she couldn’t do some damage if needed.
Graydon’s held a hand in front of her to stop her. “It’s fine. He was acting under our orders.”
Lorcan made a kissy face at her before sauntering toward Torvald. He slung his arm over the bigger man’s shoulders before turning to say several things into his ear.
Torvald nodded several times before Lorcan dropped his arm and sauntered off.
Kira watched it all, feeling a sense of disconnection.
“He’s a Face,” she said softly.
A clandestine Face from the looks of things.
She knew he reminded her of Graydon. She just hadn’t been able to put her finger on why.
Graydon didn’t confirm or deny, instead changing the subject.
“Your Himoto volunteered to stay behind and provide cover so we could reach you,” Graydon said after a beat. “The Haldeel will take his sacrifice into account before making any decisions.”
The somberness in Graydon’s expression told her even if they didn’t, the Tuann would.
Kira didn’t have to ask how serious the situation had been. Graydon’s expression and the rest already told her.
She didn’t know how to handle the thought of Himoto in danger. It wasn’t the first time, but a cold feeling in the pit of her stomach told her this time was different.
“Liara and your rear admiral are with Himoto,” Graydon said. “Your admiral was wounded, but it’s possible he survived.”
But not probable, Kira knew, reading his tone.
A feeling of inevitability filled her. She’d always known one of them would go out this way.
Funny thing—she thought it would be her.
Kira stared outside the docking membrane, watching the battle rage as reinforcements rushed into the fray. The advantage the Tsavitee had was eliminated as the ships cooperated, working together to turn the tide.
A Tsavitee cruiser turned, preparing to flee.
The rest refused to let it. Several split off from the main pack to harry its sides.
It wasn’t long until they’d dealt critical damage to the ship. Seconds later, unable to defend against the sustained power of the allied ships, the cruiser exploded.
The surviving allied ships turned their attention to the remaining ship.
“What now?” Raider asked, joining her and Graydon as they watched the destruction.
Kira didn’t answer for several long minutes.
“When I woke up from my coma all those years ago, I could never understand why I couldn’t accept it was over. Now I know.” Kira’s gaze moved to Graydon’s. “It wasn’t over. Everything was simply on hold.”
The memories of all they’d lost the last time they’d fought a war shadowed his eyes as Raider looked at her with grim resignation.
“And now they’re back,” he said softly.
“Yes, they are,” Graydon said grimly.
His fingers touched hers. She caught his hand and held it tightly.
As she looked up at him, she caught a promise in his eyes. One thing was different now. She wouldn’t face what was coming on her own.
She couldn’t even if she wanted to. The Tuann wouldn’t let her.
TWENTY-FIVE
“WE’RE READY FOR you now,” the Haldeel attendant informed Kira when she made no attempt to walk into the room.
“Thank you,” Kira said, backing up the words with a gesture of gratitude.
Knowing she couldn’t stand out here any longer without drawing attention, Kira steeled herself to enter.
She stopped as soon as she crossed the threshold, a shuddering breath leaving her at the sight of the still figure lying on the bed.
The backs of her eyes tingled and her nose stung as she fought the emotions that wanted to rise.
“You stupid old man,” she whispered.
Himoto lay unmoving in the bed, his body barely forming a bump in the sheets. Like this, the strength of his charisma and the personality that defined him was gone, leaving behind the shell of who he’d been.
The fight for Almaluk had been hard fought—both over the planet of Jettie and within the station.
Thousands had died.
The planet was the hardest hit, but the station suffered losses too. Among them, her mentor. The father figure who had kept Kira anchored when the rigors of this universe threatened to wash her away.
Gingerly, Kira approached the bed, stopping next to it. She bent her head, her hands trembling before she clenched them into fists.
Himoto would have chastised her for her lack of control if he’d still been alive.
She could almost hear his voice as he said, “Kira-chan, such emotion is unnecessary.”
The tears she’d thought she’d forced down made a reappearance. She sniffed before slipping her hand into Himoto’s.
She flinched at the cold feel of his skin.
“I’m so mad at you. I’m not ready to say goodbye. There was still so much left to say.”
Kira’s expression