Page 121 of Mikoto and the Reaver Village
“Yes. The sigils are for protection, and the song is apromise. All who sleep here are safe.”
“Can you tell who made it?”
Kyrie hesitated. “I will not know for certain unless I touchhim, but … Glint Starmark. Probably.”
“Not Radiance?” Lilya hadn’t expected something sothoroughly beribboned to be the handiwork of an entirely masculine male. Nowonder he’d been pleased when she complimented his embroidered tunic.
“Well?” Her brother squeezed her hand. “Why are yousparkling like star wine?”
“I want you to be the first person I tell.”
Kyrie’s voice lilted warmly. “I usually am.”
“And you are again, but maybe not always.” Lilya needed toacknowledge this out loud. “I’m not sure yet. Things will change.”
“Change is natural. Not something to fear.”
Taking a deep breath, Lilya announced, “I chose a husbandtoday.”
Kyrie took more time than usual to answer, but he was ascalm as ever. “A person or a packet?”
“I wanted a person.”
He hummed. “I would, too.”
“I’m going to have Glint make the contract. It can besettled before our birthdays. Twelve is when it begins.” She was feeling rathersmug about it. “I’ve outwitted them all.”
“All …?”
“Matchmakers, applicants, bidders, prospectives.” Shescowled defiantly. “None of them can waste the heralds’ time.”
Kyrie caught on. “No one can propose to you because youproposed first. That is a fine strategy.”
“I thought so, too.”
“The process has always seemed arduous. How did you findsomeone so quickly?”
“Luck?”
Her brother trilled a pleased note. “Are you going to makeme guess your choice, or will you tell me for yourself?”
“It’s my news,” she grumbled. “Don’t listen to tattlingwinds.”
“I am listening to you. Tell me who gained your favor.”
She didn’t think that was the right word. Not in the senseof having a favorite. Or maybe he meant favorable, which was a little likeluck. “I chose Tenma-san.”
“Oh, him.” Kyrie didn’t hesitate to say, “I like him verymuch.”
Lilya was relieved to hear it. “Do you think it will workout?”
“Is that what you want?”
“Yes.”
Kyrie said, “If that is also what he wants, it will workout.”
“I’m not sure.” Lilya remembered the stunned expression onTenma’s face and the haste with which he’d excused himself. “He looked like hemight sayno.”
