? The Path of Fire (Path of Light and Fire Book #1)(Completed) ?

Chapter 23: Lost in Translation part 2

As the chatter ceased, he smiled. "They will escort you to your quarters. A room has been prepared for each of you."

"That won't be necessary," Kianna said. "My sister and I will be rooming together."

"Eww, again," Alaina said. "Not after the conversation we just had."

"What was that?"

Leena raised her hand. "While they are working things out, could you escort the rest of us to our rooms?"

"Of course," Sekou said. Four of the servants walked to the others.

"Hidenka," one said to Sakima, "The entire east wing will be prepared for you. I hope you do not mind a single room in the west wing until that time comes."

"Do not worry yourself with my lodgings," Sakima said. "A single room with my friends will be enough for the duration."

"Very well."

Sabin waved his servant away.

"I've almost reached my adult-year!" Alaina eyes flared. "I am sick of you treating me like a child."

"You are a child," Kianna said.

"You're only four years older!"

"Why don't we calm down and...." Sabin started.

"He's right!" Alaina said. "You should stop smothering me."

That's not what I said.

"So you're siding with her?" Kianna glared at him.

"I didn't..."

"See, your brother agrees with me, it is my job to keep you safe." Kianna placed hands on her hips. "How can I do that when you're on the other side of the house?"

I should have left with the others.

"I can take care of myself," Alaina said.

Kianna held up one finger. "I'll tell you what. If the rooms are next to each other and I have a key to yours, I will allow it this once."

"Fine," Alaina conceded. "That will work."

When the agreement was met, the other two servants were waved on towards Kianna and Alaina.

Kianna's servant, an older Acadian woman spoke up then. "We have the perfect space or such an arrangement. Two bedrooms with a private door connecting the two."

"Very well," Kianna said.

Alaina crossed her arms and scrunched her face. Even without the dual-plane vision Kianna and Alaina had, Sabin could tell she was still unhappy.

This is far from over.

As Sabin went to talk to his servant, Kianna's hand was on his shoulder, shaking her hand in the negative.

"We still only need five rooms," she said.

The young Acadian boy assigned to Sabin nodded and walked away.

"Since they seem to know, despite our best efforts at subterfuge, for the next few days you'll be rooming with me."

**

Sabin and Kianna lay in bed and her head rested on his bare chest. "I'm sorry for my emotional outburst today. I don't know what has come over me."

He stroked her hair. "It's okay."

Wetness dotted his chest. "When I'm gone, I want you to find Kaita. Apologize to her for my selfishness. I should not have guilted you into this arrangement."

Sabin shook his hand. "This is my own burden, not yours. You owed Kaita nothing. I owed her loyalty and I have failed."

"I don't want to die."

"You won't," Sabin said. "I will protect you, even if it cost me my own life. I need you with me Kianna. This world is darker than I thought, but with you by my side there is a constant light in my heart."

She stared into his eyes. "I don't want a martyr, Sabin. I want you, alive. Promise me that you won't sacrifice yourself for me."

"I can't make that promise, Kianna."

Kianna nodded. "Well, promise me this. No matter what happens to me-"

"Nothing will happen, stop talking as if your death is assured!"

She placed her hand over his mouth. "No matter what happens to me, you will continue to fight. You will fulfill your destiny. You won't let it paralyze you."

It won't paralyze me. Without you, I will burn this world to the ground.

Sabin nodded.

"Now enough talk, show me how much you love me."