“Ran afoul of some things that wanted to eat you.” He brushed his hand along his bruised jaw and winced. “I’m thinking I should have let them have you, in retrospect.”

Ryuichi rolled his eyes. “Glad you didn’t. At least, I think I am.”

“Wish I could say the same. Maybe I should have stayed dormant a while longer and left you to fend for yourself.”

There was something in his tone that sent a shiver down Ryuichi’s spine. “Why didn’t you?”

“I’m going to blame my stupidity. In reality, I’m sure it had a lot more to do with my curse.”

Ryuichi raised his eyebrows. “Curse?”

Masaru lifted his hands, and the shadows on the wall began to make pictures.

Intrigued by them, Ryuichi watched as they illustrated Masaru’s words.

Ryuichi sucked his breath in as he watched the shadows change form. “You’re an inari.”

“Was,” Masaru corrected. “Long time ago.”

Ryuichi went back to toying with his shadow. He supposed he should have been more surprised, but lately he’d been through so much he’d gotten used to expecting the unexpected. “More secrets, huh?”

“I expected a stronger reaction.” Masaru tilted his head. “Don’t tell me I’ve become something as boring as predictable.”

“Not by a long shot.” Ryuichi shifted position under the covers. “Masaru? Can I ask you a question?”

With a tired sigh, the yōkai drew closer. “I suppose I can let you have one. But only one.”

Ryuichi hesitated before he spoke a truth that a part of him wanted to keep secret. “I’m scared.”

“That’s not a question.”

“I know . . .” Ryuichi’s voice trailed off as he gathered his thoughts. “It’s just . . . I had a family. Granted, it was one I’ve never met. But two gods madly in love. I should be overjoyed to know that I’m not some nameless, unwanted orphan. That I’m worth something, and that my mother loved me.” He stopped and laughed bitterly. “It terrifies me.”

“It should.”

And it did. More than he could even express.

Masaru arched an arrogant brow. “Is there a question anywhere in my near future?”

“I guess not. It’s just . . .” Ryuichi swallowed and met the kitsune’s cold stare as tears rose up to choke him. “I’m scared I’ll lose you and my new family here. The only family I’ve ever really known over a family I thought was dead.”

Masaru’s arrogance melted under a quirky grin. “Has the little dragon grown fond of me?”