Page 140 of Kimiko and the Accidental Proposal
“I hear you had an adventurous night.”
Taking in his classmate’s elaborate costume, Tenma had asked, “Where’veyoubeen?”
“With my brothers.” Plucking at his embroidered finery, he’d huffed. “Oh, and I’m betrothed.”
“You’re getting married?”
“The Amaranthine equivalent.”
Tenma had almost asked about the fiancée, but he didn’t really know any other dogs. Quen was the only one in 3-C. Knowing Isla would wheedle all the details out of their partner, he just murmured, “Congratulations.”
The second time Tenma woke, a green-haired stranger was shaking his shoulder. “Touch my nose,” he’d said.
Odd request. Maybe he was drunk? But then Tenma realized what sort of Amaranthine he was dealing with. Patting the space at his side, he’d mumbled, “Room here if you’re cold, dragon-san.” And he’d rolled over, pulling his blankets over his head, wishing that dens were quieter, but grateful they weren’t ever lonely.
Now, it was hushed, and Tenma knew he was alone. But then the door slid open, and food smells wafted thought. Turning to check, he rolled right into a tackling hug and gladly returned Inti’s frantic embrace. “I was so worried about you!”
“Inti is safe.”
“That’s what the wolves said, but knowing firsthand is better.”
“Tenma is wise.”
He grumbled, “Tenma istired.”
Inti poked his cheek. “Tenma is awake.”
“Not yet.”
“When?”
Tenma repeated, “Not yet.”
Inti quietly fussed with Tenma’s hair.
He went limp and let his mind drift back toward sleep, but his stomach growled.
Inti snickered. “Time to get up, Tenma.”
And he opened his eyes, mostly because that had sounded like lucid Inti. So that part of the night hadn’t been a fear-drenched figment of his imagination?
Sitting up, Tenma surveyed the otherwise empty room while Inti sprang lightly to the door. The crosser swept up the waiting tray and sprang back without rattling so much as a spoon. Tenma uncovered the dishes and started in. Inti joined him, eating with his fingers in the absence of a second pair of chopsticks.
“Did they catch her?” Tenma asked.
“Her?”
“The fox who was chasing us. Well, she was afteryou.”
Inti was back to playing dumb. “Why would a fox want a monkey?”
A bland voice came from the direction of the door. “Because he is very clever and very sly. Yet also quite trustworthy.”
Tenma gulped and coughed, then wheezed, “Lord Mettlebright.”
“I understand you have been a friend to Inti.”
“And he’s been a friend to me.”
