Ace and Ruby rise from their positions guarding the porch and trot across the polished boards. Ace stops closest to me, and I drop down to his level.
“Grinta,” I say softly, holding out my hand and waiting for him to reciprocate. He nudges his nose to my palm before stepping back, but even that small connection is enough to reaffirm our bond.
Ruby remains a few steps back, watching me with her bright, crimson eyes. Roman hangs back while I hold my hand out for her as well, giving her the option to approach. I don’t miss the way her focus shifts to Ace before she chooses to remain where she is.
I accept her decision. We’re not there yet, and that’s okay.
“Thank you for guarding us last night,” I say to them as I rise back to my feet. It’s been over a day since they fed on the centripod and, although it was certainly a good meal, I’m conscious that they won’t be able to hunt in the angels’ realm. “I’ll figure out a way to feed you again soon.”
“I can help with that,” Roman says. “My energy can sustain the wolves in the short term, until we can find another source of food.”
“Thank you,” I say, giving him a grateful smile. “Your care for my wolves means more than I can say.”
He nods, and when I hold out my hand, he takes it without hesitation. Moving off the porch into the sunlight, we discover a pile of fresh clothing on the top step. I guess the angels weren’t eager to come closer to the front door while my demon wolves were guarding the porch, but we can make use of the fresh clothing tomorrow. Assuming any of the garments they offered are large enough to fit Roman’s frame. I smother a smirk when I wonder if they had to raid Adriel’s wardrobe to find something in Roman’s size.
Haldi said she would make sure that food was brought to us, but I don’t see any until we proceed toward Malia and Taniya’s cabin. That’s when a table comes into view, nestled in the shade beneath the spreading boughs of an oak tree that sits between our two cabins.
It’s piled high with exotic-looking fruits, rolls of what looks like bread, squares of cheeses, and other food items I don’t recognize or have names for, all displayed on gorgeous crystal platters or in glass bowls.
My sisters and Koda aren’t there yet, and I’m surprised that we’re the first to emerge—unless the others came outside yesterday afternoon or even during the night…
My other demon wolves sit in position on the other two porches, all of them standing up when they see me, their ears pricked, but I guess that means Koda and my sisters haven’t stepped outside yet.
With a languid glance at the clear sky and its perfect clouds, I can understand why. We all need rest while we can get it. We’ll be more equipped to deal with the challenges ahead if we’re at full energy.
“They’re on their way now,” Roman tells me, picking up their approach with his ancient power. “We can sit.”
Choosing seats on the east side of the long table, Roman and I settle in side by side. Ace and Ruby take a small run around the clearing, stretching their legs before they lie on the mossy ground at the base of the tree.
Malia and Taniya emerge dressed in linen pants and short-sleeved tops in pastel colors, the material wafting softly around them as they approach. Their clothing looks similar to the garments that were left on our top step, and I’m glad my sisters have fresh clothes to replace their battle armor.
Blitz tears down the steps of their porch, overtaking them to race around the table like Ace and Ruby did. His speed makes my head spin and brings laughter to my lips before he settles beside my chair.
I press my hand against his dark fur, sensing the softer emotions he gives me—far softer than Ace’s ferocity.
“Grinta,” I murmur to him. “Thank you for watching over my sisters last night.”
He makes a small yipping sound and then joins Ace and Ruby beneath the tree.
Malia and Taniya each greet us with ‘good morning’ and take a seat on the other side of the table. They both seem far more relaxed than I was expecting.
Taniya’s harpy is nowhere to be seen when she glances up at the sky with a smile. “There’s something about this world,” she says, “that makes today feel like a new day in which anything is possible.”
I smile as my sisters eye the delicious-looking arrangement of food as ravenously as I did. The angels may not be anywhere in sight, but they’ve certainly catered for us this morning. My stomach growls and I reach for a plate and start filling it.
“I take it you slept well,” I say to them.
“Very well,” Taniya says. “But not as good as you, Noves.”
She gives me a slow smirk as she picks up a piece of fruit, and I fight my sudden grin, knowing exactly what she means. It seems that Roman’s counter-surveillance rune might stop the angels from seeing inside our cabin, but it did nothing to make our hut soundproof. I’m not embarrassed. I’ll never be embarrassed about the connection Roman and I share.
He doesn’t appear bothered, either, reaching for food while a smile grows on his face. It’s the kind of smile that could get him anything he wants. The kind that reminds me he’s a demon—but a demon who has given me his trust. And gained my trust in return.
“My mate’s needs will never be neglected,” he says.
I pause in the act of taking my first bite, a deep warmth spreading through me. Hearing Roman call memateagain makes my heart expand.
Across the table, Taniya’s eyes grow wide, as do Malia’s, both of them turning their shocked gazes to me.
