Mikoto and the Reaver Village (Amaranthine Saga #4) - Forthright . Page 0,18
Papka the best in the world. So the barrier that hid Wardenclave didn’t interest her all that much. “Is Timur here?”
Ginkgo leaned down to look past them, utterly intent. “Wait for it,” he murmured. “Any second now.”
Something tingled against Lilya’s skin, and she shivered. Ginkgo automatically slipped his hand around her wrist. Kyrie did the same on the other side. Making sure her walls were up. Making sure Papka’s and Uncle Argent’s seal held true.
The bus rolled to a stop before a high wall that looked positively medieval and entirely out of place. And doubly exciting because of it. There was no moat or drawbridge, but the gates were shut.
From a small log cabin beside the road came a white-haired Amaranthine wearing the Starmark colors. She boarded the bus.
Lilya wanted to ask Ginkgo to take a picture, but she didn’t say it. It was exciting to think that this might be one of Ever’s many aunts or cousins. She had the same eyes, all coppery.
Ever Starmark was the best friend who usually made them a trio. He was a crosser, but he lived in Keishi, a city too far from Stately House to make visits easy. But he came when he could, just like they visited him whenever Uncle Argent had meetings. Sometimes, the three of them would play at the Starmark Compound, and sometimes they’d explore Kikusawa, the neighborhood below the shrine where Ever lived with his big brother Eloquence.
They’d invited Ever to join them for the summer, since he was also eleven, going on twelve. The timing had been bad, but for a very good reason. He was about to become Uncle Ever. Kimiko was expecting a baby over the summer, and Ever absolutely needed to be there to greet his new packmate.
“Mind if we get a picture with that?” Ginkgo suddenly asked.
Lilya followed the sweep of his hand and saw a sign with bold lettering.
WELCOME TO WARDENCLAVE
FOUNDATION FOR PEACE
And in slightly smaller letters, a proud addendum.
HOMETOWN OF HARMONIOUS STARMARK
Kyrie’s giggle was a melodious thrum that Lilya couldn’t imitate. A dragonish sound that meant he was pleased.
Lilya knew how much he’d wanted this summer to include Ever. Before they left Japan, they made a solemn pact to send Ever a picture every day. Because even though they were often apart, they were part of each other. “For our first day. For his Da.”
“You may. Please, do,” invited the lady, who was staring at Ginkgo’s ears, but trying not to be obvious about it. “Fans of his?”
“Friends,” countered Ginkgo. He barely came up to her shoulder, but he was entirely at ease. You could tell by the gentle sway of his silvery tail. “I’m surprised you didn’t get the memo. Or not. Dad equates secrecy with safety.”
“You’re Lord Mettlebright’s son,” she murmured.
Lilya backed into the aisle to allow Kyrie to slide out of their seat.
Immediately, the Amaranthine’s expression changed—surprise, chagrin, and a promising smile. “By any chance, are you Ever’s friends?”
Kyrie solemnly corrected her. “Best friends.”
She beckoned them off the bus, then dropped to one knee before Lilya and Kyrie to offer her palms. “My name is Resplendence, and I’m one of the guards who helps keep Wardenclave safe. Harmonious is my big brother.”
ELEVEN
Big Brother
Lilya was happy to clasp hands with Resplendence. She liked dogs. Maybe even liked them best of all the clans. Mostly because of Ever, but a little bit because of his Da, who was all rolling laughter and rumbling kindness. If Ever’s Da was Resplendence’s big brother, did that mean she loved him the way Lilya loved Timur? Did she miss him the way they missed Ever?
“Oh, lovely one,” Resplendence said when their hands met.
That was strange. Lilya had been extensively warded, which meant no one should even realize she was a reaver. But the guard might simply be sorting her out by scent. Dogs did.
“Are you looking forward to your courses?”
Lilya bit her lip. Lying never worked with canines, so she gave a tiny shake of her head.
“Homesick?” guessed the guard.
She shook her head again.
Resplendence rolled her eyes toward Ginkgo and Kyrie. “Something you don’t want the boys to hear?”
Lilya didn’t want anyone to know. At least, not anyone from Stately House. But Resplendence was half right, so Lilya nodded.
“May we have a few minutes?” She signaled for permission and for patience. “Girl talk.”
Ginkgo swooped in, searched Lilya’s face, kissed her nose, and said, “Not even through the gate, and you’re already making friends. Take whatever time you need.”