53. Kian

53

KIAN

F ridays were special, not just because of the family dinners that had become tradition, but because both Syssi and Amanda finished at the university earlier than usual, which meant that Kian also cut his Fridays short whenever he could.

It wasn't because Syssi needed his help to prepare dinner. Okidu handled all the cooking and setup with her guidance. But knowing his mate and daughter were home, staying at the office was difficult. He was eager to be done with his week and join them, his duties be damned.

Kian found his wife and daughter in the living room, playing with blocks on a colorful mat that Syssi had placed next to the fireplace, which was never on. The sight of them together still made his heart squeeze, even after all this time.

"Dada!" Allegra abandoned her tower-building project and ran to him.

He scooped her up, breathing in her sweet baby scent. "Hello, Princess. Building cities again?"

"Big tower!" She pointed proudly at her creation.

Syssi smiled and stood up. "I'm so glad that you managed to leave the office early. I love it when you cut your Fridays short."

"I do it whenever I can." He wrapped his other arm around her and kissed her cheek. "I have some interesting tidbits for you about the Kurdish resistance movements." He led her to the couch and sat with her leaning against his side while Allegra wiggled out of his lap and returned to her blocks.

She arched a brow. "When did you have time to look into this?"

"I asked Shai to compile a summary for me to read."

"I would love to see it," Syssi said. "I intended to read up on it during the weekend."

"I can give you the highlights. The Kurdish resistance spans several countries—Iran, Iraq, Syria, and Turkey. Each region has its own distinct movement, but they share common goals: autonomy, cultural preservation, and women's rights. The Women's Protection Units have become particularly significant in recent years."

" Jin, Jiyan, Azad?," Syssi quoted. "Women, Life, Freedom."

"Exactly. It's more than just a slogan though, it's their core philosophy. These women aren't just fighting for territory, they're fighting for fundamental human rights, for the right to exist as a people and a culture."

"Hold that thought." Syssi lifted a hand. "Before you continue, would you like a cappuccino?"

He smiled. "Of course." One of his favorite things to do was to share a cup with Syssi after work.

"Dada, look!" Allegra spread her arms over the tower with pride in her eyes.

"It's beautiful. Maybe you will become an architect one day like your mommy."

Syssi laughed over at her cappuccino station. "I'm not an architect if I'm not actively working as one."

"Of course you are. Is a physician no longer a physician when she retires?"

"That's different," she said loudly over the thumping of the machine.

"I don't see how."

"I never completed my internship. I'm not licensed."

That was true, and he wondered if Syssi ever regretted her choice to pivot into working with Amanda on paranormal research. He knew that she liked the work and enjoyed his sister's company, but Syssi was also a creative person, and there wasn't much creativity in the research lab.

"Do you miss it?" he asked when she returned with the cappuccinos. "Architecture, I mean."

Syssi shrugged. "I like the design process, but frankly, I don't think I would have enjoyed working with clients. I don't regret my choices."

"Good." He let out a breath. "I don't want you to compromise on what you love doing."

"I don't." She took a sip from her cup. "Tell me more about the Kurdish women's movement before our guests arrive."

"The women's units operate in coordination with the male units." Kian took a long, grateful sip of his wife's superb cappuccino. "Some of their enemies believe that being killed by a woman denies them paradise."

"Good," Syssi said with unexpected heat. "I like it that they fear the women warriors."

Kian nodded. "The women also created a social revolution within their communities. They've established councils, educational programs, and leadership training. Young women who might have been forced into early marriages are instead becoming fighters, leaders, and teachers. They're changing the entire social fabric of their society."

"That's incredible. I bet they face a lot of opposition."

Kian nodded. "They're fighting on all fronts. Traditional tribal structures are difficult to abolish, and the governments in the area see them as a threat."

Syssi took another sip and put her cup on the coffee table. "How do they manage that? I mean, I'm not aware of women in any other region organizing themselves into independent military units."

"True. It's really a unique phenomenon. They are like the Amazons of myth. They also believe in providing education for their members in addition to combat training."

"Like we do here in the clan," Syssi said.

"Well, they are fighting for their survival and basic human rights."

"So are we." Syssi smiled sadly. "We fight for our existence. If we didn't, Navuh and his goons would have eradicated our people a long time ago."

"True." Kian sighed.

"It's remarkable," Syssi said. "These women choosing to fight not just with weapons but with education and social change. But what's more remarkable to me is how little is known about them in the West. I would think that every women's organization should have sung their praises on every channel available, and yet I didn't know anything about it until that article I read online, and I stumbled upon that by chance."

Kian leaned back. "There is no money in it. That's why you don't hear about it. No one is pushing their agenda."

She shook her head. "It's always about the money. It makes me so mad. That's why hearing about the Kurdish women's resistance makes my heart feel lighter. And maybe we will find Jasmine's mother fighting with them. I worry, though. They are going against superior forces that don't abide by any humanitarian conventions."

"The resistance has safe houses throughout the region," Kian said. "But I worry for them too."

Allegra's tower crashed, sending blocks scattering, but instead of crying, she laughed and started rebuilding.

His daughter was a true leader.

Kian got off the couch and gathered the scattered blocks, and as Syssi joined them both, Allegra's squeal of joy was priceless. These ladies were his entire existence, and he thanked the Fates daily for their blessings. If only all the women on Earth were as fortunate, happy, and safe.

"I hope they succeed in reshaping their part of the world." Syssi leaned her elbows on her knees. "Wherever women are free and respected, society as a whole flourishes, and wherever women are oppressed and devalued, the society is consumed by rot and doomed to failure."

"We're fortunate," Kian said, watching Allegra carefully place a block on top of her latest tower. "To be able to raise our daughter safely and have the luxury of choosing our battles. We owe it all to my mother and her unwavering spirit. She's been fighting for women throughout her life."

Allegra lifted her head and cast them both a crooked smile that was slightly evil before crashing her tower. "Boom!"

"Boom indeed," he laughed, pulling her into a tickle attack that had her shrieking with delight.

The most important thing a leader could do was remember what they were fighting for—these simple moments of joy, the right of all people to live in peace and raise their children in safety.