Guardian and Gardener

Ginkgo wasn’t sure if it was Sansa or Dad who’d made the decision that Snow should take over security, but the arrangement was made, accepted, and summarily vowed. No takebacks. She was staying, and Stately House’s defenses couldn’t have been stronger. Really, it was great. She was perfect for the job.

As usual, Dad came off looking masterful, even though he can’t have actually planned for some of the shifts.

Snow’s addition freed up Sansa, who would look more to their houseful.

Anjou would manage enclave affairs, serving as a community liaison.

Jacques was back to work, which meant Dad was calmer. And tidier.

Nonny was tenaciously pulling off Christmas for the kids. And loving it.

Elara was heading up plans to add a maternity ward to the campus. Because they were apparently a campus these days.

Revic Nightbide was all set up to act as chronicler, and with a team of preservationists due to arrive with the Alpenglow contingent in time for Dichotomy Day, Ginkgo was going to officially have more help than he knew what to do with. For the first time in a long time, he could slow down a little, look to his garden, and play with the kids.

But the prospect of puttering in the potting shed wasn’t why his heart was doing flips.

Snow’s gaze was steady and fierce and … danged if it wasn’t possessive.

Ginkgo wanted nothing more than to go along with her plans, but there was also a part of him that needed to make sure he wasn’t dreaming. So he’d asked the people he trusted most to bear witness to Snow’s proposal.

On the couch in his winter garden, three people sat in a row, gazing at Snow with polite attentiveness, probably because she’d taken a dominant posture. After some thought, Ginkgo settled on something more neutral, but he put a little sway in his tail.

Jacques was searching his face with concern. Then he mouthed something. In French. But Ginkgo caught on and nodded gratefully, then flicked his ears a few times. This wasn’t the time to be broadcasting bewilderment. Not when it could be interpreted as reluctance.

Sonnet bustled over with a tray of tea things, and Jacques moved to pour. Because they were having this meeting in the kitchen. Ginkgo hadn’t wanted to hide what he was doing. And this was where he was most at home. Heart of his territory, and all that.

Then Sonnet slipped to Snow’s side and tentatively offered, “Auntie …?”

Snow hesitated a little too long, but her tail did lift. “Sonnet.”

“Yes. It’s been quite some time.”

Ginkgo guessed she’d sorted out enough by scents to bypass a twenty-minute explanation, because her coppery gaze snapped to Jacques, who blew a tiny kiss. Then Snow enfolded Sonnet and rumbled, “Our years are not so different. May I call you sister?”

It was the exact right thing to say, because Sonnet nuzzled her cheek and murmured, “Sister when I’m wearing shoes, brother when I’m barefoot.”

Snow promised, “I will remember.”

“Stay, Sonnet,” urged Ginkgo. “Please?”

The wolf smiled softly and settled onto one of the rockers.

“We’re all here, so let’s have it out. Okay if I keep the introductions simple?” Ginkgo waited for Snow, who signaled for him to run ahead. “Tsumiko is my best friend. Jacques is Dad’s best friend. Boon is my big brother, and he’s representing the pack I’ve been running with since I was just a runt. They’re my people, and I trust their opinions.”

Snow sized them up anew. “You want me to convince them? Or are you not convinced?”

Jacques spoke up. “He’s not playing hard-to-get, Transcendence. We’re here to pinch him and assure him that this isn’t just a lovely dream.”

Which was so true, Ginkgo lapsed into a smile. Jacques understood what this meant for him. Better than anyone.

Tsumiko was asking questions with her eyes, but she was too polite to say anything, so Ginkgo filled her in. “I met Transcendence last summer. At Wardenclave. She and Pact are here because they want me to be their family. Guess you’d say she’s proposing. Or … making a formal offer for me.”

Understanding dawned, because Ginkgo had shared plenty of puppy stories with Tsumiko. “Snow,” she breathed.

“That is my pack nickname,” Transcendence confirmed. “And it is as Ginkgo says. My son and I have chosen.”

Tsumiko looked to Ginkgo and asked, “You’re in love?”

This was far too sudden to go that far. He hadn’t entertained those kinds of thoughts about Snow. Not once. “If you’re asking if I want this, then yeah.” He sought Jacques’ gaze and added, “I mean … wolves.”

The man agreed with a wordless joy that hit them all like a physical force. Even Tsumiko seemed to notice, which was new. Not many reavers could get a sense for each other, but an imp? Oh, yes. Jacques’ impish legacy was making itself felt.

“Wolves in general? Or wolves in particular?” Tsumiko radiated confusion. “Surely you’re not accepting Transcendence simply because of her clan?”

Ginkgo hurried over and knelt before her. “You’re right. I wouldn’t take up with just anyone simply because they’re a wolf. But running with wolves means I understand that Snow’s serious. And that I’m really very lucky.”

She touched his cheek. “You’re a fox.”

“Half, yeah. And like Dad, I’ll choose once and well.”

That earned him a smile. “Look at you. You’re pleased about all of this.”

“Snow knows me.” Ginkgo didn’t bother lowering his voice. He wanted all of them—most especially Snow—to hear his side of this. “She wants me because I’m me. It’s a first.”

Jacques spoke up again, addressing Transcendence. “He’s in high demand. Packets from the reavers. Propositions from the public sector. A recent bidding war between a couple of the feline courts. All unprovoked. All rebuffed. All from complete strangers who want access to Argent, Stately House, or lord, let’s face it … it could just be the ears.”

Boon, Sonnet, and Snow all started growling at the same time.

Wolves. They really were the best.

“They don’t matter. This matters.” Ginkgo gratefully accepted Tsumiko’s nod.

Jacques asked, “Will there be a ceremony of sorts? Do let Anjou and I fancy you up.”

“You know me. Always up for a party.”

Boon drawled, “Hey, little bro. You really need my say-so for this?”

“Sure. You just established a den that’s … well, it’s a little different. How’s it working out for you?”

“None of your business.”

“I’m not after details …!” Ginkgo protested.

Jacques fussed with his cufflinks. “If compatibility across clans is your concern, I’m confident that everything will—as you say—work out.”

Boon rolled his eyes and bluntly addressed Snow. “May as well be clear. I have two bondmates.”

“Ginkgo will be my second.”

“Mine are a little more … concurrent. A she-wolf and a beacon. It’s complicated. Anyhow … you okay with a fox-crosser for a bondmate?”

She flatly retorted, “You would not be the first to question my tastes.”

Waving that aside, Boon said, “Nothing wrong with your senses. Every den has a heart. He’ll be yours.”

Yeah, that sounded about right. Wow, it sounded nice.

Boon went right on, the lilt of teasing in his tone. “Might seem like he’s dragging his feet, but he’s really just showing you off.”

“That’s not it,” Ginkgo protested. “It’s more like … connecting last summer with the rest of my life.”

“Totally get that.” Then Boon promised, “The pack will see you off with songs.”

Tsumiko addressed Snow. “I’ll ask our bard to honor your choice and bless your future.”

“Dragon song,” Ginkgo remarked. “That’s high end.”

Sonnet murmured, “The stars are already singing.”

“I know. Nothing but portents and puppy pleas since summer’s end.” Snow’s gaze sought Ginkgo’s. “As if I didn’t already know my own mind.”

Jacques advised, “Make haste and state your claim, good lady. Gingko is rarer than moonbeams.”

Without batting an eye, the she-wolf declared, “He is mine.”

Ginkgo pivoted slightly to look up at her and answered, “My choice is made. All good?”

“Witnessed!” Jacques sang out, looking pleased. “Can I get a second?”

“Right here,” said Boon.

Sonnet drummed her fingers over her heart and exclaimed, “There should be cake. Oh, do you think Cherish would come? His cakes are unrivaled.”

Jacques hummed doubtfully. “We can ask, but I don’t know what his lordship will say. There’s a lot going on just now.”

Tsumiko said, “You should pick a day.”

So it was going to be a wedding after all. Not really a surprise. Tsumiko was traditional like that. Ginkgo said, “Hey, Jacques. What’s Dad’s calendar look like?”

“Full moon’s next week,” Boon supplied. “That’d be the right kind of auspicious.”

“Ohhh!” Sonnet breathed, fresh sparkle in her eyes. “It will be the Den Moon.”

“Does that work for you?” Ginkgo asked, trying for calm even though his heart was betraying him.

Snow shifted into a receptive posture, a reserved response, if not for the glad twirl of her tail. He’d made her happy, and that meant the world.

Ginkgo firmed his stance and promised, “My den will be ready.”

She spoke with supreme confidence, “All I need, you will be.”