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I'm not sure what it means, but I'm not afraid. For the first time in weeks, with his arms around me, I feel perfectly safe, as if this is precisely where I'm meant to be. As if he's precisely who was meant to find me out there in the woods.
"Don't leave me," I mumble.
"Never," he says.
I feel that dark promise wash over me…and I sleep.
I come awake slowly, more comfortable than I've been in weeks. The bed beneath me is far softer than the blanket thrown over a pile of leaves and hay I've been sleeping on at night. And it's far less itchy, too. The only thing missing is Quack snoring in my ear.
Quack.
I sit up with a gasp, my heart thudding against my breastbone as a jolt of panic runs through me.
Where are the dogs?
"Easy, Magic. They're all right here." Dimitri steps into view, his handsome face soft with understanding.
For a moment, I just gape at him, caught off guard all over again by how gorgeous he is. The dark didn't detract from or obscure a single thing about his looks. He's as fiercely beautiful now as he was last night.
I jerk my gaze from him, blushing. And then I see the dogs. Quack, Rabbit, and Rosy are curled up in a pile on a fluffy pillow beside the bed. Shaman rests right in front of them as if to protect all of us. Sloth and Dizzy are asleep right up against the side of the bed on the other side, making it impossible for Dimitri to get close. And Bear rests near the foot, his head on his paws as he eyes Dimitri warily.
Silver food and water bowls are scattered around the expansive room alongside additional dog beds of all sizes. There are even toys and bones heaped in the corner. All of the things I've ached to give them are right here, delivered while I slept.
Tears sting my eyes at the sight.
"You did all of this?" I ask, lifting my gaze to Dimitri.
He shrugs. "Figured they'd need some shit while you're here. Maybe you can convince them to eat. The little black one, Bear, doesn't trust me much. The others follow his lead."
"Bear doesn't trust anyone, do you, Bear?"
He turns his head to look at me and then hops up, stretching before he strolls to the side of the bed, stepping carefully around the others. He plants his front paws on the side of the bed, stretching up for me to pet his furry head.
"Good boy," I whisper, scratching behind his ears.
"He trusts you," Dimitri says.
I glance up to find him watching us attentively. "We understand each other. We're both running from people who want to hurt us," I say softly. "He had a length of rusted chain around his neck when he found me in the woods. I guess he broke loose and decided a life in the woods was better than a life chained to a tree."
"Jesus," Dimitri rumbles, shaking his head.
I fall silent, petting Bear and looking around the room. It's gorgeous. Far more luxurious than any bedroom I've ever seen before now. Oak furniture rests on gleaming hardwood floors and plush rugs. A large fireplace dominates the wall across from the bed. French doors lead out into the backyard. I'm not sure if it's only just now daylight or if it's sundown, but shadows darken the corners of the yard.
"How long did I sleep?" I ask when Bear decides he's done with the petting and curls up on the floor again, one watchful eye on Dimitri.
"Most of the day," Dimitri says. "It's almost dark."
"Oh." I squeeze my eyes closed, trying to recalibrate. It doesn't really help. Everything feels a little overwhelming. "Um…what happens now? We should talk about that, right?"
I don't want to talk about that. Not really.
"Come here, Magic." Dimitri holds his hand out for me, his voice soft.
I eye him hesitantly, my stomach quivering. Darkness clings to him as if it's part of him, but I'm not afraid of him. He's just…intense. I've never met anyone who looks at me like he does, as if he sees right into the heart of me. It's unnerving and exciting at the same time.
"You're safe with me."
"I know," I whisper. He proved as much last night when he risked his life for mine. He didn't have to come rescue me, but he did. He could have left me there after he overheard what my stepmother had planned, but he didn't. He came to find me and take me to safety. Even after those…men…showed up.
I climb carefully from the bed, taking care not to step on the dogs. Dizzy perks his good ear up, cracking his eyes open to look at me. His tail thumps against the side of the bed. Rabbit watches me from the pillow. They're used to being inside with me. They've been staying in the hut with me. But I think they're all a little nervous about their new surroundings.
