Page 46 of Kimiko and the Accidental Proposal
A flicker of confusion crossed his face, but he accepted her gift. Lifting away the delicate folds of cloth, he went still.
Kimiko thought it best to explain, but Eloquence was suddenly much,muchcloser.
He quietly demanded, “Where did you get this?”
But his father’s voice cut across her reply. “How fortuitous! And timely as well, since you are only now in a position to accept. I’ll just go tell your mother the good news!”
Harmonious left, pulling the white-haired warrior along after him. Rise loped after Ever, who waved goodbye over his father’s shoulder, leaving Kimiko alone with Eloquence.
“I don’t understand what just happened,” she said, easing into the most bewildered posture in her repertoire.
“Where did you get this?” Eloquence repeated.
“Your brother traded with me for the sweets I brought.” She indicated the remnants of her original gift. “He seemed to think you’d like this better, and I didn’t see the harm.”
His expression, his posture—they gave nothing away. Yet she was sure she’d upset him.
“What’s wrong?” she whispered.
“You don’t know what this is?”
Kimiko’s crisp movement roughly translated,It is there before you. Meaning it should be obvious to anyone. “It’s a comb.”
“This is the very comb that Glint Starmark gave to his bondmate Radiance.”
“Goodness! A family treasure, then,” she murmured. Everyone had heard of Glint, First of Dogs. “No wonder you were concerned. But I never would have kept it, I promise.”
Eloquence shook his head and went on. “This comb came to my father, and it’s been borrowed from time to time by my brothers. The giving of such a gift is highly traditional.”
“I see,” said Kimiko, but she really didn’t.
“This is a traditional betrothal gift.” Eloquence’s voice tightened. “By giving this to me in the presence of my father, you’ve formally declared your intention to court me.”
Kimiko needed a few moments to rally.
“Nowonderyou looked so stunned! Coming out of the blue. And we hardly know each other.” She knew her words were empty. After all,she’dlikely end up contracted to a relative stranger. But she could imagine Eloquence’s dismay. “I take it I’ve made things awkward for you.”
He seemed lost in thought.
“Please, don’t blame Ever. The mistake was mine, and I apologize.” she said. “Would it help if I explained …?”
“No.” He slowly drew the folds of silk around the comb. “No need.”
“But your father thinks Iproposed.”
“Because youdidpropose.”
“But it was an accident.” Kimiko felt as if they were talking in circles.
“Itwasan accident,” Eloquence quietly acknowledged. “But Dad didn’t take issue.”
Kimiko glanced in the direction Harmonious Starmark had gone. “Wasn’t he just teasing us?”
Eloquence’s fingers tightened around the gift, but then he held out his hand. “Are you taking back your offer?”
“I couldn’t!” She waved her hands. “Not the comb, anyhow. It’s obviously precious to your family.”
“So your offer stands?”
