Sinder smirked and sighed. “Back to work.”
“Back to bed,” growled Timur.
“Wrong, Michaelson. I have a job to do, and I’ll do it.”
“You’re injured.”
Striding toward the door, Sinder called over his shoulder, “On the mend. Thanks to you. Let’s see how long you can continue that trend.”
Timur was still arguing when they disappeared toward the back door.
Lilya shook her head and asked, “May we go out the front? It’ll be quicker. And quieter.”
Once they were away from Glint’s place, Tenma said, “I’ll understand if you want to run ahead.”
“Ever since he became a daddy, Timur’s been extra protective. Which isn’t fair. Mum says he was all risks and dares and disasters when he was younger.”
Tenma laughed. “You’re safe as can be here, and we both know it.”
“He does, too. Deep down.” Lilya smiled up at Tenma. “It’s fine. We’re going the same way. Do you mind if I ask some things?”
“Feel free.” His lips quirked. “It’s actually nice to be able to converse in Japanese again.”
Lilya hadn’t realized she’d switched. “We mostly use Japanese at home. Except with Uncle Jackie, who pretends not to be fluent.”
“I’m grateful. Words come easier this way.” He gestured with both hands. “Please. Ask anything.”
She started with the obvious one. “Why were you there this morning?”
“I wondered that myself.” Tenma slipped his hands into his back pockets and followed the flightpath of a group of doves. “I suppose it could be that I’ve traveled. But none of the places I’ve visited so far have had wind dragons. Or … Glint wanted to give Priska a look at me.”
“Why?”
“Mm … well. They’re hoping to place me somewhere. And it’s pretty obvious that wherever she’s from, it’s safe.”
“You need a job?”
“I have one. Sort of. I’m not really sure it counts.” Tenma seemed to realize he hadn’t answered her question. “I need progeny.”
She glanced back toward Glint’s house. “You’re going to the Eldermost Islands?”
“Maybe. Maybe not.” He shook his head. “I’m hardly the strongest candidate. Sure, the Amaranthine think I’m wonderful, but reavers are looking at ranks and pedigrees. I have neither.”
“Because you’re an unregistered reaver.”
“And uncategorized. And unquantified. But interesting enough to try to replicate. Hence the general consensus that I need progeny.”
“You don’t want children?”
“It isn’t that.” He hummed again. “I want to make a good choice. One that satisfies both my duty to the In-between and the secret wish of my heart.”
Lilya couldn’t tell if he was being teasing or truthful. He was speaking so casually. “You have a secret wish?”
“Doesn’t everyone?”
“Nobody knows?”
“My closest friends do,” he admitted.
She considered that and asked, “Does Isla know?”
“Naturally. She’s been my go-between in the past, and she’s fully prepared to weigh in again if I need help.”
“You want Isla to pick a wife for you?”
“Mm … I do trust her. Maybe even that much.”
Lilya realized something then, because Isla was careful about everything, especially trust. And this man had hers. That was rare.
“What about you, Lilya-chan? I couldn’t help but overhear you setting Glint back. Are you as opposed to practical matchmaking as Isla?”
“I do want to choose for myself.”
“When the time comes, you’ll get your way.” He smiled toward the sky. “You have many people who will make sure of it.”
She knew he was right. Papka and Mum would back her choice. Uncle Argent had pull, and Hisoka-sensei could make anything happen. She’d have all the help she needed. “How are you going to pick?”
“I have no idea,” he admitted. “Favorable circumstances. Willingness on both sides.”
“So you’ll tell her your secret and see if hers matches?”
“That might work.” He quietly added, “Assuming there’s no language barrier.”
Lilya’s steps lagged and she studied her feet. She’d thought it would be easy, picking a husband before the flood of contracts began. But she hadn’t considered that her someday husband might have a secret wish. Her cheeks heated with shame.
“You okay, Lilya-chan?”
“I forgot to consider my future husband’s feelings.”
Tenma nodded. “That’s important. Did you already have someone in mind?”
“No.” She sheepishly admitted, “I think anybody would say yes because I’m a beacon, but I don’t want that to be the reason someone says yes.”
“Isn’t that why you’re here?” Tenma waved toward the camp. “It’s a good place to meet peers. You have time to figure out who you can get along with.”
She didn’t have that kind of time. “I might not be back.”
Tenma stopped, glanced about, and indicated a bench. Once they were seated, he said, “Keep it simple. What do you want most?”
“You first.” Maybe it would help if she had an example.
He pushed absently at his 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.”