Page 20 of Mikoto and the Reaver Village
“Aptitudes?”
“Not sigilcraft.” It was a weak joke and a weakerdeflection.
“An artisan like your mentor? No?” He edged closer andlowered his voice. “You must be sweet and nestle well.”
Tenma doubted this was the appropriate time to point outthat Amaranthine of the monkey clanstangled. “I really couldn’t say.”
“You don’t have to say. I already know.” Fingertips liftedhis chin. “The mysterious Mister Subaru, honorary Starmark, apprentice to LordMossberne, and emissary to the clans. Word has it, your tending is more thansweet. It’s salvific.”
He couldn’t deny any of it. Any more than he was allowed toconfirm it. “Are you teasing me?”
“A little.” The Amaranthine sat beside him, hands folded,gaze intent. “Ask me why.”
“Why are you teasing me?”
He chuckled huskily. “Are you always this obedient?”
“Yes?”
“Sure about that?”
Tenma shook his head.
“I know you would have gotten around to asking eventually,but let’s skip along, shall we? Salali Fullstash. We’re lending a hand withsecurity while the chief is out of commission.” Beckoning to the blue avian,who flew to a perch atop Salali’s hat, he added, “This one’s Gent. He’s Kith. Ablue jay.”
“And you …?”
“A bit of a stray, though I’ll own to being a squirrel.Currently unencumbered by house or clan, mate or progeny. Much like yourself.Ask me how I know.”
Tenma hunched his shoulders. “How did you know I’m stillsingle?”
“Would you believe me if I said it’s written in your scent?”
Although Amaranthine senses were unusually keen, Tenma knewtheir limits. He shook his head. “Did you talk to Goh-sensei?”
“No, but Glint did, and Ihappenedto be nearby. So Iheard about your upcoming nuptial tour.”
He sighed and nodded. Really, there was nothing to say.
Theories abounded, but a consensus had yet to be reached asto why Tenma was able to mend the Broken. But everyone agreed that a gift likehis should be preserved. Which was reaver-speak for producing a bunch of heirs.Although he’d overheard Hisoka lobbying hard for another means to their ends.Something about a golden seed.
“You are eager to secure a bride?”
Tenma said, “That’s the plan. I’ll travel to severalenclaves. Participate in marriage meetings. They may place me in one of theoutlying settlements.”
“Are you always this obedient?” Salali repeated, a gentletaunt.
“Yes.” He’d set the condition that had led to thesearrangements, so he couldn’t very well complain. “There are … reasons.”
“So you’ll go where you’re told, do as you’re told? Accepttheir plans for you?”
He looked away. “It’s not as if I had any plans of my own.”
“Very nice. So will you go along with mine?”
“Eh?”
“My plans for you.” Salali had developed a mad twinkle.“Come with me. I’ll show you a good place. We can do nice things there.”
