Mikoto and the Reaver Village (Amaranthine Saga #4) - Forthright . Page 0,92

Ginkgo crouched beside Fend, whose tail lashed the floor in silent annoyance.

“Work with me, Fend,” Ginkgo bargained. “I get Damsel. You get your usual spot.”

The big feline rose and stretched lazily.

Ginkgo used a bit of foxish finesse to deepen Timur’s sleep, then lifted his arm. Sinder slipped free and minced toward the door, giving Fend a wide berth. The panther hissed softly, then sprang onto the bed, inserting himself into the vacancy at Timur’s side.

Even before Ginkgo had them tucked in, Timur had burrowed into his partner’s fur. Ginkgo’s grateful bow was lost on Fend, who turned his back on the rest of the world in a feline snub.

Back outside, Ginkgo drew up short at the sight of Sinder in Zisa’s arms.

“I’m fine,” Sinder sighed. “And I know why I’m fine. Thank you for sheltering us.”

“Good dragon,” crooned Zisa “Brave boy.”

“Up for a bit of a puzzle?” asked Ginkgo. “Kyrie’s waiting on us.”

Sinder took a gratefully receptive posture. “I’m yours until the dawn patrol.”

“Wait.” Zisa’s head turned. “Mikoto is coming.”

Ginkgo angled his ears toward the trail. Sure enough, the slow, soft tread of boots approached. Moments later, Mikoto lifted an arm, left the path, and cut their way. Zisa abandoned Sinder in order to welcome the headman with characteristic affection. Which was clearly mutual.

With a gurgle of laughter, Zisa stole Noble from Mikoto’s pocket and skipped to Waaseyaa’s door.

“Hello,” Mikoto greeted in a low voice.

“Couldn’t sleep?” asked Ginkgo.

“Not really.” He shrugged awkwardly. “Am I intruding?”

Ginkgo hooked his arm. “Kyrie’s waiting on us, and you’re welcome. Did you know there’s a Kith shelter just over there?”

“Yes.” With a faint smile, Mikoto remarked, “I did not realize you were acquainted with Transcendence.”

“Who now?” His ears went cockeyed.

Sinder interrupted to grumble, “Well, I didn’t know this was here. Why are there so many barriers around a barn?”

“I know, right?” said Ginkgo, pulling open the door.

“It is a wolvish custom,” said Mikoto. “Glint and Radiance supported her decision to go into seclusion.”

“You mean Snow?” Ginkgo turned to Sinder. “The Kith in here knows you’re coming. Best I can tell, she doesn’t mind.”

“About Snow.” Mikoto touched his shoulder. “Did Radiance tell you she is Kith?”

The question confused him. “She introduced her. How else would I know her name?”

“Nickname,” gently corrected the headman. “Radiance has a playful manner. She finds misunderstandings like this amusing.”

“I’m sorry?” Ginkgo didn’t like the direction Mikoto seemed to be going. His ears drooped.

Mikoto took the lead and offered his palms to the white dog. “May I enlighten our guests?”

Snow’s gaze locked with Ginkgo’s, and she dipped her head.

“I am pleased to introduce Transcendence Starmark, who is chief of Wardenclave’s security team. They are often referred to as the Demon Dogs of Denholm. Transcendence has been in seclusion since the death of her bondmate last winter.”

“You’re a traditionalist?” asked Sinder, who’d lowered himself into a passive crouch just inside the entrance.

Mikoto hesitated, but Snow—who Ginkgo really needed to think of as Transcendence—made a sharp gesture with her muzzle.

“This was her choice, but also a necessity.” Mikoto’s whole posture radiated respect. “The chief’s bondmate Path was a Kith of the Starmark clan.”

FORTY-FIVE

By Your Deeds

Now that he had a name, Mikoto had sort of hoped that Sinder could call out to the whisper of wind that was suddenly, achingly missing. The stillness was unnerving. An absence he’d always associated with the end of summer. It had always meant that Lupe was gone from Wardenclave. Except now he knew that he’d lost touch with his imp.

The lonesomeness left him empty, breathless, but Kyrie needed Sinder. Something about an assessment.

“Why me?” asked Sinder, looking between the Mettlebright brothers.

Ginkgo’s tail puffed and settled. “Because you won’t ask unnecessary questions.”

Sinder made one of those pretty little fluting sounds that reminded Mikoto of the avian clans. Finally, the dragon said, “I’m willing, so long as you don’t ask how I came to my conclusions.”

The boy, who was usually really reserved, all but abased himself.

Lowering himself carefully to one knee, Sinder touched Kyrie’s hair. “Hey, kid. I get that this is important to you, and I’ll give it my best shot. But I doubt I can tell you anything your family hasn’t already figured out.”

“But you are a dragon,” said Kyrie.

“So’s your friend Lapis.”

Kyrie caught the hem of Sinder’s sleeve. “He is like Mother. He loves me too well to see anything but the best.”

Sinder’s lips quirked. “For all his scholarly pursuits, he’s certainly a romantic. Fine, then. I won’t ask a bunch of questions. More than words, I need