Page 93 of Mikoto and the Reaver Village
“Sure. Won’t soon forget it, either.” He eyed her. “I’msurprisedyouremember. You were pretty little. Six, going on seven.”
“It was bad.”
“No question it was a hassle. Everyone got so worked up,myself included. But I wouldn’t say it wasbad.”
“Darya cried for a week before she left.”
“So did I.” Ginkgo offered a sheepish smile. “It was hardletting her go like that. But your sister wasn’t crying because she didn’t wantto go. She couldn’t help it. She knew how much she was going to miss us.”
“Not just that. All the heralds. All the applicants.”
“Oh, that. Yeah, that was no fun.” He poked at his icecream. “Between you and me, Darya’s always been too smart for her own good. Soshe saw through all those hopeful offers. None of those young men did anythingwrong, but they weren’t doing right by Darya. She needed more than they knewhow to give.”
“How did she find somebody?”
“Didn’t you hear that part?” Ginkgo chuckled. “It wasHisoka, of course. He came one day with a packet. Only it wasn’t the usualkind. Just a letter and a snapshot. But it was enough.”
“She didn’t know him?” That surprised Lilya. She didn’tremember that detail.
“No. Which was why your Uncle Argent escorted herpersonally. If the guy was any kind of unworthy, my dad would have broughtDarya straight back.”
Lilya asked, “Why can’t we talk to her?”
“Sometimes, enclaves have strict rules. They need to stay asecret.” With a wave in the direction of Waaseyaa’s house, he blandly added, “Darya’shusband has a twin. Y’know?”
Tricky foxes had their way of saying just enough withoutsaying anything.
She whispered, “I saw a list.”
“Yeah? What kind of list?”
“People that Glint Starmark thinks I might marry.”
Rather than being shocked, Ginkgo said, “Best not tell Dad.He’s edgy enough about Isla. For that matter, don’t tell your mum. She mightturn it into a hit list.”
Lilya knew he was mostly joking, but she couldn’t quitesmile. “Ginkgo?”
“Hmm?”
“Your name was on the list.”
“No kidding?” He eyed her thoughtfully. “That gonna makethings awkward for us?”
“I don’t want to marry you.”
Ginkgo chuckled. “Thank you for letting me down gently.”
“But I love you almost more than anybody.”
“I know, little girl.” His smile was the same as always.“Family’s nice that way.”
She sighed.
“Don’t worry too much about that stuff. If nobody’s goodenough, Hisoka will probably come through again.”
“He was on the list, too.”
Ginkgo snorted. “Just goes to show how much Glintdoesn’tknow. Sensei isn’t looking for a bride.”
