Page 14 of Dark Destiny: The Turning Of The Loom

A handful of gods had owned tablets back in the day that worked like today's phones and tablets, so Khiann had known about the technology, but he had never owned or used one. Yet here he was, comfortable with the device after only a short time and basic instructions.

It was a small thing, but it gave her hope. His mind was still as sharp as it had been before stasis.

"Ready for the chocolate cake?" she asked.

His eyes brightened as if he could already taste it, even though he had no idea what to expect. "Ready."

"Should I accompany you, Clan Mother?" Ogidu held the door open for her and Khiann.

"There is no need. If it makes you feel better, you can stand by the open door and watch me and Khiann enter Kian's house."

The Odu dipped his head. "Your safety is my number one priority, Clan Mother. It will make me feel better watching you traverse the hundred and eight feet from here to Master Kian's front door."

As Khiann drove himself out to the walkway, Annani joined him, walking beside the chair along the path and along the lane to Kian's house.

It felt strange to walk beside him without touching him.

In the ward she had held his hand for hours, but now that he was mobile and a little less fragile, it did not seem appropriate for some reason.

He seemed to need his space while at the same time craving her company, and she did not want to put premature pressure on him, so she limited herself to a kiss on his forehead or cheek, the kind she gave her children.

She should be patient. She had waited five thousand years, and she could wait a few more weeks, or months, or however long it took for him to feel confident enough, in body and mind, to reach for her.

Okidu opened the door as soon as she and Khiann turned onto Kian's walkway.

"Clan Mother. Master Khiann." He bowed and stepped aside. "Everyone is in the living room."

Khiann tapped his earpieces on. Kian's old tongue was barely serviceable, and Syssi had none, so the synthetic voices would have to do for this visit.

Kian rose from the couch as they came in, and for a moment the two of them regarded each other, her son and her mate, with the same strong jaw, the same elegant nose, and the same intelligence shining in their blue eyes. Only Kian's were more intense, and his hair was several shades lighter than Khiann's.

"It's good to see you up and about, Khiann," her son said. "Welcome to my home."

"Thank you. It is lovely and looks nearly identical to your mother's."

"Same decorator."

Syssi came around the couch, bent, and kissed Khiann's cheek. "I'm so glad you're here, and I'm so excited to treat you to the best cappuccino you will ever have, if I say so myself."

The earpieces probably translated cappuccino as coffee, because that was the only word in the old language that fit the bill.

Annani wondered if the gods had anything like that on their planet, which reminded her of Queen Ani, and a sense of unease slithered down her spine. It had been a while since she had heard from her grandmother. Ani was touring the colonies, but it had been too long for the queen to be absent from Anumati's capital. Annani could not shake the thought that El had found a way to be rid of a wife who had become inconvenient.

Syssi hugged Annani and kissed her cheek as well. "Thank you for coming and bringing Khiann over." She let go, and there was a sheen of tears in her eyes. "Please, take a seat."

"Nana and Gapa!" Allegra came at a run from the hallway, her blond curls flying, and stopped a handsbreadth from the chair to look up at Khiann.

It seemed Grandpa had been demoted to Gapa or maybe promoted. Getting a nickname from the little girl showed affection.

"Did you get your memories back, Gapa?"

Hesitating, Khiann looked up at Annani, then down at the little girl. "A tiny bit."

Kian translated for her since she was not wearing earpieces.

He must have remembered how upset Allegra had been when she had learned about his long sleep. She had been afraid that her hair would fall out while she slept because he had lost his. He did not want to upset her again, so he gave her a small lie instead of the truth.

Allegra nodded. "Your hair is growing, Gapa. I told you it would."