The inhalation of breath Lilah takes is audible.
“See you tomorrow,” Holly says, waving as she walks in the opposite direction.
Lilah remains speechless. Blinking rapidly, she meets my gaze. Her pulse has increased to a speed indicative of physical exertion. “I don’t need you to walk home with me. I’m sure you have work to catch up on at Just Baked after sitting at the bingo event for three hours.”
“I will complete my tasks later, as demons do not require rest. I committed to ensuring you reach your cabin without issue, and I do not break a vow made. If you prefer, I will follow at a distance rather than walk with you.”
“Why in the world would I want that?” Her dark hair shimmers in the moonlight as she shakes her head, raising one hand as I open my mouth to answer. “That was a rhetorical question; a question not intended to require an answer.”
“Why ask a question if you do not wish to hear an answer? This is not rhetorical.”
She laughs, a brief sound that renews the warmth in my core. “That was funny. And cute.” A fresh wave of color rises in her cheeks, and for the first time since calling bingo, she smiles genuinely.
“I did not intend to amuse you, but it pleases me to have done so. I enjoy viewing your smile.” As it always does in her presence, the urge to inhale demands I draw breath. I should resist. I do not.
“Your eyes are glowing like flames again. What causes that?”
“Is that another rhetorical question, or do you wish an answer?”
“Haha, funny guy,” she says, regathering the straps of a large tote bag onto her shoulder. “Should we walk so that you can make good on your promise, and then get back to the work you had planned for tonight, before I guilted you into playing bingo?”
“Demons do not experience guilt. I participated in your event because you wanted me to attend.”
“Exactly. I guilted you into it.”
“There was no guilt, Lilah. Only my desire to please you.”
“Oh,” she says softly. “Well, consider me pleased. And thank you. I’m still getting used to people caring about my happiness. It means a lot to me. You do.”
I offer my hand when she once again shifts the bag as it slips off her shoulder. “Allow me to carry that.”
“That’d be great, thank you.”
Careful not to touch her, I relieve her of the burden, then we fall into step on the sidewalk. Silence does not bother me; it is a welcome respite after millennia of endless screaming in the hell realm. Lilah often initiates conversation, seeming to prefer it to the lack thereof, but as we walk through town and its outskirts, she does not engage in dialogue. Each time I look at her, sheappears consumed by thoughts. If she wished to share them, she would do so without prompting, as is her way.
Her silence continues for the duration, concluding as we reach the edge of the fox shifter enclave. “I can take it from here,” she says, gesturing to her bag. “About the, um, prizes at bingo. This is going to sound suspicious, but I wasn’t supposed to win what I won. The last prize was supposed to be a pretty notebook from Flora’s store, not a—not what it was. My friends pranked me.”
“That does not seem like a kind thing to do to a friend, especially one as gentle and giving as you.”
Fiddling with the wide straps as she adjusts them on her shoulder, she looks up, pink splashed across her cheeks when she meets my gaze. “I know they meant well. Some things just don’t work out the way we hope. Anyway, I just wanted you to know that when I told you I’ve had my eye on the prize for a while, I was talking about the prize it was supposed to be. The notebook from Fae-vorite Things. Not the…”
“Deluxe demon dildo,” I say, when she does not complete the statement.
A high-pitched squeak leaves her lips as she squeezes her eyes shut. “Yes, that. That’s not what I wanted.”
Again, the tightening sensation grips my midsection. “You need not be embarrassed, Lilah. Nobody in attendance will think the actions of your friends are indicative of your personal desires. Perhaps this will distract and please you,” I say, removing the paper from my pocket and offering it when she opens her eyes.
“This is your prize. Dinner for two at Charming Bites.”
“And I would like you to enjoy it.”
“You would? Really?” Wide-eyed now, dark eyelashes fluttering against rosy cheeks, she pulls her bottom lip betweenher teeth while looking up at me, awaiting my answer to what must not be a rhetorical question.
“Yes. It is an impractical prize for a demon, as we do not require sustenance. I am sure that you and another mortal will enjoy it, as I have heard many in town discussing the favorable quality of the food.”
“You… you’re just giving it to me? To use with someone else?”
“Yes.”
