Mikoto didn’t recognize the name, but Kyrie flushed with pleasure. “He is my friend.”
Ginkgo hesitated and turned to Transcendence, who’d been listening closely to every word. “What do you think? I’d feel better with one of your people on hand. Just in case.”
The white dog nosed his shirt, nipped his ear, and huffed.
A sharp rap sounded on the door. With a murmured apology, one of the guards let himself inside. Mikoto was a little surprised to see Glint and Radiance’s youngest son.
“Da?” Kyrie blurted, only to dissemble. “You look like Ever’s da.”
“Well met! My name is Reveille Starmark. You must be Ever’s good friend Kyrie.”
The boy quickly presented his palms.
Ginkgo waved a casual greeting. “The resemblance is uncanny.”
“You’re not the first to mention it.” Reveille met Kyrie’s palms and smiled faintly. “May I consider your mistake a compliment?”
Kyrie blushed to the tips of ears. “Please, do! I love Ever’s da almost as much as my own.”
“Then trust should come easy and linger long.” He took a conspiratorial tone. “I was whelped after my eldest brother left Wardenclave, so I don’t really know him. I’m a little jealous.”
“Come and visit?” the boy suggested.
“Maybe someday. But let us concern ourselves with this day.” With a jaunty flick of fingers toward Transcendence, he said, “Since my aunt cannot run with you herself, I will share your path.”
FORTY-SIX
Practically Family
Lilya woke to Gregor’s finger in her nose. His delight when she opened her eyes was contagious, and she was still smiling when she lugged her freshly dressed nephew into the kitchen.
“Good morning,” murmured Waaseyaa, who was setting breakfast on the table. He had Rifflet tangled in his hair and Noble bouncing around his ankles, trying to reach the little dragon. Yet the man seemed pleased to have their company.
Ginkgo strolled through the door and laughed. “Which one of you wants my help most?”
“’Ko!” called Gregor, reaching eagerly.
So Ginkgo swooped in to pluck up Gregor, freeing Lilya to rescue Waaseyaa from Rifflet’s antics.
Not until they sat to eat did Lilya ask, “Where’s Kyrie?”
“With Sinder. I’ve already made his excuses to the morning instructors.” Ginkgo casually added, “You can stay back, too. If you want.”
Lilya smiled. It was good timing. “May I visit Glint?”
“Something important come up?” Ginkgo asked, inviting her to say more.
“Yes.”
He waggled his ears at her and said, “Best take care of it, then.”
Lilya wondered how much Ginkgo already knew. For once, she hoped it was everything, because that meant he had no complaints. Stuffing the last of her breakfast into her mouth, she stepped into her boots and hurried away.
The morning was overcast, with more wind than usual. The ordinary weather-making kind, not Kyrie’s secret-telling kind. Maybe it was going to rain? With half an eye on the sky, she jogged up the long stairway to the Starmark’s back door and let herself in. Only to stare in astonishment at the sight before her.
Lyre, Lute, and Lore weren’t alone. From under the tumble of pillows and puppies, white fur showed. A furred foot that was more like a paw. A clawed hand covered in fur. Shaggy white hair falling across a face that was almost familiar.
He had to be a crosser. Yes, there was his tail. She barely ever saw adult crossers besides Ginkgo. One or two on television. This one was completely relaxed, despite her intrusion. He had to know she was there. Was he trying not to wake the pups?
“Hello?” she said softly.
His tail gave a twitch and a thump, and one eye opened. “How polite. If you prefer, we can pretend you didn’t see me.”
Lilya knelt and reached out to tug Lore’s ear. “Why?”
As the puppies roused and wriggled excitedly, the crosser rolled onto his side, propping his head on his fist. He had wolf’s ears, which were taller and narrower than Ginkgo’s fox ears, and his eyes were copper. She’d never heard of another Starmark crosser.
He said, “I make people nervous.”
“Not me.” Lilya hauled Lyre into her lap and giggled at the face-washing that earned her. “Crossers are almost my whole family. May I know your name?”
“Rude of me. Most people run before we get to a proper greeting.” He offered his hands, which had smooth, callused skin on the palms but thick fur on their backs, his wrists, and all the way up his arms, disappearing under the sleeves of a loose T-shirt with HUSH-HUSH printed across the chest. “My name is Moon-kin Ambervelte. I’m here to visit my sisters, more or less.”
“Ambervelte is a wolf pack.”
“And I’m a wolf. My pack has close ties to Wardenclave. I’m Radiance’s big brother.”
Suddenly, Lilya realized why he’d looked familiar. “You look like Uncle Laud!”
“Understandable, since Laud is my nephew. One of Radiance’s boys. Which means you must be Ever’s friend. The beacon.” He hesitated, nose twitching, ears cocking. “Only I can’t tell. Why can’t I tell?”
“Wards and things.” Lilya proudly pointed out, “Papka and Uncle Argent are the best.”
He reached out, then pulled back his hand.
She made it easier on him by crawling closer. “Do you want to sniffen me?”
Moon grinned sheepishly. “You don’t mind?”
“No. I’m used to it. Stately House has close ties to the Elderbough pack, and wolves spend a lot of time sorting out scents.” She wasn’t little anymore, but wolves were big and strong. Plenty of lap space. “Kyrie and I usually end up sitting on Roo-nii’s lap. He’s Naroo-soh.”
Without a fuss, he gathered her close. “Friends call me Moon. Why are these pups referring to you as Angel?”
So she told him about Radiance’s prank.
And he told her other stories of mischief from Radiance’s childhood. “My father entrusted her to me even though I was little more than a pup myself.”
Lilya caught on. “You’re like Quen for Ever.”
“And Laud for Quen.” Moon’s tail swayed contentedly. “I am both Radiance’s brother and foster parent. And long, long ago, I was Glint’s first friend.”
She recalled her errand then. “I came to talk to Glint.”
“He’s meeting with someone. The first of many dignitaries who’ll be arriving for the Dichotomy Day ceremonies. I was able to escort him part of the way.” Moon asked, “Want me to summon him?”
Before Lilya could protest, Moon whistled a piercing note.
An instant later, Glint hastened into the room, concern fading into a warm smile. “Angel,” he said, sounding relieved. He sank to his knee. “You came back?”
Did he think she wouldn’t?
She was still trying to figure out how to reassure him when Glint’s guest strolled into view … and struck a thoughtful pose. Lilya guessed they did look a little strange. With Moon for her throne and Glint on one knee before them, like she was some kind of queen.