Page 108 of Mikoto and the Reaver Village
Lupe quirked a brow. “Are you?”
“If I woo the wind to my side, she would be leaving yours.”Mikoto glanced self-consciously at Priska. “If that is what she wants, ofcourse.”
Another derisive snort from Priska’s direction. “Are youaddled, boy? Why do you think we risked the voyage?”
“Heir to Wardenclave, now headman, with a line to secure.Glint will have you contracted by this solstice and wed by the next. But we hadtotry.” Lupe gestured broadly between him and the seemingly empty air.“This summer was her last chance to win her first love.”
THIRTY-NINE
Breeding Pairs
Lilya and Kyrie tried not to rush through theirbreakfast. That would be rude to Uncle. But Waaseyaa noticed their efforts andsmiled. “You are not half so excited as Zisa was when Sinder suggested he goalong.”
As planned, Sinder would go to Glint’s home in order to givehis official opinion about Rifflet. Lilya had special permission to skip hermorning courses in order to bring the little wind dragon, with Timur for anescort. But Zisa’s inclusion had sparked off a chain reaction of joy.
He didn’t often go from home. Indeed, he couldn’t range faror be seen. So the trip to the Starmark home atop the hill was a rare treat. Onethat had his treetops swaying in anticipation.
“Keep an eye on my brother for me.” Hoisting Gregor onto hiship, Waaseyaa added, “We will be here when you return from your adventures.”
Lilya agreed and hurried out the door, only to stop on thefront step. She looked uncertainly at Kyrie. Here they were again, goingseparate ways.
“Should we ask again?” she mumbled.
He took her hands into his and trilled soothingly. “Idowant to meet Ever’s grandsire, but I also want to learn more about brushworksigils from Scribe Yevlu. I willalsobe here when you return from youradventures.”
She pulled him into a fierce hug, and Rifflet gabbled aprotest.
Kyrie replied with a fair imitation of the little one’s tootle-peep.
Rifflet still grumbled, which was cute enough to make Lilyalaugh.
Relaxing into her embrace, Kyrie promised, “All will bewell.”
Since he was so smart about everything, Lilya chose tobelieve him.
“Ready?” called Timur, who hadn’t strayed far from Sinder’sside since his injury.
Lilya was used to thinking of her brother as a big, strongbattler. In all her childhood memories, he was running, climbing, sparring, andwinning. This past winter, she’d had to rethink him a little. It had beenstrange at first, seeing him as a father.
This summer, she was learning even more about Timur. Whenother campers found out she was his sister, they were jealous. Because Timurwas a favorite teacher. And now, he was acting like Mum in healer mode. Allwhile managing to keep on being himself.
She couldn’t help wondering if she’d ever have as manysides. Or be half as good at any of them.
Zisa was waiting on the bottom step. Timur offered his handsto help the Amaranthine to his feet. Zisa accepted the help, only to spring toohigh, wrapping his arms around Timur’s neck. But it was pretty clear that Timurhad expected it.
They all had. Because Zisa was uncomplicated. Healwayswanted a hug, from all of them.
For her part, Lilya didn’t mind a bit. Zisa was always sohappy, and he smelled nice.
Timur gathered Zisa up, cradling him to his chest as if heweighed no more than Gregor. “Are you asking to be carried?”
“Would you?” Zisa asked, clearly taken with the idea.
“Would it please you?” countered Timur.
“Immensely!”
So Timur strutted ahead, trailing flower petals.
