Page 71 of Mikoto and the Reaver Village
So before moving on, he helped her insert leaves and flowerpetals between the pages of a journal. She couldn’t help but notice thepenciled lines that filled every page. Along with the names of people andplaces.
He said, “These are some of those possibilities. People sometimesask me to help them decide on a path for their future.”
“I know about family trees.”
“These are the pedigrees of some of the most promising youngreavers who are visiting this summer.” Glint traced one line and then another.“I introduced this girl’s parents. And I knew her maternal grandparents, aswell. A bright and beautiful line. May it continue to shine.”
It sound like a prayer. Or possibly a blessing.
She knew about these kinds of contracts. She even knew thatGlint was famous for them. And that Mum hated them. Did that mean Mum wouldn’tlike Glint? That would be a shame. Ever’s grandsire was kind, even to someonehe’d mistaken for an ordinary girl.
Glint carefully closed his book and slipped it into hispocket. “Almost there.” Whistling for Lyre, Lute, and Lore, he took a turningand climbed a slope.
Using saplings as handholds, she scrambled after him.
All of the sudden, the ground leveled, leaving Lilya on awide grassy ledge that backed up to a tall stone wall that glittered in thesunlight. Dozens—no, surely it was hundreds—of crystals were set into itssurface. Their sweet harmonies pulled at her heart, making it beat a littlefaster, and the air smelled like flowers.
Kyrie would have loved it.
Glint sat with his back to the wall and stretched out hislegs. “Will this do for a picnic, little angel?” he asked.
“Where are we?” She wanted to show this place to Kyrie ifshe could.
“A favorite spot. I like to come here.”
“Is it a secret?”
“Rather a big one.” Glint didn’t seem worried though. “Areyou hungry?”
They shared out the food, which included the pastriesRadiance claimed were her bondmate’s favorite. She’d even included an entiretray of special meatballs, which Glint allowed her to feed to the pups.
After every last crumb was gone, Lilya began to explore.First the wall, then the plants edging their little haven.
“Do not go far, and do not approach the gate.” Glint offereda solemn wink. “Otherwise, I will be in trouble with my daughters.”
So while he lazed in the sun with the pups, she tried toguess where she was. And how to get back. Kyrie had been smelling strangeflowers, and this was probably the source. Knowing there were crystals involvedas well, Kyrie would be able to track down this place even faster. Potentstones liked him nearly as much as the winds.
Just then, she caught the flash of something moving—quickand light—amidst the shady greenery. Ephemera? They were certainly UncleArgent’s favorite thing. Wouldn’t it be wonderful to be able to report to himabout a new variety that was native to this far-off place?
Lilya moved carefully and listened close. She was actuallypretty good at stalking these little creatures, though Papka had gently pointedout that she also attracted them. Ephemera were part of the Amaranthine world,rarely seen by unendowed humans. Mum considered them pests, since they flittedabout, fitting through every crack and crevice, nosing their way into foodbins. Papka warded Stately House’s grounds against wild ones, but Lilya likedthem. They were small, harmless, and cute.
She softly clicked her tongue as she pushed aside leaves. Addinga coaxing song she and Kyrie had invented. Baby nonsense. And it attractedsomething, all right.
“Is that Japanese?” Glint was crouched right behind her.
Hushing him with a finger, she whispered, “Something’shere.”
His nostrils flared, and he nodded. “We do get someinteresting creatures in these woods, but they mostly avoid humans.”
“Iknowabout Ephemera,” she grumbled, lifting asideanother clump of foliage.
Glint asked, “Is one of your parents a reaver, then?”
“Both.” She felt a little foxy, not telling the whole truth.“I know it’s hard to tell. Sorry about that.”
With a perplexed expression, he looked between her and thebushes. “Not sure what to make of either of you.”
Before another word could be spoken, something streaked intothe open and wrapped itself around Lilya’s neck. She started, but held verystill, trusting Glint to deal with the threat if there was one. As she waitedand watched him, Glint’s eyes slowly widened, then went all misty.
