Page 25 of Mikoto and the Reaver Village
“Your classification hasn’t been assessed?”
She made a face. “Of course it has. Many times. I’m abeacon.”
Resplendence frowned. “But that’s not … ah. Do they look nofurther?”
“They do. They’ve tried so many times.” Uncle Argent wasespecially keen on helping her refine her superlative soul, to define her path.“It’s no good. They can’t pinpoint my aptitude because I don’thaveone.”
“You are a tribute to your parents’ strength, but you aren’tsure how to stand in your own?”
She put it so simply, Lilya was all amazement.
“I understand a little.” Resplendence rolled her eyes. “Trybeing Glint Starmark’s daughter.”
Was there a lot of pressure on her because her dad was Firstof Dogs? Maybe she did understand the weight of expectations placed on adaughter of the First of Wards.
“My case is a little different. You see, I have sufficientyears to consider a suitor, and my sire wants my happiness. But his enthusiasmfor the topic exceeds my own. If I didn’t know my own mind, I might mistakenlyconclude that my only value to the pack will be found in the number of pups Iadd to his lineage.”
Lilya nodded.
“Then it’s good that you’ve come to us. To Wardenclave. Andyou shouldn’t fear your courses. They’ll help you know your own mind.” Resplendencesmiled. “Then you’ll stand proudly, sure of your place.”
“Is that what you did?”
Resplendence brushed a kiss against Lilya’s cheek. “It’swhat I did, and it’s what I’m still doing. Making up your mind will be good,but changing your mind is also part of becoming.”
That was a relief. It would be terrible to choose a coursethat didn’t fit.
“You seem more at ease.”
Lilya decided she was. “Thank you.”
Taking back her crystal, Resplendence raised her voice toinclude Ginkgo and Kyrie. “If you need me, ask any of the guards.” Standingtall, she proudly declared, “The sisters and daughters of Radiance Starmark arestrong.”
The bus carried them through the gate, up a steepseries of switchbacks, and along the rim of a large green that looked to be aperfect circle. Buildings lined the road, and paths fanned away, leading tocabins. They pulled to a stop in front of a low building draped with bannersrepresenting the colors of every reaver classification, but Lilya was moreinterested in the man standing out front, holding a chubby toddler, accompaniedby a large black feline.
Gregor had grown so much since last Dichotomy Day, whenTimur had arrived with their invitations to Wardenclave. He’d stayed longenough to convince their parents—and especially Uncle Argent—to accept Glint’sinvitation.
It had taken two whole months.
In the end, Lilya guessed that it was little Gregor whoswayed the fox. For once they became attached, there was no way Argent wasletting the little boy fall into anyone else’s clutches. Ginkgo must go. Noother minder would do for a son of Stately House.
Ginkgo was off the bus in a flash.
And it was nice to see Timur so glad.
“He is like us,” said Kyrie, still in his seat. “Brother tookcare of him, too.”
“All of us,” agreed Lilya, who had spent as much time in Ginkgo’sarms as Mum’s. Maybe even more. “And all of our children.”
Kyrie softly replied, “Yours, perhaps. If you stay atStately House.”
Lilya started to say that she’d never leave. She neverwantedto, but she couldn’t know that for certain. Darya had been contracted away,never to return. And Isla received offers from every corner of the world.
She tapped Kyrie’s shoulder. “Your children, too.”
He shrugged and shook his head.
“Crossers marry,” she insisted. “Like Ash and Tami.”
