Roan woke the next day and listened. Her ears were not the beautiful, silky hound ears she was used to, they were small and naked. Luckily, the changing magic had changed only their shape, not their ability. Her family was still asleep. A peek at the window showed the sun rising. The town was quiet too, with surprisingly few sounds of animals.
The few animals Roan could hear were mostly dogs. They had no elegance to their barking and precious little intelligence. Despite that, it was good to hear barks again. Roan wished she could call out to them. It wasn’t worth the risk, laying aside the fact that she doubted her human throat could make a proper bark or howl.
With time to herself, Roan went over what she’d learned the day before. Of her fractious family, the stolen human child had been closest to Forrest, the father, and Hanna, the mother. The status of the other two in the house was unclear.
Roan’s own capabilities were severely curtailed. Thankfully, her family had expected her to be able to walk, so she could at least move about on her own. Though they cooked for themselves, that wasn’t something the girl she was imitating could do. Hunger, then, would have to wait.
Forrest had provided minimal help dressing Roan the day before, so perhaps that was something she could quickly ‘finish learning’. No one had mentioned any other tasks or skills they expected of Mariah, but they’d been preoccupied with the faerie attack. She desperately hoped there was something she could do. Nothing would be worse than lying around idle all day.
Desperation of a different kind forced its way into Roan’s thoughts. She sighed and flopped spread-eagle on the bed. The one thing the humans had solidly confirmed was Mariah’s incontinence. Her human body was desperate for release, again. Roan would have given anything to not soil herself again.
She didn’t need to consult the locket to ask it about human babies again. It had given her the same answer four times the night before. Humans were helpless before that base need for years.
Finally, Roan could stand the painful pressure no longer. With a puppy-like whine, she released into her protective garment. The shame was the same as the previous day. It was worse in a way, at first. The padded shorts trapped the hot liquid against her skin. They saved the bedsheets though, and quickly absorbed the waste.
Roan was left in mild discomfort, which was a vast improvement on the general distress that had come from getting the whole bed wet. It was just in time too. She could hear her family stirring. Her keen ears already recognized the sound of Forrest’s footfalls as he passed the door to her room.
Roan yelped softly, caught herself, and switched to human language. “Forrest? Daddy?”
“Mariah?” Forest opened the door, blinking in a sleepy daze.
“Help.” Roan whimpered. The padded shorts Hanna had given her were already losing the battle. She could feel trickles of liquid on her thighs. “I’m wet.”
It burned no less than it had the day before. Roan found herself uncertain if she hoped she would or wouldn’t grow used to the embarrassment of soiling herself. On one hand, the humiliation was no fun at all. On the other, it wasn’t something she wanted to become normal.
“You’re the same as yesterday?” Forrest asked, stepping in to stroke Roan’s hair.
“Yes Daddy.” Roan nodded. He was more suspicious than she thought. There were still doubts that she was the authentic Mariah.
“Okay. Hanna gave you something to wear last night though, right?”
“They’re leaking.” Roan said pitifully. Once again, she didn’t have to pretend to distress, it was abudantly real.
“I’ll get you taken care of. Looks like we need thicker ones. Wait here a sec.”
Roan nodded. She resolved to be as obedient as possible for Forrest. If there was one way the faerie and humans were alike, it was in their pride. Even if being obedient was out of character for Mariah, Forrest would be pleased to have his daughter’s behavior reflect well on him.
“Here, scoot onto this blanket.” Forrest said. He’d returned with a thick blanket which crinkled much like Roan’s padded shorts. It’d be liquid resistant as well, which would spare the sheets. Happy to not have her bed smelling of urine, Roan slid onto the blanket.
Forrest tore the shorts apart at the sides and put them off to the side. Cold, strange-smelling cloths cleaned her wet skin. They had the smell of pine and lemon.
Tree magic!
Roan’s heart lept in excitement. If the humans used tree magic, then she could gather berries and branches without seeming suspicious. Assuming there were appropriate trees nearby, she could ward the house from the Huntsman’s watchers in no time.
Forrest put more crinkling padding under Roan’s rear. It wrapped around her and stuck to itself cleverly. It had gone from an oddly shaped patch of cloth to a near-replica of the padded shorts she’d worn before. The new version was much thicker though, which hopefully meant it wouldn’t leak on her like the shorts had.
“These don’t look nice but they’re all we had. We’ll get you less medical looking ones if we go through these, okay?”
“Thank you.” Roan said, smiling in genuine gratitude.
Forrest smiled back. Fascinated, Roan watched his expression shift from general happiness to genuine love. He was believing she was Mariah, at least for the moment. Roan sat up and embraced Forrest to help seal the shift.
“Thank you, Daddy. You’re so good to me.”
Forrest hesitated a bit before pulling the embrace tight. A sort of shuddering sigh ran through him.
“I care about you a lot Mariah. I’ve known you forever. I’ll take care of you, I promise. You don’t have to be scared.”
The guilt at her deception was like a knife. She’d be enraged if an imposter had tricked her father the way she was doing to Forrest. It wasn’t right.
In matters of survival, it doesn’t matter what is right or wrong. Her father had said. There is only existence or oblivion. Choose existence always, my little pup.
It was the Queen that was at fault. She was the one that had imprisoned her father in glass, and she was the one that had commanded the theft of Forrest’s daughter. Without her cruelty, none of this would have happened.
Roan held Forrest with genuine affection, held him the way she wished she could hold her real father. She would give him all the love Mariah would have, if she were still here.
If I can escape, maybe I can reunite Forrest and Mariah. Maybe I can save my father while I’m at it. By force there’s no hope of victory, but there are many more ways by shadow than by lamplight.
Forrest broke the embrace and patted Roan on the cheek. “Can you get dressed by yourself?”
“I can try.” Roan said, since that was the response he’d expect. She couldn’t wait to surprise him when she accomplished the task without help.
“Great. I have to get showered and all. I’ll come check on you after I’m dressed.”
Roan nodded. She waited for Forrest to be gone before investigating Mariah’s closet. The anticipation fell flat on a disappointing lack of variety. Mariah seemed to have only a few types of clothes, though they were brightly colored enough.
Selecting one of the many basic shirts and a skirt that was cut high enough for running or fighting, Roan dressed herself. The skirt covered her padded underwear well, which was a nice bonus. Given that she had to soil herself, the padded garment was practical, but it was good to have something to cover the sign of her incapacity.
Forrest found her sitting patiently on her bed. His smile at seeing her dressed was everything Roan hoped it would be. Pride and excitement both danced in his grin.
“That’s great Mariah, you look good. How do you feel?”
“I feel well. A little hungry, daddy.”
“Mariah, I don’t mind that you call me daddy – it’s really cute. I think it might freak Corey and Bless out though. Can you call me Forrest when we’re not alone?”
Roan cocked her head and narrowly stopped herself from giving a confused whine. Was Forrest an adopted father? Did Mariah know? For the hundredth time, she wished she had the art to fully investigate Mariah’s memories or delve into Forrest’s.
“Of course, if that’s what you want.”
Forest smiled in relief. “Great. You can still call me daddy in private – if you want.”
It was Roan’s turn for a relieved smile. “Thank you, Daddy.”
“I guess you need breakfast. Let’s go to the kitchen.”
Roan followed along, perfectly at-heel. Forrest sat her at a table where a cloyingly scented candle was burning. The scent was heavy with perfume, it had to be strong even for humans. To Roan, it reeked like an alchemist’s shop.
Forrest was busy in the kitchen with bowls and boxes. Crucially, his back was turned. Roan had only a little art with fire, but what she had was more than enough for a candle. Scent magic was something any hound could do. She put her hand in the flame to coax it into the much more pleasing smell of the cleaning cloths.
Pain flashed through her hand. Roan yelped in shock, yanking her hand away. The flame burned, as if she’d touched iron! She stared at her hand in shock, which was red and blistering far worse than it had when she touched the iron ring.
“Mariah, are you okay? What happened?” Forrest was at her side, peering at her hand in concern.
“The candle – it burned me.” Roan said, still disbelieving that such a tiny flame could cause pain.
“Of course, it did.” Forrest looked at Roan with worried confusion. “It’s a fire Mariah, it burns.”
Roan whimpered and held her smarting hand. “I didn’t expect it – I didn’t know.”
“Oh boy.” Forrest said, stroking Roan’s hair.
It was as close a feeling to being scratched behind the ears as Roan was likely to get in her human body. She leaned into the comforting touch for all she was worth.
“I’ll get you an ice pack. Don’t touch the candle again, okay?” Not trusting her despite his command, Forrest moved the candle off the table to a smaller table by the couch.
“Okay Daddy, I won’t.”
“That’s – a good girl.” Forrest said, patting Roan on the back.
If he doubted I was a baby before, I’m sure he believes it now. Roan thought ruefully. Despite the pain throbbing in her hand, she could scarcely believe such a minute flame could damage her. Humans were ridiculously fragile, for all their brutish meat.
A dark blue bag full of frozen paste brought immediate relief to Roan’s hand. She thanked Forrest and got another stroke on the head as a reward.
“How’s it going in here…” Hanna asked, wandering into the room in a robe made from strange pink fur. “Is Mariah hurt?”
Roan’s mouth watered. She yearned to slip into her four-legged form and chase whatever beast had yielded that fur.
“She’s the same as yesterday.” Forrest said, “She put her hand in a candle flame and was surprised when she got burned. I put her in a diaper this morning too.”
“Oh sweetheart, you’re having a terrible time, aren’t you?” Hanna asked. She wrapped her arms around Roan tenderly.
Roan hugged back, sniffing at the pink robe. Whatever scent the creature had carried was long gone. It only smelled of Hanna now, and human soaps. She sighed in disappointment and nodded to Hanna.
“My hand hurts.”
“Forrest, she can’t go to the coffee shop like this.” Hanna said, stroking Roan’s hair.
Hanna was better at petting her hair than Forrest was. Roan leaned into the caress and held a bit of Hanna’s robe.
“You’re right. I can call them after I get breakfast in her.”
“I’ll do it. I know Karen. She’s more likely to be lenient if it’s me calling.”
“Thanks Hanna. Hey, can I talk to you for a second?”
Forrest set a bowl next to Roan. He put an iron spoon next to her too, which she flinched away from before she could help herself. Luckily, he didn’t notice. He and Hanna were already leaving the room.
The bowl was full of milk, with grain bits floating in it. Roan’s first attempt to eat got her nose dipped in the bowl. She growled at herself.
It’s so hard to remember my face is flat!
Roan tried again, licking delicately at the milk. It was a lost cause. Her pitiful tongue could hardly reach the liquid, never mind pick up the bits. Picking up the bowl was a lot more successful.
She spilled a bit of milk down her jaw on the first few gulps but got the hang of it quickly. The odd concoction didn’t satisfy, but neither had the grilled bread the day before. Humans waited until their midday meal for meat, sadly.
“Thanks again for helping out.” Forrest said to Helen as they re-entered the kitchen.
“Hey, I care about her too, I’m really worried about – oh no Mariah. Did you put your face in your cereal?”
Roan licked her lips and hung her head guiltily. She hoped the iron spoon wasn’t a test. It was a nasty one, if it was. She’d never be able to hold it with an already-burned hand. A quick query to the changeling locket confirmed that many human babies ate with their hands in a messy fashion. Roan could only hope Mariah was still at that stage.
“A little bit.” Roan said. “I picked it up too.”
“Let me get you clean.” Hanna said, tearing a strip of cloth off a roll. She wiped Roan’s face and her shirt where the milk had dripped.
“Thanks mommy.” Roan ventured.
Hanna froze and looked at Roan. “Is that how you feel about me? Like you feel Forrest is daddy?”
Roan nodded vigorously. Surely this would make Hanna forget about the wretched iron spoon.
“Oh sweetie. I don’t know what happened two nights ago, but of course I’ll take care of you. That’s what Forrest was talking to me about. Like with him, call me Hanna when other people are around, okay?”
Roan sighed gratefully. Forrest had been convincing Hanna! She’d lucked into the perfect reaction, confirming Hanna’s guess that she still had her genuine daughter.
“Thanks mommy.” A careful tilt of her head was successful in encouraging Hanna to stroke her head. Roan luxuriated in the caress, laying her head on Helen’s chest.
“I’ll get showered and call the coffee shop.” Helen said. “Do you work today?”
“I do. Eight to three.” Forrest replied. “You?”
“Ten to six.” Helen frowned. “I think – we should have someone mind her.”
“Bless has the day off.” Forrest said. “I think she would.”
“She likes you better. You work on that; I’ll work on Karen.”
“Deal, Mom.” Forrest said with a laugh.
“Don’t even start, Dad.” Hanna chuckled.
Roan smiled so broadly she had to stifle a happy bark. These two were key to her success in the mortal world. The stories of the rage of mortal parents who discovered their child were gone were legendary. Familial rage had been Roan’s chief danger, but it was now her shield. If they believed she was their daughter, they would defend her against anyone, even their own kind.
Aside from the practical concerns, as important as those might be, it was sweet to see them banter with each other over her. Perhaps they’d been estranged. They didn’t smell like each other, so they had to be sleeping in separate beds at the least.
Maybe I can be more than a curse. Roan thought. Maybe I can help this family before I find a way to bring their daughter back.
It was an insane goal Roan had set herself. In order, she had to: give the humans the slip as well as her faerie watchers; find a way back into Faerie; sneak into the Court of Glass; steal the stolen mortal child; free her father; and survive all those things.
It didn’t matter how hard it was going to be. Having a goal was the same thing as having hope, no matter how slim the chance of success.
The Queen of Glass was as powerful a faerie lord as any, a titanic monster of unbridled magical power. Despite that, she was governed by the laws of the faerie realm as much any lowly sprite. Chief among those laws was, anything that might be imagined could come to pass.
If I believe, there will always be a chance it can happen.
While Roan had been lost in thought, Forrest had cleaned the kitchen. He came to Roan, stroking her hair again.
“I need to check your diaper, since you can’t tell when you have to go.” Forrest chuckled. “It’s not much of a liberty, considering I put it on you.”
Roan nodded, and obediently allowed Forrest to lift her skirt and pat her diaper, as he called the padded garment. She was unsure why her father felt he had to narrate what he was doing.
Did he suspect faerie watchers as well? Was he trying to mock them, saying they’d been unsuccessful in taking his daughter? Roan had to revise her estimate of her adopted father’s courage.
She resolved to work on warding the house post-haste as well. The humans might feel confidant in surrounding themselves with iron, but it hadn’t kept Lord Ehadenther out, and it wouldn’t keep a bean sídhe out either.
“Looks like you’re still dry.” Forrest said with a smile. “I hope you can still tell when you need to do the other thing.”
Roan’s ears perked up. Mariah was only partially incontinent! That was the best news she’d heard in a while.
“I’m sure I can, daddy.” Roan said eagerly.
“That’s great. Let me know if you need help.”
Roan nodded her agreement. It seemed safest to let Forrest help her when the situation came up, especially since she didn’t know by what spell her diaper fastened. The realization that she wouldn’t be wearing excrement like a pig, or a loathsome monster was the sun on her face.
“Will you be okay in the living room for a bit by yourself?” Forrest asked. “Can you sit on the couch for a bit?”
“Yes daddy.” Roan said confidently.
“Okay. I’ll be back soon. Don’t touch the candle again, and shout if you need me.”
“I won’t touch it, promise.” Roan said, gingerly holding her hand.
Forrest seemed relieved. He left Roan to wait while he made whatever his morning preparations were. She took the opportunity to look out the window. It was a strange human village – or town – or city. That she couldn’t guess the size was the first odd thing. The houses were spaced out, but there was no planted land Roan could see.
Larger buildings loomed in the distance, but it was unclear if they were part of Roan’s family’s habitation or a human castle. There were many sounds of humans now, but strange growling sounds as well. Some of the growls were loud enough to be dragons. The mortal realm wasn’t supposed to have dragons anymore, but Roan supposed she could be misinformed.
The whole place smelled like a dwarven foundry. The dominant scent was of heavy fuel burning. There were trees nearby, including a hawthorn and an ash. All Roan needed now was to find an oak, and she could craft a powerful ward against the faerie with human magic.
“Hey Mariah, how’re you this morning?” It was Bless, wet-haired and dressed in what looked like a formal outfit in dark colors.
“Same as yesterday.” Roan mimicked the description her adopted parents used.
“Oh, I see. Um, we almost have the couch cushion you peed on yesterday cleaned, are you okay sitting on there?”
“I have a diaper on.” Roan blushed to admit it to someone other than Forrest or Hanna.
As expected, Bless’ reaction was scornful. Or at least, what passed for scorn among humans. The changeling locket twinged in sympathetic memory at the expression. Mariah had seen that expression more than once.
“That will fix it, I guess.” Bless shrugged. “You don’t remember anything about what happened?”
“No. I told the police everything. I wasn’t lying.” Roan said pleadingly.
“I’m sorry, I didn’t mean to imply – look, I’m freaked out about what happened. I’m not trying to be mean.”
“I understand.” Roan said quickly.
“Thanks.” Bless said. “I guess you’re not going to the coffee shop today.”
“Forrest said I shouldn’t.”
“Did he?” Bless raised a brow. “That’s his business, I guess. Do you um – need anything?”
“I already had breakfast. I’m waiting for Forrest now.”
“Okay, stay out of trouble, I guess.”
“I will.” Roan said, heartfelt.
“Bless! I was hoping to catch you.” Forrest said. “Can you watch Mariah today from ten to three?”
“What? Watch her do what?”
“She burned herself on the candle this morning. She had trouble eating her cereal. Hanna and I don’t think she should be left alone.”
“Hanna can watch her.”
“Hanna works today too. She starts at ten. I’m off at three.”
“Five hours? Come ON Forrest, I was supposed to go into the city today.”
“Maybe Corey can do part of it.” Forrest said. “Do you know his schedule for today?”
“Ugh, he’s not going to be back until at least noon.”
“I’d feel terrible if something happened to Mariah. Please, Bless?”
“I can’t believe I have to babysit her.” Bless rolled her eyes. “Fine Forrest, but you owe me. You better be back as soon as you get off work.”
“I will be, I promise.”
Roan, who had only been half-listening to the conversation, started at Forrest’s oath. She knew it was common for mortals to use the language of oaths casually, so much so that they were easy for a faerie to deceive into dangerous contracts.
There was nothing casual about the way Forrest made a promise. His words rang in Roan’s ears like a bell, binding him to the task. Despite knowing he was not her true family, she felt a swell of pride for the honorable man who’d come to take care of her.
“You never break one of those.” Bless said, grudgingly. “This must be really important to you. Fine, I’ll watch until you get back. I promise.”
Bless’ promise had no magic in it. She honored her own word hardly at all. That suited Roan just fine. An inattentive minder would be easy to slip away from, so Roan could gather her warding materials. There might be time to find signs of her watchers too, if she were clever.
“I owe you.” Forrest said, binding himself with another oath.
Honorable he was, but reckless too. Roan wondered if she might be able to teach Forrest a bit of oathcraft. He hadn’t needed to offer the second promise, Bless had failed to extract a price. Now he was stuck owing her any favor at all.
Forrest handed Roan a slab of crystal and – slick bone or horn? The majority of the covering was of strange material that Roan couldn’t identify to save her life. Runes glimmered on the flat crystal face of the slab. They might as well have been Fomorian script to Roan. Her changeling transformation had given her speech, not literacy.
“Here’s your phone.” Forrest said. “You can call me if you need to. I’ll either pick up or call you back right away.”
Roan looked at the slab and then at Forrest, helplessly. She’d never guessed humans would have such an arcane artifact, let alone that their infants would use them.
Who ARE these humans? Smiths? Sorcerers? Disgraced Nobles? All three?
“You don’t know how to use it, do you?” Forrest asked.
Another test? I thought he was done with those.
Roan considered. Perhaps Forrest was following a protocol out of tradition or duty. It would fit with his honorable nature. If he’d ever sworn an oath to fully investigate a faerie kidnapping, he’d have to do it now, even if he had total faith in ‘Mariah’.
“I don’t. I can try…” Roan said, hedging her bets.
“Okay, try. If you can’t do it, Bless can reach me.”
They ARE sorcerers. They speak to each other through these slates. This is getting to be more of a bramble all the time.
“Try to stay in the living room or your room until I get back.” Forrest said. “Ask Bless if you need anything.”
“Okay Forrest.” Roan winced internally. She hated to intentionally deceive such an honest person, but the house needed wards.
“I don’t have to change her diaper, do I?” Bless asked.
“She shouldn’t need a change until I get back. The one she’s wearing now can hold a couple of wettings.”
“The things you learn in that nursing home.” Bless said. “I’m glad I don’t work there.”
“I don’t mind.” Forrest said. “I like helping people.”
“What do I do, exactly?”
“Just – make sure she doesn’t hurt herself. You don’t have to entertain her. She’s been really patient. She’ll need you to make lunch for her. It’d be nice if you could check and see if she’s thirsty, I’m not sure if she’ll ask.”
“That’s easy enough I guess.” Bless said, sounding a little guilty now. “I’ve got it.”
“Thanks. I really appreciate this.”
“I have to leave now, Mariah. You’re going to be okay here until I get back. Hanna’s here for another couple of hours too, okay?”
“Okay Forrest.” Roan said, smiling to reassure him as much as she could.
“Okay.” Forrest hesitated, like he didn’t want to leave, or couldn’t bring himself to go. Finally, he squared his shoulders and left the house with a final goodbye.
Roan looked at Bless. Bless looked back at her. Whatever guilt Forrest extracted from her didn’t transfer to Roan.
“Ask Hanna if you need something until ten, okay? I’ll be around to watch you after.”
“Okay Bless.” Roan said obediently.
“I didn’t think I’d be babysitting a little kid when I moved in here.” Bless shook her head.
Roan had nothing to say. Surely even the real Mariah could claim that as unfair statement. Mariah hadn’t asked to be born to Forrest and Hanna any more than Roan had asked to be exchanged for her.
Bless looked like she came to a similar conclusion, blushing in shame. “Sorry – I – I’ll see you in a couple of hours.”
Left alone on the couch, Roan waited patiently and looked at her mystic slate. One set of the runes changed regularly. Querying her changeling amulet told Roan those runes were mortal numbers, and their specific arrangement was a way to keep track of time.
Fascinated, Roan watched the relentless regularity of the time-runes. She counted her heartbeats against them many times, and every time the runes counted out the same quantity of beats. There was no skipping, no slowing, no jumps forward or backward. Mortal time was – regular.
She was lost in the spectacle and didn’t notice Hanna until the mortal woman was petting her hair. Excited and pleased to get more petting, Roan beamed at Hanna. Her adopted mother was dressed for the day a dress of fine cloth the color of the sky.
“Hi there, you’re in a good mood right now.”
“Yes Mommy.” Roan said, after a brief check that they were alone.
“You are so sweet like this. I know the thing with break-in was really scary but, there’s something so darling about you. What’re you doing with your phone?”
“Forrest told me to try to use it.” Roan said bashfully. She hadn’t done that at all, she’d been staring at the time runes like a brainless puppy.
“It doesn’t look like you have it unlocked.” Hanna said. “Is it too complicated for you?”
Roan nodded. “I can keep trying though.”
“I don’t want you to frustrate yourself.” Hanna said. She stared at Roan for a few moments, considering something. She was petting Roan’s hair again, which granted her a license to sit and make odd faces for as long as she wanted.
“I hate for you to sit here with nothing to do. Books won’t work if unlocking a phone is too hard – hmm – you know hon, I have toys from the daycare that came home by accident. Do you want to see if those are more your speed?”
The word ‘daycare’ was going to need a trip to the amulet, so it was unclear what kind of toys were being offered. It was clear Hanna was right about the books though, they’d be in the same impenetrable runes as the mystic slate. Game to try anything and eager to please Hanna, Roan nodded.
From a bag on the wall, Hanna handed Roan a pair of carven monsters. They were fist-sized and made of a more flexible version of the unnamed covering for the slate. Fearsome claws and teeth were a delight to see, the detail on the carvings was exquisite. Grinning, Roan made one of them bite the neck of the other, as she wished she could still do on the hunt for prey.
Hanna giggled. “Looks like I was spot on. You can keep those for now. I’ll get you a few more.”
“Thanks Mommy.”
“You’re welcome darling. I shouldn’t be taking this route – but how about we stop worrying about what happened two nights ago and you can be my kid?”
Roan gasped happily. Hanna had given up on the tests entirely, and given away her hand by telling Roan what she was doing. She must have really believed Forrest. That made sense considering his honesty. Forrest wouldn’t approve, of course, he had to see the tests out to their end. Roan was happy to keep Hanna’s secret.
The sense of safety from Hanna’s pronouncement kindled warmth in Roan’s heart. She threw herself at Hanna for a tight embrace, overwhelmed by the genuine affection she felt for the mortal woman.
“Wow, that’s – that’s amazing. I’m counting that as a yes. I’ve got you, Mariah. You’re safe with me.”
“Thank you, Mommy.”
“I was going to let Forrest take care of this but – if your diaper gets wet before I go to work, tell me and I’ll change you. I don’t think Bless will do it. That way, you might have a dry diaper for longer.”
“Okay, I will.”
Roan was left with an interesting dilemma. She didn’t WANT to soil herself and had planned to space those incidents out as much as possible. However, from the way Hanna and Forrest talked about the time she’d be with Bless, it seemed like it would be too long to avoid wetting entirely. Perhaps she should make sure she used her diaper before Hanna left.
“When are you going to work?” Roan asked.
“In about an hour hon.” Hanna picked up Roan’s mystic slate and pointed at the time runes. “When this one changes, and this one is back to this number, I’ll be leaving soon.”
Roan studied the slate carefully and nodded at Hanna. It was a simple, useful explanation, the mark of a good mother.
“You and I are going to have to spend time together tonight. I don’t want to miss out on this cute little girl.”
Roan nodded happily. With Forrest’s help, she’d done such a good job that Hanna was willing to spend more time with Roan. She was doing it even though the women of her tribe didn’t normally raise the children. The mortal world, which had been so terrifying at first, was attaining shape and purpose.
Helping these mortals, rescuing Mariah, saving her father, they all seemed more possible than they had been when Roan had first dreamed them. With a delighted growl, she showed Hanna how the monsters could slay each other. Hanna particularly liked it when Roan had them stalk each other.
I love it when Hanna laughs. I never thought I’d say that about a mortal, but at least two of them are as good as any hound in my father’s pack.