Yokai Prince by Yuki Edo

Author:Yuki Edo [Edo, Yuki]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Published: 2020-01-05T16:00:00+00:00

Chapter Six

Rio checked his reflection in a fountain to see if he was literally glowing because he certainly felt as if he was. As he had predicted, every being at the reception knew what he and Arata had been doing earlier. A few of them—male and female alike—seemed a bit envious. Rio found himself wondering about what Inari had said. Had Arata withdrawn so much that he didn’t even realize others were interested in him? Attracted to him? If so, Rio had no plans to criticize him. They’d never have met if Arata been more open about taking lovers. Rio looked across the garden toward Arata, who now wore his hair in a long braid down his back.

I can tell he doesn’t like me looking at his scars, but he let me touch them. I could feel his discomfort, but it seemed to fade as he focused on my touch.

“How are you enjoying your stay?”

Rio turned at the sound of Inari’s voice and saw the kami in female form. “It’s been eventful.” She wore a white kimono with delicate cherry blossoms embroidered on it. Cherry blossoms of varying shades also adorned her dark hair, which cascaded down her back completely unbound.

“Your aura is humming with power. Almost glowing. And the light in your eyes tells me I was very right to bring you here.”

Rio moved closer, even though no one stood close at the moment. “Already I know I wish to stay. I didn’t expect that.”

“And what did Arata say?”

Rio chuckled. “I haven’t told him that. He’ll think I’m insane.”

“You’re hundreds of years his senior. It’s not his place to question your judgment.” But then she smiled and caressed his cheek. “I’m teasing you. But I am happy. Though I expected his initial resistance, his reaction yesterday did worry me a bit. I’m glad you won him over so quickly.”

“Yesterday? Doesn’t seem possible it was only yesterday.”

Inari scanned the garden. “Have you met anyone interesting?”

“Everyone here is interesting. Most of them are spirits from the surrounding forest, but I met a couple of tengu. And an okami.”

“Ah, so Shiro is here.”

“Yes. He introduced himself earlier, before the reception.”

“He has been a good and loyal friend to Arata. He’s half okami, as Arata is half kitsune. Shiro helped Arata when he was young and had trouble shifting forms. They bonded quickly, and I thought they might fall for each other. Shiro is only about ten years older, which of course is nothing to us. But they’re more like brothers.”

“How old is Arata?”

Inari tilted her head, her brows coming together. “Soon to be fifty. Just a couple more months.”

“Have you spoken with him today?”

“I was about to go over. Why?”

Rio glanced over at Arata. “I think he likes me. He certainly desires me. That part has gone well.”

“I did set this up, but I won’t go telling secrets on either of you. Don’t even ask.”

“I wouldn’t ask you what he’d said about me, but I do feel something is different with him. I’m wondering if he feels the same thing.

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