21. Kian

21

KIAN

K ian balanced Allegra on his hip as he and Syssi walked out their front door and headed to his mother's. Her small arms were wrapped around his neck, and her face perched on his collar.

"Are you cold, sweetie?" He rubbed her back.

"No."

"So, why are you sticking your nose into my shirt?"

"Dada smell good."

"Oh, I do?" He grinned at Syssi. "That's good to know."

Their daughter had recently started stringing words together and creating sentences, which, of course, was very advanced for her age.

"Amanda and I are planning a big BD party for you know who," Syssi said. "I still don't know what to buy her. She has everything."

"Are you talking in code because it’s supposed to be a surprise?"

"I don't know." Syssi sighed. "I tried to find something about whether it was a good idea online, but there was nothing. It’s also your BD."

“Mine should not be celebrated again on a grand scale. I had my big party last year.” He stopped before turning into his mother's walkway. "But hers is a big deal milestone, and we should start talking about it and preparing her for it."

Syssi smiled. “We’ll have a small celebration for you with just the family.” She patted his arm. "I know that you don’t like surprises, so I’m letting you know ahead of time. Amanda, on the other hand, loves them, and she is convinced that our little one would love a surprise party."

"Speaking of Amanda." Kian cast a glance at his mother's house. "I feel bad about her and Alena not getting invited to dinner." He adjusted Allegra's weight as she squirmed and pointed to show that she was eager to get to Nana's house.

Syssi chuckled. "The only reason we're invited is that your mother wants you to convince Jasmine to let us question her father instead of waiting for her to learn to thrall."

"Which might never happen," he agreed, settling Allegra on his other hip. "Most transitioned Dormants never develop the ability." He sighed. "But I'll need to find a way to explain to my sisters somehow that this isn't a slight against them without making it sound like I'm apologizing for Mother's machinations."

"You don't need to explain anything." Syssi stretched up to kiss his cheek. "Your mother will handle it perfectly well on her own like she always does."

"You're probably right. She's had a long time to perfect the art of managing family dynamics."

"Dada!" Allegra patted his face, demanding attention. "Go, Nana!"

"Yes, Princess, we're going in." He pressed a kiss to her soft cheek, marveling as always at how much love his heart could hold for this little girl.

He'd lived a very long time, and yet being a father was the best experience of his life. Well, it competed with being a husband. Both his ladies owned his heart.

As Ogidu opened the door with his usual bows and greetings, the three of them headed to the living room, where Jasmine and Ell-rom were already settled on the couch.

"Welcome to immortality," Syssi said. "How are you feeling?"

"Better every minute," Jasmine smiled. "Though Bridget says I need to take it easy for a few days."

"I'm sorry I couldn't be there for your ceremony. Amanda and I couldn't take time off."

"That's okay. You wouldn't have been able to see anything anyway. Bridget only allowed four people in the room. Ell-rom, the Clan Mother, Morelle, and Margo. Kian had to film from the doorway."

As if summoned by the mention of her name, Morelle rushed into the living room with Brandon practically chasing after her, and her eyes immediately found Allegra.

The joy on her face was pure and unguarded, so different from the sharp-edged fighter she usually presented to the world.

Allegra stretched her arms toward Morelle, squirming in Kian's grip. "Illy!"

Morelle made a move to take his daughter, but Kian didn't trust her to hold his precious child while still weak and recovering.

Allegra might look like a bundle of fluff with her frilly dress, pink stockings, and black lacquered Mary Janes but she was solid muscle and baby fat, weighing over thirty pounds now.

He was absurdly proud of how healthy and strong she was.

"Why don't you sit down?" he suggested. "You can sit next to Jasmine, and Allegra can sit between you."

Understanding flickered in Morelle's eyes, but she didn't protest, and as she settled onto the couch beside Jasmine, Kian placed Allegra between them.

"Jadga!" Allegra reached for Jasmine with one hand while keeping hold of Morelle's fingers with the other. "Illy!"

"She gives everyone she likes nicknames," Syssi observed with a laugh. "Consider it an honor."

"I do," Morelle said. "We didn't have any little ones in the temple. Unlike Ell-rom and me, most acolytes joined at the age of ten."

It struck Kian again how much the twins had missed, growing up in isolation. It was a miracle that they had somehow turned out to be decent people. The head priestess, who had been the only one they'd had constant contact with, must not have been as bad as they remembered her. She must have done some good as well.

"Dinner is served," Ogidu announced from the dining room doorway.

"Perfect timing." Annani swept into the room.

As they migrated to the dining room, Kian noticed the careful attention paid to everyone's dietary preferences. Vegan options for Ell-rom and himself, Allegra's favorite foods cut into manageable pieces, and lighter fare for Jasmine and Morelle, who were still recuperating.

"Everything looks and smells wonderful," Kian said as he settled Allegra into her highchair between Syssi and himself.

"Our new family members deserve a proper welcome-home dinner," Annani replied, her smile warm as she gazed at Jasmine and Morelle. "Even if we must keep it small for now."

As they started on the first course, Kian watched the interactions around the table. Morelle and Jasmine were already falling into easy conversation, their initial awkwardness with each other melting away as they talked about Jasmine's acting experience. The Kra-ell were not into the performing arts, or any arts for that matter, and Morelle was fascinated by tales of actors bringing stories to life.

"Mama, look!" Allegra announced proudly as she managed to stab a piece of steamed carrot with her fork.

"Well done, sweetheart," Syssi praised. "Now try to put it in your mouth."

Morelle turned to look at Allegra and smiled, her eyes full of emotion, and Kian wondered what that was about.

Was she just enjoying the company of a small child because she'd never gotten to experience it before? Or was it the feeling of finally having a family?