Playing God(150)

“I know how,” Theia told her.

“So”—Aires Byu's face wrinkled into an expression of amusement—“now we have to bargain with you?”

“Yes.” Theia bared her teeth, just a little. “Now you have to bargain with me.” She tucked the paper into her wallet. She felt her mother's approval run through her and rejoiced. Do you hear, Res? Do you? We finally showed them all! “And with all due respect, my Majestic Sister, to do so, you must also rebuild the Confederation.”

Ueani Byu started forward, fist raised. Vaier Byu caught her arm. Her ears and eyes focused directly on Theia, and Theia held herself still. Vaier Byu understood, she was sure of it. Theia was Praeis's daughter and more than that. She was Resaime's sister and Armetrethe's niece and the child of the colonies. She was herself, and she was no sound this world had ever heard before. As such, she might do things the world had never seen before, things Vaier Byu wanted done for the sake of her people, for the sake of her sisters who stood beside her.

“No,” said Vaier Byu to her sister.

“She dares!” grated Ueani through her teeth.

“She dares show us a way to regain ourselves,” said Vaier in a quiet, even voice. “And I will not permit even you, Sister, to shut that gate on us again.”

Mother leaned heavily against Theia. “Enough? Enough?”

“Yes, Mother,” said Theia softly. “It was enough. You did it.”

“We did it,” whispered Praeis Shin. Her eyes grew soft and distant. “We did. We did. We.”