Page 33 of The Teddy Bear's Prize

He watches me, tilting his head, “And what do you desire?”

“I want us to spend the rest of our lives together, and when I die, I’m going with you to the demon realm.” I lift my chin. “That’s my final offer.”

“You would hand over your life and brave the demon realm. . . for me?”

“I love you. I’d walk through hell if it meant that you would be by my side.”

Tobias’ eyes flare and he punches through the barrier, the magic raining down onto the vinyl floor in tiny sparks, and closes the distance between us, his finger catching the underside of my chin.

“Does that mean we have a deal?” I take a step back, the edge of the counter digging into my hip.

“There’s no need to bind me, my little doe. I have always belonged to you in a way that is stronger than any magic.” He places my hand on his chest, “You have me, mind, body andsoul.”

“We’re soulmates?” I choke out a laugh, “My soulmate is a literal demon? I just can’t?—”

Tobias laughs, his hands going to my waist and lifting me onto the counter, he steps forward, notching his hips between my thighs.

I cross my ankles to cage him in, tugging at his collar.

“So, about these clothes.”

He gives me a wicked smile.

EPILOGUE

Tobias

Six Months Later

“Fish wearing roller skates!”Erika calls out.

Paolo and I share a look, then he lowers his gaze and shakes his head. If I squint and tilt my head, Mia’s scribble on the large pad of paper does look a lot like a fish wearing roller skates. Though it might be the wine, making my brain a little fuzzy.

Mia grabs the side of the easel, putting the blue marker to paper again. She adds arrows pointing towards the drawing. One after another. She wears the same look, working on a new string of code for her company’s website, a similar level of tension in her shoulders while the tiny hourglass on the table counts down.

Erika claps her hands, pointing, “Magic School Bus!”

“Yes.” Mia hisses out, crossing the living room and high fives her best friend before bending over and grabbing her glass of wine and downing the rest of it.

I reach over and grab the card, “Are many of your school buses magical?”

Beside me Paolo snorts, and Erika is smiling at her partner like a cat.

“No, babe, it’s a children’s cartoon. There isn’t an actual magic school bus.” Mia glances at Erika, “Right?”

“Right.” Erika nods.

“I’m not sure how this is fair,” Paolo grabs a chip, holding it before popping it into his mouth, “Tobias isn’t familiar with most of these references.”

“It’s fair because Tobias is an amazing artist and he can draw pretty much anything. Plus, with the teams split like this, we actually have a chance at winning.” Erika leans back against the couch.

I wouldn't say I can draw anything, in my mind, I am still a novice, but I do enjoy it out of all the hobbies I have tried over the last few months.

Mia lifts her glass to her lips again, frowning, “I’m going to open another bottle of wine. Anyone else want some?”

Erika and Paolo echo their approval while I watch my little doe as she slips off towards the kitchen.

“Now?” I ask, looking between the two of them.

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