Page 102 of Mikoto and the Reaver Village
“No offense. It’s just a guess since that happened to afriend of mine. Only he never mentioned it to anyone, and then all the sudden ourKith was having kittens under the kitchen table.” He smiled at the memory. It’dbeen a fiasco at the time. “Quite the feat, since Minx is considerably largerthan the table. At least she spared my couch.”
A thought occurred.
“Anyone figured out how many pups you’re carrying?”
She made a low sound that was decidedly inconclusive.
“Want me to check?” He stroked her jaw. “I got pretty goodat it. Guessed right for both of Minx’s litters.”
A small lick felt like permission.
“Okay. Mind the baby for me.” Ginkgo bundled Gregor in hisshirt and nestled him between the Kith’s paws. “I need to push and prod alittle, but it shouldn’t hurt. I’ll watch your ears. Flick them backsharp-like, and I’ll stop.”
She rolled an eye.
He knelt at her side, petting before adding any pressure.“I’m sure if you’re here, you’re under all kinds of watchful care, so let’sface it. I’m just being nosy.”
The scents were good. Much of the sadness had faded, leavingthe deep, warm, waiting flavors he associated with pregnancy. With half an eyeon the disposition of her ears, he kneaded into her side, searching for clues.
He found one.
A big one.
“Hey, you in there,” he called softly. “Are you making yourpretty mama wait? Seems to me you’re about ready. Between you and me, she’s ready,too. So no dawdling.”
Under his hand, the lone pup wriggled, almost like they weretrying to get closer.
“Clever pup. Are you a beauty like your mama? Or as handsomeas your da?” Which really should have occurred to him earlier. “Say, lady. Isyour mate going to take exception to my being here?”
She closed her eyes, threw back her head, and opened hermouth in a silent howl.
THIRTY-SEVEN
Ears to Hear
Mikoto woke to the skitter of tiny feet, only torealize that Kyrie had taken Noble out for him. His apology came out low and hoarseas he rolled from bed. “Thank you for sparing Zisa’s floors, but Noble is myresponsibility.”
The boy glided over and boosted the puppy onto the bed. “Iwas already awake. I do not need as much sleep as you.”
“Because you are a crosser?”
“Because I am a crosser,” Kyrie solemnly confirmed.
Sitting on the edge of the mattress, Mikoto was nearly thesame height as the boy, who was compelling at close range. His fingerstwitched, but he recalled himself and lowered his gaze.
“Curiosity can be a compliment.” Kyrie carefully picked up Mikoto’shand and brought it to his face. “Some people need to touch me to be sure I amreal.”
“They do?”
The boy smiled. “Touch is part of familiarization. And Ifind it reassuring.”
Mikoto’s fingertips grazed freckled scales. “You do?”
“I do. Because you are neither afraid of nor disgusted by me.”
What a thing to suggest.
“Not everyone finds the marks of my heritage beautiful.”
