Page 120 of Tsumiko and the Enslaved Fox
In the empty hallway, Suuzu led her past several doors.
“Won’t you be in a lot of trouble if someone finds me in the bathroom? This is a boys’ dormitory.”
“Argent is skilled. Should anyone else enter this hallway, they will be diverted to the bathroom on the floor below this one.” Suuzu quietly promised, “We will not be interrupted, so take all the time you need.”
Tsumiko’s first impressions of her brother’s best friend were adding up—polite, helpful, cautious. And quite willing to yield to Argent. Was it because of the difference in age? Or was there a proverbial pecking order to the clans? Would a predatory bird rank higher or lower than a predatory mammal?
“Miss Hajime?”
At a touch to her elbow, Tsumiko surfaced from her ruminations. How long had they been standing outside the lavatory door? “Sorry, did you say something?”
“Yes. I will be entering with you. For your safety.”
“While I bathe?”
“There is a partition,” he assured. “I will keep your son while you wash.”
“My … son,” she echoed, struggling to keep up. Exhaustion was shutting down her faculties. Maybe it was a good thing she’d have company. In her current state, she might fall asleep in the tub. But Suuzu was a boy. She simply shook her head.
“I am aware that you have not given birth,” Suuzu said delicately. “However, Argent was clear. You will foster this new life. He will call you Mother.”
She wasn’t getting through. “But … you’re a boy.”
“Oh. Yes. I apologize.” Suuzu glanced worriedly along the hall. “Your bonded is permitting my attendance because I am immature and because I can be considered kin on your brother’s side.”
“Does that mean you adopted Akira?”
“He is my nestmate.” Suuzu gave up waiting and gently guided her into the communal bathroom. “By extension, you are my sister.”
Bonded to a fox. Brother to a phoenix. Mother to a half-dragon. Had there ever been a stranger family? Yet a family was exactly what she’d always longed for. She and Akira were no longer alone. And their little half-dragon would never have to be.
“Argent already filled the bath.” Suuzu indicated a bench in the changing area. “I will remain here.”
So Tsumiko crossed into the inner chamber, which smelled faintly of cleaning solution. The layout wasn’t much different than the baths at Saint Midori’s, and the familiarity spurred her on. Dropping her clothes into the corner, she soon sat shivering on a bathing stool, working a mildly musky shampoo into her hair. It took three times before Tsumiko was sure she was spit-free.
All the while, she listened to the odd mixture of words and whistling coming from the changing room. Suuzu must have been singing one of the many lullabies he claimed to know. Was this also a song of trees? Or simply a song of phoenixes?
With the last of the lather rinsed down the drain, Tsumiko wound a towel around her head and lowered herself into the steaming bath. Drowsiness swamped her senses, and she’d begun nodding when the singing suddenly stopped.
Suuzu quietly called, “He is coming.”
That was her only warning before Argent walked in. Sparing her the briefest of glances, he began to undress.
Quickly turning away, she demanded, “What are you …?”
“I wish to wash.” In a lower tone, he added, “Please.”
She risked a peek but shut her eyes when pale skin entered her periphery. Argent sat with his back to her before the faucets, already filling a basin to wet his hair.
“Suuzu is here and will remain here,” Argent said evenly. “I will avert my eyes from you, and you will give me the same courtesy.”
For half a minute, there was nothing but the smell of soap and the splash of water on tile. But then Tsumiko found her voice. “Thank you,” she murmured.
And Suuzu resumed his singing.
. . .
Argent left off washing long enough to tip back an entire basin of hot water, slaking the thirst that had tormented him ever since leaving Uppington. While carrying Tsumiko, he hadn’t dared to swallow. Only clench his teeth and run until his muscles burned and quaked, trying not to think about the new flavor teasing his palate.
