“What’s wrong?” I whisper, casting a glance at the hide-covered doorway.
Just then, there’s a faint scratching noise, and the sound of claws scraping against leather. My heart jumps into my throat, and instinctually, I pull one of Rhune’s furs up to my chin, covering my body from the potential threat.
“Hello? Is someone out there?”
Someone clears their throat. “Do you… um… are you decent, female?”
Dravik. I’d recognize that impossibly deep timbre anywhere.The demon’s voice is a soothing rumble that sends a shiver down my spine and causes heat to pool between my thighs—both of which I ignore completely.
“I am. You can come in.”
I lower the furs to my lap, and Dravik pulls the hide covering to the side. He has to duck and twist his shoulders just to fitthrough the doorway, but once inside, Dravik straightens to his full height, which is well over eight feet. His gorgeous sunset-colored wings flare, the tips brushing the walls on either side of Rhune’s bedroom—showcasing just how massive he really is. Just like Rhune and Nyx, he’s dressed in a pale-colored dermal armor that clings to his impressive muscles and showcases the inhumane bulge between his legs.
His hair is long, thick, and heavily tangled, colored the same hue as his impressive glowing orange eyes. His horns are massive and thick, curving back in a tight spiral like those of a ram, the pointed tips brushing the base of his square jaw. His tail is long and thick like Nyx’s, but it ends in a thick club that looks like it can easily be used as a weapon.
Unlike his brothers’ unblemished faces, Dravik’s left eye has a deep scar running vertically through it, and the horn on that same side is broken off at the top third, adding to his menacing appearance.
Warrior,my inner voice says.This one is the protector.
Dravik’s eyes dip to my chest, and they flare bright before he forcefully drops them to the floor. “I’m sorry to intrude,” he says, his voice strained. “I heard voices and wanted to make sure everything was okay.”
“Oh, that. I was talking to Kevin.”
Dravik’s back goes ramrod straight, the tips of his wings bristling angrily as he swings his gaze around the room, searching. “Whois Kevin and how did he get into my home?”
I bite my lip to stifle my laugh. “The baby antethorpe. I named it Kevin.”
Dravik blinks, his expression going lax. “You named the bloodthirsty predatorKevin?”
“Yup.” I nod. “It fits him, don’t you think? Or her. It’s impossible to tell with all that hair.”
Dravik balks. “I… guess? Youdoknow what that thing is going to grow into, right? Rhune explained this before he let you keep it as a pet?”
“First of all, his name isKevin,not ‘that thing,’” I say. “Second… no. No, he didn’t. But it can’t be that bad, right? He’s so cute and small.”
Dravik grimaces. “Hopefully, we will get you home before you have to find out.”
“Hopefully,” I agree, trying to ignore the pang in my chest. “So… is there anything else you need? Now that you know there are no intruders…”
Dravik lowers his gaze, suddenly looking nervous. “Actually… yes, there is.”
“Well, out with it.” A tiny smile tugs at my lips. There’s just something so endearing about this big scary demon looking so anxious and unsure. “What’s up?”
His eyes flash bright orange before he turns and walks back toward the exit. He disappears behind the covering for a moment and returns with a pile of fabric in his arms.
He crouches beside me, laying it across my lap. I reach out, my fingers brushing the fabric of the armor-like bodysuit. It’s similar to the ones the demons wear, sleek and pale, and it thrums faintly with a warm magic energy that is strangely comforting.
“It’s beautiful,” I whisper.
“I can’t take all the credit. Cin helped me with the imbuing part. So it’s a gift from us both.” He hesitates, then adds, almost sheepish, “Just don’t tell Cin—he wanted to keep his part in it a secret.”
“Thank you, Dravik. This is wonderful.”
I lift the suit off the top of the pile to get a better look—and freeze. Underneath it is my wedding dress. It’s still that brilliant,impossible white, still covered in thousands of tiny crystals that catch what little light there is and scatter it in every direction.
It can’t be… there’s no way…
“I found this discarded in the bathing chambers and I figured… well, I thought you might want it back.”
