Page 26 of Fumiko and the Finicky Nestmate
“I know what to do,” said Zuzu. “We’ll tend you together.”
Before he could protest, the first ripple of power lapped against his soul.
NINE
Shoring Up
Juuyu had never been tended by a tree-kin before.
His colony was intentionally isolated, and his clan’s lives intertwined in intimate ways with those of the trees in their grove. The vast majority of their tree-kin were phoenixes. Only a few of the newest trees—part of a fairly recent scattering—were twinned to humans, and Juuyu hadn’t mingled with them. At that time, he’d been preoccupied with his training and with raising Suuzu.
“Too much?” Zuzu checked, sounding far less frivolous than usual.
“Not at all.” He cleared his throat and repeated, “You are untrained, Fumiko?”
She hummed an affirmative. “It works out, though. Zuzu understands my soul better than I do.”
“How can that be?”
“I am hers, and she is mine.” Zuzu’s tone was decidedly smug. “All I have is hers.”
“So that is how it is.” He’d seen this sort of doting back home. “You add to her luster, year upon year. She is your pearl.”
Zuzu’s low laugh was pure delight. “I am beautiful. My sister should be beautiful, too.”
Juuyu didn’t know how long these sisters had been here. That detail hadn’t been included in his briefing. How many years had Zuzu been adorning her sister’s soul? Long enough for her to rival the stars.
“Not only that,” interjected Fumiko. “For a long time, Zuzu hid me.”
That piqued his interest. “In what manner?”
“Just … hiding.”
Zuzu solemnly said, “Amaranthine were greedy for her soul, and humans were greedy for mine. This was before the kindness of tending.”
Juuyu turned his head in order to meet the tree’s gaze. “That long ago?”
With a coy smile, Zuzu allowed a fresh swirl of power to buffet him. More this time.
“Slowly,” he warned. “I am not used to so much at once.”
Fumiko added a soft, “Behave, Zuzu. He’s a guest.”
“Duty can be a delight, and delight can be shared.” Zuzu’s attention switched to her sister. “I like this one.”
“Then show him the kindness of tending,” directed Fumiko. “I don’t remember trying this with anyone but you.”
That sent a warning note through Juuyu’s soul. “You are untrained. Are you also … untried?”
“I couldn’t say for certain,” Fumiko said wistfully. “But I think I would remember something like this.”
Juuyu tried to calm himself. Tried to remember his first taste. “I will exercise restraint.”
“Why?” she asked. “I’m used to it. I have Zuzu.”
“While I am certain I cannot overwhelm you, I have no wish to impose.”
“He’s shy,” interjected Zuzu.
