Page 112 of Nine-Tenths

"The Helios? I didn't figure you for a gadget guy."

"Why would I not have an interest in environmental sustainability? I have generations to live on this planet yet."

A pang of sadness echoes behind my heart. That's a long time to be alone. After me, I mean.

I hope he finds someone.Maybe it should make me jealous, the idea that after I'm buried, Dav will kiss someone else, tell someone else that he loves them. Instead, I’m just wistful. I hope he does. And I hope he's bigger in his own skin by then.

And one way that's going to happen is by teaching him how to drive his own damn self.

Trying to hide the sudden gravity of my train of thought, I tease: "Oh, I see. Then pursuing me was calculated—you caught yourself a pet expert."

Dav rolls his eyes. "You're not my pet."

And then he Vanna Whites, and I follow his gesture to the sleek, discreet silver car crouched on the gravel drive.

"Holy shit, itisthe Helios." I skip down the steps to run my palms across the solar-panel roof.

"Are you sure you don't want the driver?"

"I want you to learn."

"I understand," Dav says. "But this is her job."

"She can do something else."

"She wants to dothis. This is what she requested when she came of age."

"The dragons bully you. I'm not letting you get ‘managed’ by your staff either."

"They're not staff, they're…"

"Hoard?"

"Yes. More like… family."

"Family that you own and order around."

"When have you seen me ordering any of them around?" Dav asks, taken aback. "You're the one who was issuing orders just now. You were rude!"

We glower at each other over the roof of the car, at an impasse.

"Fine," I relent. "I'll apologize when we get back, but you still need driving lessons. You can let the chauffeur drive you, if you want, but I'd feel better…"About you getting cornered or trapped, I think but don't say. "If you could drive in emergencies."

"Very well. If it will make you happy, Mine Own."

"It will."

I slide into the driver's seat, and run my hands over the dash. So many shiny buttons! The key fob, like Sarah said they would be, is in the ignition tray. I put it in my pocket right away, knowing I’ll lock us out when I park if I don't. A passenger side door opens, but it's in the back.

"Absolutely not! Front seat, mister!"

Dav hesitates, closes the door, opens the front one, and folds himself inside next to me.

"Ignition, gas, speed gauge, rear view mirror, side mirrors, steering wheel," I point out as we buckle up.

Dav offers up an exasperated eye roll. "I’m notthathelpless."

"Well, I don't know how long they've kept you in the back seat."