Page 76 of Mikoto and the Reaver Village
“I owe you an apology,” Sinder said meekly.
“I am fine. Truly.” And because Mikoto thought the wordswere needed, “All is forgiven.”
Ginkgo bustled past, loudly declaring, “You’re making toobig a fuss over a little mistake. Are we done here, Timur? I need to packenough food for everyone.”
“May I help?” asked Kyrie, scrambling off the bed to followhis brother.
Sinder bowed his head, hiding his face against Mikoto’schest. “You’recompletelyvulnerable to dragons. No surprise. Most are.Working with Kyrie will help. I’ll do what I can, too. Should be easy enough ifyou’re here.”
Unsure what else to say, Mikoto repeated, “I wouldappreciate that.”
“You’re very okay with this. The closeness, I mean.” Sindercleared his throat. “Can’t say I’ve ever been cuddled by prey before.”
“Most of my friends are Amaranthine.” Easing away with amumbled apology, he nearly fell off the bed.
Timur steadied him to his feet, still stern and serious. “I’mdosing you. Just to make sure there aren’t any lingering effects.”
Mikoto simply nodded.
Only after they strode out did Mikoto recall that he’d beenwaiting for Sinder. He turned back to the bed, then hurried to assist thedragon, who was gingerly making his way to his feet.
“May I ask you something?” checked Mikoto.
“Go for it.”
“Do you know anything about wind?”
Sinder rolled his eyes. “I’m a dragon.”
“So … yes?”
“Yes. Lots and lots ofyes. It’s part of my heritage.”He smiled faintly. “Not every tale of dragons is a warning, you know.”
“I did not know.” Mikoto balled his fists. “But I think Ineedto know. Maybe about dragons, but mostly about winds.”
Sinder coaxed the story out of him. It didn’t take long. Therewasn’t much to tell.
Tenma’s mistake.
Zisa’s hints.
Isla’s speculations.
“You’re wind-touched?” Sinder eyed him speculatively. “Can Ihave a look?”
“Yes.” Mikoto ventured, “Wind-touched?”
“There are stories about people who win the wind’s favor. Honestly,there are just as many stories about people who earn the wind’s wrath. Thoseare pretty funny, but only because they’re so farfetched. Imagine being chasedby ominous clouds or a dust devil. Things like that.” Sinder placed a hand onMikoto’s chest and muttered, “You, uhh … you might have to hold me up.”
Mikoto quickly grasped him by the shoulders. “Do you want tolie back down?”
Sinder groaned. “Thanks, but no thanks. I’d rather not letTimur see how hard it is for me to move.”
“He is your healer.”
With a poke to Mikoto’s chest, Sinder said, “We’ll see ifyou feel the same wayafteryou taste his tea.”
Sliding his hands under the dragon’s elbows for additionalsupport, Mikoto waited for Sinder’s assessment.
