After all that spooky cryptid footage, every thin howl and slinking shadow took on an aura of menace.
“They are only teasing,” murmured Kyrie.
Lilya tightened her grip on his hand. “Can you see?”
“Quite well. Do you want more light?”
Tempting as that might be, she shook her head. “That would only expose our location.”
Kyrie pulled her into the shelter of the shrubs alongside the path. Up on tiptoe, he whispered in her ear. “We should go the long way around.”
“Danger?” she breathed, placing her hand over his heart. Partly to show she trusted him, partly to see how fast it was beating.
“They are only teasing,” he repeated. “Trust me.”
Even though she was taller now, Kyrie was still many times stronger, so he didn’t so much as stagger when Lilya climbed onto his back and tucked up her long legs. Once her arms folded around his shoulders, he carried her away. And with every giddying leap and swerve through the trees, she tried to stifle her giggles.
“Are we winning?” she whispered.
“I am good at these games.”
“Who’s chasing us?”
“Four dogs, two rabbits, and a monkey,” he reported smugly. Kyrie reached back and touched her hair. “You are especially bright tonight.”
“Am I?”
“Did something happen? Something pleasing?”
“I hope so.” She prodded his side. “I’ll tell you once we’re under covers.”
And just like that Kyrie was done playing games. With more speed than he usually displayed, his turned his darting course toward Zisa, neatly setting Lilya on Waaseyaa’s doorstep before his dark hair had time to settle about his shoulders.
They changed for bed and nestled under the embroidered coverlet in the guest room, Gregor and Rifflet between them.
“I like this blanket,” whispered Kyrie. “It hums.”
She thought he might be right. But the tapestry in Glint’s office had been more distinct.
He found her hand, then found her soul, which took longer than it used to. Papka’s and Argent’s new seal gave him trouble, but Kyrie was Kyrie. Eventually, a low melody thrummed against her senses, and she smiled.
“It’s like a lullaby,” she whispered.
“Yes. The sigils are for protection, and the song is a promise. All who sleep here are safe.”
“Can you tell who made it?”
Kyrie hesitated. “I will not know for certain unless I touch him, but … Glint Starmark. Probably.”
“Not Radiance?” Lilya hadn’t expected something so thoroughly beribboned to be the handiwork of an entirely masculine male. No wonder he’d been pleased when she complimented his embroidered tunic.
“Well?” Her brother squeezed her hand. “Why are you sparkling like star wine?”
“I want you to be the first person I tell.”
Kyrie’s voice lilted warmly. “I usually am.”
“And you are again, but maybe not always.” Lilya needed to acknowledge this out loud. “I’m not sure yet. Things will change.”
“Change is natural. Not something to fear.”
Taking a deep breath, Lilya announced, “I chose a husband today.”
Kyrie took more time than usual to answer, but he was as calm as ever. “A person or a packet?”
“I wanted a person.”
He hummed. “I would, too.”
“I’m going to have Glint make the contract. It can be settled before our birthdays. Twelve is when it begins.” She was feeling rather smug about it. “I’ve outwitted them all.”
“All …?”
“Matchmakers, applicants, bidders, prospectives.” She scowled defiantly. “None of them can waste the heralds’ time.”
Kyrie caught on. “No one can propose to you because you proposed first. That is a fine strategy.”
“I thought so, too.”
“The process has always seemed arduous. How did you find someone so quickly?”
“Luck?”
Her brother trilled a pleased note. “Are you going to make me guess your choice, or will you tell me for yourself?”
“It’s my news,” she grumbled. “Don’t listen to tattling winds.”
“I am listening to you. Tell me who gained your favor.”
She didn’t think that was the right word. Not in the sense of having a favorite. Or maybe he meant favorable, which was a little like luck. “I chose Tenma-san.”
“Oh, him.” Kyrie didn’t hesitate to say, “I like him very much.”
Lilya was relieved to hear it. “Do you think it will work out?”
“Is that what you want?”
“Yes.”
Kyrie said, “If that is also what he wants, it will work out.”
“I’m not sure.” Lilya remembered the stunned expression on Tenma’s face and the haste with which he’d excused himself. “He looked like he might say no.”
Kyrie held Lilya’s hand until he was certain she was deeply asleep. Only then did he slip from the bed in search of his brother. Zisa appeared the moment Kyrie stepped outside and pointed the way. Ginkgo was inside the Kith shelter, lolling between Snow’s front paws as he told her stories about Stately House’s swimming club.
Ginkgo’s ears pricked. “What’s up, little bro?”
“I have been thinking.” Kyrie offered his hand to Snow before sitting in the straw. “I would like to be assessed as a reaver.”
Slinging an arm around his shoulders, Ginkgo said, “This is where I have to point out the obvious. We’re not reavers.”
“We are half.”
“Granted.” He pulled his tail around so it lay across both their laps. “So … you want someone outside our family—a neutral party—to assess your reaver half?”
“Yes.”
“To what end?”
Kyrie was used to having to delineate his points clearly and without any trace of a dragon’s sway. “I would like to be ranked. How else will I know if I am improving?”
“Sure, I’ll buy that.” Ginkgo nudged him. “What else?”
“I would like an opinion as to my classification.”
Ginkgo snorted. “It doesn’t take a specialist to figure out you’re a ward.”
“What if my affinity for sigilcraft is part of my Amaranthine heritage?” Kyrie quietly pointed out, “Lapis is also a crystal adept.”
“Lapis might speak for the dragon clans, but he’s hardly typical. Take Damsel, for instance. He’s useless with all but the most basic sigils. Remember how Timur took him out?” Ginkgo sketched a sigil in the air and sent it spinning toward the ceiling. “There’s as much diversity within each clan as there is within humanity.”
“I understand that an assessment would be largely speculative,” Kyrie said slowly. “But that does not mean it would have no value. Assessment could uncover hidden aptitudes, which in turn could direct my studies.”
Ginkgo searched his face, and his gaze softened. “Glint Starmark has the necessary experience to give an honest reckoning, but I cannot recommend you try him.”