Chick in His Nest

All of Suuzu’s hopes for privacy dwindled away to nothing because Akira wanted to accompany the Smythe brothers to the kitchen in order for Boniface to meet Anjou. And to welcome Sonnet to the clan. Or something along those lines. Meanwhile, Juuyu summoned Suuzu to one of the first-floor parlors.

He was every kind of glad to see his brother again. Juuyu pulled him close, kissed the top of his head, and fussed a few of Suuzu’s curls into better positions.

“Your leafling?”

“Thrives.”

“Your nestmate?”

“My bondmate.”

Juuyu sharply studied his face, lapsed into a softer expression, and angled his head to signal his need. “I have made promises, and they bind me. And so I need help, brother mine. Will you keep my daughter? If she is a chick in your nest, I will not worry.”

Suuzu had always assumed that if he was to raise a child, it would be a younger sibling … or perhaps another clan’s tribute. That Juuyu would entrust a child into his care was staggeringly generous. But what daughter could he mean? Fumiko had only been his bonded for a matter of months, too soon for a child.

Taking a receptive stance, Suuzu asked, “A chick?”

“Perhaps leafling would be more accurate.” His brother raised his voice somewhat. “Try? I am ready to introduce you.”

The air changed, and the scent of flowers made Suuzu breath more deeply. He slipped from his brother’s embrace in order to face a tree-child. A daughter. Of course Juuyu would have given shelter to a youngling tree. Sinking to his knees before the little girl that everyone knew was Twosies’ best friend, he showed his palms. “My name is Suuzu.”

She studied him closely, then looked up at Juuyu.

He said, “I took responsibility for you, and I am not releasing you lightly. Here is my own brother, whom I cherish, for I helped to raise him. More importantly, he understands the needs of trees. All the trust you place in him will be safe.”

“Your own brother,” she said softly.

“Try has been added to the family registry. Father and Letik are ecstatic. Fumiko and Zuzu will miss her dearly.” Letting his fingertips rest lightly atop the little girl’s head, he made his hopes clear. “Foster this child of mine. Love her as your own.”

“I will. If she will have me.”

“I think she will. Suuzu, will you tell this new daughter your secret?”

Suuzu warbled a willing note.

Try asked, “You have a secret?”

“A precious one. I have been sprigged.”

Her eyes rounded. So she knew what that meant? But of course she would. Suuzu knew that experimental sprigging had been responsible for many of the unusual children who now counted Stately House as home. This probably included Try herself.

So Suuzu went on. “I found a golden seed and wanted to protect it. So I willingly took it in. That means that in the course of things, a chick—a baby—will be added to our family. You will be a big sister.”

“I will be a sister?” she whispered.

He inclined his head. “And I have a nestmate, a man I dearly love. Akira is tree-kin. The golden seed he carries will be planted beside the front step of the home we will build together.”

“Is there room for me?”

“There is.” And looking up into his brother’s face, Suuzu asked, “May I tell Akira?”

“Of course. Should I go find him?”

With a small headshake, Suuzu called, “Hajime, could you bring Akira? Ah, and Naoki would be welcome as well. We have a new family member to greet.”

Juuyu chirped a startled note when three people arrived in a swirl of red flower petals. But then Akira crashed into Juuyu with his usual enthusiasm and began introducing—and reintroducing—his parents.

Dr. Naoki quickly noticed Try, and exclamations and explanations were made.

Akira accepted the news of a fosterling with a frown that only worried Suuzu for a few heartbeats. Until Akira asked, “What will Twosies do?”

Try clasped her hands together and appealed to Suuzu. “Is there room for him, too?”

“A daughter can ask anything of her parents.” Suuzu urged, “Let Akira and I see to your every happiness.”

“Where is Twosies?” Akira asked.

Hajime spoke up. “Sitting on the floor outside the door, rather like a lost puppy.”

Dr. Naoki smiled crookedly. “Twosies is not a dog crosser.”

“He’s part star,” Akira murmured, though his attention was still patiently fixed on Try. “Are you part tree?”

“All tree. But … culled.”

Juuyu said, “Argent has hidden Try’s pot among the other trees in his bonsai collection. Alongside Hajime’s.”

That caught Try’s attention. “You, too?”

“I was the first.”

“First Try?” she asked.

He solemnly corrected, “First success.”

Akira said, “He’s my father. He’ll be part of your family, too. All the crossers are learning to call him … well, everyone kind of has their own version of grandfather. And I’m your Uncle Akira.”

Suuzu called, “Twosies? Please join us. Try wants you closer.”

The boy poked his head around the corner, his gaze full of sulk.

Akira held out a hand. “Want to be with us from now on?”

Twosies warily demanded, “You’re going with them? I thought you came to be with me.”

“Suuzu and Akira will take care of me.” Try offered her arms, and Twosies wove through the rest of them, then wrapped himself around his friend. “Not like gardeners. They’ll be parents.”

“What’s so great about that?”

“I will be a big sister. I never got to be someone’s sister before.”

“What about me?”

“I don’t want you for a brother. You’re my star. It’s … different.”

“How come?”

Akira wisely chose that moment to interrupt. “Hey, if you let me and Suuzu take care of you, you’ll be nestmates.”

Twosies looked at him and in lilting words said, “Classmates. Roommates. Nestmates. Bondmates.”

“That’s right,” Akira replied easily. “Suuzu and I were best friends almost from the moment we met, and now we’re together for good. Say, Try? Can I see your pot? Argent gave Hajime a new one, and it’s really elegant. Did Juuyu set you up?”

And the conversation flowed onward.

But Twosies was staring at Suuzu with wide eyes and pink cheeks and an expression of star-wise clarity.

Suuzu twitched his fingers, beckoning anew. “Do the stars sing of us?”

This time, the boy let go of Try and came to stand over Suuzu, who still knelt. Twosies’ gaze slipped out of focus. “A house in a tree. A brother and two others. Phoenix song and dragon song and star song and storm song. Flower petals in every hue. Heart of a grove.”

“And do you see yourself in my nest, little oracle?”

Twosies looked at him, startled this time. “Is that my name?”

“Hmm?” Suuzu coaxed him nearer. “Names are a good beginning. Many bonds are begun with the giving of a name. Have you been waiting for someone to speak yours?”

“I did not know it until I heard it.” Tugging at Suuzu’s sleeve, the boy asked, “Can I really stay with Try?”

“I would insist.”

“And you’ll guard us and guide us?”

“Those would be the more practical aspects of our role—Akira’s and mine. But growing attachment and displays of affection will be unavoidable.”

“Really?”

Suuzu carefully tousled the boy’s shining curls, then began to preen them. “Would you like me to call you Oracle from now on?”

Eyes shut, expression serene, he mumbled, “Twosies for now. Oracle when I grow up.”

“And what will be my daughter’s name?”

“Do you mean Try or your baby?”

Suuzu blinked.

Twosies wrapped his arms around Suuzu’s neck in an unspoken demand for closeness and raised his voice to carry. “Seventh Try will carry forward her mother’s name. That is how it must be.”

Several moments of startled silence followed. Then the girl asked, “I have a mother?”

Dr. Naoki spoke up. “You did, my dear. A brave and beautiful tree.”

“She’s gone?”

Hajime said, “Yes. But you are here. And there will be another.”

With a small smile, Dr. Naoki explained, “There was a seed. Either Dr. Elara or Pim took it in. They are carrying a child whose twin will share your lineage. Your mother’s name … your name is Trinity.”