Page 12 of Alder Woodacre and the Acorns of Affection (Amaranthine Interludes #3)

Two days later, as February was ending, Joe sat among Biddie’s roots, between Cirric and Reinier.

Each of them had a squirrel on their lap, and they were surrounded by the happy chirrs of the Kith.

Joe was pretty sure that Reinier was also purring.

Gilen, Inti, and Kyrie were somewhere in the circle of oaks, enjoying a complicated game of tag with Biddie.

Joe had been worried that so many newcomers would throw off his balance, but … even Anan’s presence was a comfort. Somehow.

But then Kurloo arrived in a rush, subtly keyed up.

Joe glanced off toward the house, but … things seemed fine.

“There’s a stranger at the gate,” announced the Nightspangle tribute.

Reinier perked up. “Is it Nonny?”

“No,” said Kyrie, who was suddenly with them, head cocked, listening.

Kurloo crouched so he was more at eye level with Joe. “He’s being very cautious, very formal. He won’t cross our perimeter without first gaining your permission. And … he apologizes for being so late. We were apparently ‘last on his agenda.’”

“I don’t understand.”

“Neither did I, so I pressed for more information. He says he’s an old family friend. That he knew your grandfather’s parents.”

“So he’s Amaranthine …?”

“A Dimityblest. Moth clan.” Kurloo gently said, “Before he left us, George did sometimes tell stories of Wardenclave.”

Kyrie placed a hand on Joe’s arm. “I do not think he is alone. And I do not think you have any reason to fear.”

“He isn’t alone,” Kurloo confirmed. “He comes under escort. Wardenclave protects its own.”

Kyrie asked, “May I accompany you?”

Joe got the distinct impression that the boy knew more about what was going on than he did, but … wasn’t that good? He nodded, and when they left the orchard, Joe had Kyrie by the hand and Anan at his back. It helped.

They didn’t get far down the driveway before he was also flanked by two wolves.

The Nightspangles were good people, and Joe found their protective streak reassuring.

Being shy, it was nice to have the option of fading from notice behind the broad back of a wolf, but …

he did really wish Kip was with him. His bondmate was equal to anything.

At the end of the driveway, a slim figure waited.

And just like Kurloo had said, he wasn’t alone.

“Starmarks,” murmured Kyrie, his expression happy. “Friends from Wardenclave.”

Joe didn’t think he should be worried. A decade may have passed, but he hadn’t forgotten that Harmonious Starmark had looked into the Reaverson family’s ties to Wardenclave.

Nor would he ever forget the conversation he’d overheard between Grandad and Tami.

About the reasons his family had vowed out, left Wardenclave, and moved here.

Harmonious had been satisfied that Grandad’s parents weren’t thieves.

Biddie’s variety of tree didn’t grow at Wardenclave, so she wasn’t the result of stolen fruit.

Grandad had told Tami that Biddie had come from someplace else.

That Joe’s great-grandfather had gone on a journey with an old family friend.

Someone who’d introduced him to an angel.

The waiting Amaranthine searched his face. “Are you Jiro Matthew Reaverson?”

“That’s me. Umm … welcome to Red Gate Farm.” He presented his palms.

“Welcome back , since this is not my first visit. But we need a better beginning. Let me speak the most important thing.” The hands that met his quivered slightly, but he spoke with a quiet confidence.

“My name is Linlu Dimityblest, and I have come to apologize. I am the one who sealed you and your sister.”