I guess we’re not going back to bed.
“Your gift is around back. It snowed during the night, but I cleared a path earlier while you slept. I will guide you and ensure you do not fall.”
“I didn’t hear you shoveling.”
“Because I did not wish to be heard.” For a huge literal monster of a man, he is incredibly quiet. Except when he’s fucking me hard. His roars have literally shaken the windows many times. “Five more steps, then stop and uncover your eyes.”
By the time I’ve counted the fifth step, my heart is racing. His hand remains on my back as I peel up the edge of my toque. For a couple of seconds, I have to blink away the sunspots. When my vision clears, I’m rendered speechless by what’s in front of me.
A greenhouse. Tall enough for Amazra to be comfortable standing in, wooden at the bottom with glass-paneled walls and roof that make it easy to see the abundance of greenery thriving inside.
“It’s beautiful,” I say, throwing my arms around him. “But how?”
“Dakgorim built the structure. Rose from the floral shop assisted with the contents, ensuring you will have berries long past the end of summer. Lexi used her magic to shield the process from your view.”
“For how long?”
“Many months. I am in her debt, as she refused to accept monetary payment. Demons have little to fear outside of the hell realm, but I have experienced tightness in my midsection when I consider what she may request to settle my debt.”
When my laughter against his chest tapers off, I settle my chin over the place where his heart would be if he had one, and smile up at him. “I’ll protect you from the verynot-wicked green witch.”
His lips curve into a smile, a gesture that has become more natural and frequent with each day we’ve been living our happily ever after. “Shall we go inside and lie on our backs to look up at the sky for a while? I had Dakgorim build a raised platform in the center, and I have layered it with soft blankets purchased from your fairy friend, to ensure you will not catch a chill during the cold months.”
More happy tears trickle down my face. “You thought of everything.”
“I thought of you, my Lilah, and you are my everything.”
I hug him tight before practically bouncing the remaining distance to the greenhouse’s entrance. I’m reaching for the door handle when something snags in my peripheral vision. Turning toward the dark thing at the edge of the tree line, six glowing eyes stare back at me.
My shriek seems to startle whatever it is to a standing position, which wrings another shriek from my lungs. “What isthat?”
“A hellhound,” Amazra says, taking several steps toward the creature that looks like a black, short-coated dog with three heads. “It will not harm you.”
“Are you sure about that? You’re the one who’s always telling me not to go in the woods alone or after dark because of the local wildlife.”
“Hellhounds are not local wildlife. They are creatures from the hell realm, as I am. They act in service to the guardians and have no place in the earthly realm. This one must have escaped the hell realm, as I did.”
“Okay, so I’m glad it got out of there, obviously,” I say, carefully catching up to him. “But that doesn’t explain how you’re sure it won’t harm me.”
“Hellhounds are lesser demons, generally kept by guardians. For this one to be present inside the Oracle’s boundary, its heart must be clear of ill intent.”
“Do you know why it’s here?”
“I do not.” Stopping several meters from the creature, Amazra turns toward me. “But it responded to me when I came upon it while shoveling. It obeyed my command to wait here until I return. If it is to survive here, it will require assistance.”
“So, basically, it’s a lost demon dog that seems to have chosen you as its new person. Well, luckily,yourperson is the best veterinary technician in any realm.”
“What are you doing?” Amazra says when I carefully move toward the hellhound with my hands outstretched and at nose level.
Noseslevel, to be more accurate.
“Taking care of our new dog.” Dropping to my knees in the snow, I inch closer. “Hi there, pretty…” I tilt my head for a look between the animal’s hind legs. No sign of a penis or testicles hanging down, though that determiner might not apply to ahellhound. Still, it’s an educated guess. “Hi, pretty girl. I’m Lilah, and that’s Amazra, and we’re going to help you, okay?”
I steady my breathing as the hellhound’s three heads descend toward my hands. Worst-case scenario, Amazra has to rush me to Dr. Schaeffer’s office for magic-infused stitches and a rabies shot. But I don’t think that’s going to happen. No danger sirens are going off inside me, and I have faith in my self-preservation instincts. They’ve served me well so far.
“Good girl,” I say as its three cool noses nuzzle my palms. “Or should I say good girls, plural?” I turn my head toward Amazra. “She has three heads, but only one body. So, which one is correct—girl or girls?”
“I am unsure.”
