Page 49 of Mikoto and the Reaver Village
“Hello.” Kyrie immediately presented his palms. “Do you knowwho we are?”
“I could guess.” She caught his hands and asked, “May I? Iknow it’s not quite proper, but it’s so much more fun!”
Lilya saw the way Kyrie relaxed. He liked this lady, and nowonder. She reminded Lilya so much of Ever, she half expected the lady to demandtosniffenthem.
“You are two of the precious children belonging to StatelyHouse.” She gestured for them to join her. “You, young sir, are Zisa’s mercifuldragon. And you, dear heart, are the one Resplendence sang of during lastnight’s moonrise.”
“She remembered me?”
The lady laughed. “Shelovedyou. Loves you still.And would love you ever onward, given the chance.”
Lilya shyly took a seat at her side. “Are you one of Ever’saunts?”
“Alas, that is a privilege that belongs to my daughters.”
Kyrie, who was quicker and cleverer by far, understoodfirst. “You are hisgrandmother?”
She laughed again. “You may call me Radiance. And this sadbeauty is … well, let’s call her Snow. I always do.”
Up on tiptoe, Kyrie lifted a hand to the Kith. “Why are yousitting in the dark, Snow? The day is fine, and the breezes are willing.”
“Right you are! But will she listen to me?” complainedRadiance. “Prop the shutters, will you? This time of year, the evenings arelong and soft and sweet.”
Lilya wanted to pet the Kith, but not until she’d nestledagainst Radiance’s side a little longer. Because she felt as strong as Mum andas lively as Papka, and because Lilya knew how much Ever would have loved to beright here, hugging his grandmother. Probably for the very first time.
Kyrie fiddled with a set of wooden shutters, and more lightflooded the shelter. Enough that Lilya could now see the small, silvery starthat marked the center of Radiance Starmark’s forehead. “Is that your blaze?”
“No.” Her eyebrows arched. “It’s a miracle.”
“Truly?” asked Kyrie, coming closer and bending down to see.
Radiance hooked his elbow and pulled him onto her lap.
For a moment, Kyrie froze. Lilya understood his surprise. Mostpeople were wary of a red-eyed boy with horns. Not her. When Lady Starmarkproceeded to snuffle his neck, he collapsed into gasps and giggles.
“She’s sniffening you!” Lilya exclaimed.
“Don’t mind me,” said Radiance. “Standard procedure forspecial guests. Especially wily, barrier-dropping dragons who may needtracking.”
“Procedure?” Lilya remembered what Resplendence had said. “Isthis for security?”
“Yes and no. I’ve always been nosy.” With a knowingexpression, she asked, “Who taught you about sniffening?”
“Ever.” Kyrie relaxed with his head against Radiance’sshoulder, all hazy and half-lidded while she petted his hair and traced hisscales. “Ever is our best friend.”
The lady’s chuckle was soft and low. “When they were little,I used to sniffen Merit and Prospect and Valor. Although I think my brotherstarted it. Moon always insisted on sniffening Harmonious whenever he’d visit.”
“And Eloquence?” prompted Lilya.
“Not so much. He was still tiny when Harmonious decided togo away.” More wistful now, she said, “But it sounds like his Da and bigbrothers kept up the tradition.”
Lilya said, “We should take a picture.”
“May we?” begged Kyrie. “We can send it to Ever. Oh, but wewould need Brother’s phone.”
At this point, the wolf at their backs grumbled and wuffed.
“Worry wort.” Radiance peered up at Snow. “There’s such athing as too much privacy.”
