glasses, then nodded. “When I was your age, I was lonely, but I didn’t understand why until Harmonious Starmark added me to his pack. Suddenly, I was learning Amaranthine ways. All the little tender touches. And the wordless ways they find to show the depths of their trust and affection. I don’t want to give that up.”
She wasn’t sure if it was boasting, so she held her tongue. But she’d grown up with all those things, surrounded by Stately House’s crossers.
“I used to think that I wanted to be happy. But it turns out, that isn’t a very good wish.”
“Why not?”
“Because I’m already happy.” Tenma’s eyes were sparkling. “When I realized that, I had to edit my wish.”
“You changed your mind about what you wanted?”
“Mm … no. I think it’s more that I understand myself better.” He tapped his heart. “I want to share my happiness. I want more than progeny. I want a family. A wife who’s glad she chose me. Children who know what its like to tangle or nestle or coil. I want to teach them clan ways so I can say I love them with the set of my shoulders or the flick of a finger. I want to give them reasons to be happy.”
He rambled to a stop and looked away. It was funny how secrets—even good ones—could be embarrassing. Lilya touched his elbow, and some of the tension eased from his shoulders.
“I like it,” she said.
Tenma sighed. “I think I have a chance. Maybe in an enclave.”
Lilya jumped to her feet and stood before him. “I like it,” she repeated. “I’ll make that my wish, too. I want my children to grow up at Stately House.”
“That’s an important decision,” said Tenma. “It will help Glint refine his search.”
“I’ve made another decision.” The words weren’t hard to say. They blurted right out. “I know what I want most.”
Tenma tipped his head to one side, looking more closely. “You’re much better at big decisions than I am. What is it you want, Lilya-chan?”
“You, of course.”
FORTY-ONE
Bygones
Ginkgo slipped inside the Kith shelter and dropped onto the straw at the white dog’s side. “He’s trying to kill me. Or at least humble me.” Flinging his arms wide, he let himself go limp. “Behold, I have been humbled to the very dust.”
She snuffled his neck and nuzzled his ear.
“That Salali.” Ginkgo blindly reached for the dog and petted. “Does anybody realize how amazing he is? Because the things he does aren’t just next level. They’re on par with miracles.”
She shuffled closer, trapping him between her forelegs.
He felt safe and relaxed further. “Heaven help me, I need a nap.”
It felt so good to rest his eyes after spending half the night studying interlocking sigilcraft and the other half trailing Goh Impleer. The monkey clansman had apparently taken Sinder’s place tormenting that allotment of young battlers. Salali made certain he and Ginkgo remained undetected.
Observation, he called it.
Stealing tricks, more like.
“Monkey clans are all risks and rigamarole. Goh pulled tricks I’ve never seen, let alone imagined.” Ginkgo curled onto his side. “His nonsense works, but I don’t know why. And it’s going to drive me crazy until I figure it out.”
The dog licked him.
Even as he burrowed closer, Ginkgo reminded himself that he shouldn’t be zoning out. “Need to tell Waaseyaa. Supposed to be the one … bring Gregor next time.”
“You should ask him.”
Ginkgo’s head snapped up.
“Goh Impleer is a teacher at heart. If you want to know something, ask for a lesson.”
He sat up and slumped into the white dog’s chest. “Well, hey. I was hoping someone would show up to make introductions. Figures it’d be you, Lady Starmark.”
Radiance’s posture was all dominance, but her smile offered nothing but welcome. “It’s nice to put a face to the scent, young Master Mettlebright.”
“Ginkgo,” he corrected.
“And you shall call me Radiance.” Brows rising, she asked, “Is Kyrie to blame for your arrival in Snow’s domain?”
Snow, was it? He reached up to give the dog a friendly scratch. “Salali changed my security clearance, and that brought this place to my attention. Not surprised to hear that little bro found it first, though. Barriers are no match for him.”
With a sharp look at Snow, Radiance asked, “Is this a common trait of all dragons?”
“Nope, not at all.” Recalling Salali’s hopes for him, Ginkgo suggested, “Could be an upshot of having both Amaranthine and reaver blood.”
“So crossers make excellent cat burglars?”
“The heists we could pull,” Ginkgo joked. “But seriously, let’s not give Kyrie any ideas.”
“He’s a good