Page 37 of Kimiko and the Accidental Proposal
Quen sounded surprised. “You can seecolorin his darkness.”
“How very impish of you,” said Lapis. “If I am a lonely blue, what is your dear classmate? Copper I suppose?”
Tenma shook his head, not sure what to call the honeyed glow that flowed against him like syrup. But one thing was clear, and it took him by surprise. “Quen is lonely, too.”
EIGHTEEN
Laud and Ever
“Not at all,” Eloquence said firmly. “And Lord Mossberne cannot be lonesome either, for we have come together, and our pack has found a good den for the night.”
“Cozy and soon to be over-crowded, in the fashion of cuddling curs.” Lapis rolled his eyes toward the door.
“Pack,” murmured Tenma, his cheeks pink in the gaining light of the fire.
From the porch outside came the noise of a one-boy stampede and Rise’s lowwuffof welcome. For Tenma’s benefit, Quen said, “My brother is home. Uncle Laud is bringing him.”
A moment later, Ever tumbled into the room with a glad cry. “Bruvver!”
Quen scooped him up and nuzzled the three-year-old’s hair, enjoying the mingled scents of baby shampoo and happiness. Cradling him close, he nodded to Uncle Laud, who urged Rise inside before shutting the inner door. A barely perceptible thrum assured Quen that the customary barriers were now in place. And for the first time, he realized that his uncle’s shelter was thecontainingsort—more possessive than protective.
As was his right.
Laud was Dad’s younger brother, born before the Waning. Harmonious was Glint Starmark’s firstborn, a distinction that had led to his appointment as Spokesman for the dog clans. Laud was born twentieth.
There were enough resemblances to mark Laud as Harmonious’ brother—the set of his jaw, the breadth of his shoulders, the pitch of his voice. But where the eldest son was charismatic and affable, the younger was serious and silent. And Laud had inherited his mother’s coloring. Glint’s bondmate was a famous beauty with pure white fur and copper eyes.
Quen had been in Laud’s care from the time he was weaned, in the same way Dad had entrusted Quen with Ever. A fostered pup. Because the Starmark pack looked to their own. Even those who would never take a bondmate could treasure a child.
Lapis warbled a low welcome, which Laud answered by producing a drinking gourd, its wax seal still in place.
Tenma hung back, eyes darting. But then Lapis tucked the sigil into his front pocket, murmuring, “Adorable, is he not?”
Eloquence nearly laughed, for Tenma seemed confused over which person Lapis found adorable: Laud, Ever, or Rise. And in finding equal appeal in all of Quen’s denmates—Kith, Kin, and crosser—Tenma earned a greater measure of trust on all sides.
“Ever,” said Eloquence, tapping his brother’s wriggling nose. “I brought my friend from school to meet you. Will you greet him properly?”
Lisping an affirmative, Ever squirmed to be let down and ran trustingly to Tenma.
The little boy’s chubby feet were bare, showing their clawed tips. And he was dressed in the same fashion Dad favored, with short-coat and sash over loose pants. By necessity, Ever’s hakama had been notched at the back to make room for his tail, which wriggled with unguarded excitement. The boy was as fond of people as their father was. And he was equally good at winning them to his side.
“Hi, you!” Ever clambered right onto Tenma’s lap. “You’snew.”
Uncle Laud growled softly, delivering the reprimand Quen hadn’t wanted to voice. Ever’s puppy ears drooped, and he settled back on his heels to present his hands. The form was good, but greetings were usually exchanged at a more polite distance. But Tenma wasn’t bothered by the irregularity. Like everyone else who met Ever, he was charmed.
After a solemn exchange of names, the little boy asked, “Can I sniffen you?”
“Do you think that’s a good idea?”
“Yeth.”
“Will it hurt?” Tenma asked seriously.
“Nooo.” Ever giggled. “I be gentle.”
“Then you have my permission to … sniffen.”
Quen covered his smile as his baby brother wrapped his arms around Tenma’s neck and rubbed his nose back and forth, snuffling noisily.
