Page 15 of Alder Woodacre and the Acorns of Affection (Amaranthine Interludes #3)
Before Joe could follow Kyrie down the ladder, Kip grabbed him by the shoulders. “Jiro, we’ll talk later, okay? Once things settle down. Can you be patient with me?”
That sort of went without saying. “All my years are yours.”
“Hopefully, I won’t make you wait that long.” Scratching at his hair, then tugging at his ponytail, Kip lowered his voice. “Hey, how long have I been asleep?”
“Ten days.”
“Wow. I am going to need obscene amounts of food. Next, if not sooner.”
“You’ll be fine. Dad and Mom have been cooking for a crowd. Umm … try to leave some for our guests?”
“I’ll confine myself to polite levels of intake … if we can go to Swifty’s after.”
Joe nodded. And wondered if that would count as stealing off together.
Once Kip dropped his barriers, it was possible to hear voices outside. A lot of people had gathered in front of the barn. Joe spotted Argent speaking to Linlu Dimityblest, who’d adopted an apologetic posture. And Boniface was hearing out someone new. He had to be Nonny.
Nobody had mentioned that Nonny was also a crosser. Intrigued by his hooves, Joe drifted closer.
“He definitely did it on purpose. I think it’s because I refused Jacques’ aviator goggles. I mean, they wouldn’t have worked, would they? I have horns!”
“Foxes toy with their favorites,” murmured Reinier, who stole the tie from a rumpled ponytail and began combing his fingers through long blond hair.
Boniface snapped a picture.
“Oi, what was that for?” protested Nonny.
“For Jackie, of course.”
“But I’m a mess!”
“It’ll cheer him up. And reassure him— again —that he’s better off where he is.” Gaze lifting, Boniface said, “Joe, this is Nonny. Nonny, meet our host.”
If you didn’t count the horns, Nonny wasn’t very tall. A little shorter than both Reinier and Boniface. He was definitely an adult though. And his accent was … a little different. Joe got the idea that Jarrah had learned English from this guy.
“Yeah, I’m Nonny.” Offering his palms, he added, “Goat-crosser, since it looks like you’re wondering.”
“Oh. Umm … yes. I was wondering.” He offered a belated, “Hi.”
“Hi yourself. This place is all kinds of idyllic. Bet it’s amazing in spring.”
“You’ll see for yourself.”
“Guess I will!” And leaning closer, he lowered his voice. “Hey, that’s Kip right? Your bonded?”
“Yes.”
“I’m surprised Jacques didn’t snap him up like he did Harrison. Guy’s a natural with kids.”
Joe was pretty sure offers had been made. “Children always love him.”
“I’m pants at them,” offered Boniface, who’d pocketed his phone. “Well, I suppose I’m learning. Forced exposure.”
And then a hand settled lightly on Joe’s shoulder, and he looked up into a world-famous face.
Bethiel had stepped into Hisoka Twineshaft’s place at the head of the Amaranthine Council, and he’d charmed the world—humans and Amaranthine alike.
According to reports, he hailed from one of the lost clans.
He was a star. Or … a star clansman. Bethiel regularly assured interviewers that his coloring was nothing special, since it was shared by all of his kind, but he was like no other person Joe had seen.
Beautiful fell pretty far short. His presence had an otherworldly quality, and though it was hard to tell for sure in full sun, Joe was catching a definite sense that he was shining.
No wonder people were always calling him an angel.
“Oh,” Joe managed. “Umm … hi.”
Bethiel said, “Try acorns.”
He needed several moments to take that in, then asked, “You think?”
Boniface, who was standing right there, said, “I’ve heard you give unsolicited advice before, so I know what I’m about when I say … that was the most baffling one yet.”
“If Jiro understands, that’s all that matters.” And lifting a finger, Bethiel paused for a moment, his eyes out of focus, then he tapped Boniface’s shoulder. “You should unpack.”
“Me? Lord. All right. Next on the agenda.” The man caught Joe’s eye. “He’s always right. It can be terribly annoying, but I’d listen.”
Joe simply nodded. Acorns. They were something small. Something even he could do.