Page 150 of Tamiko and the Two Janitors
Kip was suddenly aware that a door had opened somewhereinside Jiro. Even narrowed by wards, it touched off a yearning need that wasmuch more complicated than greed, yet infinitely simpler. And utterly safe.
Jiro awkwardly petted his hair and finally answered, “I guessI give them a reason to stay.”
FORTY-SEVEN
Tell All
More than an hour before Ash was due for his evening’svisit, Tami was already in the loft, nestled down with Biddie. The little girlwould cuddle up to anyone, which was apparently the nature of trees, but Tamicould tell—somehow—when her tree-twin needed her. Andonlyher.
So she was stealing this hour to spend with her sister.
Biddie rested her head on Tami’s shoulder. Burnished goldleaves tickled her chin as she rubbed gentle circles into the girl’s back.Quiet and peaceful.
Their relationship was this odd mix of old and new, muchlike Biddie herself. Although Tami didn’t feel the need to mother her, shecertainly felt responsible for the girl. They were on equal footing, each surethey belonged to the other, despite their differences.
Tami relaxed into the contentment that holding Biddie alwaysbrought. Despite the bite of winter in the air outside, Ash’s nest was snug. He’dadded to it nearly as often as he brought his gifts, so that the formerly simplering of straw bales now boasted a high canopy and cushions.
Branches of all sorts rose around the courting circle, bentand braced, providing support for a fortune in draped velvet. She’d have beenmore mystified by the extravagance of cloth, which he used by the bolt, if shehadn’t already met his fashionista brothers.
Fleeces and flannels were comfortable, but Tami had alreadynoticed that Ash’s tastes also ran to sequins and faceted beads, which sparkledin the light of tiny crystal lanterns that twinkled up among the supports.
Blue on blue. Everything was Ash’s favorite color, and everypart was an expression of his earnest affection and of half-understood aviancompulsions. Here, he was completely honest. And completely hers.
Tami’s peaceful mood drifted perilously close to sleep, butthe soft rustle of feathers stirred the air and with it, her heart. A handtouched her hair, and she opened her eyes to Ash’s smile. His lips brushedhers, light with a promise of more to come, and he rested a hand on Biddie’sleafy crown.
“Have you been waiting long?” he asked.
Biddie held out her hand, welcoming him into their cozyhuddle. Ash’s wings were visible this evening, a sure sign that Kip wassomewhere nearby. Probably visiting with Joe. They’d been spending more timetogether in the last few weeks. Usually, they took charge of Biddie, but Asheased an arm around both of them, covering her and Biddie under the curve ofone wing.
“I have news,” he offered. “Well, it’s really just gossip,but it’s almost impossible to come up withanythingdefinitive aboutAmaranthine trees. Dad’s extra sulky tonight because Faisal was the first oneto dig up some dirt.”
Tami could sympathize. Every question she’d asked about theScattering had been briskly rebuffed or evaded. The topic was obviously taboo,so any tidbit was bound to be juicy. “What did Faisal find out?”
“There’s a grove in Wardenclave, where your family camefrom.”
Interesting, for sure. And probably part of the reason hergreat-grandfather had needed to leave town. They—whoevertheymightbe—would have assumed he’d been in among their trees. A thief in the garden,after forbidden fruit.
“It’s seldom discussed, out of respect for Glint Starmark,who is fiercely protective of Waaseyaa.”
Tami knew that name. “The boy Glint befriended. Theco-founder of the In-between.”
“That’s the guy.”
“But that was hundreds of years ago.”
“More like thousands. Long before the place where yourhistory books pick up the story.”
She missed a beat. “How oldareyou?”
“Notthatold.” He kissed her cheek. “Anyhow, out ofrespect for Glint, reavers don’t talk about Waaseyaa unless it’s to brag ontheir pedigree. Because he’s very much alive, thanks to his twin Zisa. They’rebrothers, just like you and Biddie are sisters.”
They weren’t alone in the world. Others knew aboutAmaranthine trees and knew the importance of keeping them safe. But it wasn’tsuch a deep, dark secret thatnobodyknew about it. People—at leastthose immune to Faisal’s charms—were circumspect about the subject.
Ash tapped Biddie’s nose. “Apparently, Zisa’s hair—if we cancall it that—changes with the season. Flowers in springtime. Leaves in summer.And Waaseyaa doesn’t age, but his hair never stops growing.”
Tami waited for more, but all Ash did was gently touch herhair, as if imagining it at Rapunzel lengths.
She asked, “That’s all you know?Hairstyles?”
