Sense

 

Dismissed early for the purpose, the entirety of Class 3-C escaped to the rooftop since Hanoo had declared that anyone who was continually—probably instinctually—seeking the highest point in any room would probably love the view.

Quen gently disentangled Inti from Tenma, perching the crosser on his own shoulders. Pointing across the treetops, he said, “That’s Starmark land. I’ll let our Kith know about you. If you need a place to run or climb, you’re welcome. And if you need me, anyone you find inside—Kith or Kindred—will show you the way.”

Inti locked his ankles together and wrapped his arms around Quen’s forehead. Covered by the general chatter of their classmates, he simply said, “Good doggie.”

“My brother’s a crosser.” Quen tipped his head, trying to see Inti’s expression. “He’ll love you on principle. He has an understandable fascination with anyone sporting a tail.”

“Half?”

“Yes, Ever and I share a father—Harmonious Starmark.” This was strange. Not many people hadn’t heard of their clan, but Inti didn’t seem to recognize Dad’s name. “He’s one of the Five.”

“Ever is five?”

“Ever’s three.” Quen decided to let it go. It wasn’t as if he was trying to trade on his father’s fame to impress his classmate. “And next time Tenma stays over with us, you’ll come, too.”

“Show me.”

Quen pointed to the spot where rooftops peeked above the forest. “My pavilion is near the Kith shelter. If your sense of smell is good, you can probably find it on your own.”

“Good, good, good doggie.”

Akira ambled over, a thoughtful expression on his face. “Hey, Quen. Say, Inti, can I ask you a potentially awkward question?”

The crosser flowed from Quen’s shoulder and stood facing Akira. “Say it.”

“How come you’re here instead of Stately House?”

After a lengthy pause, Inti replied, “Reasons.”

Interesting. The boy who claimed not to know about the Five had heard of Stately House?

But Akira accepted Inti’s answer with a nod. “Good ones?”

Inti shrugged.

“Wanna visit sometime?” Akira described his sister’s home with sweeping hand gestures, backing slowly toward the rest of the group and beckoning for Inti to follow. He did, taking Tenma with him, for his tail was still coiled firmly around his wrist.

Tenma offered a parting wave. “I’ll make sure he gets safely to the dorms.”

Quen signaled his gratitude, and then Suuzu was there, almost as if Akira had created the opening. Which he must have. With a wry smile, Quen offered a silent greeting.

Suuzu met his palms. “I will guide Kimiko to the Kith shelter at the appointed hour and remain close, but not too close. Your privacy is assured.”

“Thank you.”

“Afterward, Akira and I will escort Kimiko and Isla home.”

“Isla?” She hadn’t mentioned anything of the sort. Then again, Inti had rather monopolized their day.

“Isla is moving in with the Miyabe family,” supplied Suuzu. “Hisoka Twineshaft arranged things so that his apprentice will be safe. He is your go-between.”

“So I’m told.” Quen stared at his feet for several moments. “I see the sense.”

Suuzu touched his sleeve. “Those who are set apart see clearly.”

His gaze jumped to Suuzu’s. “You’re a tribute?”

“The second of my clan. Peace, kindred.” He slipped his hand under Quen’s, then cautiously tangled their fingers together. “Those who do not choose for themselves understand the joy of being chosen.”

“Yes. Perhaps that’s what plagues me now. I haven’t given Kimiko much of a choice.”

Suuzu shook his head. “Stranger alliances have formed and flourish.”

“Well, kindred?” He gave Suuzu’s hand a gentle squeeze. “Whose part are you taking in this uncommon courtship?”

The hint of a smile appeared. “When it comes to nestmates, the happiness of one is the satisfaction of the other. I cannot show favor without pleasing both.”

“Thank you,” he whispered.

Suuzu took a step closer, so they were toe to toe. “In the custom of my clan, it would be understood that I will carry twigs to the tree of your choosing, giving you time to sing.”

“Meaning …?”

“Leave any practical arrangements to your go-betweens. Focus on beguiling your future mate.”

Eloquence snorted. “I cannot pursue her. Dad was clear on that.”

The phoenix surprised him by snorting right back. “Even trees have flowers.”

At a loss, Quen repeated, “Meaning …?”

Suuzu’s expression softened. “Kimiko needs you to lead the chase.”
 

Eloquence arrived in the Kith shelter well before Kimiko. When his fidgeting turned to fretting, Flay took pity, in her own way. Quen was well-occupied with combing her luxuriant fur when his suitor finally ducked into the alcove.

“Sorry.” She was breathless from running. “Made you wait.”

“I don’t mind waiting.”

Ha! Flay’s amusement carried clearly. You pace and pine. If the moon was high, you’d be howling.

Ignoring her aside, Quen steered Kimiko into the back corner and returned to combing. “Catch your breath while I finish.”

Kimiko offered her hand to Edge, who scooted close enough that she could reach his ears. His tail was soon wagging.

As her pulse slowed, the whole atmosphere settled into calm. Quen supposed he should hold his peace until Kimiko was ready to speak, but Flay had other ideas.

Go to her. Flay’s cloudy eye rolled toward Kimiko. She is waiting.

Rile her up and run for it. Edge’s fond gaze was fixed on Flay. Let her catch you.

Before the suggestions could grow any more graphic, Quen slipped to Kimiko’s side. “Warm enough?” he asked.

She hummed an affirmative while shaking her head. Her mind was elsewhere, and why shouldn’t it wander off? He’d been inattentive. Taking her hand, he closed her fingers around the brush handle. “They’ve decided it’s my turn.”

Kimiko looked between him and the wide brush, matted with reddish fur. “You want me to brush you?”

Quen’s skin prickled. “I’d let you.”

She seemed unsure if he was teasing. “In your truest form, or this one?”

He hoped she couldn’t tell that his heart was crashing around in his chest. “Either. Both.”

“If combs are traditional courting gifts, would using one on you be considered courting behavior?”

“Definitely.”

Her fingers touched his cheek. “You’re blushing.”

“Edge and Flay would have us rushing into all sorts of intimacies.” He cleared his throat. “You wanted to talk?”

Kimiko nodded. “Things are getting confusing.”

“Tell me.” He made a coaxing motion, and to his delight, she nudged closer. Tugging and tucking, he didn’t stop until he’d rid her of her bulky coat, which he draped around her shoulders once he’d pressed her head to his.

“This is really happening,” she murmured.

“Not at all.” At her baffled expression, he clarified. “Courtship is too intentional to be mistaken for happenstance. Nothing can happen without our consent.”

Kimiko gaze softened. “That makes this a little less scary.”

Quen’s heart lurched. “You’re scared?”

She slowly nodded. “Whenever I’m alone, I think about how many people I’m inconveniencing. And then I remember how much I don’t know, and I’m sure that I’ll embarrass you or hurt you or offend you or disappoint you.”

He couldn’t help smiling. “So you do care.”

“I’m sorry for what I said last time.” Kimiko pressed her lips to the underside of his jaw in a very proper apology. “I care, but not in the way I think I should care.”

“Then we must be patient with each other.” He kissed her forehead. “What has begun in haste can be completed at leisure.”

“My parents will know by now.” She curled against him. “I haven’t dared turn on my phone.”

“If Hisoka Twineshaft makes a pronouncement, the whole world finds it wise.” He petted her hair. “And you will not face them alone. Trust Suuzu, Isla, and Akira.”

“That’s true.” She wrapped the end of his braid around her finger. “What’s next, then?”

“Next week, you’ll make a formal declaration in front of both our families. They will approve of our betrothal once you let us know the shape it will take.”

Kimiko stilled. “I don’t know what that means.”

“Am I not your guide in such things?” When she relaxed against him again, he explained, “Every clan has its own traditions where courtship is concerned. Some are showy, others secretive. Most are carried out over the course of months, even years, usually with some combination of gifts and vows. For instance, wolves must be courted according to the phases of the moon. Two of my brothers courted wolves, so they honored the traditions of their bondmates’ packs.”

“Will I be expected to court you like a dog?”

“I don’t think that’s possible. Since the majority of our traditions involve our truest form, too much would be lost in translation.”

“Maybe I could adapt traditions from other clans? The ones that make sense for Amaranthine in speaking form.”

He nuzzled her hair. “A solid strategy. And as a bonus, you’ll drive Dad wild with curiosity over what you’ll do next.”

“Is that good?”

“Catching interest is the first step to keeping it.”

Kimiko was quiet for a long time, lost in her own thoughts, but he hardly minded since he could hold her. Eventually, she stirred. “I’m not even sure where to start.”

“I suggest confiding in Isla. She is a voracious researcher.”

“I will. Thanks.” She pulled away, clearly ready to leave. But she paused to ask, “What kinds of things count as courting behavior for dogs? Basic, pre-brushing stuff. For beginners like us.”

To Eloquence’s embarrassment, both Edge’s and Flay’s heads came up, and their tails beat the straw so fast, they raised dust.

Kimiko laughed softly. “I take it they’re full of suggestions.”

“Quite a few. Although most only make sense for those with four paws and a tail.”

“Like what?”

“They’re not anything humans would consider romantic.” But since she seemed genuinely interested, he chose a few of the tamest pursuits. “Edge wants you to hunt for me, then feed me your prey morsel by morsel. Flay suggests the weaving of fur into a vest so that I will always have your scent upon my skin. And … they both agree that the affectionate fondling of ears is the beginning of true love.”

“Really?” Kimiko’s eyes were sparkling, and her hands were reaching. “You do have pretty ears.”

Quen was aware of the human fascination with Amaranthine ears. But it hadn’t occurred to him that Kimiko might want to touch his.

Her fingers trailed along the upper edge to the tip, then the lower sweep to his earlobe. And again, slower, firmer. Pausing on her third circuit to knead the point.

He tilted his head to encourage her exploration. “You like my ears?” he asked huskily.

“Yes.” She dropped a light kiss upon the tingling tip. “You like them touched?”

“Yes, Kimiko.” Quen conceded to Edge and Flay that this was an entirely satisfying way for true love to begin. “Yes, I certainly do.”