Page 33 of Dark Shaman: The Lost Treasure
He held the carving up to the light, comparing it to the portrait. It was good work, maybe some of his best. But was it good enough? Would it capture whatever essence was needed to trigger a vision, even though it was made from wood and not stone?
"Only one way to find out," he murmured.
He set the figurine down and reached for his finishing oils. This was the final step, the one that would bring out the wood's natural beauty and preserve the carving for years to come. As he worked the oil into the grain, he thought about permanence, about the things that lasted and the things that didn't.
Even now, after all this time, he could close his eyes and see Gulan in that garden, sunlight catching the lighter tones in her dark hair, her green eyes wide with wonder as he'd told her she was beautiful.
She'd been so surprised by the compliment as if no one had ever told her that before. As if she didn't know that her strength was magnificent, her loyalty precious, her heart pure gold.
"I should have broken that engagement and married you properly, given you the life you deserved."
But the truth was that he hadn't been her truelove mate. He'd been merely an infatuation, an object of desire for a young girl who was growing into a woman.
What she had with Anandur was the real thing, and that was what the Fates had planned for her all along. Esag hadn't been meant to be hers, and apparently, he hadn't been meant to be Ashegan's either.
Was his truelove mate waiting for him somewhere out there? Had he earned the right to such a boon?
He'd suffered, but he hadn't sacrificed. Not when a sacrifice had been required of him.
11
KIAN
"Magnus has volunteered to be Tim's inducer," Kian told Syssi as he put on his jacket. "Or rather, Vivian volunteered him after hearing that no one else wanted to do it."
"That was kind of them," she said. "Magnus is perfect for this."
"Let's hope so. Tim is in no shape to provide a physical challenge, but in his case, he doesn't even need to memorize offensive poetry to irritate Magnus. He does that naturally. I just hope he's not stupid enough to insult Vivian or Ella. Even Magnus has his limits, and he might beat Tim into a pulp if he says something about his mate or daughter."
Syssi lifted a brow. "They are both coming to the ceremony?"
Kian winced. "There will be no ceremony. Just Tim and Magnus in the ring, but yeah. Vivian mobilized the entire family to support Tim because he had no one else."
She frowned. "That's not right, Kian. Tim deserves a ceremony like anyone else." She pulled out her phone. "I'm calling Andrew and telling him that he needs to show up. He's been workingwith Tim for the past six years. They might not be friends, but they are coworkers, and he should show his support."
"Andrew? It's Syssi. Tim's induction is tonight...Yes, I know...That's not the point. He's your colleague, and you should be there...Thank you."
She ended the call and turned to Kian. "Maybe if we shower Tim with love and support, it will encourage him to be nicer."
Kian pulled her close, pressing a kiss to her forehead. "You're sweet, but Tim is probably irredeemable. He's made being ornery into an art form."
"No one is irredeemable."
"Well, he's not a criminal," Kian conceded. "Having no social skills and being proud of it isn't illegal, and that's why we are offering him this opportunity, and who knows? Perhaps it will make things more interesting to have a resident grouch in the village. Every community needs one, right?"
"That's a terrible attitude." But Syssi was smiling as she said it.
They paused at the door to the nursery, where Allegra was sleeping peacefully, one small fist curled against her cheek. The sight never failed to make Kian's heart expand with protective love.
"Okidu," Syssi called softly.
The Odu emerged from his room. "Yes, mistress?"
"We're going to the gym to attend an induction. Please keep an eye on Allegra. If she wakes up and asks for Mommy or Daddy, call me?"
"Of course, mistress."
Allegra rarely woke up at night, so Kian wasn't worried, and even if she did, she would probably just demand that Okidu turn on the television for her. She was a cunning little thing, and she knew who she could manipulate and who she couldn't.
