* * *
Moments later, they stepped out of the elevator and headed for one of the smaller living rooms. Worry rolled through Nik. Shadow was his entire life. Even as his soul departed his body, his only thought had been for her to be safe. But so much had changed in the months he’d been…gone. He never wanted her hurt ever again.
At the outer door, she eased away from his tight hold and patted his chest. “Wait here. I’ll bring him closer.”
His heart in his throat, he watched the woman who was his very heart, his entire world, walk down the few steps to the hellhound the size of a truck. This was the creature who’d torn him apart as punishment when he’d refused to hunt souls during his incarceration in Tartarus. How could he ever tolerate this beast anywhere near his mate?
Hands clenched, he waited at the open door, wariness threading through him, tightening its web. It was the darkest hour before dawn. Shit could still happen.
As Shadow cleared the last step, the hellish creature prowled closer, eyes glowing red. Its enormous head gently batted her arm, and it chuffed as if in greeting.
“Hey,” she said softly in a familiarity that spoke of frequent meetings, and she stroked its muzzle. She put both her palms on its massive chest and rested her brow against its black pelt. Minutes passed.
Nik stopped breathing. How could he, when his mate stood inches from a maw with deadly fangs—fangs he’d been at the mercy of too many times in the past.
Nik?her soft voice coasted through his mind.Come.
He took the steps down.
The hellhound growled low in its throat.
I’m not gonna do anything, you damn pain in my ass.Still, Nik treaded carefully. This was one of Tartarus’ most dangerous beasts. A wrong move andhecould be torn apart again—because that thing sure seemed to revere his mate.
The hellhound ignored him.
Shadow reached out and grasped his hand. “Pithius,” she said softly, her one palm still attached to its massive chest. “This is my mate, Nik.”
The terrifying creature whined and gently headbutted her shoulder again, like a puppy.
Amazing.
“I guess you’ve been accepted,” she teased, her eyes glowing from her feeding.
Fine, but he would be able to take care of her needs once he got back on patrol.
Nik frowned as the hellhound and Shadow stared at each other for an endless second, then the creature shimmered and faded.
Nik drew her into his arms. “What was that all about?”
“He said to say his name if I ever need him.”
He frowned. “He’s not coming back?”
She stared at the spot the beast had been. “I think he will make an appearance if he needs me enough.”
Who knew with a little kindness, even the most feared monsters from the darkest depths of Tartarus, would react to it? His mate had empathy in bucket loads.
“If he seeks you out, I’m okay with it,” he said. “I can’t hold on to ancient anger when you’ve shown me how to let go and move on.”
“I’m glad…” She headed up and sat on the top step. Nik lowered beside her. “For the first time, I don’t dread the mornings.” She glanced up at the dark sky. “I want to welcome the day.”
He put his arm around her, hugging her close. “I promise, I’ll spend eternity greeting every morning with you, and making it up to you.”
“I know. I need pampering.”
“It would be my pleasure, Starshine.”
Smiling, she reached into one of the flowerpots next to her, then she popped something into her mouth.
