Page 107 of Dark Destiny: A New Thread in the Tapestry

It probably did not bore him at all.

"Khiann was a merchant," she said when Kian paused. "And he was the son of a very enterprising god. He does not remember it, but the instinct is still there. You are speaking his language."

"Good," Kian said. "When you're fully recovered, maybe you'll want to sit in with me. See how it's done in today's world. Things have changed a lot in five thousand years."

"He-am," Khiann said, and he looked pleased.

So did Kian. "All right, then. It's settled. You will come to work with me."

"There is going to be confusion," Annani said. "Your names are too similar. Perhaps we should call one of you Big K and the other Little K."

Kian gave her a flat look. "And which am I supposed to be?"

"That is for the two of you to settle."

"The way I see it, Khiann is twenty, and I'm two thousand and change, so I should be Big K."

A sound came from Khiann, and it took her a moment to recognize it as a laugh. It was not a regular laugh because sounds were still a challenge for him, but it was pretty close.

"I assume you don't wish to be called Little K?" Kian asked.

"Nu."

"I understand. I don't want it either. We will come up with something else." Kian rose to his feet. "I should let you rest. You look tired." He paused. "I would like to do this again. Perhaps next time I should bring Syssi and Allegra."

Khiann smiled. "He-am."

"Tomorrow?" Kian asked.

"He-am."

"Great. I will see you tomorrow, then." He turned to Annani. "Will you join us for breakfast tomorrow? Sari and David are coming."

Annani felt guilty. Her daughter had traveled halfway around the world to be with her, had extended her visit by a few more days, and yet she was spending very little time with her.

"He-am," Khiann said.

Annani turned to him. "You want me to have breakfast at Kian's house?"

"He-am." He sounded resolute.

She laughed. "I forgot how bossy you could be."

Khiann raised a brow, and Kian echoed the expression.

"What are you two lifting your brows at me for? Khiann was bossy. Not as bossy as me, but still."

Kian laughed, shook his head, and walked out the door.

"Unbelievable. You two have known each other for five minutes, and already you are ganging up on me. Men."

"Nu."

"Oh yes, you are. Tomorrow, though, Syssi and Allegra will be here, so we will be three against two."

It occurred to her that Kian had not said wife and daughter, just their names, but Khiann seemed to know who he was talking about. He could have deduced it, but he could also remember it from the stories she had told him while he had slept.

"Do you know who Syssi and Allegra are?"