Page 107 of Kimiko and the Accidental Proposal
“Just an ordinary human.”
Boon’s gaze softened. “I get it kid. Okay. I never did get a good look at Juuyu’s nest. Can you tell me anything about his treasures without getting too personal?”
“A nest is home, so they were reminders of home—stars, scents, seas, songs. And there was something blue to remind him of the sky.”
The wolf smiled. “Itwouldbe blue skies. Rainy days put him in a mood. Right. There’s your mission right there. Bring me either the tuned crystal or something blue, and you’ll have yourself a good start.”
Akira gave back the crystal on its cord.
Boon didn’t keep it. Knotting the ends, he settled it around Akira’s neck. “Wash this next time you bathe. Birds are less fussy about scent than wolves, but your nestmate won’t like it if you seem to be treasuring something of mine. Wear it close to your skin. Make it yours before you give it to him.”
Tucking the strand under his shirt, Akira said, “Thanks, Boon. Really. I owe you one.”
“It’s all good, Akira.” Boon didn’t quite meet his eyes. “We’ll settle up some other time.”
Kimiko eased away from Hisoka-sensei’s entourage of experts and ducked into the kitchen, only to find Dickon Denholme already there, resplendent in traditional attire. “Very dashing!” she said approvingly. “Noriko, they’re ready for you upstairs.”
Her older sister set tea and a selection of snacks on the table. “That’s an interesting choice, Kimiko. Has Mama seen you?”
She shook her head. “The Amaranthine in charge of wardrobe are keeping her occupied. She’s eating up all their fuss and flattery.” A veritable flock of avians had arrived earlier, toting boxes, chests, and trunks from which spilled a fortune in silk. “Don’t you just love peacocks?”
“I thought they were pheasants,” Noriko murmured, half to herself.
Dickon gazed at them over the rim of his tea cup. “I know the flamingo.”
Kimiko shooed her sister toward the door. “Go and be preened, then come back down to show off for us. We’ll repay you for your snacks with increasingly outrageous compliments.”
“Don’t be silly.”
“I expect to see you in at leastthreeempress-level designs,” insisted Kimiko. “Indulge me!”
Noriko hung up her apron and departed with her head held high … and cheeks pink.
Interesting.
Kimiko studied her companion, whose gaze was firmly fixed on his tea.
Doubly interesting.
She cheerfully said, “Hisoka-sensei thinks ofeverything.”
“His attention to detail is … admirable.”
“I’m not sure I like all the subtleties. Quen’s straightforwardness is more to my taste.”
He smiled faintly. “Then you have made a good match.”
“May I ask an impertinent question?”
“Yes.”
“Where do you rank?”
Dark eyes lifted. “Seventeenth.”
She didn’t even try to hide her astonishment. “In which class? Battler?”
“Overall.” After a lengthy silence, he quietly added, “My father is the beacon of Wardenclave.”
