Page 84 of Hunted By Fear

“I did.” Her voice doesn’t waver, but I can see she hates to admit it, yet she does, for me.

It hurts, but I’d asked her to be honest.

“But…” My head snaps up to meet her gaze that’s already locked on me. “That was the Talian I met in the penthouse. This version of you, he’s better than Oliver.”

Her words light a fire inside of me, and suddenly I need to move.

I jump up on the bed, pulling her up with me, only for her to groan and make me remember she’s got cramps. I scoop her up and hold her close to my chest, bouncing us both and making her erupt into a fit of laughter that has me laughing too.

And that’s how Bast finds us. Like children jumping around, her in my arms and my heart feeling like it’s going to beat out of my chest for the tiny mortal that changed my life, who made it feel like it was worth living after hundreds of years of only staying alive.

We spend the day relaxing. And the next. Movies, sweets, books, if she even hints at needing something she’s got it.

Our little bubble of Heaven in Hell lasts three days and on day fir Aeri’s cramps aren’t as bad, and we can see she’s getting restless.

Is it rude to ask her how long her period lasts? I’ll have to ask Bast later.

“What about a walk around the garden?”

“There’s a garden?” I can hear the excitement in her voice, and she instantly looks ready to go.

“Yeah, but I don’t really know if we're supposed to take you outside of the castle,” Bast says with a frown, rubbing the back of his neck.

“Yeah, like Luce will say no to her now,” I say with a laugh, and Bast laughs too while Aeri goes red.

I’ve never had a favorite color. I didn't care enough to pick one, but that deep red her cheeks turn when she’s embarrassed is definitely up there, right behind the blue of her eyes.

“I don’t want to make him mad.”

“Nah, I don’t think you could make him mad if you tried, Darling. He loves the garden. I’m sure he will be happy for you to see it. He’s just worried about keeping you safe.”

“But you won’t be alone. You should never leave the castle alone, Aeri. This is still Hell, and it's dangerous. You're safe here and with us, but outside of these walls it's different.”

“Okay.” She nods, and I can see in her eyes that she understands. With running from Rome her whole life, I can imagine it wouldn’t be hard to understand dangers, especially in a place like Hell. She didn’t know about any of this just a few months ago.

I leave Aeri and Bast and go in search of Lucifer.

“Lulu!” I call out, and I practically feel his eyes roll through our mental link.

“What?”

“Don’t sound so upset. I have a question on behalf of your favorite mortal.”

Now he’s listening.

“Can you ensure the garden is safe?”I ask, cutting to the chase; I don’t want to waste time I could be spending with her.

He’s quiet for a moment, but I feel his power as it washes over the castle, his wards renewed, no doubt including the garden as well this time.

“Yes.”His reply is curt, and I know he’s probably busy doing the devil knows what, but I can’t make myself keep my mouth closed.

“She misses you, ya know?”

I see it the same way I saw her missing Bast. I’m not even sure if she realizes it, but after seeing how much happier she was when Bast came back, I have to at least tell him.

“It’s better than the alternative.”

I feel his shield as it slips into place, and I can’t stop the frown that pulls at my lips.