Page 99 of Tsumiko and the Enslaved Fox
“There is an element of truth in the songs and stories,” said Argent. “Take, for instance, Huddlebud nectar.”
Tsumiko noticed Stewart’s confusion. “Amaranthine medicine,” she whispered.
“My mother kept a pot on the high shelf in her herbiary. She revered the stuff, and more than once, I caught her opening the jar, enjoying the scent.” Argent’s eyebrows arched. “She said it brought back good memories.”
He was drawing out the suspense. Tsumiko finally prompted, “Why?”
Argent smirked. “Most people assume that Huddlebud refers to an Amaranthine house, which itdoes. They are one of the smaller deer clans. Herbalists.”
“They produce this medicine?” guessed Stewart.
“It is their stock and trade,” Argent confirmed. “What few realize is that the huddlebud are one of our Ephemera. They are reminiscent of butterflies, and they gather the pollen from which the herbalists concoct their nectar.”
Stewart’s expression brightened. “Are they in your collection?”
This time, Tsumiko was at a loss.
The doctor smiled sheepishly. “When I was little, I wanted to know more, but Argent ignored my questions. So Aunt Eimi made a rule. One answer a day. One time, I asked about collections.”
Argent looked away, and Tsumiko ached inside. Despite his fondness for Stewart, the taint of obligation shadowed the memories they shared. She quietly said, “Thank goodness Argent is no longer under any obligation to divulge his secrets on a daily basis.”
“Tsk.” But gratitude flashed in Argent’s eyes. “While the butterflies are beautiful, I find moths easier to please. I don’t keep what a huddlebud craves, what they will fly leagues to find.”
“What do they eat?” asked Tsumiko.
“What else?” Argent rolled his wrist, fanning his fingers wide. “The pollen of Amaranthine trees.”
At that point, Tsumiko realized that the singing had stopped. Shuffling footsteps approached the kitchen, accompanied by the encouraging murmur of a lady’s voice. Stewart and Argent rose to their feet as two females entered.
The one who must have been Brynn Fallowfield was quite tall, with a complexion like warm toast and a long mane of straight hair the color of butter. She quietly dominated those in the room, and not only by height. Tsumiko smiled at the sudden flash of familiarity. Sister Mary Celeste was equally as formidable when herding her flock of little ones from their nursery to the library or playground. Nurse Fallowfield had similarly set herself between Kyoko and the world. Tsumiko couldn’t see anything of her cousin except the flash of a dark eye and the flutter of a red hem.
“Here you are!” Stewart hurried forward. “The parlor is ready, darling. We’ll be more comfortable there.”
“I will bring a tea tray,” Brynn announced. As the couple retreated, the lady of the horse clans gave Argent an assessing look. “Gloves, dear.”
To Tsumiko’s surprise, he wordlessly ducked through an archway, presumably into the room reserved for linens and tea services. She found the nurse’s pale-lashed eyes fixed upon her and waited to see if this Amaranthine had orders for her as well.
“Bracelet, dear.” Brynn Fallowfield shook her hair back, tucking strands behind a pointed ear. “Take it off.”
FIFTY
Unnatural
Not the customary sequence of greetings she’d been expecting. Tsumiko’s hand crept up to cover her wrist. “That would be …”
“Unwise.” Argent returned, tugging the final loop over a row of tiny buttons at his wrist. Flexing his hands, he presented pristine white cotton for Brynn’s inspection. “My claws are velveted.”
“I appreciate the consideration.” She met his palms, likely upholding some kind of Amaranthine etiquette.
Tsumiko was intrigued to note that the lady’s fingers bore no claws. Would she also lack fangs?
Brynn went on. “Mrs. Hajime-Smythe only suffers your presence because this family vouches for your docility.”
Argent snorted.
So did Brynn. Looking to Tsumiko, the nurse asked, “You do realize this is afox?”
“Yes.” Only then did she realize that Brynn had been speaking Japanese. But that made sense. Kyoko needed the same consideration. Tsumiko eased from her chair and moved to Argent’s side. “The uniform puts most people off guard, but we know better. He is certainly a fox.”
