it pushed her breasts upward, making them look like a juicy offering.

Graydon stared. Long enough that Kira started to feel self-conscious.

"Mine," he growled.

His tweaked her nipple. The spark of ki that followed had Kira’s hips lifting, the pleasure pain making her see dots of color.

"You know I heard you talking to me when I was in my coma," Graydon said conversationally.

He bent, fastening his lips around one nipple while his hand massaged the other. Kira’s hips bucked, her urgency growing.

"Hearing the oath of Aliria from your lips may be one of my all-time favorite memories."

Kira cried out as the ki he was using set her nerves alight.

Graydon drew back, waiting for her to look at him. The smile he aimed at her was wicked and full of all the things he planned to do to her. "Consider this my long delayed gratitude for the honor you did me. By the time it’s over, you won’t remember anything but how to scream my name."

His eyes never left hers as his hands moved slowly to her pants. He unsnapped one button and then another. Kira’s breath quickened as he slowly drew down the zipper.

He slid a hand into her pants, the tight fit not giving him the leverage she needed.

"Please, Graydon," Kira moaned.

His chuckle was husky as he dipped a finger into her folds, drawing a circle over her clitoris before withdrawing.

Kira wanted to cry at the emptiness he left behind.

Her pants were gone in the next second. Across the room before she could blink.

Kira raised onto her elbows, letting Graydon look at her. From the dark light in his eyes, he liked what he saw.

"My coli. My breath."

He lowered over her, exploring with an agonizing slowness that quickly drove her a little mad. He took his time, pausing here and there. Kira’s hips lifted. Needy sounds escaping her.

Finally, his mouth reached the place she most wanted it. He pressed a kiss over her clitoris, the touch butterfly soft. A tease.

Everything coiled as he fastened his lips over the sensitive nub, lashing it with his tongue.

Kira cried out. Her core clenched. Her climax hovered just out of reach.

Her fingers threaded through his hair as she pressed his face against her, her hips rolling in search of her pleasure.

Something opened up inside Kira. A parched desert sucking down every drop of sensation. Graydon’s soul’s breath acted like a gentle rain, soaking into the cracks and gluing them together.

His ki speared into her center. It was the shove she needed. Kira detonated with a startled cry, the climax on a deeper level than just the physical one. It went all the way to her soul.

When her vision cleared and she could think again, Kira opened her eyes to find Graydon staring down at her. His face tender.

Kira felt him poised at her entrance, his hard length scorching.

He waited for her to look at him before pushing inside. The fullness stretched her. Kira caught her breath as the overly sensitive nerves protested.

He withdrew, plunging forward again in a slow glide.

Kira made a sound in the back of her throat as he dragged along her poor, abused clit. He nipped the edge of her jaw, his pace increasing as her inner muscles fluttered around him.

She found herself climbing with him as he used the friction to send her to new heights.

Before long, her core tightened. The prelude to another climax.

"Together this time, cheva nier," Graydon ordered.

Kira found herself complying, lights bursting behind her eyes as his fingers found her center. He thrust forward, sinking deep with one last cry that she echoed.

They wrung each other dry as release found them. Replete, they held each other as the stars passed overhead until finally Kira slipped back into slumber.

This time her rest was dreamless.

Graydon

Graydon brushed a caress across Kira’s bare shoulder. Even in rest she looked tired. As if part of her couldn’t fully relax. The toll from the past few days was evident in the bags under her eyes. The pinched look on her face. The signs of strain that never fully went away.

She was so strong, but even her strength had its limits. This was breaking her. Slowly but surely. And Graydon was helpless to stop it.

"What am I to do with you?" Graydon whispered.

This stunt—breaking Aeron out of custody. It was reckless. Impulsive.

While Kira could be all those things, she was rarely all of them at once. She usually showed more restraint. If she couldn’t solve a problem directly, she schemed and she planned, coming at her objective sideways if necessary. She didn’t go after the most dangerous option right out of the gate. At least not until she’d exhausted every other avenue.

He traced the faint runes on her upper shoulder, his hand trailing to the ones on her back. Without Kira awake to consciously suppress it, the primus pressed against her skin. Just barely contained.

Its influence was likely the reason behind Kira’s out-of-character behavior. Her ability to maintain balance with her primus was impressive. There had been many Tuann in their history who’d attempted similar feats only for things to go drastically wrong. It was a wonder she’d managed so far. Normally, such endeavors ended with the primus in question slaughtering everyone in the vicinity after eroding their host’s sanity.

Graydon suspected this wasn’t Kira’s first experience riding this line. From the stories she’d told and what Baran had uncovered when Graydon sent him to investigate, it sounded very similar to what she’d gone through after her Curs died. In fact, he suspected it and her use of the heaven’s wrath, a rare Tuann ability of immense destruction, were what landed her in her coma in the first place.

It couldn’t be that Harlow didn’t know either. Graydon’s mentor didn’t miss much. He would have seen Kira’s state and known the challenges. Maybe he, like Graydon, realized that the only way for her to survive was to save the other two. Anything else would result in her fading.

It was a demonstration of Harlow’s love and the faith he’d placed in her. By rights, he should have put her under observation. A Tuann in this state was inherently dangerous. It was the responsibility of the Overlord to ensure members of his House didn’t become mindless killing machines. That he trusted she’d weather this storm without breaking was testament to how far he was willing to go for her.

"We’ve got quite the fight ahead of us, cheva nier."

Kira was right to be concerned about what was coming. Not all of them were likely to make it through this. There would be loss. It was almost unavoidable. They were up against monsters. Even someone of Graydon’s skill wasn’t safe. Not when it came to their old masters.

It was why the emperor had agreed to this mad plan when Graydon proposed it. To get his first born back. And because he knew there was no one else qualified and stupid enough to throw themselves into danger like this.

Only Kira had that honor. Where she went, Graydon would follow. Which meant he fit that description too.

There was another order Torvald had given Graydon in addition to the first. Insurance against a worst case situation. Graydon’s directive was to destroy the soul bound if it looked like Jin couldn’t be recovered or his sanity was compromised. It was Torvald’s last gift to his son. Eternal peace free from the tortures the Tsavitee’s masters would inflict on him.

But Jin would come through this intact, even if Graydon had to crawl into the abyss itself to drag him out. He would come home to Kira.

Graydon touched the bonds he shared with his oshota to send a wave of reassurance down them. They hadn’t been thrilled at the idea of separation, but they were professionals and used to acting unilaterally when needed. As a Face, there were often situations where Graydon had to be flexible. His oshota too.

Snagging the blanket Wren had dropped off earlier, Graydon draped it over Kira’s spent body. At a thought from him, Graydon’s synth armor covered his body, flexing as he rose and padded toward the hatch.

He opened it to find Raider waiting in the hallway. Graydon stepped outside, closing the hatch behind him to give Kira privacy.

"How is she?" Raider asked.

Graydon acknowledged Finn’s presence at the cross section of hallways. "She’s resting."

Graydon didn’t want her disturbed. To maintain the delicate balance with her primus, Kira needed sleep and fuel. Access to a planet’s Mea’Ave would be best. If they were on Ta Sa’Riel, she’d be put into a deep slumber and taken to a nexus, a place where the planet’s soul and its surface intersected. Where reality could bend until it felt like you could reach out and grasp the Mea’Ave itself.

"Is there something else?" Graydon asked when Raider stayed quiet.

The human was acting unusual. Almost as if he was uncomfortable.

"Wren told me a little about what it means to fade." Raider’s hands clenched and then relaxed.

How very kind of Wren. Though, it didn’t seem to have the effect Kira’s seon’yer no doubt hoped.

Raider avoided Graydon’s eyes. "I should ask her to sit this one out."

"That would be the honorable thing."

But he knew—and Graydon knew—that Raider didn’t always follow the righteous path.

"I’m not going to do that," Raider said.

No, Graydon hadn’t imagined he would. Not with Elena in danger. A father would do a lot for his offspring. As they should. No sacrifice was too great when it came to your young. The fact Raider understood that was a point in his favor.

That still didn’t lessen Graydon’s rage.

"Kira wouldn’t listen anyway," Raider ground out as Graydon swept past him.

Graydon stopped, amazed at the human’s audacity. "We both know it wouldn’t have mattered. You would have asked this of her regardless."

In Raider’s desperation, he’d latched onto Kira as his best chance of getting his daughter back. Even if Kira were the type to walk away, he would have found a way to justify pulling her back in.

"I’m a selfish man, human. Three hundred years. That’s how long I’ve waited for someone like Kira. If you think I’ll lose her now that I’ve just found her, you’re a fool. This will not be a suicide mission no matter what you or Kira have planned. She will walk away from this."

Jin. Elena. Even Elise. Graydon would save them if he could. He’d do everything in his power to get them out of there. But he wouldn’t sacrifice Kira to do it. She’d done enough of that on her own.

"I’ll hold you to that," Raider said softly as Graydon walked away.

Graydon didn’t respond as he passed Finn with a nod to make his way over to where Talon leaned against the wall, munching on a piece of fruit. It was a virt, a staple of space travel for centuries because of how well it kept and the number of essential nutrients it provided.

The fruit was also a favorite among their people. Its sweet taste contained a hint of sour.

"I’m surprised Finn managed to convince you to leave your bar," Graydon said.

Talon took a giant bite out of the virt, juice squirting onto his hand. He licked it off. "I have my reasons."

"They must be rather important. If I recall, you swore you’d never pick up an en-blade again."

Talon had been a contemporary of Graydon’s parents. He’d been the one to inform him of their deaths.

When Graydon was aiming to become an oshota himself, Talon offered some much needed advice. He’d always thought it a shame how the other man had exiled himself to that bar and refused to let anyone drag him out of it.

Talon nodded at Raider’s departure. "I’ll return to you the words you gave him. You’re here to make sure your woman survives. I’ve got someone I want to protect as well."

Finn. Of course.

The two had always been close. Long before they were oshota, they were friends. Even serving the same sword, the Overlord of House Roake. They’d maintained their friendship even after his death when they went their separate ways.

"You could also argue I owe a debt to her father," Talon added.

"Does Kira know?"

"She does."

"I’m surprised she allowed you on her ship."

The subject of her father and what others owed him was a bit taboo for her. Graydon couldn’t tell if that was because she felt herself unworthy of being the recipient of the loyalty he’d inspired or if it was due to guilt over how he’d died.

"Let’s just say we reached an understanding," Talon said with a mysterious little smile.

Graydon doubted that. If he knew his coli, she probably thought keeping Talon close would allow her to prevent him from doing anything too stupid. There was no way she’d know that Talon once had a reputation that rivaled hers for being a loose cannon.

Watching these two lock horns was going to be entertaining.

Talon pushed off the wall. "This should be quite the experience. After so long tending my quiet bar, I find myself looking forward to a little action."

"Quiet. Right," Graydon murmured as Talon sauntered away.

A jeha didn’t change its spots. Talon’s ’quiet’ bar was nothing more than a front. So much information flowed in and out of that place that it was a wonder all the major Houses didn’t realize that it was Roake’s intelligence hub.

Talon might look like he was out of the game, when in fact he’d simply assumed a new role.

Why else would Finn ask a person who hadn’t picked up an en-blade in almost a century to watch his back?

Elena - Tsavitee Planet

"Follow," the general grunted, stalking off.

Elena glared after him. The least he could do was wait until she was done freeing herself. But no. There he went. Just expecting her to scurry after him like a dog brought to heel.

Elena hurried, uncaring of the cuts and bruises such an action left as she ripped the bolas free. She sprung to her feet, stashing the bolas in one of her pockets as she hurried after the general like the good little pet he was expecting.

"Where are we going?" Elena asked in Tuann, catching up to the general.

The general sent her a probing glance. "You understand Tsavitee."

Belatedly, Elena realized he’d given his order in Tsavitee. The same language he was now speaking.

Elena caught her stumble, lifting her chin in a bluff. "I’m not stupid. I’ve been in there for days. That’s plenty of time to listen and learn. It’s not like your language is that hard."

It was, actually. Very hard. It had taken Elena months learning all the dialects and intricacies that came from a language influenced by dozens of species of different origin.

The general didn’t know that though.

His lip curled. "Arrogant."

"Only if I didn’t have the skills to back it up."

The general eyed Elena. "Now you sound like that woman."

Elena took note of their path as she followed her captor. Three turns. No. Four. It was left. Right. Right. And left again.

The structure was more massive than Elena had predicted. Every bit as complex as Roake’s fortress. She’d have to pay careful attention if she hoped to make use of this information later.

"Who?" she asked, ticking another turn off in her mind.

"Her."

Elena frowned as she realized who he was talking about. "You mean Kira."

The name felt awkward on her tongue without the title of aunt in front of it. Too short. Not nearly majestic enough to encompass all that her auntie was.

The general grunted in agreement.

Elena beamed. "I’ll take that as a compliment."

"You shouldn’t. She’s a menace."

Elena lagged behind, baring her teeth at the general’s back in rage. How dare he say that about Auntie?

If she hadn’t promised to be on her best behavior, she would have attempted murder. His. Not hers.

Maybe she could take him unaware. Strike with the element of surprise.

Elena eyed the general’s back as he stopped in front of a massive, several stories tall opening that looked like one of those strange doors that were everywhere on Ta Sa’Riel. The ones with all the arches.

Though why anyone needed such a big doorway mystified her. It seemed like a waste of material and time to her. Was there anything inside the structure massive enough to make it necessary?

A giant might be tall enough. You know, if there were such things as giants.

"Something I said?" the general asked, noticing Elena’s absentmindedness.

"Nothing," Elena answered, remembering why she’d gone off on that tangent in the first place.

She breathed slowly in and out. Don’t attack the big, scary general, El. Auntie would be most displeased if she found out later.

The general hummed, dismissing the topic as he led her through the giant arch into the outdoors for the first time since her arrival on this planet.

Elena lifted a hand to shade her eyes. After the dim light of the pit, the bright sunlight was piercing.

It took a moment for Elena’s eyes to adjust. She blinked rapidly, gasping as the cityscape came into focus. Instead of a desolate, barren wasteland, this world was lush and filled with life. Alien trees and plants provided a counterpoint to towering, oblong structures that sprouted from the land like quills on a porcupine. They stabbed the sky’s belly. Their dark stone soaking up the light.

There were other structures. Dozens of them. All integrated into the terrain’s natural features.

The general started down the steps to the avenue below. Elena pulled her gaze from the landscape to hurry after him.

"Idolizing the Phoenix will only lead to heartache and loss," the general informed her when she caught up.

"Says you."

The general shook his head at Elena. "You’re a fool."

Elena shrugged. "Then I’m a fool."

She was willing to accept that. Elena knew who Auntie was and that was good enough for her. There was no point wasting her breath arguing the case with one of Auntie’s enemies.

"What am I supposed to call you anyway?" Elena asked.

She was getting tired of addressing him as ’you’ or ’general’ in her head.

The general stared before he gave another shake of his head. “Ajix.”

Elena made a face. "Odd name for a general. Did you know it’s close to the name Ajax?"

"A human name," Ajix sniffed in disdain.

"It means eagle in some languages. It was also the name of a hero in one of their myths."

"Which one?"

Elena brightened at his interest. Maybe there was a chance this general wasn’t so bad after all. "The Iliad. Ajax was a hero from the Trojan war, known for his large stature and bravery."

Ajix grunted.

Elena couldn’t tell if he appreciated the explanation or not.

"At least you’re not as mad as that woman," Ajix said as they reached the structure that he’d been leading her to. "She would never have been so quiet this past week. She would have caused a scene and drawn attention as soon as she arrived."

Elena took that as an insult. "I’m just as capable as her."

Just on a smaller scale. On account of her being so short and all.

"It’s a compliment."

Elena didn’t take it that way. "Where are we going anyway?"

"Curiosity will get you killed."

Or it would save her life.

In Elena’s experience, the latter was more likely as long as she was careful.

"What is your name?" Ajix asked as they entered the tower.

"Elena."

She considered lying but what was the point. Lothos had already mentioned their spies within the Houses. Any attempt at deception on her part would lead to increased scrutiny. Something someone with her secrets couldn’t afford.

"Very well." The general stopped in front of a delicate, filigree door stamped with a strange symbol. "We’re here. I suggest trying to lay low. Being noticed is a good way to get killed."

"Is there anything in this place that won’t leave me dead in the end?"

"No."

"Lovely," Elena muttered.

"Sarcasm will also get you killed."

Elena’s lips parted as she stared up at the general. Was that a joke?

Impossible. Generals weren’t known for their humor.

While Elena was still reeling from trying to figure it out, the door opened. The room they stepped into held a tranquility that felt jarring next to the violence and filth of the pits. It left Elena feeling out of place in her grime covered clothes, unwashed body and hair that hadn’t seen soap or shower since her arrival.

Elena kept to the edge of the room, taking in the soft, unnatural light that hurt her eyes almost as much as the sun’s rays had. She felt the desire to flee, suppressing it with effort.

The Phoenix’s niece didn’t run. Particularly not from children. Even Tsavitee ones.

Their entrance drew attention. The children from the pit looked over at them, a distinct lack of curiosity on their faces.

It took a moment for Elena to realize why she found that disturbing.

Every once in a while, when Aunt Kira and Uncle Jin brought home someone new, they were like this. Looking at the world through dead eyes.

Tommy came to them with the same indifferent expression. As if he no longer cared about anything.

Those first few months Aunt Selene had hovered over him, afraid he’d wither away or explode into violence and have to be put down.

"Who is this?" the Sye from earlier asked, gliding forward.

"Elena. She’s a new recruit for the crèche."

Elena dropped her gaze, not wanting to appear challenging.

"We’re not due new blood."

"It’s the decision of the higher ups. I’m just informing you of it."

The Sye inspected Elena with pursed lips, humming lightly to themselves in thought. "She’s scrawny."

"She’s designed for infiltration and espionage," Ajix explained.

"She was in the pit today," a boy said from her right.

Elena looked up to find the children’s leader seated atop the largest of five boulders in a rock garden. The sand around his boulder had been carved into a pattern. Its grains unmarred by footprints or other blemishes. It was a mystery as to how he’d reached his perch without disturbing anything.

Unlike the only other two generals Elena knew, Lothos and Ajix, the boy’s face held fewer runes. There was only one set scrawled vertically down his cheek. His skin color was also lighter, closer in shade to Aunt Kira’s primus.

His jawline was strong and his features angular, making him rather handsome if not for the clear hostility in his gaze.

He looked at Elena like she’d kicked his puppy or something. Considering the Tsavitee didn’t keep pets, at least not the kind they cared for, his level of antagonism was a little uncalled for. At least wait until she did something. Then he could hate her.

Wait a minute.

Was this the Phoenix effect she’d heard so much about? Maybe she did take after her aunt.

"How many coins did she collect?" the Sye asked.

"One."

"So little. I may have considered her if she’d gotten at least two."

Well, excuse her. No one told her this was a numbers game. How did they expect her to play if they didn’t explain the rules?

In Elena’s opinion, she’d done pretty well considering the few clues she’d been given. Would these children have been able to acquit themselves so well? In a foreign environment? With zero allies? Or even a proper weapon?

Elena thought not. This was the product of relentless training by her uncle and aunts. Something these people couldn’t even fathom.

The Sye waved a hand in dismissal. "She’ll be dead weight. Weak and useless."

Weak? Hah!

Just wait until Aunt Kira arrived and Elena was no longer restricted. They’d see who was weak then.

Despite her disdain, Elena kept her feelings off her face. As Auntie and Uncle always said, being underestimated was a gift. It meant no one would notice when Elena started making moves under the surface.

"You should call her scrappy instead," Ajix corrected.

Elena just barely managed not to nod in agreement.

"She survived a week alone in the pit. Except for Fyr, no one else in your crèche could do the same."

See? See? Ajix got it.

The Sye’s expression was grudging. "How many kills?"

"Five." Ajix let the pause stretch. "A tiea, two jian, a cla and a wla."

The children’s faces hardened. Their disinterest changing to hostility as they finally realized how much of a threat she could be.

Elena listened, trying not to show her confusion at the unfamiliar terms. It made sense that Ajix wouldn’t use human terms to describe the different Tsavitee species. She’d have to figure out which was which before anyone realized. Otherwise, her cover would be compromised.

The Sye looked mollified, staring at Elena for a moment before flicking a hand in acceptance.

Ajix bowed, the subservient gesture shocking Elena. She’d always thought generals were at the top of the Tsavitee food chain.

Ajix straightened, giving Elena a warning look to not cause trouble.

As if she would ever listen. Trouble was in her blood. She lived, breathed, and ate it for breakfast, lunch, and dinner. Her aunties and uncle hadn’t been able to train that out of her. She doubted the Tsavitee would be any more successful.

Elena watched Ajix’s departure to see if she could spot the mechanism he was using to trigger the doors.

It had to be a device of some type. Either on his person or keyed to his biometrics. If she could figure out which, maybe she could do a little recon while everyone else was sleeping.

"What should we do with her, Kai?" one of the younger children asked in Tsavitee.

Elena turned to find the Sye watching her. Kai caught Elena’s chin, forcing her face up for a better look.

Elena didn’t struggle, not daring to move or flinch.

"The same as always. If she wants to live, she’ll have to earn her place among you."

There was a strange smile on Kai’s face, a clinical detachment that sent fear shivering through Elena.

"I hope you don’t disappoint." Kai released Elena, sweeping a gaze over her one last time before disappearing through one of the doors off the communal area.

Elena waited until the Sye was gone, taking her time to size the children up the same way they were her.

She waved at them. "I’m Elena. What are your names?"

The children stared at her for an uncomfortably long time.

There was a sigh from the top of the boulder as the boy dropped to the ground.

"Leave her," he ordered, herding the children away. "She won’t be here long anyway."

Elena’s hand dropped to her side as the children disappeared into their rooms. "You know, I don’t think they like me, Uncle Jin."

As usual, there was only silence from the lu-ong spawn that lay as still as death around Elena’s bicep. As quiet as the first day they’d arrived.

"No matter, though. I’m not here to make friends." Elena forced back the crushing sense of loneliness, wrapping her arms around her waist for comfort. "Still, I wish you’d wake up, Uncle Jin. It’d be nice to have someone to talk to."

Until then, she’d just have to keep going with the flow and hope things didn’t get too dicey.