Page 134 of Mikoto and the Reaver Village
He pouted thoughtfully. “The boy is dear to me, and I wishto see him happily settled. No easy task, given his temperament. He longs fordeep connections, and he deserves to be cherished. Yet he is tossed about by theplans of others. It is not that his trust is misplaced, but … he underestimateshimself. As his mentor, I would certainly step in if I thought he was making anunwise decision. Or put a word in Harmonious’ ear. He has more in the way ofexperience where females are … ah.” Lapis stopped himself and waved a hand. “Iapologize for rambling on. Did you have a question for me, Lilya child?”
“Yes. Will you give me your blessing?”
“For …?”
“Tenma-san. I chose him.” Pointing back the way they came,she added, “I was going to ask Glint to write my offer.”
Lapis quietly asked, “Is that so?”
“Yes.” Feeling suddenly uncertain, she mumbled, “IfTenma-san doesn’t like it, he can always shred it and burn it.”
“I am not discounting you. Give me a moment to consider.” Buteven as he said it, Lapis gently lifted her hands, as if to kiss her knuckles. “Thisisunexpected.”
She nodded and silently studied the dragon’s manicure.Today, his claws looked as if they’d been carved from his namesake stone, withthe tips lightly dipped in gold.
“Lilya.” He waited for her to meet his gaze. “I have no firsthandexperience with bonding and matrimony, but I am no stranger to contracts andthe diplomacy required to appease all sides in the most complex of arrangements.And … I am no stranger to you. Would you allow me to act as your go-between?”
Oh. That was smart.Reallysmart.
Flinging her arms around him, she whispered, “I’m so gladyou’re here.”
“Is thatyes?” he asked in teasing tones. “I shouldnot have to tell you that having a dragon to speak for you is both rareandmajestic.”
Lilya nodded. “Please, speak for me.”
“I will win the whole world to your side.”
He was probably forgetting about Mum. But there was time, soshe smiled and said, “One groom would suffice.”
FORTY-NINE
Every Tool
Kyrie liked games, and he was eager to play in one thatcould test his limits. Even so, he couldn’t see how this game was fair. “But,Sinder, I know your scent. Very well.”
“Do you think trackers go into a hunt nose-blind?” Heindicated Torloo. “Kith and Kindred alike have learned my scent.”
“Spikenard is distinctive,” he protested.
Sinder rolled his eyes. “Rely on that, and you’ll be chasingdecoys for days.”
Kyrie appreciated the warning. But did he truly understand?“You are covered in sigils.”
“Knowingwhere I am andgettingto where I amare winds apart,” countered Sinder. “And before you try to tell me that thewinds are in your favor, remember this. Every hunter uses every tool at theirdisposal to achieve their goal. Do you remember what yours is?”
“Find you?”
“You’ll find me over and over,” Sinder said. “Anyone canfind me. Briefly.”
“Catch you?”
Sinder arched a brow. “Definecatch. Because catchingme unawares isn’t the same as keeping me.”
Kyrie backed up and used the language he’d heard earlier. “Trackand restrain.”
“Let’s find out if you can,” urged Sinder. “And don’t lookso down. I want to test your skills, but it’s really just a game. Maybe you’llhave fun.”
“I will not hurt you,” Kyrie promised.
