Page 87 of Mikoto and the Reaver Village
“‘Well said, dragon.’ And Bethiel turned to speak to emptyair. ‘He can teach you the way.’
“‘Who is there?’ Persiflage asked softly.
“Touching a finger to his lips, the angel urged, ‘Listen.’
“Again, the dragon tried to hear. Again, he shook his head. ‘Myvoice, your voice, and the whistle of a lonesome wind among the stones.’
“Bethiel said, ‘Your songs are pleasing, and your prayershave been heard. An answer is all around you. Woo the wind to your side.’”
Mikoto blurted, “What?”
Sinder arched his brows. “What?”
The headman’s voice was barely a mumble. “That is whatTimur’s sister said, too.”
“Naturally. It’s inallthe stories.” Sinder wavedhis hands. “Beckonthrall’s story is the first and most famous example. He’sbecome a byword. Along the lines of ‘be careful what you wish for.’ Because inhis enthusiasm, he wooed all four winds at once, which resulted in quite thetempest.”
“Four brides,” said Kyrie. “East, west, north, and south.”
Ginkgo whistled softly and eyed Mikoto speculatively.
Sinder shrugged and skipped ahead. “It’s said that theWaning never touched Beckonthrall’s household. His children arrived in everycolor known to creation. His sons became our fathers, and his daughters thejewels of the harems they graced.”
Mikoto looked lost. “Are you trying to say that I was neverin love with Lupe?”
“I’m not sure. I can’t exactly relate.” Sinder frowned. “I’msuggesting that your love—while earnest and true and good—may have been ateensy bit off target.”
“Because I am actually in love with the wind.”
“Not the wind, in the broadest, general sense. A wind.Singular. A south wind, I think.”
Kyrie helpfully added, “She is a summer breeze.”
Mikoto brushed absently at his hair.
“I’d need to chat with Miss Lupe to be certain, but itsounds as if she and that breeze became entangled somewhere along the way.”Sinder fanned his fingers wide. “And by your tale, I’m willing to bet that onthe day you nearly drowned, that wind is the one who saved you.”
“Breath is life,” murmured Kyrie. “She cleared your lungs.”
“Leaving a bit of shine behind.” Ginkgo slyly asked, “Doesthat count as a claim?”
“There’s a word for it in our stories.” Sinder waited untilMikoto met his gaze. “Mikoto, I think you’re wind-kissed.”
THIRTY-THREE
Strategic Alliances
Glint held Lilya’s hand all the way back to his home, chattingabout ordinary things the whole time. The strawberry harvest. A new bakery inDenholm. The morrow’s gathering of clover blossoms by the Alpenglow healers. Avisiting delegation from the turtle clans. But their conversation always cycledback to the fuzzy creature that rode upon Lilya’s shoulders, head tucked upunder her chin.
“Have you given thought to a name?”
Lilya hummed. “Are you sure he’s a boy?”
“Quite sure.”
She asked, “Is it all right formeto name him? Namesare important.”
“Very important,” Glint agreed. “He will carry it all hisdays, and its story will be yours to tell.”
