The red Pixi Dust reflected in the whites of his eyes, and a smile turned the corners of his lips, his stare unwavering. Full of awe.
The years disappeared, and they were sitting on that stiff winter's grass three years ago. This time, he wore no mask. He let her see him.
The air churned with more than the shock of her Pixi Dust, but with the pull of his body. This didn't begin the moment she recognized him. Kira always felt it around him, thinking it was only desperation or fear or anger.
But her body begged her to slide closer to him and hold him tight against her again. It remembered and recognized him when her mind didn't.
Kira focused on his eyes, refusing to stray to his lips or that stupid shirt. His smell and taste washed over her, and she viscerally remembered the waft of his breath along her lips.
Only a few seconds passed, but those seconds ruined her.
Kira forced her eyes onto the message above, hoping their plan to write in the sky of every major city worked and that millions of people across Ciondo watched rebellion burn against the meteor shower.
The security team that searched the estate didn't know about Kira's expertise with Pixi Dust or drones. They knew to remove sharp objects from her, but not seemingly harmless electronics.
Zayne knew, though. He left her tools and trusted her with them, just like he trusted her that night three years ago with the uranium. Then he made sure her drone made it safely.
This was a man who left nothing to chance and trusted no one but placed his faith in Kira for this. Always had. It was her first time really understanding that.
“The poor Phaedra.” Mellie pushed to her knees. “This is terrible. He'll be devastated.”
The Earth tilted askew at what she said, and Kira couldn't unsee the disgusted way Zayne scowled at the back of his fiancée's head.
“He loves the stars. Oh, I can't imagine how he's feeling. I hope he catches whoever ruined the meteor shower. We worked so hard on this night.”
Mellie worked so hard on this night? She wanted to hurl herself at the other woman. What did she know about work? Kira spent years making tonight happen. Years. And she finished the job even while imprisoned. The two days Mellie threw into planning a party meant nothing.
Zayne withdrew his phone. “I have to go. I won't be home tonight.”
“Are you going to find them?” Mellie asked.
He nodded absently, but when he stood, he looked at Kira again, the amazement in his eyes replaced by fear.
“Watch out for her,” Zayne said to Brock.
His friend nodded.
“That's sweet, babe,” Mellie said. “I'll stay the night here, though. I don't think it's safe to go out on the streets tonight. Do you?”
“No. That's smart.” He looked at his mom now. “Don't hesitate to call.”
“I won't. Mellie, will you go inside and call security for me? Dial one. Ask them to check the premises.”
“Of course.” She jogged to the house.
Zayne spoke quietly. “Don't talk about it here. There's no telling what surveillance there might be. I'm sure the Phaedra is already sending out every drone he can.”
Brock lowered his head, but he was grinning.
“Be safe,” Kira said.
“You be safe.” One last look at everyone, and Zayne walked away.
Kira looked up at the Pixi Dust again with such deep satisfaction. When Adelle came closer, she clasped the back of her head and kissed her temple. “Good work.”
All this time, she knew too?
Mother and son both helped her access everything she needed to fight in her own way.
