Page 37 of Mikoto and the Reaver Village
Touching the face of sorrow before him, Mikoto said,“Wardenclave does. We do. I do.”
“Good lad.”
He stood, making way.
Uncle straightened and folded aside the blankets. “Here isbest, Glint. Take what you need.”
Glint dragged himself onto the too-narrow mattress, lookingwretched and weary and wistful.
For several moments, Mikoto grappled with the history behindthis moment. How many times had Glint repeated it? Someday, would the First ofDogs howl for Mikoto and wrap himself in the scent of a future son? How manysons had helped Glint move forward into an uncertain future? Mikoto thoughtGlint must be very brave to face so many heartbreaks.
Mikoto helped Uncle tuck him in, then perched on the edge,taking one of Glint’s large hands in both of his. Thanks to Merl, he knew whatto do. But his experience with tending was limited to those lessons, duringwhich they generally focused on refining Mikoto’s control. Merl refrained frompersonal remarks, but Mikoto was sort of curious.
He watched Glint’s face, wondering how his soul compared togenerations of Reavers before him. What did an Amaranthine gain from thistouching of souls?
Glint turned his head and one corner of his lips quirked. “Thereis nothing to fear from the likes of me. I may have been tasked with numberingthe stars, but each has its own loveliness. You shine true, and I am gratefulto know it.”
Mikoto sort of … slipped. Like the warmth he felt couldn’tbe contained.
Somewhere behind him, Yulin gasped.
Glint’s eyes fluttered shut, and he dragged in a longbreath. “Maker bless,” he whispered, though it sounded like an oath. Eyeswidening, hand tightening, Glint said, “You should have told me you were inlove.”
Mikoto looked away. “Does it matter?”
“Always matters.” Glint struggled against sleep, lidsdrooping, words slurring. “Changes everything.”
Mikoto sat, dull and dazed, while Uncle pressed warmand cool clothes to his face. Yulin brought a tray, which contained a selectionof his favorite First Day treats. Mother must have prepared it.
“Drink,” urged Yulin, pressing a glass of water into hishand. “And listen.”
Downing half the glass in one go, Mikoto took a moment toregister its sweetness. It had been laced with something. A curative, no doubt.From the grove.
“Leave the formal attire for another time.Afteryourinduction,” ordered Yulin. “Go and meet the buses as you usually would.”
“Who will give the welcoming address?” Traditionally, thatprivilege belonged to the headman.
Uncle answered, “Radiance is both ready and willing.”
Glint’s bondmate was a force few knew they should bereckoning. Mikoto was more than a little in awe of her. And grateful. She wasthe reason he was allowed to mingle with the Guard, which was largely made up ofher sisters and daughters, andtheirdaughters in turn.
Mikoto drank the remainder of his dose before recallingsomething important. “How long will he sleep?”
“Days. Perhaps a week.” Yulin quietly added, “He has notbeen getting proper rest.”
Uncle murmured, “He still cries for Path.”
Of all the Kith in Wardenclave, Glint had been closest toPath. They went way back. Perhaps all the way back. Mikoto had heard the redhound passingly referred to as the oldest Kith in Wardenclave. But for alltheir years, Kith had their limits. They aged. They ended.
Mikoto hadn’t realized Glint was still grieving.
“Come by us,” offered Uncle. “Zisa will make room for you inhis little house, though you will have to share with Sinder and Timur.”
His heart leapt, but he shook his head. “I should not imposeon guests.”
“You will honor them by your presence.” Yulin clapped hishands, settling the matter with a soft smile. “And flatter them by the delightyou take in theirs.”
Mikoto gave in with a nod.
