Kieran’s eyes snapped open as he realized that in the midst of his titanic struggle not to let his griffin take form, he’d momentarily forgotten that the woman – hismate– was, for the moment at least, still standing next to him in the supermarket.
“I – uh –” he began, shaking his head as he looked down into her wide, concerned eyes. “I just – just remembered I have to be somewhere,” he finished lamely.
I can’t get to know her better while there’s a risk I could turn into a griffin at any moment,he thought desperately.But I can’t let her go without finding out how I can see her again either. I at least have to find out her name.
“Oh, right.” The woman looked at him dubiously. “It’s just you’ve gone really pale. Are you sure everything’s okay?”
“Oh, absolutely!” Kieran said, and had to fight down the urge to actually give her a thumbs up, as if that would have convinced her of anything. “I really do just have to go, though. But… you wouldn’t happen to be a local, would you?”
Oh, smooth,he berated himself – but to be honest, he thought he could have said something worse. Considering the circumstances – that he was fighting against an ornery griffin whostillseemed to think the best way to get its human mate to swoon into his arms was by turning into what she’d probably consider a terrifying monster right in front of her – he thought he’d actually done pretty okay.
“Not really,” the woman said, and Kieran’s heart sank.
Is she just passing through? Will I not see her again while I’m here?
“I’m only here for a month. I just… I’m kind of… on vacation.” She paused, and seemed to be weighing up whether to say more. “I grew up here, you see, and I’m just back to see how the place has been getting along without me. Pretty well, as it turns out.”
“Oh, well that’s – amazing! Great, I mean. Really just… great!”
The woman looked a little startled at the enthusiasm and relief with which Kieran seemed to take the news that she’d be sticking around for at least a little while.
Only a month, though. Is that long enough to convince her she’s my mate, and that we belong together? Even if I can’t stop shifting at random moments?
Well, Kieran figured, he’d just have to sort out his problem before the month was up. He’d find a way to court her, woo her, make her see how much he’d adore her if she’d let him… and hopefully she wouldn’t mind that he was also a griffin.
Why would she mind? We are magnificent!the griffin screeched, puffing out its chest, its tail lashing with indignation at the idea that it could be any sort of liability for Kieran’s dating life.
“I mean,” Kieran said, pushing the griffin aside as best he could, “I’m only here for a little while too. Maybe we’ll run into each other again?”
“Maybe we will.” The woman’s smile was warm. “I’m Natasha, by the way. You didn’t ask, but I’m telling you.”
“Oh, right!” Kieran almost dropped his basket in his eagerness to hold out his hand to shake hers – but then, clumsily, decided against it. Just one little brush of her fingers against his had been enough to almost bring his griffin bounding forth. He couldn’t tell if he’d be able to keep it under control if their whole hands touched. “I’m Kieran – Kieran Goodman. It’s nice to meet you.”
“Likewise,” Natasha said, her smile growing just a little wider – maybe she hadn’t noticed his clumsy fumbling with the basket. “And it’s a pretty small town – I’m pretty sure we’ll run into each other.” She paused, swallowing. “At least I hope so.”
She can tell we’re mates already,the griffin purred smugly.She wants us. She can feel it. All your fears are ridiculous.
Maybe so, but at least let me have a proper conversation with her before you start planning our wedding,Kieran argued.
The griffin, perhaps annoyed at being second-guessed when it came to matters of instinct, rose up suddenly within him again, and for a moment Kieran wassureit was going to force a shift – before it abruptly backed down once more.
Still – he didn’t want to cut it any finer than that. He’d have to say his goodbyes and extricate himself – preferably after having made some solid date to see Natasha again.
“Are you staying in town?” Kieran said, realizing he sounded more than a little… well, wild and desperate, but not really able to do much about it just at the moment.
“A little farther up the mountain,” Natasha said, her warm look giving way to one that was just theslightestbit concerned. “And you?”
“In my great uncle’s place – I’m thinking of doing it up. I should mention, he doesn’t live there anymore. He died. Not recently! It was about five years ago now. But his house is empty, and so I’ll be staying in it.”
Oh my God, I’m babbling. This is terrible. This is possibly the worst thing that’s ever happened to me,Kieran thought, resisting the urge to squeeze his eyes shut. He didn’t remember being this weird and tongue-tied around women before.
It’s obviously just Natasha – the one woman I actually need to impress the most.
“Oh, I’m… sorry?” Natasha sounded a little befuddled, and Kieran couldn’t say he blamed her.
Look, maybe I just need to get my head on straight and start again.
“I used to come out here when I was a kid on my summer vacations, but I never lived here,” he said, forcing the words to come out in a coherent order. “Perhaps… perhaps you could show me around? Seeing as you must know your way around, having grown up here.”
