His gaze lifted, and it shocked her to see the stark anguish on his face. “Gaia took away my memories of you because my despair was impeding my regeneration.”
A trembling smile curved her mouth. “I’m just grateful you’re here with me again.”
He dropped the lantern and drew her to him.
She relaxed his embrace. “Do the warriors know you are here?”
He smoothed back her hair from her face. “No. You were the one I wanted to see first.”
“You going to call them?” She couldn’t wait for everyone to find out her miracle.
He frowned. “It’s close to dawn. They’ll be back soon, so yeah.”
“Okay, in the meantime, I’ll go tend to Pithius.”
His eyebrows drew together in concern. “Shadow—”
She put her fingers on his lips. “He helped me in the last months when I couldn’t do anything for myself. I need to do this for him.”
“Dammit.” Nik raked back his long hair in frustration, the silky strands falling back down his gorgeous face. “He’s still a hellhound. They have no loyalties.”
“I don’t know about that. I only know he saved me. He’d been there for me when I needed to feed. And he was a comfort to me when I was falling apart.”
“Hell.” Nik rubbed his jaw, appearing torn. “Okay. Let’s go get this done.”
God, she loved him so damn much. He always put his own concerns aside for her.
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 and he could 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.
“What are you doing?”
“Oh, I have a craving for them.”
Frowning, Nik peered around her back at the lush plant with red lumps on it. “What are those?”
“Slugs.”
His gaze shot hers, and she burst out laughing, the light sound warming his heart, but he still plucked free whatever it was she’d eaten, then stared at the succulent fruit. “Berries?”
“Yes. Strawberries. Your child demands it, so I eat them. Hedori had pots of them planted and put out several on the patios, so they’re always at hand when the craving takes hold.”
Oh. “Very well.” Nik carefully moved her aside and took her spot. He plucked several of the gleaming red berries, then held out his palm. “Here.”
She took a fruit from his hand and leaned her head against his biceps. Nik kissed her head. In the distance, beyond the forest, the skies lightened with streaks of pink, navy, and orange.
“Do you want some?” she asked, eating another.
“Yeah, sure.”
She held out one. He threaded his fingers through her shoulder-length hair and dragged her close, then slid his tongue into her mouth. She huffed out a laugh mid-kiss, and he drew back. “Hmm, they taste amazing, especially from your mouth.”
Then he cupped her face and kissed her deeply, savoring this quiet time with his mate…
Somewhere in the castle, masculine voices drifted to him.
Shadow pulled back, her mouth puffy from their kiss. “This, you being back, it’s going to shock them.”
“Probably. I’d rather spend time with you right now.” He nibbled her lower lip.
“I want that too. But you must know they were all real rocks of comfort, and I mean it quite literally, making sure I was taken care of. They set their mates on me,” she said with a wry smile, taking the last of the berries. “They can’t seem to wait for this baby to arrive. So you need to say hello.”
She was right. “C’mon, let’s go give them hope,” he drawled, helping her up from the step.
Yeah, his warrior brothers would have protected Shadow, and he had to give his thanks. But he was here now, and he would see to her every need.