In the end, Miguel and his dog chose their tree. The duo stood in front of an intricate rendition comprised of building blocks in shades of white and gray hues to a green so dark it almost appeared black. The jagged layer of blocks gave the impression of pine boughs. Cool looking, but he would have preferred the version that didn’t have a box saying some assembly required. In Hell, if the instructions claimed it was a one-man job of an hour, you could guarantee that needed to be multiplied by five or more.

Marduke might die before completing it.

So be it.

Merry gestured animatedly. “That is an epic choice. Love it. Can you imagine it by the fireplace? We’ll wrap it in glowworms. I saw a store that sells them in all kinds of colors. Maybe we can string some popcorn.”

“Easier and cheaper to use hellcorn.” Similar in the sense it popped but people didn’t usually eat it.

“Good thing you’re tall. We’ll need your help to crown it. With what?” She tapped her chin.

Miguel rose on his tiptoes and pointed to the glowing pentagram on another tree.

The Dark Lord would be pleased by their choice.

Merry leaned her head against him. It was the best moment ever.

Pity she jinxed it by saying, “It’s going to be a great Xmas!”

18

The tree didn’t exactly pull together quickly. The instructions were terrible, and the small pieces many. Duke’s big hands tried, but he lacked the fine dexterity to do it. But he tried along with Miguel, after they shooed Merry away, saying it was man’s work.

It melted something inside her to see the two of them, heads bent together. While they bonded, Merry baked. A roast of something that smelled good for dinner and some cookies. Gingerbread men that giggled and wiggled inside the cookie tin. The imps outside the kennel compound, waiting for odd jobs, were glad to help in exchange for her baking. By the time they woke Christmas Eve, the building block tree was done and ready to decorate.

The glowworms went on nicely, and puppy only got two in its fur. Duke had no problem placing the star at the top. The hellcorn she strung draped perfectly.

They left, and she tapped her lower lip as she eyed the tree. Almost perfect. It needed just one more thing.

Tinsel. Something gaudy to shock Duke. Once she got the idea, she had to follow through, giggling already at his expected expression. She went by her room and grabbed the brooch he’d given her the previous day, which he said people would treat as money when it came to shopping.

“Jewelry? Does this mean we’re going steady?” she’d teased.

The gruff demon blushed. “It’ll keep you safe. Anyone tries and bother you, make sure they see it.”