Page 128 of Kimiko and the Accidental Proposal
“Doesn’t hurt,” he mumbled.
From behind, Ploom nuzzled Tenma’s hair. “Gently, Hanoo. He’s barely more than a glimmer.”
“That’s all I need.” Hanoo pulled Tenma snug against his larger frame. “Work with me here.”
Tenma hummed an affirmative.
Lapis’ voice came sharply. “What are you boys messing with?”
“Best way we’ve found to settle a new denmate,” said Yoota.
The dragon’s voice came closer. “Who taught you?”
“Nobody,” said Yoota. “We made it up. Ploom figured out how to do it, but Hanoo’s best at it. Kids get their nestle on real quick when he’s the one gentling them.”
“You willnotmeddle without proper supervision.” Lapis tossed aside furs, wading in. “This boy is mine.”
“I thought you said Harmonious claimed him,” Yoota dared to point out.
“I saw him first.” Lapis pointed to the spot he intended to take. “Starmark made him an honorary packmate, which is fine in its way. Harmonious excels at fathering. That is not a role I have ever expected to play.”
Hanoo gave way with grace. “You’re welcome, of course, Lord Mossberne.”
Lapis insinuated himself between Tenma and Hanoo, and after much grumbling and shifting, the dragon settled with his back against Hanoo’s chest, his face hidden in the vicinity of Tenma’s ribcage. Blue hair was absolutely everywhere.
“Never nestled with a dragon before,” Ploom said, sounding awed.
With a low hum, Lapis remarked, “Shared body heat is blissful in winter.”
“Why didn’t yousayyou were cold,” Hanoo exclaimed, chaffing solicitously at the dragon’s shoulder.
Yoota pulled another thick blanket over them, burying them deeper in fur.
Lapis gave a happy little squirm, and Tenma grunted. “Your hands are cold.”
“Hospitality to the Amaranthine is every reaver’s duty and delight,” he intoned.
“I’m not a reaver.”
“You are not registered.” And with the magnanimity of a benevolent conqueror, Lapis said, “Proceed, young Nightspangles. Withextremecare.”
FORTY-NINE
Return of the Saint
Kimiko led the way to a discreet side door in the largest of Kikusawa’s storehouses, an ancient two-story stone building with a deep basement. Packed with the clutter of decades past, she and her sisters slyly referred to this as the shrine’s closet. Never within her grandmother’s hearing, though. To her, this was the Treasury.
A glance confirmed Kimiko’s suspicion. Hisoka, Argent, Sinder, and Boonmar-fen had fallen into step behind the Starmarks, probably eager for a peek at the promised reliquaries. She hoped they wouldn’t confiscate them. Grandma would definitely consider that theft.
“Lady Starmark, I should check. We have quite a few weapons, so I don’t want to assume.” Kimiko lifted the bar that secured the door and paused on the threshold. “Is it the Chrysanthemum Blaze?”
“You know where it rests?”
Kimiko laughed. “In a place of honor. There is some debate as to whether the shrine is named for the blade or the blade for the shine. I had no idea it was yours.”
Anna Starmark’s tone was brisk, but she answered patiently. “The sword is much older than I, and this has been its hiding place for more than a millennia. Rumors of its existence brought me here, and it became mine by virtue of necessity. In defending myself, I defended this place and its people.” With a pointed look at Harmonious, she amended, “Wedid.”
“You’re the hound in the legend?” Kimiko asked.
