Page 98 of Dark Destiny: The Turning Of The Loom

"Two weeks is too soon. Even three. What is the rush?"

"Why wait? Once a decision is made, I do not like to wait."

He knew that about her. He did not know how he knew it, whether it was something buried in his subconscious that had surfaced, or simply the sum of a month of getting to know her, but it was there, and it felt older than a month.

"Then let it be three weeks, but not two," he said. "I want to walk up to the altar on my own two feet, with no help from a crutch or a cane, and I do not want to look like I am about to fall over. I cannot make it in two weeks, but I might be able in three."

"Three weeks it is then." She refilled his coffee. "On one condition."

"What is it?"

"You dance with me at our wedding. At least three dances. I have not danced with anyone, or even by myself, in a long while."

He stared at her. "I do not know how to dance."

She smiled over the rim of her cup. "You have three weeks to learn."

"I guess I do."

He hoped Esag knew how to dance and would be willing to teach him.

When he was ready to leave, Khiann walked over to the motorized chair, leaned his crutch against the wall, and sat down.

The old part of the village was down the hill, near the clinic, where the first village houses had been built. His men's house was there. Annani's place was in the new section, at the top, and the walk between them took fifteen or twenty minutes for someone with two functioning legs. He could do it in much less time in the chair.

He turned and looked at Ogidu. "Mind opening the door for me?"

"Of course not, Master. Let me just bring you your sunglasses. You should not leave the house without them during the day."

"Thank you. I forgot."

He waited patiently for Ogidu to return.

"Here you go, Master." Ogidu handed him the glasses and opened the door.

As Khiann drove through, Ogidu followed him and closed the door behind them.

"Where are you going?" Khiann asked.

"I am going with you, Master."

"There is no need. I know the way. You can go back inside."

"I cannot, Master." Ogidu dipped his head. "The Clan Mother instructed me to keep an eye on you, and I cannot disobey the Clan Mother's orders."

"Then I will have her change her orders."

Khiann took out the phone, found her picture, and pressed it. It rang once.

"Did you forget something?"

"I am outside the front door, and Ogidu is insisting on accompanying me. I do not need constant care in the most secure village in the world. Can you please tell him to go back in?"

The front door opened, and Annani came out holding her phone.

For a moment, he thought she would refuse, but then she nodded and turned to her Odu.

"Please go inside, Ogidu," she said. "Master Khiann wishes to go alone."