FOR DEATH'S HEART

| Nineteen |

| Nineteen |

Salem:

There was a light pounding in my head. I moaned softly, rolling over. My hands stretched out only to be met with a soft material. Peeling my eyes open it took me a moment to realize I was in Enirr's bed. A blush found its way onto my face as I jolted to sit up. How did I end up here?

I remember drinking and dancing and...

And I remember Enirr.

"Oh god," I groaned, burying my face into the palms of my hands, "Salem you idiot!"

How could I act like that? God, I practically threw myself at him. And he was definitely not the type of man you threw yourself at. Not like Carter... I groaned again. Disgust coiling around my gut as I realized how I had not only acted but how much I wanted to act like that again. Enirr had made me completely forget about my time with Carter...no it was my fault.

Maybe I truly was no good.

"Salem," Enirr's voice brought me back to reality as I looked up and at the door, "May I come in?"

"It's your room," I chuckled nervously.

The door opened and Enirr appeared holding a pink and yellow gift box. I eyed it suspiciously as he walked over and placed it on the bed. It was the size of a sack of potatoes and it just moved? I blinked, then rubbed my eyes. I was surely seeing things.

"Open it," he mused with a small smile.

The hesitation that ran through me was only for a mere second before my fingers moved to open the box. Peering inside my gaze met with the biggest, softest dark grey eyes. The black puppy with floppy ears had a delicate red bow wrapped around his neck and at the sight of me he jumped from the box. Placing his fat paws on my legs, his short tail began to wag.

"I-I don't understand," I gasped, instantly falling in love and giving the puppy the attention, he deserved.

Enirr chuckled, pleased at my reaction, "He's yours. Name him whatever you'd like."

"Why?" I couldn't understand his kindness.

"And why not? I am told gifts to one shows you care about them. I do care about you and I was not lying when I said my home is now yours as well. I figured having a friend who was also new would be a good thing yes?" he smiled, his golden eyes shining, "I also thought having such a friend would help heal your heart. I know you are hurting, and I know I cannot understand your pain. However, I was told the dog was man's best friend and I know you need a best friend at this time."

My body moved and I threw my arms around him without thinking, "Thank you Enirr."

He stiffened under my touch before his hand grazed my back, "Anything you need, will be yours."

The puppy barked and I giggled, pulling away from the kind man. Turning my head towards the cute little ball of love, he launched himself into my arms. I ran my fingers over his fur as I thought of a name befitting such an angel.

"Cerberus," I said quickly.

Enirr frowned, "Pardon?"

"His name should be Cerberus. Like the guard of hades from Greek mythology?" I babbled hoping he'd agree, "Well hades is the final resting place for the dead and Cerberus home will now be a graveyard so it's kind of like he'd the graveyard's guard dog."

"The dog – Cerberus will not be protecting the dead," Enirr said sharply.

I bit my lip suddenly nervous, "I didn't mean to offend you."

He sighed, "Do not be upset, I just mean the dog will be protecting life. Not the dead."

My eyes scanned him confused.

"Life?"

He shook his head, "Cerberus is a fine name."

A smile lifted onto my face and I picked the black pup up. Instantly his tongue began to dart over my face making me giggle. Puppy slobber flying everywhere but completely and utterly worth it. This lil' fella instant had my heart.

"Yes, well," Enirr coughed softly, his cheeks tinted red, "I am pleased you like your gift. Do not worry about feeding him nor walking him. I will simply get the dog a nanny."

I frowned, "No, not happening. I want to take care of him, I have the money to do so as well. Actually I can train him to be my service dog. Now that Carter's not in my life, I think he'd do better than Doctor Amkor."

"Doctor Amkor?" he echoed.

I nodded, embracement filling me, "Um, my therapist. I-I have some troubles. Demons from my past that won't stop haunting me. Carter recommend Doctor Amkor. He said she really helped his friend a while back. Whatever, it doesn't matter now. I don't want to see her anymore, not with how close she is to Carter."

"I do not think you have any problems needing medications," he hummed, his golden eyes watching me.

A weak smile formed on my face, "Thanks Enirr."

"I mean it," he snapped as if annoyed, "I do not know what you have been through but I do know that you will always be haunted by those demons if you never face them. You need love not a false sense of comfort."

"Love?" I sputtered, suddenly growing angry, "I had love. I had Carter! I did love him."

"And yet you left him just as easily," he mused, his eyes darkening, "I know nothing of love and yet I know that is not it. That mortal played you like a puppet – it seems you had Stockholm syndrome not love."

My fingers curled, tears burning in my eyes, "You don't know how I felt."

"I don't," he agreed with a soft sigh, "But I have seen true love. I have seen warriors give away everything for it, I have seen the blessed like royals destroy kingdoms. True love is worth burning the entire world down for then rebuilding. It is worth taking another breath each day. You did not love Carter, you felt in debt to him and he used that. I only want you to see your worth is beyond whatever demons plague your dreams. If I had found you before Carter ever did I would have fought the entire world to protect you. I wish I could rewrite time and space itself to take away all the wrong you have felt."

I gasped, my hand flying to my mouth, "Enirr..."

He stood, shaking his head, "It is getting late into the day. I have work to do. Enjoy the day Salem, and keep Cerberus at your side."

He left not only the room but a sudden empty feeling in my heart. As hard as I tried I couldn't find myself disagreeing with him. Instead, I found myself wanting to know that love he spoke of. I wanted to love Enirr and I wanted him to love me.

And yet...I had no idea what he really thought of me.

It was frustrating and filled my heart with sorrow. I found myself quickly lost in thought only to snap back to reality with Cerberus licking my hand. I smiled at the pup, deciding that today I would discontinue my service with Doctor Amkor.

I wanted a new start, and one with Enirr by my side. Even if he didn't have any real feelings for me, I wanted to pretend even for a little bit that I knew his feelings. That he truly loved and cared for me.

"Come on Cerberus," I mumbled sliding out of the bed, the pup following me, "Time to take on the world."

He wagged his tail as if in agreement.