Mikoto and the Reaver Village (Amaranthine Saga #4) - Forthright . Page 0,54
her to ask, she did. “Like where?”
“Here,” he said, tugging Lore’s silken ear. “And here,” he said, tapping her nose.
The compliment made Lilya happy. Maybe this was what Aunt Tsumiko meant when she talked about a double blessing.
“You are good company, little angel.”
“You, too.” And recalling the parcel Radiance packed along, Lilya asked, “Where is the best spot for a picnic?”
Glint hummed. “The best, you say?”
“Yes. Someplace you love to go.”
He smiled, then pressed a finger to his lips. “Can you keep a secret?”
“I can.”
Beckoning for her to follow, he strolled on. But every time he looked back, it was with that lurking, quirking smile. Like a promise of good things. Like a surprise in the making.
Lilya had expected Glint Starmark to be more … important-ish. Which was silly, really. Because Papka was ordinary and Lapis was silly and Hisoka-sensei was nice. Even though most people expected them to be extra important-ish.
“What do you like best to do?” she asked.
Glint frowned in a thoughtful way. “I like … possibilities, I suppose. I like helping things along. I want the things I love to continue.”
Lilya didn’t understand and said as much.
With a soft huff, Glint gruffly said, “I suppose you could say I like children.”
“That’s a good best.” Lilya was thinking of all the crossers back home. “I like children, too.”
She picked more leaves and a few of the tiny flowers. Enough that it was getting hard to hold everything. Glint noticed and took a book from his pocket.
“Press the leaves in here, between the pages,” he offered. “That will keep them safe.”
So before moving on, he helped her insert leaves and flower petals between the pages of a journal. She couldn’t help but notice the penciled lines that filled every page. Along with the names of people and places.
He said, “These are some of those possibilities. People sometimes ask me to help them decide on a path for their future.”
“I know about family trees.”
“These are the pedigrees of some of the most promising young reavers who are visiting this summer.” Glint traced one line and then another. “I introduced this girl’s parents. And I knew her maternal grandparents, as well. A bright and beautiful line. May it continue to shine.”
It sound like a prayer. Or possibly a blessing.
She knew about these kinds of contracts. She even knew that Glint was famous for them. And that Mum hated them. Did that mean Mum wouldn’t like Glint? That would be a shame. Ever’s grandsire was kind, even to someone he’d mistaken for an ordinary girl.
Glint carefully closed his book and slipped it into his pocket. “Almost there.” Whistling for Lyre, Lute, and Lore, he took a turning and climbed a slope.
Using saplings as handholds, she scrambled after him.
All of the sudden, the ground leveled, leaving Lilya on a wide grassy ledge that backed up to a tall stone wall that glittered in the sunlight. Dozens—no, surely it was hundreds—of crystals were set into its surface. Their sweet harmonies pulled at her heart, making it beat a little faster, and the air smelled like flowers.
Kyrie would have loved it.
Glint sat with his back to the wall and stretched out his legs. “Will this do for a picnic, little angel?” he asked.
“Where are we?” She wanted to show this place to Kyrie if she could.
“A favorite spot. I like to come here.”
“Is it a secret?”
“Rather a big one.” Glint didn’t seem worried though. “Are you hungry?”
They shared out the food, which included the pastries Radiance claimed were her bondmate’s favorite. She’d even included an entire tray of special meatballs, which Glint allowed her to feed to the pups.
After every last crumb was gone, Lilya began to explore. First the wall, then the plants edging their little haven.
“Do not go far, and do not approach the gate.” Glint offered a solemn wink. “Otherwise, I will be in trouble with my daughters.”
So while he lazed in the sun with the pups, she tried to guess where she was. And how to get back. Kyrie had been smelling strange flowers, and this was probably the source. Knowing there were crystals involved as well, Kyrie would be able to track down this place even faster. Potent stones liked him nearly as much as the winds.
Just then, she caught the flash of something moving—quick and light—amidst the shady greenery. Ephemera? They were certainly Uncle Argent’s favorite thing. Wouldn’t it be wonderful to be able to report to him about a new variety that was native to this far-off place?