Fumiko and the finicky n.., p.5
Fumiko and the Finicky Nestmate, page 5
Colt chuckled. “Dragons like a bit of shine.”
“I’ve seen clocks like these before. It’s like a music box, right Fumiko?”
“Yes.” One of Soren’s precious souvenirs. “I think the craftsman was a dragon.”
“I think so, too.” Sinder tinkered with its innerworkings and soon had the clockworks spinning. Nudging the hands to the top of the hour, he grinned widely when the decorations on the clock face unfurled like flowers and danced in time to a chiming tune.
Fumiko had forgotten how charming it was. They’d made a game of guessing which of its many melodies would play.
Soren had considered it an object lesson. Proof that the passage of time could bring pleasant surprises. She’d believed it for as long as he was with her, but after his passing, she’d packed the clock away. It’s gentle music only reminded her that he was no longer there, humming along.
But the pain had been fresher then.
The memories were welcome, now.
The clock could be something she treasured, even as she’d been treasured.
“Fumiko?” It was Hallow this time, proffering a handkerchief. “Should we put it back where we found it?”
Drawing herself up and trying for a smile, she said, “I like reminders when they’re nice. Leave it out. Let it play. Maybe remembering one good choice will lead to another.”
SEVEN
Haphazard at Best
Akira excused himself from dinner early. The people who lived under Zuzu’s branches were a cheerful, chatty bunch. With the possible exception of Diva, who spent a lot of time dishing out quelling looks. But Akira was having trouble following the conversations. Probably jet lag setting in. And he’d barely started fixing up his room.
“I need to finish unpacking,” he murmured to Sinder.
The dragon leaned close. “Need help?”
“You’ve got work, yeah?”
“More than usual. But I’m guessing you have your own challenges?”
“Understatement.”
“Juuyu won’t be happy if either of us slacks off.” Sinder glanced furtively around the room. “Do your best. Holler if you need heavy lifting.”
With abundant thanks to all assembled, Akira padded stocking-footed up the stairs, mentally rolling up his sleeves. “What would Suuzu do?” he muttered under his breath.
And since he really needed to know, Akira stood back, snapped a picture, and texted it.
What would you do?
Where are you?
This is the room I’ll be sharing with Juuyu
The phone rang in his hand.
“Hey,” he said wearily.
“Is my brother there?”
“Nope. He’s at a meeting. I have two, maybe three hours to save his sanity.”
Suuzu warbled worriedly.
“I know, I know. Can’t really stop to explain.” Akira softly added, “But I’d welcome some advice. Like where to start.”
“Show me the room. I will endeavor to help.”
Akira sent snapshots, and Suuzu devised a plan of attack.
“I wish I was there.”
“No way,” retorted Akira. “This would stress you out.”
“I do wish it.” Suuzu’s tone went all stiff and stubborn.
“How long before you can get away?”
“There are many variables. Two weeks. Perhaps three. Argent is back, and he has no patience for quibbling.”
“He’s back? From where?”
“I could not say. We have done little more than exchange nods across chambers.”
“Maybe he’s giving you time to cool down,” teased Akira. “Since he approved this trip.”
Suuzu sighed. “I am not angry.”
“Yes, you are.”
“A little,” he conceded.
“I’m sorry.”
“You regret the trip?”
“Nooo.” Akira laughed weakly. “But I don’t like for you to worry.”
“You are safe and well, and you have been kind enough to remind me of this at regular intervals.” In conciliatory tones, Suuzu added, “The pictures are welcome.”
“I’ll keep sending them. Just like always.”
“Good. Now, will you tell me about your day?”
“Can I put you on speaker? We can talk while I start rearranging.”
Akira cleared the section of floor nearest the balcony doors, then dragged the mattress off the bed and arranged it in the center. Next, he used boxes—and other easily-stacked items—to make a wall. There was no way he could put everything away. So Suuzu had suggested hiding it. Finding blankets in the closet, Akira draped everything he could and stepped back to survey his handiwork.
Bare floor. Balcony. Bed.
If you didn’t look too closely, it might work. Akira snapped pictures and sent them along. “I think it’s gonna have to be good enough. For tonight.”
“It is much improved,” Suuzu said diplomatically.
“There isn’t room for him to take truest form.”
“Even so, Brother promised to watch over your sleep in my stead.”
“He’s as good as his word. You know that.”
“I seem to need reminding.” Melancholy was creeping back into Suuzu’s tone.
“Can do. So! Is there anything you can tell me about your day?”
“Very little of interest.” Suuzu’s tone shifted, and he added, “Isla seems unhappy.”
“She’s there?”
“In Hisoka’s place. She often speaks on his behalf, since she is his apprentice.”
“What’s got her down?”
“She has not confided in me.”
“Best guess?” Amaranthine were perceptive in many ways, and Suuzu knew Isla quite well.
“I believe she is frustrated by the current necessity. Isla speaks for Hisoka in order to ease his burden.”
Akira knew that much. “It must be a big help, having her fill in for him.”
“She is as capable as ever.”
“But …?”
“Perhaps I see it more because I sympathize with her plight. The person Isla most wants to see is always somewhere else.”
Night had fallen, and the shops along Mainsail were closed. However, people gathered at restaurants with big screen sportscasts or patios strung with lights. Juuyu noted salt-rimmed margaritas in a whole range of pastels. Buffalo wings and beer. Carne asada and fish tacos.
An ice cream shop had a line half a block long, and in passing, Juuyu inadvertently memorized all twenty-six flavors, as well as the posted specials at a tiny sushi shop that Sinder might like.
Once Juuyu realized he was collecting the names of every beach cottage, he shut his eyes. When working, it could be difficult to stop. And at a time like this, the last thing he needed was extraneous details.
Candor pulled up in front of Jacaranda Circle, which was hushed and seemingly empty. But Sinder stepped out of the shadows, ready to usher him past the barrier.
“Tuned crystals?”
“Only the finest! Here’s your temporary pass, since their ward turns in early.”
Pocketing a sigil-laced stone, Juuyu grimly relayed, “There has been a development. Where is Hallow set up?”
“Main room of the guesthouse. Which you need to ward, by the way.”
“Why?”
Sinder hunched his shoulders and mumbled, “You can ward against trees, right?”
Juuyu simply patted his partner’s back. He knew several ways to politely dissuade Zuzu from manifesting inside the guesthouse. “There have been signs of tampering at the museum.”
“That was quick.”
“I am sending Hallow over tonight.”
“And Colt?”
“No. He will take a daylight shift. With you.”
Inside the guesthouse, Juuyu peered suspiciously at a door with a handwritten sign taped to it. “Why is that room forbidden.”
“Just a storeroom.”
Sinder might have been more convincing if Juuyu wasn’t immune to a dragon’s sway.
His partner added, “You really don’t want to know.”
Sinder and Hallow gave reports while Juuyu systematically worked his way through the house, warding walls and windows. The task was familiar enough to be relaxing, especially with the steady roll of surf to soothe him.
He checked his pocket watch against the clock on the wall. “That timepiece is twenty seconds slow.”
Sinder sighed, but he synchronized them.
Only then did Juuyu register that it was nearly two in the morning. “I have been remiss. Akira will be asleep by now.”
“He waited up. Colt’s keeping him company,” reported Hallow.
“See you for sparring in the morning?” checked Sinder.
“Only if Akira rises early enough.” Juuyu would not be stinting in his responsibilities to a nestmate. “He will be travel weary.”
“You’re looking a little strained yourself.” Sinder narrowed his eyes. “How many wards did you have to set up at the museum?”
“Enough to assure that I can rest easy tonight.”
“I’ll be off.” Hallow touched Juuyu’s shoulder in passing. “Unless you want tending?”
Juuyu declined.
Sinder scowled.
“I will rest,” he assured.
The dragon’s expression softened. “Umm … do as Colt says, okay? It’s for your own good.”
Undoubtedly, Sinder had just said more than he was supposed to—as usual. The tip-off was well-meant but worrisome. Juuyu wondered if he was about to face Colt the healer … or Colt the swordsman.
EIGHT
Hood the Hawk
Juuyu found Akira and Colt sitting on the wide steps leading to the lighthouse’s front door.
Akira bounced to his feet to deliver his, “Welcome back.”
“I have returned,” Juuyu offered. “I apologize for the lateness of the hour.”
“It’s okay. Couldn’t sleep. Too tired. Kinda wired. Kinda worried.” He always laughed so easily, even at himself. “Pretty sure Colt has been dosing me.”
With a low nicker, Colt said, “Herbal tea. Nothing more.”
Juuyu plucked the most important element from Akira’s list. “What has you worried?”
“You.”
That startled him. “This job is not inherently dangerous.”
Akira bit his lip. “Do you trust me?”
“I do.”
“Okay, so … I did what I could tonight. And I’ll do more tomorrow. Maybe the next day, too, to be honest.” Ruffling his hair, Akira revealed, “I had a long talk with Suuzu tonight, and Colt agrees it’s best if you get into our room through the window.”
Juuyu shot a look at Colt, who radiated sympathy.
Nothing seemed to be amiss. Except the young man’s hair. Stroking it back into place and touching his cheek, Juuyu quietly asked, “Akira, what is wrong?”
Leaning into his touch, Akira closed his eyes. “Inside is a little … cluttered.”
Was that all?
But the young man’s shoulders hunched. “More like a lot cluttered.”
Colt lifted a strip of cloth and calmly said, “I prescribe a blindfold.”
“That bad?” Juuyu managed.
“Trust us.” Colt carefully covered Juuyu’s eyes, knotting the cloth.
“Meet you upstairs,” Akira hastily promised.
The front door shut, and Juuyu murmured, “Is this truly necessary?”
“Yes.”
Juuyu warbled a weary note. “You will have to guide me.”
“Oh, I’ll just carry you.” Colt scooped him up and soon chided, “Juuyu, your condition! Why are you so depleted?”
Leaning into the horse clansman’s sturdy presence, he admitted, “I have been warding for hours. The thief may already be here.”
“Then our trip is not wasted.”
Juuyu hummed. “Were there no other volunteers for this room?”
“You were voted least likely to fluster if a voluptuous tree turned up in your bed.” More seriously, Colt added, “I think the lady took a liking to Akira. And to you.”
They were rising slowly, probably to give Akira time to reach their destination first. Juuyu tipped his head back, listening to the faint rustle of leaves.
“Here we are,” said Colt. “There’s a small balcony.”
“I’m here.” Akira was tense, breathless. His hand found Juuyu’s before Colt released him.
“Get the boy to relax,” ordered Colt. “He needs it more than he realizes.”
And then it was just the two of them.
“Suuzu helped me tidy up.” Akira rattled on about the phone call longer than necessary.
Finally, Juuyu interrupted. “May I remove my blindfold?”
“Mmm … maybe not. I didn’t do that good of a job.”
“Then I shall need a valet.”
Juuyu listened closely as Akira unpacked the loose pants and short robe he used for night clothes and passed them along. For a while there was only the rustle of cloth. Akira seemed to be changing, too, though he paused to take each article of clothing from Juuyu.
“There should be a hanger.”
“I remember how you do it,” Akira promised. “Suuzu likes it the same way.”
Juuyu supposed there was little choice but to trust his valet.
“There isn’t room for you to take truest form.”
“Then you shall have to do without feathers.” Juuyu submitted to the sort of tucking in one might give a nestling, mostly amused. And more grateful than he liked to admit. As Colt had said, it was too soon for him to be needing sleep. “I will watch over your rest.”
“Thanks.” Akira wriggled close. “Guess I’m a tiny bit homesick, after all.”
“A nestmate is here.”
Soft as a sigh, Akira admitted, “I miss him.”
“Be sure to tell him.”
They’d skipped over the rituals Juuyu knew his younger brother observed—bathing and preening. Patting Akira’s head, he repeated, “A nestmate is here.”
“Tell me a story?”
He sounded half asleep already. Understandable, given their day and the hour. So instead of embarking upon a traditional tale, Juuyu chose something trivial. “There is an ice cream shop on the main road that appears to be popular.”
Slowly, deliberately, Juuyu recited the flavors, but before he could divulge all twenty-six, Akira was asleep. Lapsing into silence, he let his thoughts drift as he stroked the young man’s hair.
But then the mattress dipped. Leaves rustled closer, and the fragrance of flowers intensified. Lips brushed his cheek.
“Good evening, Zuzu.”
“Why are you blindfolded?”
“Akira thinks it will help me relax.” Juuyu suspected it was true, making him little better than a hooded hawk.
Zuzu softly asked, “What else?”
“Hmm?”
“Sister likes ice cream. You stopped before I could hear all the flavors.”
“I am certain the shop is within range. She could go and see for herself.”
She said, “Sister never goes.”
That hardly seemed necessary, but he knew nothing of this enclave’s history or traditions. So he asked, “Where did I leave off?”
“Pumpkin mousse.”
Calmly, Juuyu completed his recitation. “Lemon Mascarpone. Bubble Gummy Bear. Pretzel Sundae. Almond Amoretto. And Honey Thai, which is their flavor of the month.”
Zuzu petted his hair, twining her fingers through long curls. “Your healer said you are depleted.”
“I am.”
“You need tending.”
Juuyu said, “Do not trouble yourself,” but she was already gone.
Moments later, the rustle and scuff of slippers came from the opposite direction of the window, as well as the low murmur of sisters in conference.
“Softly, Sister. Do not wake the boy.”
This time, when the mattress dipped, Fumiko spoke. “You promised us a song.”
“I apologize. Perhaps another night?”
She hesitated, then whispered, “You look different.”
“Hmm?”
Fingers tugged at the loose knot, and his blindfold fell away, revealing his hostesses awash in candlelight. Fumiko had a hand pressed to her heart, and her eyes were wide.
Ah. His disguise was gone.
Offering a palm, he greeted her with as much formality as his position allowed. “Juuyu Farroost, phoenix clan.”
Fumiko bypassed his hand in order to touch his cheek.
Instinct stirred like appetite. Only natural, given the nearness of so much power when he was at low ebb.
“I’ll tend you now.”
With practiced restraint, he confined himself to courtesy. “I would be grateful.”
But she threw him off by sliding into the bed.
Zuzu whispered, “Is he not beautiful?”
“Very.” Fumiko crowded against Juuyu’s side, mirroring Akira’s position. “They never ask me, you know. So I’m probably not very good.”
Juuyu’s instincts cried a warning. “You are untrained?”
“Probably.”
“I know what to do,” said Zuzu. “We’ll tend you together.”
Before he could protest, the first ripple of power lapped against his soul.
NINE
Shoring Up
Juuyu had never been tended by a tree-kin before.
His colony was intentionally isolated, and his clan’s lives intertwined in intimate ways with those of the trees in their grove. The vast majority of their tree-kin were phoenixes. Only a few of the newest trees—part of a fairly recent scattering—were twinned to humans, and Juuyu hadn’t mingled with them. At that time, he’d been preoccupied with his training and with raising Suuzu.
