Page 70 of Mikoto and the Reaver Village
Mum was similarly unworried. Her big, strong hands had beenas gentle as her tone when she cupped Lilya’s face and promised, “Wanting willcome, and when it does, you will know. And once you know what you want, you willseize it for yourself. This is good, yes?”
Lilya had dared to ask Mum what she’d wanted most.
Chin lifting proudly, she’d answered, “Your papka.”
She’d thought Aunt Tsumiko would say Uncle Argent was thething she’d wanted most, but her answer was different. In a nice-ish way. “Iwanted Kyrie. More than anything. And he became the beginning of everything.”
Lilya picked up a chunk of fallen bark and turned it over inher hands, admiring the pattern of lichen and the wiggling trails on itsunderside left by burrowing insects. And because she didn’t think he’d mind, sheasked, “What did you want to be when you grew up?”
Glint stopped walking. He gazed for a while at the pups, whowere nosing around nearby, probably chasing rabbit trails. Finally, he said, “Iwanted to be a good brother.”
“I didn’t know you were a brother.”
“I rarely see the brother I loved before all else. But in thelong-ago time of my boyhood, I could not imagine ever leaving his side.” Hesmiled crookedly. “Surprising things happen in this life.”
Lilya found herself nodding. “I like surprises.”
“Then you are braver than I ever was. May you be twice ashappy for it.”
“You’re happy, even without your brother?”
“Happiness is one of the best surprises life holds instore.” With a confidential air, he said, “I find it in the strangest places.”
Since he seemed to want her to ask, she did. “Like where?”
“Here,” he said, tugging Lore’s silken ear. “And here,” he said,tapping her nose.
The compliment made Lilya happy. Maybe this was what AuntTsumiko meant when she talked about a double blessing.
“You are good company, little angel.”
“You, too.” And recalling the parcel Radiance packed along,Lilya asked, “Where is the best spot for a picnic?”
Glint hummed. “Thebest, you say?”
“Yes. Someplace you love to go.”
He smiled, then pressed a finger to his lips. “Can you keepa secret?”
“I can.”
Beckoning for her to follow, he strolled on. But every timehe looked back, it was with that lurking, quirking smile. Like a promise ofgood things. Like a surprise in the making.
Lilya had expected Glint Starmark to be more …important-ish. Which was silly, really. Because Papka was ordinary and Lapiswas silly and Hisoka-sensei was nice. Even though most people expected them tobeextraimportant-ish.
“What do you like best to do?” she asked.
Glint frowned in a thoughtful way. “I like … possibilities,I suppose. I like helping things along. I want the things I love to continue.”
Lilya didn’t understand and said as much.
With a soft huff, Glint gruffly said, “I suppose you couldsay I like children.”
“That’s agoodbest.” Lilya was thinking of all thecrossers back home. “I like children, too.”
She picked more leaves and a few of the tiny flowers. Enoughthat it was getting hard to hold everything. Glint noticed and took a book fromhis pocket.
“Press the leaves in here, between the pages,” he offered.“That will keep them safe.”
