by Forthright
“Mum is partnered. We’ve had two litters. Cubs. The feline kind.” Lilya tugged silky ears and addressed the little ones, “But I like dogs just as much. Even better. What are your names, you rascally pups? What should I call you?”
Radiance laughed and handled the introductions. “These three are from Myth’s latest litter, and they’re here because Glint dotes. I’m holding Lyre, who is the only female. Her brothers are easy to tell apart. Lute is the blue-eyed one, and Lore’s eyes are silver.”
Lilya greeted them with her best manners.
With a widening smile, Radiance said, “Join me in a game, Lilya of Stately House?”
“I have all day.” Lilya was glad to have found such a warm welcome.
“I want to play a little trick on my bondmate, and you must cooperate.” Radiance leaned forward. “Let’s see how long it takes Glint to realize who you are.”
“I won’t lie to a dog. I couldn’t. And I wouldn’t want to.” Lilya softly added, “Then he wouldn’t trust me.”
“Not a lie,” Radiance quickly assured. “Misdirection. He’s easily distracted, especially when there are pups underfoot and pedigrees to puzzle together.”
Having grown up with foxes, Lilya understood the appeal of such games. Ginkgo delighted in riddles and secret meanings and hiding things in plain sight. She found herself nodding, “What should I do?”
“We’ll fudge the introduction, and you mustn’t mention how you know Ever.” Radiance waggled her eyebrows. “You wanted to meet Ever’s grandsire, didn’t you?”
That was true. She was curious if Glint Starmark was as nice as Ever’s Da.
“You will not lie, and I will not lie. And I think in the end, when all is known, it’ll make for a pleasant surprise.” She flicked her fingers toward the ceiling. “Or so the stars do sing and say.”
Lilya looked up. The entire ceiling had been decorated with a pattern of stars, both in silver and copper. She wanted to ask what Radiance meant about talking stars, but the lady eagerly went on.
“First, we’ll lay a false trail!”
Which amounted to Radiance taking her into Denholm, the hidden city that most of the world didn’t know anything about. They spent the entire morning exploring its spires and bridges and gardens and shops. Radiance bought a parcel of pastries for Glint. “His favorite, and he’s ravenous for days after a long sleep.”
She also insisted that Lilya choose new clothes.
“Scents,” Radiance explained. “We’ll give up the game before it’s begun if you go in smelling like the nice boys who keep you close.”
So their last stop was a bathhouse. The attendants were from various songbird clans, and they couldn’t have been kinder or more flattering. By the time they were through with Lilya, her hair was wound into dozens of tight braids. It was just the sort of thing favored by wolves and battlers, and Lilya couldn’t wait to send a picture to Mum.
“Thank you,” she said, for what seemed like the hundredth time.
Radiance caught her hand and laced their fingers together. “If you want to repay me, spare the odd hour for Snow. She may have grumbled, but she’s too often alone.”
Which led to a quick side jaunt into another shop, where the lady purchased a bag filled with savory pastries. “Snow’s favorite,” she confided. “I’ll smuggle them in later. While you and Glint are away.”
“Me and him?” Lilya hadn’t heard that part of the plan.
Radiance winked. “Just follow my lead.”
They returned to the Starmark home, which was very nearly a mansion, and Lilya could see that this was the trail Glint was meant to pick up. If he knew she’d entered through the front door, he might not notice that she’d first arrived through the back.
“Wander as you wish, then return to Myth’s pups,” said Radiance. “Glint is awake and will return soon. I need to work quickly to get the rest ready.”
Lilya poked her nose into a few of the rooms.
They were large and mostly empty, just like the many halls and pavilions of the Starmark compound in Keishi.
Lyre, Lute, and Lore were ecstatic to find her returned. Lilya may not have been a very good tracker, but she knew enough to lead the pups into a game of follow-the-leader that crisscrossed her old trail. And hopefully disguised the fact that she’d begun her visit here.
“Shh!” she warned the cubs. “Do as Radiance says.”
Mere minutes later, an Amaranthine strode into the room. His step checked at the sight of her, and his confusion was obvious. But then he showed his palms. “Peace, girl-child. You have an interest in Kith?”
“I like them, yes.” She felt as tongue-tied as he looked. “Yours are very nice, sir.”
Hands still framing his peaceful intentions, Glint walked closer. He was tall and broad in the same way as Ever’s Da, and his hair was the same kind of auburn—thick and wavy. But Glint’s skin was a rich brown, his eyes were silver, and his manner was overly serious.
All three pups tumbled over each other in their eagerness to reach Glint, who lowered himself to the floor and gave them the attention they craved.
Lilya didn’t know what to do, let alone what to say.
Then Radiance whisked into the room and beckoned to her. “Fear not, my angel. He is not so gruff or so growly once you know him. And know him, you shall!”
Glint turned to his bondmate. “Growly?” He sounded hurt. “Are you afraid of me, little angel?”
Lilya had often wondered if she’d ever earn a pack nickname. Was this hers?
“Come, angel. You may trust my mate. He knows this territory better than any.” Lifting a cloth-wrapped bundle, she added, “I even prepared a picnic.”
“Radiance?” Glint spared Lilya a glance, then demanded, “What new scheme is this?”
TWENTY-SEVEN
Woodland Wander
At first, Lilya thought Radiance’s plans were spoiled, but Lady Starmark must have liked to play these pranks a lot. She seemed the sort. A little like Uncle Argent’s mother—mischief and teasing and tricks and fun. Glint knew she was up to something, but his stance indicated his willingness to go along with it.
Radiance wasn’t at all flustered by her bondmate’s remark. “I’ve taken a liking to this girl, and you will, too,” she announced. “Be a dear and take Angel for a walk. Show her around. Give her reasons to feel at home with us. Myth’s cubs are due for a romp. Bring them along.”
Glint dipped his head and looked to Lilya. “Would you like that?”
“Is it really all right?”
He didn’t quite smile, but his gaze was kind. “If you can match my pace, we can share a path.”
That was worrisome. Lilya knew just how fast Amaranthine could move. “Will I need to run?”
“You will need to walk,” he rejoined, taking the bundled lunch from Radiance.
Lyre, Lute, and Lore frisked around Glint as he aimed for the front door. With a quick wave to Radiance, who blew her a kiss, Lilya hurried after him.
They only followed the road for a little while before Glint veered off onto a much narrower trail that wended its way into the woods. There was just enough room for her to walk beside him, but Lilya let her steps lag. He was paying more attention to the pups than her, and she didn’t want to interrupt. Plus, well … she couldn’t think of anything to say.
Glint paused. “Am I walking too quickly?”
“No, sir.”
He held out his hand. “Not sir. Just Glint. Come, little angel. We can make this journey together.”
Lilya slipped her hand into his and felt safe. Dogs were nice that way.
“Are you new to Denholm?” asked Glint.
“Today was my first day.”
Only after she answered did it occur to her that he might think she meant she’d moved into the city. Wouldn’t it be more natural to assume she was a camper? Oh. Not necessarily. Papka and Uncle Argent had done something new that was supposed to hide the truth of her ranking from all Amaranthine. Ev
er hadn’t liked it.
Now, his grandsire didn’t know anything and couldn’t sense Lilya’s soul. Did he think she was an ordinary human girl? That idea was … nice.
She relaxed enough to look around.
Right away, she began to notice things that would interest the others. Flowers for Kyrie. Animal tracks for Ginkgo. Wardstones for Papka. Trail blazes for Timur. Berries for Mum. Lilya stopped to study the shrub, wanting to memorize the shape of its leaves. It was different than anything in Ginkgo’s garden
What have you found?
“I don’t know.” Lilya touched the leaf’s serrated edge. “Mum is a healer. She taught me about plants, but I don’t know this one.”
He snapped a twig and offered it to her. “Bring it to her. These woods will not miss a few sprigs or berries, and she will be glad to know you were thinking of her.”
Which was true. And Ginkgo would certainly let her take pictures to send to Mum. “Thank you.”
Glint hummed and ambled along. Slow enough to give her time to explore some more.
It was strange. Lilya knew exactly what interested every other member of her family, yet she had no idea about herself. Except that she wasn’t really interested in flowers, tracking, wards, trailblazes, or healing herbs. She worried about it a lot. Was it all right to be eleven-and-a-half and not want anything?
Aunt Tsumiko said that not wanting for anything meant she already had everything she needed. A great blessing.
Mum was similarly unworried. Her big, strong hands had been as gentle as her tone when she cupped Lilya’s face and promised, “Wanting will come, and when it does, you will know. And once you know what you want, you will seize it for yourself. This is good, yes?”
Lilya had dared to ask Mum what she’d wanted most.
Chin lifting proudly, she’d answered, “Your papka.”
She’d thought Aunt Tsumiko would say Uncle Argent was the thing she’d wanted most, but her answer was different. In a nice-ish way. “I wanted Kyrie. More than anything. And he became the beginning of everything.”
Lilya picked up a chunk of fallen bark and turned it over in her hands, admiring the pattern of lichen and the wiggling trails on its underside left by burrowing insects. And because she didn’t think he’d mind, she asked, “What did you want to be when you grew up?”
Glint stopped walking. He gazed for a while at the pups, who were nosing around nearby, probably chasing rabbit trails. Finally, he said, “I wanted to be a good brother.”
“I didn’t know you were a brother.”
“I rarely see the brother I loved before all else. But in the long-ago time of my boyhood, I could not imagine ever leaving his side.” He smiled crookedly. “Surprising things happen in this life.”
Lilya found herself nodding. “I like surprises.”
“Then you are braver than I ever was. May you be twice as happy for it.”
“You’re happy, even without your brother?”
“Happiness is one of the best surprises life holds in store.” With a confidential air, he said, “I find it in the strangest places.”
Since he seemed to want her to ask, she did. “Like where?”
“Here,” he said, tugging Lore’s silken ear. “And here,” he said, tapping her nose.
The compliment made Lilya happy. Maybe this was what Aunt Tsumiko meant when she talked about a double blessing.
“You are good company, little angel.”
“You, too.” And recalling the parcel Radiance packed along, Lilya asked, “Where is the best spot for a picnic?”
Glint hummed. “The best, you say?”
“Yes. Someplace you love to go.”
He smiled, then pressed a finger to his lips. “Can you keep a secret?”
“I can.”
Beckoning for her to follow, he strolled on. But every time he looked back, it was with that lurking, quirking smile. Like a promise of good things. Like a surprise in the making.
Lilya had expected Glint Starmark to be more … important-ish. Which was silly, really. Because Papka was ordinary and Lapis was silly and Hisoka-sensei was nice. Even though most people expected them to be extra important-ish.
“What do you like best to do?” she asked.
Glint frowned in a thoughtful way. “I like … possibilities, I suppose. I like helping things along. I want the things I love to continue.”
Lilya didn’t understand and said as much.
With a soft huff, Glint gruffly said, “I suppose you could say I like children.”
“That’s a good best.” Lilya was thinking of all the crossers back home. “I like children, too.”
She picked more leaves and a few of the tiny flowers. Enough that it was getting hard to hold everything. Glint noticed and took a book from his pocket.
“Press the leaves in here, between the pages,” he offered. “That will keep them safe.”
So before moving on, he helped her insert leaves and flower petals between the pages of a journal. She couldn’t help but notice the penciled lines that filled every page. Along with the names of people and places.
He said, “These are some of those possibilities. People sometimes ask me to help them decide on a path for their future.”
“I know about family trees.”
“These are the pedigrees of some of the most promising young reavers who are visiting this summer.” Glint traced one line and then another. “I introduced this girl’s parents. And I knew her maternal grandparents, as well. A bright and beautiful line. May it continue to shine.”
It sound like a prayer. Or possibly a blessing.
She knew about these kinds of contracts. She even knew that Glint was famous for them. And that Mum hated them. Did that mean Mum wouldn’t like Glint? That would be a shame. Ever’s grandsire was kind, even to someone he’d mistaken for an ordinary girl.
Glint carefully closed his book and slipped it into his pocket. “Almost there.” Whistling for Lyre, Lute, and Lore, he took a turning and climbed a slope.
Using saplings as handholds, she scrambled after him.
All of the sudden, the ground leveled, leaving Lilya on a wide grassy ledge that backed up to a tall stone wall that glittered in the sunlight. Dozens—no, surely it was hundreds—of crystals were set into its surface. Their sweet harmonies pulled at her heart, making it beat a little faster, and the air smelled like flowers.
Kyrie would have loved it.
Glint sat with his back to the wall and stretched out his legs. “Will this do for a picnic, little angel?” he asked.
“Where are we?” She wanted to show this place to Kyrie if she could.
“A favorite spot. I like to come here.”
“Is it a secret?”
“Rather a big one.” Glint didn’t seem worried though. “Are you hungry?”
They shared out the food, which included the pastries Radiance claimed were her bondmate’s favorite. She’d even included an entire tray of special meatballs, which Glint allowed her to feed to the pups.
After every last crumb was gone, Lilya began to explore. First the wall, then the plants edging their little haven.
“Do not go far, and do not approach the gate.” Glint offered a solemn wink. “Otherwise, I will be in trouble with my daughters.”
So while he lazed in the sun with the pups, she tried to guess where she was. And how to get back. Kyrie had been smelling strange flowers, and this was probably the source. Knowing there were crystals involved as well, Kyrie would be able to track down this place even faster. Potent stones liked him nearly as much as the winds.
Just then, she caught the flash of something moving—quick and light—amidst the shady greenery. Ephemera? They were certainly Uncle Argent’s favorite thing. Wouldn’t it be wonderful to be able to report to him about a new variety that was native to this far-off place?
Lilya moved carefully and listened close. She was actually pretty good at stalking these little creatures, though Papka had gently pointed ou
t that she also attracted them. Ephemera were part of the Amaranthine world, rarely seen by unendowed humans. Mum considered them pests, since they flitted about, fitting through every crack and crevice, nosing their way into food bins. Papka warded Stately House’s grounds against wild ones, but Lilya liked them. They were small, harmless, and cute.
She softly clicked her tongue as she pushed aside leaves. Adding a coaxing song she and Kyrie had invented. Baby nonsense. And it attracted something, all right.
“Is that Japanese?” Glint was crouched right behind her.
Hushing him with a finger, she whispered, “Something’s here.”
His nostrils flared, and he nodded. “We do get some interesting creatures in these woods, but they mostly avoid humans.”
“I know about Ephemera,” she grumbled, lifting aside another clump of foliage.
Glint asked, “Is one of your parents a reaver, then?”
“Both.” She felt a little foxy, not telling the whole truth. “I know it’s hard to tell. Sorry about that.”
With a perplexed expression, he looked between her and the bushes. “Not sure what to make of either of you.”
Before another word could be spoken, something streaked into the open and wrapped itself around Lilya’s neck. She started, but held very still, trusting Glint to deal with the threat if there was one. As she waited and watched him, Glint’s eyes slowly widened, then went all misty.
“Child,” he said softly. “Where do you find your courage?”
She reached up to tap his nose. “Here.” And because she couldn’t see what was tucked snug around her neck, she asked, “What did we find?”
“Something … new?” Glint’s nostrils flared. “An unfamiliar scent. But I suppose it must be an Ephemera.”
Lilya’s fingers found silken scales. But also fur. “Who are you, please?” she murmured.
“Yes. We need a better look at you.”
So saying, Glint gently worked a finger under the critter. When it tightened its hold, he lapsed into crooning, but Lilya didn’t know much Old Amaranthine. Mostly just the lullaby that Uncle Argent used to sing. And a couple of endearments.
