Page 23 of Dark Shaman: The Lost Treasure
Annani nodded. "Of course."
Amanda leaned forward, studying the two images. The first she'd seen before, the one Tim had drawn from Annani's description. It showed Khiann as powerful and commanding, but with eyes full of love and tenderness. In the second portrait, Khiann was younger. His face held mischief, his smile crooked and challenging. There was an energy to him, a sense of barely contained vitality that practically leaped off the page.
"He was quite the charmer, wasn't he?" Syssi asked.
"Not if you asked him," Annani said. "He claimed that he was always proper, a dutiful son whom I had to seduce into courting me. But looking at him through Esag's eyes reveals a facet of him that he kept hidden from me."
"I'm sure he hid nothing from you," Amanda said with a grin. "I remember you telling me that the two of you got into a lot of mischief during your courtship."
Annani smirked. "It was all my doing. I had to tempt Khiann into breaking the rules."
Amanda had a feeling that Khiann had cooperated with Annani's shenanigans because it was fun, and he'd only pretended to be pulled into them against his will.
"My Khiann was playful, passionate, and on occasion irreverent. He made me laugh until my sides ached."
Allegra, who'd been unusually quiet, pointed at the younger portrait. "He's pretty."
"Yes," Annani agreed. "I find it curious that Cyra, Yasmin's little girl, called Khiann a pretty man too. Or a doll man."
Her mother had told Amanda about Cyra's prophetic dreams, and that the girl had seen four others buried in the sand with him.
Amanda studied the details of the portrait that Esag had inspired more closely. "Has Esag started working on a new figurine?"
"He has been carving for days," Annani said. "He has carved many versions already, but none satisfy him. Hopefully, now that he has the portrait to inspire him, he will manage to make one with the spark that will trigger a vision."
"Speaking of visions," Syssi said, "I could try?—"
"No." Annani put a hand on her arm. "Not yet, my dear. The universe is not generous with visions, as you well know. Let us give Esag more time. If he fails, then I will ask you to take another look."
Syssi nodded. "That's wise."
Annani laughed. "Khiann would never have accused me of wisdom. He called me cunning and sharp, but he was unhappy with my reluctance to study commerce. It was so boring." She sighed. "Those were the good times, though. I miss them so much. If I knew then what I know now."
"And what's that?" Syssi asked.
"That family is the most important thing. I should have been kinder and more understanding toward my mother. I should have spent more time with my father when I had the chance."
Amanda took her daughter from her mother and pressed a kiss to her cheek. "Who is going to have a big party this Sunday?"
"Evie!" Her daughter pointed at herself. "Evie, princess."
"That's right, sweetheart. Every girl is a princess on her birthday."
"One already," Annani marveled, reaching for Evie's tiny hand. "It seems like yesterday you were born, little one."
"It's going to be a party to remember," Amanda said. "I'm planning something unique."
"How unique?" Syssi asked, looking suspicious.
"I'm not telling. It's a surprise."
"Amanda—"
"Nope. My lips are sealed. You'll just have to trust me."
Syssi burst out laughing. "When you say the words unique and party in the same sentence, I get scared. Really scared."
Annani smiled. "Whatever you are planning, Amanda, I'm sure it will be wonderful."
