Aunt Tsumiko said that not wanting for anything meant she already had everything she needed. A great blessing.
Mum was similarly unworried. Her big, strong hands had been as gentle as her tone when she cupped Lilya’s face and promised, “Wanting will come, and when it does, you will know. And once you know what you want, you will seize it for yourself. This is good, yes?”
Lilya had dared to ask Mum what she’d wanted most.
Chin lifting proudly, she’d answered, “Your papka.”
She’d thought Aunt Tsumiko would say Uncle Argent was the thing she’d wanted most, but her answer was different. In a nice-ish way. “I wanted Kyrie. More than anything. And he became the beginning of everything.”
Lilya picked up a chunk of fallen bark and turned it over in her hands, admiring the pattern of lichen and the wiggling trails on its underside left by burrowing insects. And because she didn’t think he’d mind, she asked, “What did you want to be when you grew up?”
Glint stopped walking. He gazed for a while at the pups, who were nosing around nearby, probably chasing rabbit trails. Finally, he said, “I wanted to be a good brother.”
“I didn’t know you were a brother.”
“I rarely see the brother I loved before all else. But in the long-ago time of my boyhood, I could not imagine ever leaving his side.” He smiled crookedly. “Surprising things happen in this life.”
Lilya found herself nodding. “I like surprises.”
“Then you are braver than I ever was. May you be twice as happy for it.”
“You’re happy, even without your brother?”
“Happiness is one of the best surprises life holds in store.” With a confidential air, he said, “I find it in the strangest places.”
Since he seemed to want 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?
Lilya moved carefully and listened close. She was actually pretty good at stalking these little creatures, though Papka had gently pointed out that she also attracted them. Ephemera were part of the Amaranthine world, rarely seen by unendowed humans. Mum considered them pests, since they flitted about, fitting through every crack and crevice, nosing their way into food bins. Papka warded Stately House’s grounds against wild ones, but Lilya liked them. They were small, harmless, and cute.
She softly clicked her tongue as she pushed aside leaves. Adding a coaxing song she and Kyrie had invented. Baby nonsense. And it attracted something, all right.
“Is that Japanese?” Glint was crouched right behind her.
Hushing him with a finger, she whispered, “Something’s here.”