Page 41 of My Demon Neighbor
"What do you need, Codie?" Pythor murmured, still rubbing my back. I met his gaze in the mirror, and all I saw in those dark eyes was concern for me. How could he care so much about me? I was a wreck, a broken, damaged man who would never be whole again. What could he possibly like?
I sniffed, then wiped my face on a towel before turning to face him. "Will you... will you shift?"
Sneaking a glance at his face, I found he looked surprised by my request, but he didn't question me. Instead, I felt the warm flicker of his magic, and then there he was. All eight feet of him, so beautiful and deadly and safe.
I shuffled closer, my fists landing on his hips as I pressed my forehead against his chest. He seemed to understand exactly what I needed, because he wrapped his wings around me, cocooning me in them until all I could feel was him, until his scent of leather and smoke enveloped me completely.
Slowly, I felt myself relax, my fists loosening as I wrapped my arms around his waist, clinging tighter to him as he wrapped his own arms around my back.
"I wish I could protect you from your dreams too," Pythor murmured, and I clung tighter to him, knowing he truly would fight off the monsters in my dreams if he could.
"This helps," I promised him, and he pressed a kiss against my forehead, then nuzzled my curls as a soft sigh slipped my lips. I could stay here for hours, cozy, warm, and safe in his arms, protected by his wings and magic and him.
