Mikoto’s only real thought was that he was more comfortable with Zisa’s eyes than with Sinder’s. Because Zisa’s green was dappled with gold and alight with smiles, but Sinder’s green was faceted like stones and flecked by fear.
“Nothing bad happened,” Mikoto soothed, pulling him closer. “Are you still cold?”
“Are you listening?”
He grunted. “Timur will know what to do. Wait for Timur.”
Sinder pointed.
Mikoto was startled to find Timur looming over them. “Which one of us is he angry with?” he whispered.
“Me. Very much me. You missed all the shouting. Bellows like a thunderclap, that one.” And with a tweak to his nose, Sinder muttered, “Seriously, wake up.”
Someone flicked Sinder’s ear. The half-dragon boy. Kyrie.
“I only did it to make sure he’s coming out of it,” grumped Sinder.
Kyrie tapped his own nose, then touched Mikoto’s. “He did not mean to use swaying words. Timur drugged him, which is only another kind of sway, but Sinder resisted. And he did not ask for anything bad. You did need sleep.”
“Yes.” Mikoto’s attention strayed back to Timur, who was so tense. “I am fine. Nothing bad happened.”
“It might have.”
“All is well,” insisted Kyrie, who seemed too young to be any kind of authority. To Mikoto, he said, “I will teach you when to listen and when to resist the words of dragons. And half-dragons.”
“I would appreciate that,” Mikoto murmured, more to be polite than anything. He was still a little hazy on what had happened.
“I owe you an apology,” Sinder said meekly.
“I am fine. Truly.” And because Mikoto thought the words were needed, “All is forgiven.”
Ginkgo bustled past, loudly declaring, “You’re making too big a fuss over a little mistake. Are we done here, Timur? I need to pack enough food for everyone.”
“May I help?” asked Kyrie, scrambling off the bed to follow his brother.
Sinder bowed his head, hiding his face against Mikoto’s chest. “You’re completely vulnerable to dragons. No surprise. Most are. Working with Kyrie will help. I’ll do what I can, too. Should be easy enough if you’re here.”
Unsure what else to say, Mikoto repeated, “I would appreciate that.”
“You’re very okay with this. The closeness, I mean.” Sinder cleared his throat. “Can’t say I’ve ever been cuddled by prey before.”
“Most of my friends are Amaranthine.” Easing away with a mumbled apology, he nearly fell off the bed.
Timur steadied him to his feet, still stern and serious. “I’m dosing you. Just to make sure there aren’t any lingering effects.”
Mikoto simply nodded.
Only after they strode out did Mikoto recall that he’d been waiting for Sinder. He turned back to the bed, then hurried to assist the dragon, who was gingerly making his way to his feet.
“May I ask you something?” checked Mikoto.
“Go for it.”
“Do you know anything about wind?”
Sinder rolled his eyes. “I’m a dragon.”
“So … yes?”
“Yes. Lots and lots of yes. It’s part of my heritage.” He smiled faintly. “Not every tale of dragons is a warning, you know.”
“I did not know.” Mikoto balled his fists. “But I think I need to know. Maybe about dragons, but mostly about winds.”
Sinder coaxed the story out of him. It didn’t take long. There wasn’t much to tell.
Tenma’s mistake.
Zisa’s hints.
Isla’s speculations.
“You’re wind-touched?” Sinder eyed him speculatively. “Can I have a look?”
“Yes.” Mikoto ventured, “Wind-touched?”
“There are stories about people who win the wind’s favor. Honestly, there are just as many stories about people who earn the wind’s wrath. Those are pretty funny, but only because they’re so farfetched. Imagine being chased by ominous clouds or a dust devil. Things like that.” Sinder placed a hand on Mikoto’s chest and muttered, “You, uhh … you might have to hold me up.”
Mikoto quickly grasped him by the shoulders. “Do you want to lie back down?”
Sinder groaned. “Thanks, but no thanks. I’d rather not let Timur see how hard it is for me to move.”
“He is your healer.”
With a poke to Mikoto’s chest, Sinder said, “We’ll see if you feel the same way after you taste his tea.”
Sliding his hands under the dragon’s elbows for additional support, Mikoto waited for Sinder’s assessment.
“While I’m getting personal, do you mind if I get more personal?” Sinder’s eyes were closed, his brows furrowed.
“Go ahead.”
“This woman. Lupe. Do you know where she is right now?”
“Yes. My house.” Mikoto explained, “She is staying with one of my sisters.”
“But do you know where she is right now,” pressed Sinder.
“My house,” Mikoto repeated.
“It’s a big village. She could be anywhere.”
Mikoto simply shook his head.
Sinder opened one eye. “You’re sure that’s where she is? How do you know?”
“I just … always have.”
“Try to define the feeling for me. What senses are involved? Where is your certainty coming from?”
He’d never tried to explain it before.
“Can you hear her? Can you taste her?” Sinder asked patiently. “Oh, don’t give me that look. The wind can carry more than scents.”
Mikoto’s grip tightened. “Wind.”
“Hmm?” Sinder invited more without actually saying anything.
“There are always little swirls of wind, just puffs and breezes, that only happen when Lupe is close.”
Sinder hummed again. “So you weren’t setting off windchimes last summer, while she was elsewhere?”
It had been a lonely summer. Mikoto shook his head. “It was quiet.”
“And these things—the noticing, the knowing, the scent and sense of elation. They feel like love to you?”
Mikoto’s face heated. “Yes.”
Sinder sighed and said, “Could I tell you a story? I think it’d help.”
“All right.”
Ginkgo returned right then. “Ready, Damsel?”
The dragon frowned. “Will Kyrie mind if Mikoto joined us?”
“Today is for you more than him.”
Sinder looked to Mikoto. “Timur insisted we spend the rest of the day at one of your more secluded lakes. It’s partly to keep a promise I made Kyrie, but I also need water and sunlight and Timur.”
“His cosseting wouldn’t hurt,” said Ginkgo. “Sure. Let’s kidnap the headman. And his little dog, too. Where’d that bit of fluff get to?”
Mikoto hesitated. “I do not want to intrude.”
“Trade with me, in the way of friends.” Sinder smiled wearily. “Share your strength, and I will share what I know. And if there’s any truth to the tales, I should be able to help.”