Disclaimer: I do not own any books in the Kiesha'ra series, the characters, or anything else contained therein.
Kel landed on one foot, wings still outspread. She could feel Darien's mixed envy and admiration. Kel didn't bother to restrain her delight as she left the stage. Lillian, one of the younger members of the Mercy, shot her a glance of pure envy. Kel could feel her emotions through the Mercy bond as easily as reading a book. Lillian, sensing Kel's emotions, gave her a spiteful look and whispered something to her twin. Kel deliberately caught Lillian's eye and then turned casually away to face her partner Darien. Lillian had been annoying both of them lately. Darien rolled her eyes and smirked slightly at Lillian's anger. "She deserves it; she's been such a little brat lately," Darien said as she tossed her white-blond hair over her shoulder. "The Empress was impressed," Darien added. Kel's delight mixed with triumph. Darien narrowed her eyes at her friend. "Just wait until next time." Kel laughed easily. Darien was her fiercest rival and her closest friend. "We're on duty in the next few hours," Darien warned. "Make sure you're ready." Kel didn't need the reminder. She would rather die than disappoint her Empress.
Kel carefully kept her face impassive as she received her orders. She understood the necessity, but part of her still felt sick. She could sense Darien's carefully hidden disquiet. Twenty minutes later, a woman glared at her with angry, terrified eyes. "Come with us," Kel commanded. She kept reminding herself that this woman was a traitor. She should count herself lucky that she was allowed to live. Despite the lessons that had been drilled into her, Kel still hated the thought of having to torture a woman just for questioning the Lady Araceli's judgment. Kel quickly shoved the thought away. She was a member of the Empress' Mercy, a royal guard. She had been trained to obey, and never to let personal thoughts interfere with duty.