Page 133 of Kimiko and the Accidental Proposal
Lapis’ low trill carried a note of impatience. “You are not a reaver.”
“I’m not registered,” he said, not sure how he’d ended up on the other side of their earlier argument. “More importantly, I don’t want to hurt you.”
“Then I have nothing to fear.”
The three wolves had a rushed exchange in English before Hanoo spoke carefully. “Frankly, Tenma, Lord Mossberne is more a danger to you than you are to him. I’m not sure what would happen if your little bit of shine got snuffed.”
Lapis frowned. “I cannot deny my former excesses, but I have never harmed a soul.”
Tenma tentatively asked, “What does it mean to be Broken?”
“He’s an addict,” said Yoota.
Ploom’s voice held sympathy. “Were you mishandled?”
The dragon’s low chuckle had frayed edges. “Nobody likes a sad story. Better to delve into the mystery in our midst. What do you say, unsealed boy? Can you trust a tattered and tainted soul like mine?”
“Sure. As long as it can’t hurt you.”
Lapis said, “Our trust is mutual, as is consent. Now, show me what you showed Ploom.”
Tenma nodded even though he had no idea what he was doing. He wasn’t even sure he’d actuallydoneanything. But maybe if he began the same way he had with Ploom, Lapis would gain some clue to the source of his … glimmer.
So he closed his eyes and turned his attention inward, searching for the brittle blue that defined the dragon. Lapis held very still, but that wasn’t right. Ploom had reached for him, found his hand, welcomed their connection. “Mutual trust,” Tenma mumbled.
Lapis didn’t move.
“Lord Mossberne.Lapis.” Tenma wasn’t sure how else to ask. “Are you afraid of me?”
“Preposterous.” But the dragon curled in more tightly on himself. “I am afraid that you will prove me wrong.”
Tenma had no idea what he meant. “What happens if you’re right?”
“A miracle.”
“I don’t understand what you expect from me,” he said, touching the dragon’s shoulder, then tugging him closer. “But I’ll try.”
Lapis found his hand, threaded their fingers together, and took a more optimistic tone. “I am often right.”
Tenma laughed. Back on the roof, he’d wanted Lapis more than Hanoo, but he hadn’t been in any fit state to wonder why. Now, he weighed that impulse. Was it instinct? Had some mysterious part of his soul decided that he needed more than a dog and a monkey in his life? Cracking a smile, he asked, “Are there pheasant clans?”
Hanoo said, “Sure there are. Why?”
“Never mind.” Tenma redirected his wandering thoughts. Lapis had been friendly, interested, curious … but remote. Harmonious was the one who’d confronted Tenma’s loneliness and banished it. Hadn’t the leader of the Starmark pack done the same for Lapis?
Well, he hadtried, but it must not have been enough.
So what did Lapis need?
And in a moment of mind-boggling clarity, Tenma’s perspective flipped. He really had no business thinking so highly of himself, but he was sure he was right. He was drawn to Lapis because the dragon needed him. Desperately.
So while Yoota made comforting noises and Ploom murmured encouragement, Tenma reached for Lapis in intangible ways and was met partway. This was trust, and he tried to reciprocate. Not in words, but in impressions. Like adopting a helpful posture or extending an upraised palm.
Lapis made an odd little hiccupping sound.
Hanoo threw an arm around both of them, humming deep in his chest.
And Tenma found little ways to keep Lapis close. Awash in blue, he did his best to warm what was cold, to soften what was brittle, to mend each fracture and tear. The dragon’s soul whispered to him of regret and respect. Here was devotion and damage, hesitation and hope. Tenma found the shreds and gave them shape, soothing away the sorrows and bolstering what was brave.
