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"Okay, show me what you know," he said, stepping aside and gesturing for Silas to take his place at the center of the ring.
Silas's eyes met mine, and in that brief moment, I could see that he was equal parts hopeful and anxious. I held his gaze, willing him to do exactly as he had the day before.
He lowered himself to his knees and I cocked my head to one side, watching carefully as he brought his arms up. I frowned.
Kiango shot me a look, and I moved in silently. Once more, I drew my hands up along his biceps and said quietly so only he could hear, "Remember, eyes up here."
He looked up at me, and I caught the flicker of his eyes as they moved to my bosom before returning to my face. I had to purse my lips to keep from laughing, and he gave me a sheepish look that was entirely too endearing.
"I'm sorry he dragged you into this," he murmured, letting his breath go as he settled to make his prayer.
"I'm not." I moved away, leaving him to his ritual.
If my words had any impact on him, it was not immediately visible. Instead, I watched with interest as his prayers grew in intensity and his armor enveloped him with its dangerous-looking ridges. Secretly, I prayed along with him, hoping that he would hold Re'Utu's energies and receive Kiango's approval, an approval that had always eluded me, too. In some small way, I felt like Silas's success could make up for my own failures.
As we watched, Silas drew Re'Utu's energy inward and then released it with commendable gentleness. When it was gone, he remained in place, his breath coming slow and steady until his scales began to fade back beneath his skin and his eyes cleared of their cloudy film. He lowered his chin and stared Kiango straight in the eye, an unspoken challenge.
