Page 70 of Kimiko and the Accidental Proposal
“Meaning …?”
“Leave any practical arrangements to your go-betweens. Focus on beguiling your future mate.”
Eloquence snorted. “I cannot pursue her. Dad was clear on that.”
The phoenix surprised him by snorting right back. “Even trees have flowers.”
At a loss, Quen repeated, “Meaning …?”
Suuzu’s expression softened. “Kimiko needs you to lead the chase.”
Eloquence arrived in the Kith shelter well before Kimiko. When his fidgeting turned to fretting, Flay took pity, in her own way. Quen was well-occupied with combing her luxuriant fur when his suitor finally ducked into the alcove.
“Sorry.” She was breathless from running. “Made you wait.”
“I don’t mind waiting.”
Ha!Flay’s amusement carried clearly.You pace and pine. If the moon was high, you’d be howling.
Ignoring her aside, Quen steered Kimiko into the back corner and returned to combing. “Catch your breath while I finish.”
Kimiko offered her hand to Edge, who scooted close enough that she could reach his ears. His tail was soon wagging.
As her pulse slowed, the whole atmosphere settled into calm. Quen supposed he should hold his peace until Kimiko was ready to speak, but Flay had other ideas.
Go to her.Flay’s cloudy eye rolled toward Kimiko.She is waiting.
Rile her up and run for it.Edge’s fond gaze was fixed on Flay.Let her catch you.
Before the suggestions could grow any more graphic, Quen slipped to Kimiko’s side. “Warm enough?” he asked.
She hummed an affirmative while shaking her head. Her mind was elsewhere, and why shouldn’t it wander off? He’d been inattentive. Taking her hand, he closed her fingers around the brush handle. “They’ve decided it’s my turn.”
Kimiko looked between him and the wide brush, matted with reddish fur. “You want me to brush you?”
Quen’s skin prickled. “I’d let you.”
She seemed unsure if he was teasing. “In your truest form, or this one?”
He hoped she couldn’t tell that his heart was crashing around in his chest. “Either. Both.”
“If combs are traditional courting gifts, would using one on you be considered courting behavior?”
“Definitely.”
Her fingers touched his cheek. “You’re blushing.”
“Edge and Flay would have us rushing into all sorts of intimacies.” He cleared his throat. “You wanted to talk?”
Kimiko nodded. “Things are getting confusing.”
“Tell me.” He made a coaxing motion, and to his delight, she nudged closer. Tugging and tucking, he didn’t stop until he’d rid her of her bulky coat, which he draped around her shoulders once he’d pressed her head to his.
“This is really happening,” she murmured.
“Not at all.” At her baffled expression, he clarified. “Courtship is too intentional to be mistaken for happenstance. Nothing can happen without our consent.”
Kimiko gaze softened. “That makes this a little less scary.”
