Page 131 of Kimiko and the Accidental Proposal
“As it happens, I have some small experience when it comes to the shuttering of beacons.” Argent’s eyebrows lifted. “While it would be ungentlemanly to compare, I cannot deny my curiosity. This is the first time I will see Lady Anna unfettered.”
The last of Anna Starmark’s personal wards came away, and Harmonious stood to his full height, heavy-lidded and swaying. Kimiko was certain that his bondmate was the only thing he could see.
“What does she look like to you?”
Argent tipped his head to one side, then answered, “Fury.”
Anna certainly didn’t look angry to Kimiko. Only poised, very likely for battle. She asked, “Does she compare to your lady?”
“Who can say? There are advantages on either side.” His gaze softened slightly. “Both are suited to their place and happy in it.”
“I can hope for that much, at least.”
“You cannot compare with our beacons.” With a subtle flick of his fingers, he robbed his words of their sting. “Rather, you will surpass them.”
She dismissed his suggestion.
Argent studied her face and simply repeated, “You will do well.”
Kimiko looked back in time to see Harmonious shift into his truest form. The dog bore a striking resemblance to Rise, although he had upright ears, like a wolf’s. Harmonious towered above every tree except Kusunoki. Nosing around in its branches, he barked playfully, tail wagging.
Suuzu dropped into view, gliding toward Kimiko with Akira in his arms. Both boys looked sheepish at being flushed out. On closer inspection, she thought Suuzu had been crying. As soon as he’d set down his best friend, she hurried to her go-between and hugged him tightly. “Stay over,” she urged. “You guys can wait in my room if you like.”
“Akira and I gladly accept.” Suuzu’s gaze flitted to the storehouse behind her, then slid guiltily aside. In subdued tones, he said, “Thank you for your hospitality.”
“Andcongratulations,” interjected Akira. “You were so pro! You know, with Sis and Mrs. Anna always hiding away, you could totally become the Five’s spokeswife.”
She shook her head, more interested in Harmonious, who’d eased down, belly to the ground. In theory, he was humbling himself, but Kimiko could read only pride and pleasure in his manner. He’d lowered himself so his bondmate could more easily scale his bulk. Anna Starmark secured her blade in a twist of copper sashes and climbed with surprising ease to a seat upon his back. Not until Harmonious leapt into the night sky did Argent’s hold slip.
Barrier gone, power reverberated, and everywhere around the shrine, the Starmark pack bayed their approval. Their leader and his mate had joined the hunt. High overhead, Harmonious bounded in ever-widening circles. Upon her colossal steed, the battler took up her former role, pale hair streaming. Keishi’s saint had returned, and the stars seemed to change course in order to follow her.
“What are those sparks?” asked Kimiko.
“Hey, yeah,” said Akira. “Can you see them, Suuzu?”
“They are Ephemera.” Suuzu quietly explained, “A rare variety that develops a symbiotic relationship with certain trees. They must have been hibernating inside, but the presence of so many potent souls brought them out.”
“Lady Anna’s blade is an effective lure,” said Argent. “She is like springtime to them.”
Suuzu touched Kimiko’s shoulder. “If they remain active, I would not be surprised if your friend bloomed this year.”
“How fortunate we sealed your boundaries.” Argent darted upward and returned with a small creature caged between his fingers. It looked like a winged monkey, no bigger than a sparrow, with pale fur glowing softly in the darkness. Round eyes blinked drowsily at them as it clung to Argent’s fingers. He said, “I should bring one home to show Tsumiko.”
Akira rolled his eyes. “Like you don’t want it for your collection.” To Kimiko, he added, “Argent’s a repeat offender when it comes to smuggling Ephemera across borders.”
Suuzu scanned the lights darting through Kusunoki’s branches. “Cull three pairs, and you could easily establish a colony. They make excellent pollinators and good pets, so long as they have ready access to a reaver of sufficient prowess.”
“Which would explain why we’ve never seen them before,” Kimiko said wryly. “Not for three hundred years.”
Argent tutted. “I am certain you can secure a reaver of ‘sufficient prowess.’”
“What level are we talking?” she asked, thinking he might mean Isla.
“Ideally, seventeenth.”
Kimiko nodded sagely. “Then our future is both bright and brightening.”
The fox eyed her with what could only be called respect. “I believe I shall second Akira’s nomination.”
