Page 93 of Kimiko and the Accidental Proposal
When Quen reached the classroom that morning, he was already in high spirits before Suuzu met him at the door.
The phoenix pulled him aside and placed a chocolate bar in his hands. “From your suitor, with her compliments and a request to meet in the usual place after school.”
Quen flushed with pleasure at the token. Although he didn’t often eat sweets, he knew there was none finer than those crafted by Junzi. And she’d chosen one that bore the Starmark crest—copper foil shining proudly against a wide sleeve of dark brown paper. An appropriate gift, surely intended to honor his clan.
His brows drew together, and he murmured, “Do you think she’ll become a Starmark?”
Suuzu drew him further along the hall and traced a simple sigil upon their palms, guaranteeing their words stayed between them. Given how many sharp ears were nearby, Quen appreciated the phoenix’s discretion.
He answered with bland diplomacy. “Joiningisthe usual intent of courtship.”
“I mean our names. If she’s courting me, would I be expected to take the Miyabe name?”
“Hmm. I see what you mean. There are few precedents, if any.” Suuzu considered. “Taking into account both pack and public sentiments, I recommend she become a Starmark. For the press, for the peace, and for your pups. However, the decision is hers and yours.”
Quen added it to his mental list of all the things he needed to discuss with Kimiko. “There is so much I don’t know about her. So much she doesn’t know about me. And a thousand ways in which our best intentions could be misunderstood.”
“I know.” Suuzu tapped the chocolate bar. “I can tell you something about your suitor.”
Quen eased closer, signaling his interest.
“In the human culture of this area, a gift of chocolate has romantic overtones.”
“A human courting tradition?”
Suuzu nodded. “In general, Kimi likes snacks—both salty and sweet. Akira often remarks upon her adventurous choices.”
“Is that good?”
The phoenix pursed his lips. “I advise caution.”
That bad? It had never occurred to Quen that he might learn things about his future bondmate that might be considered unpalatable.
“On a more personal level,” continued Suuzu, “Kimi has a sentimental attachment to Junzi chocolate.”
Quen’s heart leapt, for Suuzu had doubled the value of his gift. While Quen didn’t crave sweets, he longed for conversation with Kimiko. Here was a promising avenue of inquiry. “Thank you.”
Suuzu led the way into the classroom. Eloquence immediately sought out his suitor. Kimiko was seated at her table, Isla perched on her knee. At the arch of his brows, the taller girl glibly signaled,brighten the wards.
Isla cheerfully added,the boundaries will hold.
Just then Tenma stooped to enter, Inti riding on his shoulders. Holding out both hands, Quen remarked, “You are redolent of monkey.”
Inti slithered into Quen’s embrace. “Inti is a monkey.”
Tenma shrugged. “Dog’s nestle. Monkeys tangle.”
“Jealous?” Inti twitched his tail under Quen’s nose.
“I do feel left out.” The young crosser was certainly pleased with this recent turn of events. Quen wanted to encourage the sense of belonging. Including Tenma in his invitation, he asked, “Will you stay in my den some night soon?”
“Not tonight,” said the monkey, as if he had a full social calendar to consider.
Tenma seemed surprised. “Why not?”
Inti blinked innocently. “Reasons.”
Ms. Reeves entered, calling the class to order and announcing, “We are extremely privileged to have a guest lecturer for the day. Isla, perhaps you’d like to handle his introduction?”
