Page 47 of Fumiko and the Finicky Nestmate
“Akira Hajime. Yes.” He scrambled to his feet and offered his palms.
Moon’s big, furred hand closed around both of Akira’s wrists and pulled him off his feet, and Akira found himself tossed over a shoulder. Like most wolves, Moon was tall, so the position put Akira way above the ground, which was being eaten up by long strides.
The only times he’d ever been plucked off his feet by an Amaranthine, it was either for good reason … or for play. So Akira only squirmed enough to get comfortable.
Sinder was jogging at their side a second later, eyes wide. “Moon! This is incredibly rude!”
“Oh. Right.” Patting Akira’s leg, the wolf declared himself. “I’m Moon-kin Ambervelte, and I hope you have more English than I have Japanese. Which is likely, since I’ve got none.”
“I understand you,” Akira assured.
“Well, I don’t!” Sinder was taking two strides for every one of Moon’s. “Why are you manhandling Akira?”
“Orders.”
“From whom?”
Moon stopped—and swayed—at the foot of the stairs onto the dock. “Sinder, which way’s bed. Or do you want to carry my furry carcass when I drop?”
“Are you okay? Dunce and double dunce. Colt’s on patrol.” Sinder pointed the way, then met Akira’s gaze. In Japanese, he relayed, “Sorry about Moon. He’s overdue for a long sleep.”
“I get it. I’ve seen it before.” Akira couldn’t help laughing. “You’re like a bunch of toddlers trying to put off bedtime.”
Sinder poked Moon’s shoulder. “He just called you a toddler!”
Moon turned his head, giving Akira an up-close view of copper eyes under shaggy white eyebrows. “Not a speck of fear. Bodes well for the future.”
The wolf pushed down Akira’s head as he ducked through the guesthouse door, sparing both of them from knocking the lintel. Sinder threw open one of the bedroom doors. “All yours. Juuyu warded it, and I’m right next door. It’s safe to let your guard down.”
Akira was swung into a cradle hold, giving him his first really good look at Moon. Something about his grin reminded him of Harmonious Starmark. But before he could check anyone’s pedigree, he was tossed onto the bed.
The wolf collapsed next to him with a grateful groan. “Wasn’t sure I’d make it.”
Sinder knelt beside the bed, looking worried. “Is this okay? Anything need to change?”
Moon buried his face in a pillow, which muffled his answer. “Peace, Sinder. I’m past caring.”
“Food?”
“Can’t be bothered.”
“Drink?” tried Sinder.
Stirring a little, Moon answered, “Star wine, if you have it.”
“Of course we don’t have it.” Sinder’s smile turned sly. “Though I know where the ladies keep their kombucha.”
Moon made a face.
“I’ll bring water.” And switching back to Japanese, Sinder said, “Don’t worry. I’ll be right back.”
As soon as they were alone, Moon said, “Akira. I can barely keep my eyes open, so let’s keep this short.”
Idioms were tricky, so Akira was only clear on the obvious. “You need sleep.”
“I do. But I promised a bunch of people to pass along messages.” Moon’s smile was a weary thing. “Scold me later if I fall asleep somewhere in the middle.”
That’s right. Moon had come from Japan. From Keishi, in fact. Akira had so many friends there. “A message?” he prompted.
