Page 10 of Dark Shaman: The Lost Treasure (The Children Of The Gods #98)

AMANDA

A manda shifted Evie on her hip as she followed Syssi up the path to Annani's house. Her daughter's chubby fingers were tugging on her short hair with the determination of a one-year-old who had decided to change her mommy's hairstyle from short to bald.

"Gentle, sweetie," Amanda said, carefully extracting the strands from Evie's grip. "Mommy needs that hair attached to her head."

Beside them, Allegra toddled ahead, refusing to sit in the stroller or be carried. "Nana!"

Syssi hovered behind her, letting the girl walk on her own but ready to catch her if needed. "Yes, sweetie, we are going to Nana's house."

Amanda smiled at the exchange. Allegra had a strong personality—confident, precocious, and absolutely certain the world revolved around her. Which, in their little corner of it, wasn't far from the truth.

She adjusted Evie again, this time to prevent her from grabbing the necklace that hung temptingly within reach. "I'm dying of curiosity. Mother says that this version of Khiann is so spectacular that she can't take her eyes off it."

"Two different versions of Khiann." Syssi's voice carried a wistful note. "It must be surreal for her to see him through someone else's memories."

They reached the door, where Allegra was kicking it with enthusiasm. Once, twice, three times before Syssi scooped her into her arms. "We don't kick doors, sweetheart. It's impolite."

Allegra glared at Syssi. "I want Nana!"

It was funny how the little girl remembered to speak in full sentences when she was angry.

The door opened to reveal Ogidu, his broad face creasing into a smile that was still a little mannequin-like but seemed almost human. "Mistress Amanda, Mistress Syssi. And the young mistresses. The Clan Mother is expecting you."

"Nana!" Allegra twisted in Syssi's arms until she put her down and then darted past the Odu before anyone could stop her, her little feet pattering across the marble floor.

"I'll get her," Syssi said with a sigh and rushed after her daughter.

Amanda smiled at Ogidu. "How are you doing today?"

She'd gotten into the habit of asking the Odus about their day, like she would have done if they were people, because that was what they were becoming.

"Very good, mistress." He inclined his head. "Thank you for asking."

"And how is my mother doing?" She didn't really expect a response because that would require the Odu to understand her mother's mood, which was probably beyond his capabilities at this stage.

"The portraits have stirred memories." The Odu surprised her with his answer. "The Clan Mother has been observing them throughout the day."

Amanda's heart ached for her mother, who'd spent five thousand years mourning a love she'd believed lost forever. And now, with hope so close she could almost taste it, the waiting must be excruciating.

They found Annani in her living room, already being climbed on by an enthusiastic Allegra. The goddess sat on her couch, looking impossibly small and delicate as she helped the little girl onto her lap.

"My darling girl," Annani said, her melodic voice filled with warmth. "Give your Nana a kiss."

Allegra complied eagerly, never shy about showing her affection. "I made a picture."

"You did? What did you draw?"

"A dragon."

For some reason, the answer seemed to startle Annani. "What happened to drawing pictures of Princess Sparkle?"

Allegra shrugged. "I like dragons."

"That's her latest obsession." Syssi sat on the couch next to Annani. "Since she's started watching this new animated series about dragons, she's been drawing nothing else."

When Amanda sat on Annani's other side, Evie demanded to be transferred to her grandmother.

Amanda passed Evie over, watching as her mother settled her little girl on her other knee, balancing both granddaughters with a big smile on her face. Evie reached for Annani's face, patting her cheek with a drool-covered hand. "Nani," Evie said seriously, as if imparting great wisdom.

"Yes, darling." Annani was unbothered by the baby drool now decorating her cheek.

"Can we see the portraits?" Syssi asked. "I'm dying to see them one next to the other."

"They are hanging in my bedroom, but Ogidu can bring them here."

The Odu bowed. "Right away, Clan Mother."

He returned a moment later carrying two large canvases. "Where should I put them, Clan Mother?"

"Against the fireplace," Annani said. "That way we can look at them from here."

The Odu cast a worried look at Allegra, probably thinking of all the ways she could destroy the portrait. He didn't know that Evie was already walking as well, and no less destructive than her slightly older cousin.

Amanda got off the couch and walked over to where the Odu was standing with the two portraits in his arms. "Perhaps you can put two chairs with their backs to the fireplace and prop the portraits on the chairs. I'll hold them for you."

Grateful for the advice, Ogidu handed her the canvases, and she finally could get a look at Tim's newest creation, or rather a copy of it.

The original was with Esag, serving as an inspiration for his carving.

"They are two facets of the same beautiful man," she said.

Annani nodded, her eyes glistening with tears she would never let fall.

Once the portraits were properly situated on top of the chairs, Amanda returned to the couch and sat next to her mother. "Are you okay?"

Annani nodded. "Of course."

Amanda leaned forward, studying the two images.

The first she'd seen before, the one Tim had drawn from Annani's description.

It showed Khiann as powerful and commanding, but with eyes full of love and tenderness.

In the second portrait, Khiann was younger.

His face held mischief, his smile crooked and challenging.

There was an energy to him, a sense of barely contained vitality that practically leaped off the page.

"He was quite the charmer, wasn't he?" Syssi asked.

"Not if you asked him," Annani said. "He claimed that he was always proper, a dutiful son whom I had to seduce into courting me. But looking at him through Esag's eyes reveals a facet of him that he kept hidden from me."

"I'm sure he hid nothing from you," Amanda said with a grin. "I remember you telling me that the two of you got into a lot of mischief during your courtship."

Annani smirked. "It was all my doing. I had to tempt Khiann into breaking the rules."

Amanda had a feeling that Khiann had cooperated with Annani's shenanigans because it was fun, and he'd only pretended to be pulled into them against his will.

"My Khiann was playful, passionate, and on occasion irreverent. He made me laugh until my sides ached."

Allegra, who'd been unusually quiet, pointed at the younger portrait. "He's pretty."

"Yes," Annani agreed. "I find it curious that Cyra, Yasmin's little girl, called Khiann a pretty man too. Or a doll man."

Her mother had told Amanda about Cyra's prophetic dreams, and that the girl had seen four others buried in the sand with him.

Amanda studied the details of the portrait that Esag had inspired more closely. "Has Esag started working on a new figurine?"

"He has been carving for days," Annani said. "He has carved many versions already, but none satisfy him. Hopefully, now that he has the portrait to inspire him, he will manage to make one with the spark that will trigger a vision."

"Speaking of visions," Syssi said, "I could try?—"

"No." Annani put a hand on her arm. "Not yet, my dear. The universe is not generous with visions, as you well know. Let us give Esag more time. If he fails, then I will ask you to take another look."

Syssi nodded. "That's wise."

Annani laughed. "Khiann would never have accused me of wisdom. He called me cunning and sharp, but he was unhappy with my reluctance to study commerce. It was so boring." She sighed. "Those were the good times, though. I miss them so much. If I knew then what I know now."

"And what's that?" Syssi asked.

"That family is the most important thing. I should have been kinder and more understanding toward my mother. I should have spent more time with my father when I had the chance."

Amanda took her daughter from her mother and pressed a kiss to her cheek. "Who is going to have a big party this Sunday?"

"Evie!" Her daughter pointed at herself. "Evie, princess."

"That's right, sweetheart. Every girl is a princess on her birthday."

"One already," Annani marveled, reaching for Evie's tiny hand. "It seems like yesterday you were born, little one."

"It's going to be a party to remember," Amanda said. "I'm planning something unique."

"How unique?" Syssi asked, looking suspicious.

"I'm not telling. It's a surprise."

"Amanda—"

"Nope. My lips are sealed. You'll just have to trust me."

Syssi burst out laughing. "When you say the words unique and party in the same sentence, I get scared. Really scared."

Annani smiled. "Whatever you are planning, Amanda, I'm sure it will be wonderful."

"How much damage can one alpaca cause?" Amanda muttered.

"Paca!" Evie exclaimed, clapping her hands. "Paca!"

"No alpacas," Syssi said firmly. "Amanda, I mean it."

"Do you really think I would bring alpacas to a one-year-old's birthday party?" Amanda asked innocently.

"Yes," Annani and Syssi said in unison.

"Your faith in me is touching," Amanda said, lifting Evie and turning her around to face her. "Don't listen to them, baby girl. Mommy's going to throw you the best first birthday party ever."

Allegra tugged on Annani's sleeve. "Nana, can I play in your room?"

"Of course, darling." Annani helped her slide off her lap.

"You really shouldn't let her play with your jewelry or your slippers," Syssi said.

Annani's feet were so tiny that Allegra could play dress up with her shoes. The girl had a thing for shoes almost as bad as her aunt.

"She's getting so big," Syssi said, watching them go. "Sometimes I can't believe she's just a little over one year old. She talks like she's much older."

"She's a smart little girl, and she's surrounded by adults." Amanda leaned back against the couch cushions.

"Do you think Allegra might have transitioned already?" Syssi asked. "She's been spending a lot of time with your mother lately."

"It's possible." Amanda lifted the teacup Ogidu had served. "I wish my Evie had transitioned already, so I could stop worrying so much about her."

The doorbell ringing was followed a moment later by the sound of familiar footsteps, and as Kian strode into the room, his face brightened when he saw Syssi.

He walked over to the couch, taking the spot their mother had vacated only moments ago. "How are my girls doing?" He kissed Syssi's cheek and then leaned to kiss Amanda's.

"I'm so touched." Amanda put a hand over her chest. "You haven't called me your girl since I turned seventeen."

He chuckled. "That was about the time that sweet Amanda was replaced by hellion Amanda."

"Daddy!" Allegra's voice carried from their mother's bedroom. "I'm wearing Nana's shoes!" She waddled into the living room in a pair of Annani's silk slippers.

Kian stood and met her halfway. "Come to Daddy, Princess." He swooped her into his arms and spun her around.

"Kian, no," Syssi said. "Put her down."

"You're no fun," Kian said, but he was smiling.

Amanda watched the scene with contentment. These moments—family gathered together, children playing, laughter filling her mother's often too-quiet house—these were what mattered most.

Evie had reached the coffee table and was pulling herself up to standing, eyeing the portraits with interest.

Kian studied the images. "It's fascinating what a difference perspective makes."

His mother nodded. "Khiann looks so happy in the one drawn from Esag's memory. He lost some of that joy when he moved into the palace. He felt stifled there."

"But he had you," Amanda said. "He loved you with every fiber of his being."

"He did." Annani walked over to the portraits and smiled.

"But as important as love is, it is not everything.

That is why I let him go on that caravan expedition.

I should not have done that. I should have been firm and demanded that he stay by my side, even if it caused a rift between us.

If I had done that, the entire history of gods and humans would have been different. "

Annani lived with so much guilt that it must be crushing.

"You don't know that," Syssi said. "In fact, you know that it is not true because it probably wasn't Mortdh who dropped the bomb on the assembly. It was most likely the Eternal King's doing."

Annani shook her head as she sat on the couch next to Syssi. "Even so, they needed the right circumstances and a scapegoat to cover their tracks, and we played right into their hands."

"Some futures are set," Syssi said quietly. "And no matter what we do, they are going to play out the same way. This was a major fork in the history of Earth, and it was inevitable. The Fates knew what was coming, and they did their best to mitigate it. They saved you, and they saved Khiann."

Annani let out a breath. "You are right, and I owe the Fates a huge debt of gratitude. I just wish they had made it a little easier for us to find him."