Page 126 of Mikoto and the Reaver Village
The boy, who was usually really reserved, all but abasedhimself.
Lowering himself carefully to one knee, Sinder touchedKyrie’s hair. “Hey, kid. I get that this is important to you, and I’ll give itmy best shot. But I doubt I can tell you anything your family hasn’t alreadyfigured out.”
“But you are a dragon,” said Kyrie.
“So’s your friend Lapis.”
Kyrie caught the hem of Sinder’s sleeve. “He is like Mother.He loves me too well to see anything but the best.”
Sinder’s lips quirked. “For all his scholarly pursuits, he’scertainly a romantic. Fine, then. I won’t ask a bunch of questions. More thanwords, I need deeds.”
As the boy eagerly presented his palms, Mikoto began towonder if he was intruding on something private. He edged away, trying to fadeinto the background. And out the door.
“Mikoto, stay,” said Sinder.
Of course he’d stay. Why would he leave? Not when Sinderwanted him.
Ginkgo thwapped the dragon’s shoulder. “Don’tdothat!”
Sinder swore and hurried to pat Mikoto’s face. “My bad. Iget careless with friends because they’re mostly immune. Sorry.”
“I did not notice,” admitted Mikoto.
“Even worse.” Sinder turned to Kyrie. “Help me work withhim? I know there aren’t any dragons in Wardenclave, but leaving a world leadervulnerable is just asking for trouble.”
“I am willing.” Kyrie jumped to his feet. “It is one of my responsibilitiesat home.”
Mikoto inclined his head and answered in Japanese. “I am inyour hands.”
Kyrie slipped to his side, went up on tiptoe, and asked,“Why are you alone?”
“Noble is with Zisa.”
He shook his head and whispered, “Did you send her away?”
“She is missing,” Mikoto admitted, surprised by the tremorin his tone.
The boy cocked an ear toward the window, then the door.Patting Mikoto’s hand, he solemnly said, “Trust me.”
And he wanted to. So much. But not because the half-dragonwas trying to sway him. Perhaps it was a case of having no other choice. Mikototook a receptive stance and cleared his throat.
Mercifully, Kyrie interpreted this in a positive light.
“I’ll need to see him in action,” Sinder was saying. “Howmuch leeway will you give me?”
“Whatever you need,” said Ginkgo.
Sinder frowned at the sky. “Could he join the rookies formaneuvers?”
Ginkgo gestured for his younger brother to speak forhimself. Kyrie asked, “Why, please?”
“Because you’re eager, and it’s next. And it doesn’t reallymatter where we start. I’ll need to see you in different settings. All I knowso far is that you have a way with barriers.” He pointed in the vicinity of theboy’s shoulder. “And that you have a way with crystals.”
Kyrie loosened the ties on the yukata that must have beenhis sleep clothes. Pulling free one arm, he displayed an armband set with palecrystals—lavender, blue, and green.
“Personal wards?” asked Sinder.
“Not precisely.” Kyrie shyly admitted, “I passed every test.I do not require safeguards, but … if I did not keep these crystals close, theywould miss me.”
