Page 112 of Mikoto and the Reaver Village
Glint’s gaze slid sideways.
Lilya had seen the very same hangdog expression on Ever’sface at least a thousand times. Throwing her arms around his shoulders, shehugged him tight. “No more,” she whispered.
His growl was the weakest of protests. “You will need one byand by.”
“What if I promise that you’ll be the one to draw up mycontract when the time comes?”
He leaned back to search her face. “I would consider it anhonor.”
“And until then?” she prompted.
Glint ruefully inclined his head. “No more.”
Lilya kissed his cheek.
Timur talked over their heads. “Tenma, where will you benext?”
“I’ll be assisting Goh-sensei with his afternoon potteryclass.”
“Will you walk her there?”
Lilya realized he meant her. She pulled away from Glint and wouldhave protested, but Tenma looked so apologetic, she didn’t have the heart.Instead, she helped Priska disentangle Rifflet from a flustered Yulin. Bringingthe wind dragon to Zisa, Lilya said, “We’re counting on you.”
The tree kissed her forehead, then Rifflet’s, then Sinder’sfor good measure. And in Lilya’s mind the wind dragon’s voice chimed.Sweet.
“No, you,” crooned Zisa, who twirled toward the door.
Sinder smirked and sighed. “Back to work.”
“Back to bed,” growled Timur.
“Wrong, Michaelson. I have a job to do, and I’ll do it.”
“You’re injured.”
Striding toward the door, Sinder called over his shoulder, “Onthe mend. Thanks to you. Let’s see how long you can continue that trend.”
Timur was still arguing when they disappeared toward the backdoor.
Lilya shook her head and asked, “May we go out the front?It’ll be quicker. And quieter.”
Once they were away from Glint’s place, Tenma said,“I’ll understand if you want to run ahead.”
“Ever since he became a daddy, Timur’s been extra protective.Which isn’t fair. Mum says he was all risks and dares and disasters when he wasyounger.”
Tenma laughed. “You’re safe as can be here, and we both knowit.”
“He does, too. Deep down.” Lilya smiled up at Tenma. “It’sfine. We’re going the same way. Do you mind if I ask some things?”
“Feel free.” His lips quirked. “It’s actually nice to beable to converse in Japanese again.”
Lilya hadn’t realized she’d switched. “We mostly useJapanese at home. Except with Uncle Jackie, who pretends not to be fluent.”
“I’m grateful. Words come easier this way.” He gestured withboth hands. “Please. Ask anything.”
She started with the obvious one. “Why were you there thismorning?”
“I wondered that myself.” Tenma slipped his hands into hisback pockets and followed the flightpath of a group of doves. “I suppose itcould be that I’ve traveled. But none of the places I’ve visited so far havehad wind dragons. Or … Glint wanted to give Priska a look at me.”
