“I’m going to take you somewhere you’ll be safe. My car is this way. Have you been in a car before?”
The utter relief of being with someone who knew what she was, who could explain confusing things to her, broke over her like an ocean wave. The bus drivers, on the whole, had been kind to her, though none quite so much so as the first one. But they expected her to know things she simply didn’t, like how money worked or the names of major cities in their land.
“Yes,” she said. “I mean, not a car, a bus.”
So far, riding in human vehicles had not been the grand adventure she’d hoped for. It was tiring, smelly, and she didn’t like the rocking motion very much, though she did appreciate how it soothed the babies to sleep. She was relieved to see that the vehicle Tyr shepherded her toward was small and not bus-sized.
Tyr opened the door for her and looked at her hopefully. It was a bit harder to get into than a bus, especially with the twins in her arms. She had to hold them both with one arm while climbing in.
“What’s wrong?” Tyr asked. “Oh wait, what do you have under there? Luggage?” Then he blinked as if recalling something. “Wait, the police said you had kids with you.”
“Yes.” She drew back the poncho a little so he could see Aven and Ayra snuggled against her.
His face was a shocking mix of emotions. She saw it startto dissolve into an “awwwww” expression and then somehow, strangely, crumpled. “They’re yours?”
“Yes.” She was not prepared to explain anything about Kav at the present time.
Tyr took a breath, as if steadying himself. “How old are they?”
“Seven months.”
“They’re supposed to have car seats.”
“Car seats?” she echoed.
“Yes, so they’ll be safe in case of an accident.”
Cela wrapped her arms protectively around her babies. “The bus person didn’t say anything about that!”
“Yeah, they’re not required on buses—I’m not sure why. Look, for right now let’s just put you and them in the backseat, okay? It’ll be okay for a short drive, I’ll be very careful, and later we can borrow a car seat from someone, or buy one.”
“Okay,” Cela said meekly.
She climbed into the back. As she got herself and the twins arranged, Tyr leaned in after her. Cela flinched back. So did he. They looked at each other for a moment.
“Seat belt,” he said. “Buses don’t have them either. It’s, uh, there.”
She found it one-handed, but then couldn’t figure out what to do with it. As she sat holding it helplessly, Tyr reached a gentle hand, started to take it—and his fingers brushed hers.
There was an instant when it was the most wonderful thing ever, the silky glide of his fingers against the side of her hand. Then the tattoo lit on fire, and she jerked violently. So did Tyr, flinching away. The belt snapped back with a click.
“Are you okay?” Tyr asked. “What’s happening? I don’t understand.”
Aven had begun to fuss. Ayra, under her cloak, was nowan owlet. Cela was abruptly glad the cloak was in the way so she could explain her babies’ unique shifting before he saw it firsthand.
“I’m fine.” Her nerves still vibrated. “It hurts, but it goes away quickly.”
“Why is—no,” he interrupted himself. “You’re obviously exhausted. Let me take you home.”
Home. If only she could go home. She blinked rapidly, until the tears receded behind her aching eyes.
Meanwhile her griffin wasn’t making things easier for her by pressing upward in her chest.Mate! Touch him, stroke him, preen him! He will take good care of our fledglings!
We can’t,she thought fiercely, and pushed it down.
Tyr started to reach across her very carefully, then to her mingled relief and dismay, pulled back and pointed out for her how to use the belt. She got it fastened around her hips, and he went up to the front of the car.
“Do you have any luggage?” he asked over the back of the seat.
