Page 110 of Kimiko and the Accidental Proposal
Kimiko offered her palms to the toddler, who met them with wide-eyed solemnity. She was more than a little confused. Everyone knew about Lord Mettlebright’s crosser son, a fox-eared adult with a roguish grin. “How …?”
“It’s a long story, but it has a happy ending.” Akira cuddled his nephew close. “We’re blood related, me and Kyrie. For real.”
“I had no idea,” she murmured, offering her open arm to the boy.
Kyrie quickly made the change, clearly happy to be as close to Ever as possible.
Eloquence quietly explained, “Many crossers are fostered by a relative or by an enclave. Few are aware of Kyrie’s presence in Argent’s den, let alone his connection to Lady Mettlebright.”
“Whathandsomeyoung gentle-sirs,” she gallantly declared. “I didn’t know courting Eloquence would bring such treasures as you into my life!”
“Your lady has clear eyes.” Sinder had been hanging back, but he joined their little knot. “Eloquence, may I meet your discerning suitor?”
Both Akira and Eloquence moved to reclaim the youngsters and free her hands.
“Sinder’s pretty great,” said Akira.
“He is here at Hisoka Twineshaft’s behest,” added Eloquence.
The dragon swept into a bow, but his formality had a teasing quality. “Sinder Stonecairne, a dragon of the Icelandic Reach, a person of little renown, more by design than by capabilities.”
She liked his breezy braggadocio.
When his hands settled lightly over hers, Kimiko’s gaze caught on the old rope chain wound across the back of his hand … and the item linked to it.
“Fascinating, isn’t it? You’d consider it an antique.” Sinder unwound the chain. “I was studying this before Akira and Kyrie found me. Bit of a mystery.”
“Where did you find it?” she asked, cupping her hands in mute request.
“One of the trackers found it last night.” Sinder let the heavy chain pool in her palm. “The catch is broken, so it was dropped.”
Akira leaned closer. “So it’s a clue?”
“It’s a reliquary.” At first glance, Kimiko thought someone had raided Kikusawa’s treasury, but on closer inspection, the ornamentation was slightly different. Crafted from gold, the slender rod was no bigger than her little finger.
“You recognize this item?” asked Eloquence.
“We have something similar at home.” She arranged her fingers along one edge, where she knew the catches to be. “May I?”
Sinder spread his hands wide, urging her to proceed.
Pushing one of the knobs, she pressed her fingernail into a grove and gave a careful twist. The end swung away, making it possible to slide a panel, revealing a hollow space. “Oh,” she sighed. “This one’s empty.”
The dragon had her by the shoulders. “Tell me what you expected to find!”
“A seed.” Kimiko was surprised at herself. That little detail was supposed to be a secret.
Eloquence growled, and Sinder snatched back his hands, fast sinking to his knees. Kimiko hadn’t ever seen this posture before, but the abasement was clearly an apology, possibly unique to the dragon clans. Even so, he radiated urgency. “What kind of seed?”
She wavered between keeping the family secret and sharing what she knew. To her astonishment, Akira reached down and grabbed Sinder’s nose. “Are you doing that thing? Why would you do that to Kimi?”
“Forgive me. The first time was unintended.” Sinder lowered his gaze. “I’m not plying, only prying. Perhaps it’s better that she speak to someone she already trusts?”
Eloquence murmured, “Kimiko?”
Akira’s friend. Hisoka’s choice. Kimiko made up her mind to answer. “We don’t know what kind of seeds they are, but they must be precious to be kept so carefully. Given the obvious similarities to the old stories, my grandfather always believed the reliquaries to be Kikusawa’s greatest treasure.”
Sinder’s eyes widened. “Sweet zephyrs rising, you’re talking in plurals.”
