Before Kiri was able to press farther, Monte barged in the same way he’d left—with thunderous steps filled with urgency—bearing an armful of what Lyall had requested: peace lilies.
Seeing him there, cradling the delicate white and pale yellow blooms as if they were the most precious of treasures, Kiri’sheart fluttered in her chest. His eyes met hers, and he gave her a soft smile, as he gently laid the flowers on the center table.
“Perfect,” Lyall murmured, her emerald eyes gleaming with satisfaction as she picked up one of the lilies. Her hands moved with practiced dexterity, crushing the petals and leaves into a thick paste in her wooden bowl. The scent of the lilies filled the room—sweet, yet subtly earthy.
“Don’t move,” Monte’s gruff voice warned, his hand coming to rest on her shoulder just as Lyall lifted her foot and placed it on her propped knee. Carefully applying the paste, Lyall worked in silence; her brow furrowed in concentration as she spread it over Kiri’s ankle. A cool, soothing sensation spread through the injured joint, numbing pain and bringing much-needed relief.
She then wrapped it with a fresh bandage—firm but not constricting, providing a reassuring pressure against Kiri’s skin. All the while, Monte stood there like a silent guardian, his hand never leaving her shoulder, making her hyper-aware of his presence.
As Lyall finished up with a final securing knot, she placed her foot back on the pillow pile and stood , wiping her hands clean on a piece of cloth. “That should do it,” she said finally, shooting Kiri an encouraging smile. “Now, is there anything else I can do for you?”
Kiri bit down on her lip as she mulled over her answer, questioning whether she should make such requests of the two monsters who had already done so much. As her gaze landed on Monte’s worried face, his deep-set eyes stayed dark with concern. The weight of his hand lingered on her shoulder and something about the familiar touch bolstered her strength.
Taking a deep breath, she nodded. “Yes, there is something.” Kiri flicked her gaze between the two watching her. “I...I left my stuff back up the mountainside,” she admitted sheepishly, her eyes dropping to her hands in her lap. “My bag, my phone... andmy rental jeep is dead, abandoned on the side of the road. I need to retrieve my things and get it fixed.”
“That’s risky, Kiri.” Lyall’s eyes widened in surprise before quickly narrowing in thought, casting a side-long glance at Monte who was already shaking his head. “You’re barely able to walk. There’s no way you’ll be able to back track to gather your things.”
Monte grunted affirmatively, his hand tightening slightly on her shoulder before letting her go. “I’ll retrieve your belongings,” Monte rumbled firmly, already at the door, pausing only long enough to glance over his shoulder. “And check on the vehicle and see what needs to be done.”
Lyall shared a look with Monte and nodded before he left the cabin. Her glowing eyes twinkled with amusement as she returned her gaze to Kiri. “Don’t worry, darling. You can stay here and we’ll make sure you get it all taken care of.”
Kiri settled back onto the pillows with a contented sigh. The pain in her ankle had subsided significantly thanks to Lyall’s herbal paste.
She didn’t know how long it would take Monte to return or if he would find everything she had lost, but somehow, she was already missing his presence even though he’d just left.
“Thank you so much for your help,” Kiri remarked, pointing to her ankle. “I don’t know what I would have done without you and Monte.”
“It’s my pleasure, Kiri.” Lyall smiled, her eyes crinkling at the corners as her tail swayed playfully. “Now, let’s get you cleaned up and into some fresh clothes that I brought over. I can help you bathe and dress, if you’d like.”
Kiri hesitated for a moment, but as she looked into Lyall’s compassionate gaze, she found herself nodding, sensing nothing amiss. “I’d appreciate that, thank you.”
As Lyall helped Kiri to the bathroom, she glanced down at her with a knowing smile playing on her lips. “You’re in good hands with him, you know,” she said softly. “He’s lucky to have found someone like you.”
Kiri felt a blush creep up her neck at Lyall’s words. She’d never thought of herself as someone special, someone worthy of the kind of care and attention Monte had shown her.
“I hope he’s able to find my things.”
Lyall nodded with a reassuring smile. “I have no doubt he will.”
Kiri couldn’t argue with that. She had seen firsthand how Monte had gone above and beyond to gather whatever was needed for her. As much as she tried to deny it, she was grateful for his presence in her life.
She continued to allow herself to be tended to, the warm water soothing her aching muscles. Lyall’s gentle hands helped her dress in a pair of baggy pants with a tail hole at the back and a tank top long enough that it came to her knees, making her feel as if she was wearing a tunic.
As the afternoon turned into evening, Kiri found herself dozing off on the couch in front of the fire while Lyall bustled around the cabin, preparing dinner and tending to her needs.
“Kiri.” Lyall’s soft voice woke her from her light slumber. “Dinner is ready whenever you’re feeling up to it.”
Kiri stretched her sore muscles before sitting up slowly with a grateful smile. Dinner was simple but delicious—a hearty stew with fresh vegetables and chunks of tender meat that melted in her mouth.
Lyall packed up and left, wishing to get home before the moon hung over the lake, and promised to check in on her in a few days, leaving Kiri alone to ponder when Monte would be home.
She sat on the edge of the couch, her fingers absently tracing the intricate patterns of the comforter as her mind replayed the events of what had happened to her since she’d arrived.
She had come to Monster Island for her social media job, seeking to show the world the truth about monsters and how humans could coexist with them.
Monte, in particular, had surprised her. Behind his gruff exterior and imposing presence, she had discovered a being of great depth and compassion. He had risked his own safety to save her, had tended to her wounds with a gentleness that belied his size and strength.
As she sat there, lost in thought, Kiri realized that her feelings toward Monte had shifted. The initial fear had given way to respect, admiration, and something else, something warm and fluttering that she couldn’t quite name.
