Would any of this have been possible if she hadn't negotiated her freedom from Liara? Did he anticipate that too?
His eyes smiled at her before he stepped through the doorway after Silas.
Raider paused beside her. "I think you might have a problem with that one. He's nearly as tricky as you."
Kira slid a sidelong look at him. Raider's snicker was quiet as she marched toward the gate. "I definitely would have preferred any of the other three over you," she muttered.
FOUR
Kira braced for pain, expecting the world to wrench sideways before dissolving around her. The pain was noticeably absent as she stepped through the world gate with as much ease as she'd step through any doorway.
That was where the similarities ended. Going from Ta Da'an to Ta Sa’Riel was like stepping from a warm pool into a hot sauna. The Mea'Ave at the planet's core surged, reaching up in an embrace that spoke of welcome and joy while at the same time overwhelming every one of Kira's senses.
This Mea'Ave wasn't like the one on Ta Da'an. It was ancient and powerful.
Processing the immenseness of it all was impossible. Knowledge hovered out of reach, threatening to submerge her mind under its weight.
Kira's mental defenses snapped into place, useless against the entity.
It was like being strapped to the underside of a hoverboard while re-entering atmo and getting hit with the bulk of the turbulence. It was intense and scary. Exhilarating and humbling all at once.
Kira made an inarticulate gurgle as she stumbled, suddenly breathless. Graydon was there in the next moment to steady her, his hands comforting as he kept her upright.
"Breathe. Just breathe." His chest rumbled beneath her ear as she fought to stay standing. "It's the planet welcoming you. Remember what we did last time."
The Mea'Ave at the planet's core rolled over like an eager puppy as it reached out to her, pouring through her senses. Kira was prepared, letting its energy flow through her before returning the energy to the planet in a clumsy attempt that nevertheless relieved the worst of the pressure.
Her legs threatened to give out before she steeled herself. She would not embarrass herself in front of these people. She refused to start off with a mark against her.
Gradually, the giant pressure sitting on her chest loosened and her ribs expanded, allowing her to suck in a grateful breath of air.
This was different than last time. More intense.
"This planet is older," Kira guessed with her eyes still closed. She didn't know when they had slipped shut.
Graydon made an approving sound. "Yes."
Kira opened her eyes as the Mea'Ave subsided, taking in her surroundings. She stood on a wide circular ledge, deep grooves creating lines running its width, meeting and bisecting it in places.
Before her, an endless ocean of turbulent gray stretched, its waves crashing far below, bringing with it the smell of salt and brine.
Behind her was the gate that connected this planet to Luatha's. Runes were written on its side as Silas stood in front of it, his hands upraised, and his forehead furrowed in concentration.
Teleportation. Or something so close to it that it didn't matter.
The Tuann had secrets humans never would have guessed. Technology her former people had only ever dreamed about in fiction.
Kira was surprised to see the gate was located midway down a tall cliff, ledges and staircases carved into the rock, leading both to the land above and to the ocean below.
Gone was the airy lightness and delicate architecture of the Citadel of Light. It was replaced by a world of grays and blacks, austere in a way that called to the depths of her soul.
To survive here, you'd have to be strong. Both mentally and physically.
It was simple, but there was beauty in simplicity.
The air contained a bite to it, fall giving way to winter.
She shivered slightly, the clothes Liara had given her—simple pants and a lightweight tunic—did nothing to keep her warm. The small pack of clothes that had been a gift from Liara during her time on Ta Da’an held none suitable for the climate.
The gate spat out several more people. Among them, Graydon's oshota.
Solal inhaled, tipping his face up to the sky and then exhaling. Kira knew that look, had seen it on countless soldier's faces. Solal had the look of someone coming home for the first time in a long time.
"You live here," Kira realized.
Graydon leveled a thoughtful gaze on her head. "Correct. How did you know?"
Kira nodded at where his oshota gathered, staring around them with happy expressions. "They're home."
Graydon smiled. "This is the capital planet. Almost all Houses have a presence here, including Roake."
"Luatha?" Kira asked.
Graydon made a small sound of assent.
"Why didn't they bring me here?" Kira asked, puzzled.
"Ta Da'an is their stronghold. Having you there guaranteed privacy," Graydon said.
Which had the added benefit of keeping her far from Roake's influence. Of course, it also restricted her access to the Tuann in case she presented a safety threat.
That made her wonder why hadn't Roake done something similar and taken her to one of the other planets?
"This is the Tuann's home world," Kira said, slowly looking around.
Graydon shook his head. "Our original world has been lost to us since ancient times. Ta Sa’Riel is one of the planets we sought sanctuary on when we fled our first world. The emperor calls this his home, which is why it’s the capital."
"This doesn't look like House Roake," Kira observed.
"Of course not," Quillon said, stopping beside her. "Having the gate located in the fortress would present a great strategic weakness. An enemy could send a force through the gate and attack from the inside. House Roake would never risk itself in that fashion."
The mindset told her everything she needed to know about these new people. Paranoid. Militarily minded. Obsessed with security.
She'd be impressed if those same accusations hadn't been lobbed at her more than once.
Raider staggered out of the gate, looking slightly white. His face had that pinched look Kira always associated with fear.
"I don't like this form of travel," Raider said through gritted teeth.
Kira grinned. "What's wrong? You don't like breaking the laws of physics?"
"No, I don't." Raider cast a sharp look at the gate. For a moment, Kira caught a glimpse of the feral side Raider hid well. The one that made him so effective against the Tsavitee.
"If I can't kill Shandry, I don't think Roake would be happy about you blowing up their gate," Kira said lightly.
Raider bared his teeth at her but didn't respond. She smothered her laugh.
Blue bounded out of the gate seconds later, her eyes bright and enthusiastic. She spun in a circle, nearly toppling the Tuann stepping through after her. She darted toward Silas, questions pouring out of her.
"How does it work? I mean, I know the theory, but how really? Do you need two points connected via the gate to travel, or can you go anywhere?" She didn't give him a chance to answer, already peering closely at the gate runes while muttering to herself.
"Great. It's going to be a nightmare trying to keep her focused," Raider griped. He sent a look at Kira.