Tricky foxes had their way of saying just enough without saying anything.
She whispered, “I saw a list.”
“Yeah? What kind of list?”
“People that Glint Starmark thinks I might marry.”
Rather than being shocked, Ginkgo said, “Best not tell Dad. He’s edgy enough about Isla. For that matter, don’t tell your mum. She might turn it into a hit list.”
Lilya knew he was mostly joking, but she couldn’t quite smile. “Ginkgo?”
“Hmm?”
“Your name was on the list.”
“No kidding?” He eyed her thoughtfully. “That gonna make things awkward for us?”
“I don’t want to marry you.”
Ginkgo chuckled. “Thank you for letting me down gently.”
“But I love you almost more than anybody.”
“I know, little girl.” His smile was the same as always. “Family’s nice that way.”
She sighed.
“Don’t worry too much about that stuff. If nobody’s good enough, Hisoka will probably come through again.”
“He was on the list, too.”
Ginkgo snorted. “Just goes to show how much Glint doesn’t know. Sensei isn’t looking for a bride.”
“Why aren’t you married?”
“Mmm … lots of little reasons. Most of them are just excuses, though.” He nodded to himself, then shrugged. “I guess nowadays, I’m a little like how Darya was. Too smart to believe anyone might want me for more than my connections.”
“Do you get contracts?”
“Yep. All kinds of offers from all over the place. Strangers who like the idea of me, even though they’ve never met me and haven’t a clue about what’s important to me.”
“If you chose somebody, the offers would stop.”
Ginkgo grinned. “Interesting strategy. Maybe I’ll propose to Damsel.”
“Do you think he gets offers, too?”
“Doubt it. I don’t think many people know he exists. Hard to build a fanbase when you’re intentionally obscure.”
Another voice interjected, “That’s worked for me for years.”
THIRTY-FIVE
Wonders Never Cease
Ginkgo had been fighting hard to ignore the little dragon casting shy looks at him from his clinch around Lilya’s neck. Even though all things draconic would be considered notable. Didn’t matter. His girl needed him to be focused on her right now. To the exclusion of all else.
A decent excuse, but it was still mortifying that he’d missed the presence of a potential threat. Not that Wardenclave’s trickiest protector had any designs on Lilya. But if word got back to Stately House, Dad wouldn’t see it that way.
Rubbing wearily at his face, Ginkgo asked, “How much trouble are we in?”
“None, my young reynard. I simply wanted to alert you to my presence before your discussion grew any more personal.”
Ginkgo knew his ears were pinned, but the wily squirrel didn’t rub it in any further. To Lilya, he said, “It’s okay. Salali’s head of security around here.”
“Acting head.”
“He’s also the whiz who disappeared an entire mountain range.”
With a faint smirk, Salali murmured, “You’re too kind.”
Lilya scooted off her chair and went to offer her hands. “I’m Lilya. He’s Ginkgo. And this is Rifflet.”
He stood and bowed with a sweep of his floppy hat. “Salali Fullstash.”
“One of the founders?”
Tossing aside his hat, he rested his hands atop hers and quirked a brow. “That’s what the history books say.”
“Are we in trouble?” asked Lilya.
Salali waved toward the front door and explained, “I arranged to meet a friend here. We have similar designs on the contents of the freezer, so I can hardly fault your choices.”
Ginkgo was proud of his girl’s manners. And the unflappable streak that was part nature, part nurture. Rather than being off-put by Salali’s sudden appearance, she embraced the opportunity. Edging closer to the squirrel clansman, she asked, “Could you please tell me if you’ve seen someone like Rifflet before?”
“A someone, are they?” Bending close, Salali murmured, “Wonders never cease.”
Rifflet tootle-peeped.
“Yes,” Lilya said firmly. “He’s someone.”
Even though she sounded a little like a child defending her favorite stuffed animal, Salali didn’t brush that aside. Ginkgo nearly slapped his forehead. He was way too slow on the uptake tonight.
“What did Yulin say?” checked Salali.
“To ask a dragon,” said Lilya.
Okay, that was some more name-dropping. Salali clearly had more of the facts, and Ginkgo needed to get up to speed. Giving up on his ice cream, Ginkgo asked, “Can I have a look?”
Lilya turned to him with a smile.
He mumbled reassurances as he worked his fingers under Rifflet’s lithe body, but he needn’t have worried. The little one came easily, winding around Ginkgo’s fingers, then forearm. With more soft vocalizations, Rifflet rubbed his jaw against Ginkgo’s knuckle. It was tough to say who was taming whom.
“Darn cute. Dad’ll want a dozen.” With extreme care, he pressed the smooth side of a claw into Rifflet’s mouth. “Give us a look, little mister. What are you packing?”
“He’s not poisonous,” offered Lilya. “Glint said so.”
“Ephemera aren’t aggressive. No stingers, no fangs, no poison. They don’t bite, they don’t hunt.” Pulling free, Ginkgo tickled Rifflet under the chin. “Which is why I seriously doubt your new friend qualifies. He has a proper set of teeth, and that usually spells carnivore.”
“Interesting,” remarked Salali. “May I?”
“What do you say?” Ginkgo asked the little dragon. “Do you have room in your affections for this scruffy squirrel?”
Lilya giggled.
Rifflet’s answering twitter sounded like laughter.
“I do apologize, Miss Ward. I know nearly everything that can be known about Wardenclave and its environs, but he isn’t from these parts.” Salali stroked Rifflet’s crest with one finger. “By all means, ask Sinder. Though if you tarry a little longer, my friend may offer some insight.”
Ginkgo glanced at the door. “Who is this friend of yours?”
Salali angled his head toward the front door, which swung open.
Tenma dragged through, looking—and smelling—like he’d lost a long siege against a mud puddle. “I’m late. I’m sorry. Goh-sensei needed me to prep tomorrow’s clay since he’s filling in for Sinder tonight. Good evening, Ginkgo. Hello, Lilya-chan.”
“Already friends?” Salali’s eyes were bright with interest.
Without hesitation, Tenma provided some oblique context. “I’ve been a guest at Stately House.”
Ginkgo wondered how often. Dad definitely depended on him to help Tsumiko with the running of the household. But when it came to grand schemes, Lord Mettlebright kept his own counsel. Or confided in Jacques. And despite appearances, Tenma was a top tier, grand scheme kind of guy.