Page 108 of Tsumiko and the Enslaved Fox
“Why should I part with anything?” Argent’s tone held a sneer. “I am neither obliged nor beguiled by these empty propositions.”
Nona tried one last time. “We are not opposed to a more balanced exchange. Gifts for favors, in the old tradition.”
Argent’s tails lashed. “No exchanges, no favors, and no further patience. Be gone.”
The voice at her ear bristled with indignation. “Theold traditionshe dared to suggest would have required me to make a present of the children to her. She would have consumed the beacon’s soul—and her brother’s besides—to invoke a bloody, binding law of courtship.”
Nona and Senna traded a look and seemed ready to argue, but a building growl changed their minds. They fled.
Then Argent lowered himself to one knee before the girl, offering a clawed hand. Her brother ran behind her, hiding his face.
Argent asked, “Is that any way to thank your savior?”
“Are you a beast?” she asked.
“I am.”
“Are you safe?”
“Certainly not.”
She considered that, then asked, “Arewesafe?”
“The others have gone,” he replied.
“You are still here. What will you do?”
Argent said, “I have no particular plans.”
Tsumiko had to admire the girl’s courage. And her tenacity in getting answers out of the evasive fox.
But her dream companion huffed against her ear. “So calm. Like you.”
“You make it sound like a bad thing,” she murmured, unsure she wanted to be compared to another woman. Even if she was only a girl.
“Not bad. But interesting.” The older, nine-tailed fox hid his smile against her neck. “And in your case, infuriating.”
She wanted to ask more, but he slipped a hand over her mouth and pointed to the scene he’d brought her to see.
With a sigh, the young Argent said, “You are safe.”
“Promise?” asked the girl.
The fox made a soft noise of impatience, but he said, “I promise.”
She pulled her younger brother from behind her back and pressed him into Argent’s chest, then flung her arms as far as they could reach around both. And began to cry.
It seemed she’d reached the end of her bravery. And no wonder.
“They never stood a chance,” her companion murmured. “Neither did I.”
Young Argent gathered both children into his arms and walked back the way they’d come.
Tsumiko turned to her guide, this silver-trimmed person who seemed stronger and stranger and striking in new ways. She dared to ask, “Is this who you are?”
“This is who I was, who I am not, and who I can never fully un-become.” His gaze followed the retreating form of his former self. “I would never have been enslaved if it were not so.”
“Why did you help her?”
