Page 113 of Fumiko and the Finicky Nestmate
Foxes made excellent allies. And frightening enemies.
And then there was Merit, Harmonious Starmark’s eldest son. And Boon’s best friend. Any canine’s protective streak was wider than oceans and could run several generations deep. Merit was a serious-minded guy who considered everyone at Stately House to be under Starmark protection. He’d see to Suuzu’s comfort with the same care he’d give to any of his own pups. Or grandpups.
Without a doubt, Suuzu was safe. But weren’t they running a little late?
He was just about to text Uncle Jackie when Diva bellowed, “Incoming!”
Akira had already been loitering near the crystal gate, so he was there when it swung open. He caught and held it, figuring he had sufficient skill to be a doorstop.
Portia hurried forward, as did Jiminy, who caught Jacques’ hand as Argent ushered him through the barrier.
“Lord.” Jacques removed sunglasses with peach-tinted lenses and muttered, “Watch for a tree, he said. You can’t miss it, he said. Lord.”
“Gawk later,” Argent ordered with token annoyance. “Lend Candor a hand with your considerable baggage.”
Akira probably should have offered to help, but he was trying to catch a glimpse of Suuzu. However, the next person through the gate wasn’t Merit. Rafter backed in, wrestling a small mountain of luggage. Candor followed, toting a fancy trunk with a crest emblazoned in gold on its top and sides. It wasn’t the Stately House crest. Actually, it wasn’t a clan crest at all.
“Impressed by the family heraldry?” Jacques beamed at him. “Been in the family for ages. Had it shipped from Uppington. Needed to look authentic.”
But Akira’s attention was already straying back to the gate, where Merit Starmark paused on the threshold. Argent took hold of Suuzu’s limp hand, and Rafter wrapped an arm around Merit’s back, guiding them safely through the barrier.
Portia and Jiminy were already tuning crystals.
Diva was talking, and so was Jacques.
But Akira wasn’t focusing very well. He was too busy standing in Merit’s way.
The dog clansman took a receptive posture and suggested, “Show me where to go?”
“Where do you want to go?”
“To whatever nest you’ve made in this tree.” Merit may have been smiling.
Akira fled toward the lighthouse without a word, figuring a tracker of Merit’s skill wouldn’t have any trouble following.
The dog clansman had to duck in order to ease through Fumiko’s front door. Only then did it occur to Akira that Juuyu’s most recent cleaning frenzy hadn’t been all about compulsion. He’d cleared a path for Merit, who’d never have made it through otherwise.
It was hushed inside, all distant chimes and lazy waves, shaded from the midday sun, though bits of light danced in the dimness, just out of focus. Was he imagining things? Or was he catching glimpses of Ephemera? Akira’s fidgets and nerves were multiplying.
“Here,” he whispered, backing into the guest room.
Merit lowered Suuzu onto the bed, gently smudged his thumb across the phoenix’s brow, and grunted in satisfaction. “Stay with him. I’ll bring what’s needed in a little while.”
“Thank you.”
With a faint smile, Merit gave him a nudge toward the bed and left.
Akira crawled onto the mattress and sat beside Suuzu. He’d been helping oversee Suuzu’s long sleeps since his first visit to the Farroost colony when he was fourteen. At that time, Juuyu had explained his brother’s requirements so thoroughly, Akira had gotten the idea that Suuzu needed looking after.
It had seemed silly at the time, but Akira’s perspective had been subtly shifting. Unlike Suuzu, Akira was getting older. He’d shared his teen years with his best friend, but a decade and more later, Akira felt like an adult. However, Suuzu was the same. Or nearly so.
He did look older in his Western suits than he had back when he’d worn a school uniform. And he’d been letting his hair grow. It wasn’t nearly as long as Juuyu’s, but the loose curls that just brushed his shoulders had changed him somewhat.
Still, Juuyu sometimes said things that embarrassed Suuzu. Stuff about his years.
Akira carefully brushed back Suuzu’s hair and searched his sleeping face. His best friend—Spokesperson Farroost—might be a world-renowned and well-respected member of the Amaranthine Council, but he was young. Younger than Akira, and the age gap could only widen.
He didn’t like to think about it.
