who she was dealing with, and Kira wasn't yet ready to educate her.
"Of course, seneschal," Kira said, giving her a humble nod. Graydon choked on a laugh beside her. Kira ignored him as she beamed sweetly at Alma. "I assume your time is precious. What is it you came over here for?"
"The ceremony will begin soon," Alma said. "Prove a credit to your bloodline and your life will be very easy going forward."
And if she didn't? Would they cast her out or sentence her to a life of drudgery?
Kira kept those questions contained as Alma swept off.
"It is such fun watching you toy with them," Graydon murmured next to her.
She twitched a shoulder.
"I'm interested to see how your game will end," he said.
"Or when they'll realize the mouse is actually a lu-ong," Finn said acerbically.
She gave him a sidelong look but didn't confirm his guess. She didn't feel too bad Graydon and his oshota had seen past the mask she'd crafted for the Luatha. If she'd wanted them to underestimate her, she would have needed to handle their first encounter better.
"What is it I can expect from this ceremony?" Kira asked.
"They'll test your affinities to the soul’s breath. They’ll use knowledge of your strengths to determine what position within the House you would be best suited for," he said.
He steered her across the room toward a raised dais in the middle of the floor, a carved stone table on it. The balconies above all had a perfect view of the spot.
Ziva and Joule waited near the dais, their faces grumpy despite their finery.
Joule wore a high-necked vest, his arms bare except for a metal cuff around his thin biceps. He hadn't quite filled in yet, but his arms contained a hint of the man he might be one day.
Ziva's outfit was a more feminine version of his, a silky overdress over a pair of pantaloons. Her hair had been slicked back and a diadem affixed on her head, a single pearl hanging on her brow.
Neither looked thrilled to be there. Their frowns became even more pronounced at the sight of Kira.
She arched an eyebrow at them. "What is it now? You were perfectly happy when I left you yesterday."
The two traded a look. “They’re not going to offer the rest of our House a position here.”
Kira was quiet, blinking at them. She could see how that news would be upsetting—especially since she knew how desperately Joule and Ziva wanted to ascend so they could ensure the safety of those they had left on the ship.
She and Graydon exchanged a look, each understanding what a blow this would be for the children. “Can they refuse Luatha’s claim on them?”
Graydon shook his head. “No, not without another House putting forth an offer to take them. He’d need to pass the highest level of the adva ka to be able to form his own House.”
“That’s not likely to happen if she gets her way," Ziva said sulkily, glancing at Alma.
Kira was silent as she took in the situation. Ziva was likely correct. Alma had already proved she liked the status quo and she wasn’t likely to make the lives of two orphans easier when there were full blood Luathan children needing the same resources and guidance.
“It wouldn’t matter anyway. Not after we take the tests,” Joule said quietly.
"Why not?" Kira asked.
"You're afraid your affinity will prevent you from pursuing your goal of ascending to the position of Overlord for House Maxiim," Graydon said from beside her.
Joule’s nod was reluctant.
Kira looked up, surprised. "Why would it?"
You could be a warrior and be good at other things. Take Blue. She had a near genius level intelligence, could dismantle any machine and reassemble it better than new. She was also one of the best shooters Kira had ever worked with, and handy to have around in a pinch.
“In our House, the affinity didn’t matter as much, since we were so small. You could do several things as long as you proved willing and strong enough,” Joule explained.
"Here, everyone has a place and a task to fulfill," Ziva said sulkily.
Kira didn't respond for a long moment. "You're right."
The two's faces grew more morose.
She leaned forward. "But sometimes you need to make your own path despite what anyone else tells you."
Their expressions brightened.
Kira straightened. "One test does not decide your fate."
No, you had to work toward your goal day in, day out, even when times got hard or things seemed impossible.
"I'm not sure you should have told them