Page 57 of Kimiko and the Accidental Proposal
“To court him.”
Eyebrows on the rise, Akira said, “I’m confused.”
Kimiko’s smile felt weak and wobbly. “That makes two of us. I’m still reeling.”
Suuzu touched her chin and lifted her face, forcing her to meet his gaze. “Tell us what happened. All of it. Then I will know how to help you.”
Akira nodded. “Tell us, Kimi.”
So she picked a spot closer to the beginning and did her best to offer an orderly account. Akira only listened, eyes wide and eyebrows jumping, but Suuzu stopped her from time to time, asking for exact wording and nuances of body language.
“But why does it have to be you?” Akira asked. “Nothing against you—Quen’s all kinds of lucky itisyou—but why’s he so set on your following through with this?”
“He mentioned something about his role in the pack. Due to certain circumstances he wouldn’t normally choose a bondmate.”
Suuzu’s sudden whistle was the dawning of comprehension. “He is the Starmark tribute.”
“Yes, that’s the word he used.”
“No wonder.” Suuzu smiled softly. “If it seems right, you have my permission to tell your betrothed that I am a tribute of the Farroost clan.”
“You, too?” Kimiko hardly believed her good fortune. “I’d never even heard of this custom, but it really is a thing?”
“A private matter, certainly.” Suuzu frowned a little. “One shared in great trust.”
Kimiko quickly signaled her intention to keep Suuzu’s secret. “He knows I’m confiding in you.”
Akira’s face was oddly blank. When he realized she was looking at him, he dredged up a small smile. “Quen must be really glad. Aren’t you glad for yourself?”
Was she? Again, the thing weighing most on her mind came tumbling out. “I told him I didn’t care about him yet. This matters more than anything to him, and I should have considered his feelings, but … that’s what I told him. That I don’t care.”
“Yet,” Suuzu echoed. “He will be counting on thatyet.”
“Isn’t that what courting’s for? Giving you guys time to figure stuff out?” asked Akira. “Don’t you think you could sorta eventually get attached?”
She quietly admitted, “Reavers of my rank don’t marry for love.”
Akira looked ready to argue. But then a different expression overtook his face. “How’s your mom gonna react when she finds out. Quen’s a good guy, but he’s got even less potential than me, assuming the goal is shiny reaver babies.”
Kimiko giggled, then hid her face against Suuzu’s shoulder when the laughter threatened to turn to tears. Instead of improving the Miyabe bloodline, she was going to muddle it completely. Would her grandmother see this as a betrayal? Or would the Starmark prestige and pedigree make up for producing children of mixed heritage?
“Oh, that’s a strange idea,” she whispered. “I’m going to have puppies.”
“Pups,” Suuzu mildly corrected.
Akira said, “I’ve met Ever, and his adorability is through the roof. Have Quen bring him along to the marriage meeting. He’ll sweeten the deal.”
She mumbled, “Good idea. Best yet.”
“Would you like Akira and me to attend you in a more formal capacity?” Suuzu asked. “I am willing to serve as a go-between, to speak on your behalf and make necessary arrangements. And Akira’s presence brings a certain balance to the proceedings, since he is kin to one of the Five.”
Akira quickly added, “Foxandwolf. Because Adoona-soh’s ties to my home den go way back.”
Suuzu hummed. “Wolf-fox-phoenix is a strong alliance.”
“You think we can swing Hisoka-sensei over to our side?” asked Akira.
“Spokesperson Twineshaft has many obligations.” Suuzu’s brows drew together. “I am unsure we can reach him for a private word. Not on such short notice.”
