Page 77 of Mikoto and the Reaver Village
“While I’m getting personal, do you mind if I getmorepersonal?” Sinder’s eyes were closed, his brows furrowed.
“Go ahead.”
“This woman. Lupe. Do you know where she is right now?”
“Yes. My house.” Mikoto explained, “She is staying with oneof my sisters.”
“But do you know where she isright now,” pressedSinder.
“My house,” Mikoto repeated.
“It’s a big village. She could be anywhere.”
Mikoto simply shook his head.
Sinder opened one eye. “You’re sure that’s where she is? Howdo you know?”
“I just … always have.”
“Try to define the feeling for me. What senses are involved?Where is your certainty coming from?”
He’d never tried to explain it before.
“Can you hear her? Can you taste her?” Sinder askedpatiently. “Oh, don’t give me that look. The wind can carry more than scents.”
Mikoto’s grip tightened. “Wind.”
“Hmm?” Sinder invited more without actually saying anything.
“There are always little swirls of wind, just puffs andbreezes, that only happen when Lupe is close.”
Sinder hummed again. “So you weren’t setting off windchimeslast summer, while she was elsewhere?”
It had been a lonely summer. Mikoto shook his head. “It wasquiet.”
“And these things—the noticing, the knowing, the scent and senseof elation. They feel like love to you?”
Mikoto’s face heated. “Yes.”
Sinder sighed and said, “Could I tell you a story? I thinkit’d help.”
“All right.”
Ginkgo returned right then. “Ready, Damsel?”
The dragon frowned. “Will Kyrie mind if Mikoto joined us?”
“Today is for you more than him.”
Sinder looked to Mikoto. “Timur insisted we spend the restof the day at one of your more secluded lakes. It’s partly to keep a promise Imade Kyrie, but I also need water and sunlight and Timur.”
“His cosseting wouldn’t hurt,” said Ginkgo. “Sure. Let’skidnap the headman. And his little dog, too. Where’d that bit of fluff get to?”
Mikoto hesitated. “I do not want to intrude.”
“Trade with me, in the way of friends.” Sinder smiledwearily. “Share your strength, and I will share what I know. And if there’s anytruth to the tales, I should be able to help.”
“Friends,” Mikoto agreed, then scooped up Sinder to carryhim out the door.
