Page 88 of Dark Princess Emerging

He scooped her up, breathing in her sweet baby scent. "Hello, Princess. Building cities again?"

"Big tower!" She pointed proudly at her creation.

Syssi smiled and stood up. "I'm so glad that you managed to leave the office early. I love it when you cut your Fridays short."

"I do it whenever I can." He wrapped his other arm around her and kissed her cheek. "I have some interesting tidbits for you about the Kurdish resistance movements." He led her to the couch and sat with her leaning against his side while Allegra wiggled out of his lap and returned to her blocks.

She arched a brow. "When did you have time to look into this?"

"I asked Shai to compile a summary for me to read."

"I would love to see it," Syssi said. "I intended to read up on it during the weekend."

"I can give you the highlights. The Kurdish resistance spans several countries—Iran, Iraq, Syria, and Turkey. Each region has its own distinct movement, but they share common goals: autonomy, cultural preservation, and women's rights. The Women's Protection Units have become particularly significant in recent years."

"Jin, Jiyan, Azadî,"Syssi quoted. "Women, Life, Freedom."

"Exactly. It's more than just a slogan though, it's their core philosophy. These women aren't just fighting for territory, they're fighting for fundamental human rights, for the right to exist as a people and a culture."

"Hold that thought." Syssi lifted a hand. "Before you continue, would you like a cappuccino?"

He smiled. "Of course." One of his favorite things to do was to share a cup with Syssi after work.

"Dada, look!" Allegra spread her arms over the tower with pride in her eyes.

"It's beautiful. Maybe you will become an architect one day like your mommy."

Syssi laughed over at her cappuccino station. "I'm not an architect if I'm not actively working as one."

"Of course you are. Is a physician no longer a physician when she retires?"

"That's different," she said loudly over the thumping of the machine.

"I don't see how."

"I never completed my internship. I'm not licensed."

That was true, and he wondered if Syssi ever regretted her choice to pivot into working with Amanda on paranormal research. He knew that she liked the work and enjoyed his sister's company, but Syssi was also a creative person, and there wasn't much creativity in the research lab.

"Do you miss it?" he asked when she returned with the cappuccinos. "Architecture, I mean."

Syssi shrugged. "I like the design process, but frankly, I don't think I would have enjoyed working with clients. I don't regret my choices."

"Good." He let out a breath. "I don't want you to compromise on what you love doing."

"I don't." She took a sip from her cup. "Tell me more about the Kurdish women's movement before our guests arrive."

"The women's units operate in coordination with the male units." Kian took a long, grateful sip of his wife's superb cappuccino. "Some of their enemies believe that being killed by a woman denies them paradise."

"Good," Syssi said with unexpected heat. "I like it that they fear the women warriors."

Kian nodded. "The women also created a social revolution within their communities. They've established councils, educational programs, and leadership training. Young women who might have been forced into early marriages are instead becoming fighters, leaders, and teachers. They're changing the entire social fabric of their society."

"That's incredible. I bet they face a lot of opposition."

Kian nodded. "They're fighting on all fronts. Traditional tribal structures are difficult to abolish, and the governments in the area see them as a threat."

Syssi took another sip and put her cup on the coffee table. "How do they manage that? I mean, I'm not aware of women in any other region organizing themselves into independent military units."