Page 163 of Mikoto and the Reaver Village
Mikoto had expected more resistance. “You do notdisapprove?”
“Why would I?”
“I have a responsibility to Wardenclave. To serve asheadman. To have a son.”
“Does she know this?” asked Yulin.
Mikoto supposed she must and nodded.
“Then all will be well.” He selected a notepad and stoodwith pen poised. “Dear me, there is so much to do! But the task is hardlyinsurmountable. Everyone will already be here for your induction.”
“Oh, I was thinking a smaller group. Something more …private.”
Yulin was already jotting. “For the Descent, surely. Anintimate gathering for an intimate moment. I was referring to the solstice.What better time?”
Dignitaries were already arriving from all over the world, alongwith news crews, journalists, and Amaranthine enthusiasts. Every hotel, tavern,and bed and breakfast in Denholm was booked solid.
Mikoto watched Yulin scribble for a full minute beforedaring to ask, “Do you mean Dichotomy Day?”
“Noble heart,” Yulin said kindly. “I mean your wedding day.”
FIFTY-EIGHT
Intimate Gatherings
Part of Kyrie was jittery with anticipation fortomorrow, when Harmonious Starmark would arrive, Ever in tow. But today had anexcitement all its own. Before leaving Waaseyaa’s door, he checked to see ifLilya also had her invitation.
“Ready?” She lifted the small envelope where her name was writtenwith an extravagance of loops and flourishes.
He reached up to touch her hair, which Zisa had braided intoa crown and flourished with his own flowers. Lilya adjusted the fold of Kyrie’ssash, which bore both the Mettlebright and Stately House crests. They’d dressedin their very best, since today was extra special.
With the help of Lapis and Sinder, Mikoto would woo the windto his side.
The invitations, which were hand-lettered works of art,called this transformation a “descent.” Which matched every story Kyrie knew ofthe various sky clans. Moon maidens, stars, and storms were difficult tocapture, for once they touched the ground, they could never return to theirformer home in the skies.
“Ready,” he agreed.
A few others were already gathering. This is where everythingwould happen, since Waaseyaa and Zisa couldn’t have attended otherwise. Ginkgowas already there, speaking in Japanese to a woman in a luxurious kimono. Timurand Salali were fussing with a lovely set of wardstones. Lapis had somehowended up with Gregor, and each seemed entirely pleased in the other’s company.
Lilya made a happy noise and ran to speak to the Dimityblestat Mikoto’s side. “Didyouwrite these?” she asked, proffering theinvitation.
“I did.” He smiled gently and covered her hands. “Keep it asa memento of the day.”
“I’ll treasure it always.” And turning to Mikoto, Lilyasaid, “It’s like a fairy tale.”
Kyrie hung back. It was nice that she’d made friends. Shemight not even realize that, in her own way, she’d begun to feel at home here. Alreadytheir paths were beginning to diverge.
Turning aside, Kyrie slipped his hand into Sinder’s. “Isthis a wedding?” he whispered.
“Hope so.” His smile was wry. “Do I look as awkward as Ifeel?”
Kyrie studied his attire, which was certainly more lavishthan the stuff Sinder usually wore. “Lapis usually dresses in a similar style.”
“There’s a good reason for that.” Fiddling self-consciouslywith gauzy layers of sheer fabric, he muttered, “He loaned me this get-up. Imanaged to talk him out of most of the jewelry.”
“You look very pretty.” Touching the necklace Lapis hadloaned him, Kyrie added, “I feel special.”
Sinder grudgingly admitted, “It’s not so bad. Once in awhile. To pretty up a bit.”
