Page 159 of Fumiko and the Finicky Nestmate
Kyrie waved.
“And this is … I guess it’d be Tabi-jiji, yeah? I found the family tree.”
The tree eased into view, caught sight of Kyrie, and gasped.
Kyrie’s eyes widened, too, and he looked to his mother. Tsumiko leaned in, blinked, and broke into a warm smile. “So that’s how things are! Haji-oji, this is my son Kyrie Hajime-Mettlebright.”
“You gave him my name?”
“We did. Although Argent and I didn’t realize it at the time.”
With another small wave, Kyrie asked, “Are your eyes red? Like mine?”
“Does that please you, young dragon?”
Kyrie blushed and nodded.
“Will you be coming home together?” Tsumiko asked.
Akira hesitated. He wasn’t sure how much to say.
The tree patted his shoulder and said, “My arrival has become increasingly inevitable. Your bondmate has been laboring over safeguards. He fusses as much as Naoki ever did.”
Tsumiko’s expression softened, and she asked, “Is there any word of dad?”
This time, Suuzu stepped into the awkward silence, his arms around their shoulders. “Argent will bring Hajime to you as soon as he is ready to travel. Meanwhile, Akira will help to collect Naoki. Have faith in their return.”
Akira had a plan. He wasn’t sure it was a good plan, but it was the only way he could think of to give Suuzu a promise without actually … making the promise. And finding the right moment had been honestly impossible. Privacy wasn’t any easier to come by here than it was at Stately House. So with one thing and another, it was the morning he had to leave for the airport with Uncle Jackie.
Begging ten minutes, Akira dragged Suuzu outside. Pointing to the top of the lighthouse, he suggested, “Gallery?”
Suuzu carried him to the overlook and immediately began fussing with Akira’s hair, as if at war with the wind.
Taking a deep breath and releasing it shakily, Akira began, “Trade with me in the manner of friends.”
Although he was startled, Suuzu immediately took a receptive posture. “I am willing.”
“I’m not sure what’s going to happen, and I’m not sure when I’m going to be home again, so I was wondering if I could borrow your nest.”
Suuzu undid a few buttons and withdrew the necklace from its usual spot. He loosened and lifted, and with all the solemnity of a coronation, he secured it around Akira’s neck.
Akira quietly suggested, “And you can hold onto my ankle bracelet for me. So we each still have a part.”
Without hesitation, Suuzu dropped to his knees and lifted Akira’s pantleg. And stilled.
“I thought it’d be good to have something of each other’s. In case the trip gets long.”
Very gently, Suuzu slipped the knot and claimed the length of braid that held a small, tuned stone … and the pretty bit of jewelry Rafter had found.
Best Akira could tell, it was some kind of scarf pin, the sort of thing favored by dragons, phoenixes, and any other clan whose traditional wardrobe involved an excess of draping cloth. The craftsmanship was definitely Amaranthine, because the ornament was comprised of a ring of nine tiny eggs, each a different color.
When Suuzu finally looked up at him, his eyes were enormous, and his lips were trembling.
“Nippet eggs,” Akira managed.
Suuzu stood and swayed closer.
“Did you know I can see nippets now? It’s something really small, but … it’s something.” Akira was supposed to be letting the gift speak for him, but he couldn’t help adding, “It’s a start.”
