Page 145 of Kimiko and the Accidental Proposal
Kimiko’s message had asked him to prepare for a kiss upon his chest, right over his heart.
Eloquence chose his words with care, not wanting to presume. “Traditionally, that placement carries a certain significance.”
Her whole posture was confident confirmation. “Like a pudding please.”
That wasn’t quite what he expected. “In what sense.”
“With a kisshere.” Once again, her fingers rested lightly on his skin. “The suitor makes a rather brazen request. Not for concessions or connections, peace or promises. But for a place in their beloved’s affections.”
Quen covered her hand. “Are you quoting lore when you call me beloved?”
Kimiko turned the question around on him. “Is it true, what the fables say about wolves and kisses?”
“I’m not a wolf.”
“I still think we could put tradition to the test.” Her posture relaxed into one of easy camaraderie. “In a few more minutes, you’ll go, and I’ll follow. And once I catch you, the whole world will hear my pledge. But you are the only one who’ll feel my touch.”
Anticipation stirred him into a more dominant stance.
“And according to wolvish tradition, a kiss can’t lie.” Kimiko reached up to pluck tiny red petals from his hair. “So when I do, you’ll know the truth.”
With an impatient growl, he pressed his forehead to hers. “Don’t make me wait, Kimiko.”
Her lips were light and didn’t linger, but they told the truth. And finding himself cherished, Eloquence Starmark found he couldn’t speak. So he bandied about some of the gestures she dearly loved, ones used by courting canines—may the stars find us trysting,a kiss for every flower,rise and I will follow, and a subtle cue that simply meant,more, yes, more.
Kimiko not only followed his little demonstration, she responded in a similar vein—share my flight,your beauty rivals the dawning,my heart is at full gallop, and a return of his own plea,more, yes, more.
He chuckled.
She beamed.
The bell tolled, and as its note reverberated, Kimiko caught his sleeve. “Go, so I can follow.”
Quen bowed over her hand, brushing his lips across her knuckles. “Come and claim your place.”
FIFTY-FOUR
Something Blue
Akira’s feet dragged along the dormitory hall. “Howmany more times do we have to do this?” he groaned.
“Ten pledges remain.” Suuzu frowned and evicted a red flower petal from his nestmate’s hair. “The next phase of their courtship is not scheduled until summer’s end.”
Akira had spent the whole day alongside Argent and Gingko, standing in for his sister. That’s why he was garbed from head to toe in Mettlebright colors—icy blue edged in frostlike embroidery—and marked by the crests of both Argent Mettlebright and Stately House.
Suuzu waited patiently as Akira patted through unfamiliar pockets for his set of keys.
Even though he radiated weariness, Akira smiled softly. “Quen and Kimi seemed happy.”
“Yes.” Because Suuzu was watching, he saw the sudden change in Akira’s expression. “Hmm?”
“Nothing. Well, it’ssomething, but … sort of a secret.”
Keeping secrets? That was a first. Whatever was in Akira’s pocket, it had wiped away his weariness. Suuzu was puzzled by the sudden hurrying of his nestmate’s pulse and the warming of his cheeks.
“Found the keys,” Akira mumbled, opening the door.
Suuzu merely hummed again and followed him inside.
