Page 127 of Kimiko and the Accidental Proposal
“Sort of like potty training,” Yoota offered.
Tenma laughed nervously. “I’m already housebroken.”
Lapis held out an imperious hand. “Iam the only Broken here. If it puts your mind at ease, unsealed boy, I will monitor your progress.”
“Join us,” offered Hanoo.
A dismissive trill. “Focus on this one. He is more rare than you realize.”
And Tenma found himself the focus of three wolves. With what scraps of dignity remained, he sucked in a final breath and surrendered his stone to Lapis. Just as quickly, the three wolves leapt into sharp focus, his senses registering the threat they presented to him—body and soul.
They held very still.
He gulped for air.
Softly, gently, Hanoo said, “You did good to trust us, Tenma. You still okay with my touching you?”
This was so much easier when the starting line wasn’t a state of blind panic. Tenma’s hands weren’t even shaking when he met Hanoo’s waiting palms. But he didn’t quite trust his voice.
“Let’s get you settled. You must be tired.” Hanoo took his coat.
Yoota pressed a warm washcloth to his cheek. “Need the restroom?”
“R-really?” Tenma’s gaze roved the room, found the door.
“All the conveniences of a modern den,” said Ploom. “We have a mini-fridge, too. Nice, huh?”
“It is,” he managed.
When he returned from washing up, Yoota and Ploom had arranged blankets and cushions in the corner. Hanoo waved him over. “Settle in. It’s the easiest way to stay in contact.”
Tenma smiled weakly. “I slept over at Quen’s once. Like this.”
Tails began to wag. “Pack style?” asked Yoota.
“Yes. Lord Mossberne was there.”
Lapis glanced up from studying his claws, which were tipped in blue. “Harmonious claimed the boy as pack. All very touching.”
“Cool. This is like that.” Hanoo indicated the heaped furs. “Kind of a relief to be welcomed, honestly. Not a fan of polite distances.”
Tenma sank to his knees with a shaky laugh. “You and Inti both. Is he okay? Do you know?”
“He’s good,” Yoota promised, stretching out on his side. “He’s at that shrine they put on lockdown last week. Safe behind a barrier.”
Lapis touched an earlobe. “I gave him a tuned crystal to get him past that barrier. I hope he realizes it was a loan. That particular shade is rarer than beacons.”
Tenma had barely stretched out when Hanoo muttered, “Closer’s better. Come right on in. Use my shoulder.”
“Make room for me.” Ploom crowded into the scant space between Tenma and Yoota.
It probably should have been unsettling, but Tenma paid little attention to the jumble of bodies and limbs. This close, he was aware of them in less tangible ways.
“You’re doing good.” Hanoo removed Tenma’s glasses, stroked his hair. “You probably won’t be able to feel this, but bear with me for a while.”
But Tenmadefinitelyfelt the gentle pressure, an unfamiliar intrusion that lit up his mind.
“Breathe,” Hanoo ordered. “Relax and breathe. It’s only me, and I won’t hurt you.”
