🐲 Dragon and Phoenix (Path of Light and Fire Book #2) (Completed) 🐲

Chapter 13

A/N: Not quite the image of Kianna, but I love the photo. So there. :)

The media is Finger Eleven - "I'll Keep Your Memory Vague". One of my favorite songs. And it fits the mood of the chapter. Have a listen.

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"Dragon, I did not hear you approach."

Sabin opened his eyes at the sound of Kianna's voice. The color of his vision returned, but the edges blurred, similar to the last time he'd lighted such a long distance.

She smiled, crinkling the corners of her brown eyes. Sabin's heart lifted. Even knowing the blindness would return, it was worth the tradeoff.

It was close to midday in Ciudad Naranja when Sabin lighted. Yet in Sweoti, the capitol of the country of Yua, the sun had not long broken the horizon. She had a flower can in hand, watering the fileri, black-stemmed flowers with red petals, as a reddish glow bathed Ira's villa.

"May your ancestors find you worthy," she said in Yuago.

"May they stand in paradise with yours," Sabin said, before switching to Standard. "Your Yuago has gotten much better."

"I wanted to greet you properly. You've fixed your hair! I knew it would make you even more handsome." She pointed to Alaina. "You've brought a friend. "What should I call her?"

Sabin looked down to Alaina searching for an answer. She still clutched his chest and he examined the off-white bird that adorned the back of her dress.

"Call her Dove."

Alaina unlatched from Sabin's chest and furrowed her brow.

"Ira said to be careful," Sabin whispered. "Her memory is incomplete and forcing her to remember might hurt her."

Alaina nodded and turned to Kianna. "Dove is indeed my name. I am happy to meet you."

Kianna raised an eyebrow. "I feel like I know you." She snapped her fingers. "You're from Rianna too! How did you get a name like Dove?"

Alaina looked at Sabin and jerked her head in Kianna's direction.

What do you want me to do?

Sabin cleared his throat. "She is a member of my team. We each have code names."

Kianna smile faded. "I suppose I have no right to her real name." She nodded to Alaina. "Does it end in 'a' as it should?"

Alaina nodded. "It ends in 'na'.

"You must be well-loved to be given a 'na' name." Kianna dropped her eyes. "Is Dragon a code name as well?"

I hate lying to her.

Tears threatened to fall from Sabin's eyes. "Yes."

She nodded. "Well, I hope we become acquainted enough that I am worthy of your true names."

You are more than worthy.

She waved her hand. "I did not mean to cause you discomfort. Dragon, may I ask you a less personal question?"

Ask anything of me. "Of course."

She walked up to him, the bulge of her stomach creasing her black dress. She grabbed a strand of his hair, her fingers brushing his cheek. "What does the silver threading in your dreadlocks stand for? I do not know and feel I am lacking in my Yuan study."

His heart fluttered from her touch. "It means that I stand apart from Yuan society."

"Because you were raised in Acadia, yes?"