Page 142 of Kimiko and the Accidental Proposal
“We’re friends. Why is that so hard for people to imagine?”
Inti’s tail tightened. “Tenma, you knew there was a fox.”
“So did you.”
“That’s why we make such a good team.” Inti leaned his head against Tenma’s shoulder. “I wanted to keep you.”
“I’m not going anywhere.” Tenma hesitated, then amended, “That I know of. How come you’renotkeeping me?”
“Different reasons.” Inti smiled up at him. “You fixed Lord Mossberne last night.”
Is that what Argent had meant?
Lord Mettlebright nodded once. “He is no longer one of the Broken.”
Tenma remembered the fear, the hope, and the tears. And holding Lapis together when the sobs threatened to shake him apart.
“He is grateful.” Argent’s eyebrows rose. “And I sincerely doubt you are prepared to deal with a grateful dragon. I recommend appointing a go-between.”
“You?”
“Alas, he named me ashisgo-between.” He sounded bored. “I cannot recommend Harmonious, who is too trusting. And Twineshaft is currently preoccupied by his responsibilities as Eloquence’s go-between.”
Tenma glanced at Inti, who quickly hid his eyes. “Not here. Not me.”
“Is there someone you trust?” asked the fox.
“Quen.”
“Someonenotcurrently in the throes of romantic entanglement?”
“Why do I need a go-between?” Tenma asked. “Can’t I forgo their services and represent myself?”
“Ignorance is a poor ally.” Argent’s eyes glittered. “Unless youwantto be added to Lord Mossberne’s harem as the East Bride.”
“Wh-what?”
“There are only so many ways a dragon can add an outsider to his household.”
Tenma held up both hands and shouted, “Isla! I want to be represented by Isla Ward!”
Argent pondered him for a moment, then nodded. “She would serve you well. If any complications arise, she has Twineshaft’s ear. And as an added bonus, my affection for her will curb any temptation to resort to … bullying.”
“You and Isla are both from Stately House.” Tenma nudged his roommate. “If you’re his apprentice, why didn’t Isla or Akira know you?”
“Never been. Never seen. Never knew.” More plainly, he added, “I came straight to New Saga.”
Tenma thought back. “From a temple?”
Inti’s expression closed.
Argent sighed. “It was more of a lab.”
FIFTY-THREE
Flashbulbs
As the single peal of the shrine’s bell began to fade, Eloquence took a deep breath and stepped out from behind a shimmering privacy screen, doing his best not to flinch at the sudden explosion of flashbulbs. With quiet deliberation, he moved along the petal-strewn path that curved along the edge of the audience before eventually returning him to the relative privacy of the silken tent at Kusunoki’s base.
