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

Chapter 38: The Path of Light

"We are not going inside," Ira said. "Walk with me and I implore you to show some restraint."

Sabin continued his stride beside Ira. "I am perfectly capable of..."

Kianna, my eyes must deceive me.

Sabin stood there open mouthed and trembled. Before he could take a step, Ira grabbed his arm.

"Restraint boy. She has been through much and things are incomplete within her."

Sabin turned on Ira and grabbed the woman by the shoulders. "What do you mean incomplete?"

Ira slowly removed Sabin's hands and held them. "She does not remember certain things. Approach carefully and do not cause her stress, she is...what was the word her sister used? Pregnant."

Sabin noticed the bulge of Kianna's stomach now as she smiled, clad in the black robe of the jine-nemaa. The color hid it very well if you were not looking for it.

"If you are angry with me..."

"Angry?" Sabin interrupted. "I don't understand why you kept this from me, but I don't care. The only thing that matters is that she is here now."

Ira released Sabin's hands. "Restraint."

Sabin he walked to her, warring with the burning desire to run and kiss her. Kianna turned to him, gracing Sabin with a smile.

"May ancestors you worthy find," Kianna said.

Her Yuago clearly needs some work.

"May they stand in paradise with yours," Sabin said in Standard.

"You speak Standard?" Kianna asked. "Thank Rianna! It's been ages since I've been able to talk with someone without looking like a fool. Have we met? I feel like we've met before."

Sabin's heart sank. "A few times."

"Yes." Kianna watered the fileri. "I think I would remember a handsome man such as yourself if we were more than casually acquainted."

Sabin put his hand to his chest. "I am pleased to see you again." Kianna smiled again and Sabin's heart pounded.

Kianna patted her stomach. "You flatter me, sir. I am as huge as a whale!" Her eyes returned to Sabin. "Why do you wear your hair like a homeless person and not like one of the Blood?"

"I was raised in Acadia. I was not exposed to this culture until recently."

Kianna handed her water can to Fifi. "It is a shame. I think dreadlocks would make you all the more handsome. You would break many hearts."

Sabin tried to veer the conversation, lest he lost his composure. "How is the father?"

"I am not sure." Kianna paused for a moment. It took some time before she spoke again. "Ira and Fifi tell me he is somewhere fighting to protect us all. I feel like such a man I would remember, but I do not. It is no matter; I am honored to carry his child."

"I'm sure he would feel the same."

Kianna brushed her hand across Sabin's cheek. "Are you crying?"

"No." Sabin's trembling voice betrayed his words and he wiped his eyes. "The sun is a bit bright is all."

Kianna clapped her hands together. "Oh! Speaking of 'son', I've picked out names for the baby. If it is a girl, I will name her Alaina. I feel she would be a kind-hearted and intelligent soul. And if it is a boy, I will name him Sabin. That is the name of a man strong of purpose and duty, with an unbreakable spirit. That is the type of man I'm sure I fell in love with." She laughed to herself. "Here I am so happy to speak in Standard that I have forgotten my manners. I am Kianna. What do they call you?"

Sabin wanted to tell her everything right then and there, but Ira's warning of 'restraint' rung in his mind. "Dragon."

"That is a very...unique name." She winced and lost her balance.

He rushed to catch her at the arm. Kianna jumped at his touch, but did not pull away. She gave him a pained smile.

"Fifi, I think I need to rest."

The black-robed woman supported Kianna's other arm, leaving Kianna's hand to graze Sabin's as she was pulled away. "Dragon, I am sorry to leave you so abruptly, but I would very much like to speak with you again if that pleases you."

"Nothing in this world could please me more."

"You are a strange man Dragon, to be so forward with a pregnant woman. Are you sure we're only casually acquainted?"

"Come now," Fifi urged. "Let us get you to bed."

Sabin watched as she went into her room. He felt a mix of elation and hurt, the elation far outweighing the loss of her memories of him.

We can make better memories.

Sabin felt Ira's presence. "I lighted here because of her."

"That is my guess," she said.

"And I can do so anytime I want."

"That is also my belief."

Sabin turned to his karamogo. "Ira, I will allow myself to be marked by the dragon under one condition."

Ira's eyes narrowed. "And that is?"

Sabin smiled, too excited to restrain himself any longer. "Find someone to fix my hair."