Page 54 of Mikoto and the Reaver Village
Zisa shook his head and pushed down one of the fingers. “Youarebarelyold enough to tempt a tree.”
“I know I’m young. Prodigies usually are.”
“Finished.” Zisa dropped a kiss on the blaze decoratingSinder’s shoulder. “Thank you for your trust, beautiful dragon.”
Sinder turned, only to find himself in a careful embrace. Itwas so easy to give in, sagging against Zisa, who held him up, stalwart asbeams.
“Timur is coming,” Zisa murmured. “He will know what to do.”
Sinder sighed. “Oh, sure. I suppose he could just put me outof my misery.”
“You will show him your injuries and drink his tea and trusthim as you have trusted me.” Zisa sternly added, “Or I will tell on you.”
“I suppose.”
“Promise it.”
Sinder smiled, for Zisa wasn’t very convincing as acommander. He missed Juuyu’s crisp orders and Boon’s growling. But since eitherof them would have backed up Zisa at this moment, Sinder lifted his face and whispered,“I promise.”
Zisa kissed his nose, stepped back, and vanished.
While he pulled himself together, Sinder tried to decide ifhe should make a note in his report about Zisa. While it was plain as pebblesthat Amaranthine trees could manifest, it had never occurred to Sinder thatthey could de-manifest. Or would it be un-manifest? And presumably re-manifestat a different location. How quickly? And what was the limit of their range?
Surely there was some strategic significance here. Offensiveand defensive potential? A possible means of protection, both for them and fortheir sibling? Hallow would figure it out if anyone could. Sinder would simplyleave out the circumstances surrounding his little discovery.
Exiting the bathroom, he fielded a nod from Ginkgo, who wasin the middle of trying to explain what it was like, having characteristics ofboth Amaranthine and reaver bloodlines.
Zisa stood poised by the door, hand on the knob. If hisexpression was anything to go by, Ginkgo, Tenma, and Mikoto were off the mark,but getting warmer. If no one else thought to ask the tree what was going on,he’d do it himself.
But then Zisa was ushering in Timur, whose gaze locked onSinder with unnerving intensity.
He knew. But how …?
Then it registered that Michaelson had carried Gregor in,which meant Waaseyaa must have brought the boy to his father. Between a likelytip-off and the threat of tattling, Sinder wasn’t getting out of this. Damn. Hehated explaining things that weren’t the business of anyone outside theheights.
Timur’s arrival set off a chain reaction. Ginkgo jumped up,all pretense of drunkenness gone, to introduce Tenma. Mikoto rallied considerably.He was clearly taken by Timur in a very “notice me, sempai” way.
Waaseyaa came to the door long enough to ask if Mikoto andTenma would help him prepare the evening meal. And invited them all to shareit. Ginkgo stole Gregor and announced they needed to track down Kyrie andLilya.
Zisa smilingly closed the door on the entire lot, offeredSinder a wink, and vanished. Leaving him alone with Timur and Fend.
The former crossed the room in two long strides and loomedover him. “Tell me what you need.”
“Who says I need anything?” Sinder rolled his eyes at Fendand grumbled, “Youtold, didn’t you?”
Timur looked between them, then slowly asked, “Sinder, areyou afraid of me?”
The idea. “No. I wanted you more than anyone.”
“Good.” His expression softened, and he repeated, “Good. Whoprettied you up?”
Sinder drew a blank.
“Your hair.”
Slowly reaching out, Timur pulled the heavy weight ofSinder’s braid forward. In addition to helping and holding him, Zisa had woven hisown flowers through the entire length of his braid.
“Sneaky, flirty imp of a tree.” Sinder closed his eyes. “Icouldn’t manage alone.”
