Page 35 of Mikoto and the Reaver Village
“Can’t happen.” Ginkgo’s ears drooped. “Some of it’spropriety. Some of it’s proprietary. None of it’s personal.”
Sinder was offended. “I’m not here to woo your baby beacon.”
Ginkgo snorted. “And that’s gonna stop her from taking aliking? Face up to facts, Damsel. There’s areasonthey call hers animpressionable age.”
That sobered him right up.
Beacons might be people, but they were also a commodity.Many Amaranthine equated potent souls with power, with acclaim, or with safety.Any … no,everydragon lord would wish to add such a soul to theirharem, in hopes of regaining the sky. Every enclave wanted one for its anchor.By the same token, every bloodline wanted a beacon as their boast.
Once Lilya reached her attainment, she would have her pickof husbands. But in the current climate and with public sentiment heartily infavor of inter-species mingling, this young lady might have her pick of theclans, as well.
Argent would definitely be protecting her interests. Andlimiting them.
“Get me out of here.” Tossing up his hands, Sinder muttered,“On second thought, getherout of here. Or did you not notice that thistree has an amorous streak?”
With a wary glance at the room, Ginkgo leaned so close, hisbreath fanned Sinder’s face. “It’snotthe end of the world if she likesit here. Waaseyaa’s between wives.”
Sinder swore. Twice. Then begged, “Get me gone.”
He scanned the room, but Timur was absent. So was theheadman. And Zisa seemed to be luring the kids away with the promise of food.Very tree-like. Leaving them with the only other person he hadn’t met.
Waaseyaa smiled at Gregor, then Ginkgo, before studyingSinder’s face. “I could not help but overhear.”
Sinder glanced guiltily at Ginkgo and asked, “Which part?”
“You would like to stay.” The man settled on the edge of themattress. “Hardly surprising. You slept safely here. That is a kind of bond.”
Entirely true.
“My brother was eager to meet you.”
Sinder cracked a smile. “He’s something else.”
Waaseyaa nodded. “So are you. As it happens, you are ourfirst dragon.”
“Well, you don’t get out much. And there are no clans nativeto this region.” He gave a little roll of the wrist and flourish of fingers. “Iam not the finest specimen, but I may be the most grateful. Thank you for yourhospitality.”
“Hospitality I willingly extend.” Waaseyaa lifted a hand toforestall Ginkgo’s protest. “This is my home, and my pledge to ArgentMettlebright stands. However, Zisa has a little house of his own. It is empty.”
“Why would a tree need a house?” Ginkgo asked.
Waaseyaa folded his hands together. “Some of my wives havebeen … territorial.”
He left it at that.
Sinder checked, “I’d be bunking with Zisa?”
“He would undoubtedly consider himself your host. The onlyother person who uses the cottage is Glint. I would inform him of yourpresence.” With a small shrug, he said, “My brother is affectionate, and myoldest friend comes and goes as he pleases.”
Sinder glanced at Ginkgo, trying to gauge the plan’sacceptability.
“Any chance there’s room fortwoin that cottage?”asked the half-fox.
Waaseyaa countered, “Who did you have in mind?”
Patting a sleeping Gregor’s back, Ginkgo said, “I’d behappier with Timur closer.”
Clearly, Sinder had a masochistic streak, because all hesaid was, “Fine by me.”
