Kiera's eyes went over all her paintings, settling again on the one of A'Ran. Evelyn caught her look as she turned.
"I didn't think …" her friend said, looking from Kiera to the painting.
"I know you didn't," Kiera said with no heat. She didn't have the energy for a fight. She crossed to sit where she couldn't see any of her paintings and instead gazed at Evelyn.
"I had that coming," Evelyn replied. "I haven't really taken your feelings into account lately, have I?"
"Not really. A little late to matter," Kiera said with a shrug.
"I didn't come to argue, though I am sorry if I hurt your feelings, Kiera," Evelyn said with a small sigh, as if irritated by the apology. Kiera said nothing, trying to think the best of her friend while anger stirred. "I know I haven't been the best of friends, so if you don't want to talk to me anymore, I'll understand."
"It's fine, Evey. You made the effort to come. I just hope you're not raising my rent. Haven't felt like working lately."
"Rent? Kiera, please. The least I could do is stop charging you at all," Evelyn said, chuckling. "I came for … a favor."
Kiera wasn't surprised and felt bad for admitting it to herself. She looked at the ground instead of Evelyn, feeling bereft once again.
"The Five Galaxies have just exploded with war. Anshan went crazy and just started wiping out everyone. Qatwal has been under attack directly since Anshan was decimated by that lunatic A'Ran. Kisolm was killed on the planet surface, and Romas will now inherit the planet from his father, if there's anything left to inherit."
Kiera listened, interested despite trying not to be. She'd seen how brilliant A'Ran's battles were. He'd fought forces five times the size of his and won. He didn't lose. He never would. If he wanted Qatwal destroyed, he would find a way to do it.
"I'm four and a half months pregnant and wondering if I'm better off here," Evelyn said, a troubled look crossing her features. "The Council can't talk any sense into A'Ran, and they're amassing this ginormous army to destroy him. But it'll take awhile, and in the meantime, Qatwal is on its own."
"Like Anshan was for all those years," Kiera couldn't help but add.
"No, this is different," Evelyn continued. "Qatwal is under attack. The Anshan dhjan was usurped, maybe because this craziness ran in the family."