by K. L. Thorne
“Quiet! They'll hear you!” Lori spluttered, feeling a tell-tale blush rising in her cheeks.
Gaia shifted her weight and snorted loudly into the snow, startling them both. They laughed.
Their sudden outburst had drawn the demons' attention. Raxx’s face was emotionless as ever but Lephas grinned at them, making Lori's stomach flip.
“You know...” Faye whispered, leaning in close. “He looks at you like you're the only thing in the whole world worth looking at. I don't know what you've done to him, but you need to teach me.”
“Don't be ridiculous,” Lori replied, flustered. Her heart sped up as she caught her demon's dark eyes again.
“All I want in life is someone who looks at me like that someday,” Faye sighed longingly, leaning her head against Gaia's back.
“Don't get jealous just yet. You should see him shirtless - he gets better and better.” Lori teased, shooting her sister a wide smile.
“You bitch!”
“What about Raxx?” Lori asked quietly. “You've been travelling with him a few days, right?”
“Yeah, I mean, there's no denying he's real handsome – but he's just so...” Faye trailed off.
“Yeah, he is.” Lori agreed, before her sister could finish. She knew Faye was referring to that mysterious, unreadable aura that surrounded the man.
The two demons were locked in a serious conversation, both men frowning thoughtfully as they muttered between themselves. Lephas ran a hand through his hair, a sure sign that he was concerned about something.
“Who'd have known demons were so sexy?” Faye sighed, still leaning again Gaia. “When I met Raxx, all I could think about were those books of father's – do you remember?”
“Of course. It's all I could think about too. Remember that time I–”
“Stuck that horrible picture above my bed? How could I forget? I nearly wet my sheets!” Faye scowled playfully.
The girls dissolved into laughter again.
“They are a far cry from that, aren't they?” Lori mused, glancing across at the demons once more.
“How do you suppose father had gotten it so wrong? Surely he's seen his fair share of demons to know those books are inaccurate?” her sister replied.
“My sentiments exactly. The more I've gotten to know Lephas, the more I'm beginning to wonder if father has been keeping a lot more from us than we even thought.”
“He... He really sent his men to–?” Faye swallowed, her eyes turning glassy.
“Yes. There was no doubt about it, Faye. They almost succeeded. If it hadn't been for Lephas and his men...”
“Then I am forever indebted to that demon of yours.” Faye smiled softly.
“As am I, believe me.” She paused, crunching snow drawing her attention.
Raxx was mysteriously absent from the campsite and Lephas was making his way over to them.
“Sorry to interrupt, but I've been told you are an expert fire-starter?” He was looking at Faye.
Her sister smiled. “I am rather handy. Where is Raxx?”
“He's gone to track down some dinner. He's a better hunter than I am.” The demon looked at Lori with a grin.
“Not difficult to believe. The guy is silent as the grave.” Lori shuddered. “He's creepy.”
“Yeah, he is.” Lephas nodded. “You'll get used to it. He's got no qualms about disappearing mid-conversation either, just so you know.”
“Well that's just rude,” Lori huffed, earning a laugh from the demon.
“Yes, I have come to realise our friend Raxx is no great conversationalist.” Faye snorted, patting Gaia and walking back towards the camp.
“I know he probably seems a bit rough around the edges, but you couldn't be out here with anyone better Princess,” Lephas replied, following behind her.
As they approached the campfire, Lori noticed it had already been set up for them, with fresh branches and kindling laid out. Faye removed her gloves and threw them down into the snow as she knelt beside the fire.
Lephas crouched down beside her to watch curiously.
The sunshine from the morning had already been engulfed by yet more grey, snow-laden clouds but Lori knew that wouldn't hinder Faye.
The faerie held her palm above the kindling, her skin shimmering and glowing steadily brighter. She slowly pulled her palm away and they watched as light refracted from her into a bright beam, just like a magnifying glass in the sun.
The kindling began to smoke and Faye held her hand steady and patiently. A small flame flickered to life and quickly took hold of the dry forest material.
Lephas let out a low whistle.
“That's one hell of a trick,” he muttered, rubbing a palm over his mouth thoughtfully.
“It's nothing, really.” Faye shrugged, gathering her gloves and standing to pull them back on. Her wings fluttered happily at his praise.
“I don't imagine that's something you can teach, is it?” Lephas asked with a laugh, getting to his feet.
“Unfortunately not, Commander.” Faye smiled.
Lephas moved to stand beside Lori once more, resting his big palms on her shoulders.
“Now, you stay beside this fire and warm up,” he instructed, pushing down on her gently. Lori didn't take much persuasion. She sat cross-legged beside the fire's warmth.
Though Lori knew Faye didn't feel the cold as badly as she did, her sister sat down beside her. Lori rested her head against her sister's shoulder.
“Your hair is a mess.” Faye plucked a loose strand between her thumb and forefinger.
“I know,” Lori whined. “It was even worse until yesterday, trust me.”
“Hang on, I have a hairbrush somewhere.” Faye got up and clambered inside the tent.
Lephas sat himself down opposite Lori, watching her across the fire. The princess smiled at him and her heart fluttered when he returned it.
“Got it!” Faye called, crawling back out with a small silver, bejewelled hairbrush in her hand. She quickly joined them at the fire again. This time, her sister knelt down behind her.
Lori pulled her hair free from its tie and shook it loose. Faye gently separated it into sections before running the brush's bristles through the length. She winced as it immediately caught in snags.
“Sorry,” Faye muttered. “This is going to take a minute. There's half a forest in here.”
Lori sat patiently, staring into the flames whilst her sister carefully de-tangled her hair.
“So, Lephas. What exactly are your intentions with my sister?”
“Faye!” Lori spluttered, shooting an apologetic glance across the fire to Lephas, relieved to see him laughing.
“I suppose that depends on what her intentions are with me,” he replied, looking at Lori with a heated gaze that made her insides sizzle.
“Hm.” Faye responded, clearly impressed with his answer. “Lori?”
“Faye! Quit it!”
“What? I just want to make sure we're all on the same page here. It's my duty to make sure he's good enough for you.”
“Who's the baby sister here?” Lori grumbled. “I think I can decide who's good enough for me, thank you very much.”
“I'm not sure I'll ever be good enough for someone like Lori. but I'll try my best.” Lephas said and both girls fell silent. Her sister's brushing faltered.
Lori looked at him through the flames, stunned. Faye must have had a similar look on her face because Lephas grinned.
“Well... That's a very good answer,” Faye eventually muttered, returning to her brushing. Lori deliberately avoided looking at the demon but couldn't fight against the small smile that crept onto her lips.
The three sat in silence for long moments with the fire crackling comfortingly between them.
Lori closed her eyes and relaxed into her sister's touch. She loved having her hair played with. If she focussed hard enough, she could almost kid herself that they were in Sivelle's bedroom back in Awrelwood, curled in front of the fireplace together.
<
br /> “What did Sivelle think of you leaving to come after me?” Lori asked.
“She wasn't impressed, as you can imagine.” Faye sighed. “She read me the riot act before I left, but she did help me pack my bags.”
Lori laughed. “I knew it. Sivelle packed the tent and the food, didn't she? I knew there was no way you had been that prepared.”
“Guilty.” Her sister chuckled. “I just hope she's alright.”
“Sivelle will be fine. She follows father's every command. He's got no cause to be upset with her. We were the disappointments.”
Faye gasped. “Speak for yourself, I just tried to keep out of it.” She ran her fingers through Lori’s hair. “There, I think that's the worst of it out now. Shall I braid it for you? It might keep it a little tidier.”
“Please,” Lori sighed.
Her sister's fingers began working deftly, flicking and twisting strands of hair as she started a tight, neat plait at her temple. Faye had always been the best at hair. Sivelle and Lori had often got her to play hairdresser for them. She supposed it was all the practise she had at braiding her horses for shows she was never allowed to attend.
Faye braided along the side of her head, leaving the opposite side long and loose. Lori tucked her knees up to her chest.
She risked a glance across to Lephas. The demon was leaning back against his arms and looking up at the sky with a frown. Lori allowed herself to take in his handsome face freely, before he realised she was looking.
Her heart swelled. She had her demon sat across from her and her sister beside her, braiding her hair... She couldn't be happier.
“What do you think Raxx will find for dinner?” Faye asked, drawing Lephas's attention back from the snow clouds above them.
“I'm not sure, but he'll find something. He travels much quicker and easier than the rest of us. He can cover a lot of ground when hunting.” The demon nodded.
“Hopefully not more rabbits,” Lori mumbled, shooting him a pointed look.
“Hey, it was better than nothing.”
“Lephas? Could you do me a favour? The fire is going to need more kindling soon, especially if Raxx is going to be bringing back something that needs cooking. I don't suppose you could find us some?” Faye asked.
“Sure, good idea.” Lephas got to his feet and brushed the snow off himself. He eyed the faeries warily. “Are you two going to be okay here alone for a few minutes?”
“We'll be fine,” Faye cooed “Thank you for your concern.”
Lephas looked at Lori and she nodded simply. Clearly satisfied, he turned his back and trudged off through the snow into the forest.
Faye expertly tucked the finished braid underneath the rest of Lori's hair and held her hand out for the jewelled hair tie. She gathered the rest of the hair together into a ponytail and gently tied it back.
“There. Much better.”
“Thanks Faye, I–”
Lori yelped with surprise as her sister almost leapt over her, spinning to sit in front of her.
“Spill. Quickly, before they come back.” Her pale eyes shone with excitement.
“What? I don't–”
“Come on, Lori! What's going on between you two? Have you had sex?” Faye asked eagerly.
“Faye!” she spluttered.
Her sister pouted. “You promised you would tell me.”
“I will, I just...” Lori glanced in the direction Lephas had headed in. “Keep it down.”
Faye shuffled in closer with a wide smile.
“No. We haven't had sex,” Lori whispered, laughing when her sister's face fell. “But we've, y'know... Been intimate in other ways.”
“What was it like? Are demons different to the men back home?” she asked excitedly.
“Well, it all looks the same down there if that's what you're asking! I suppose I can only really speak for Lephas, but it's so different...”
“Better?”
“Sensational, really. He does this amazing thing with his mouth…” Lori bit her lip with a smile and pointed subtly to her crotch.
“Now I'm even more jealous!” Faye squealed. Lori laughed and pressed her finger to her lips, glancing over her shoulder once again.
“I assume that means you will be having sex with him then?”
“Definitely.” Lori blushed. “But it isn't just up to me, is it?”
“Pft, as if he would say no.” Faye rolled her eyes. “Is he single? Is this a fling, something serious or...?”
“I think it's serious. I was so worried that he was only in it to get his leg over, but honestly? I think there really is more to it than that.” Lori smiled shyly.
“How can you be sure?” Faye asked.
Lori's face fell. “Well, some pretty serious stuff happened out there, Faye. He... He died, saving me from a bear.”
“Don't be ridiculous. There's not even a scratch on him. In fact, I'd say he's looking oddly refreshed for someone who's been hiking through the snow for days on end.”
“That's because...” Lori paused. “I think I healed him, Faye.”
“...You? But you can't–”
“I know. I have no idea how I did it. He was dead Faye. The bear had ripped him to shreds. There was so much blood.” Lori looked at her sister and her vision wavered with emotion.
“Shh now, don't get upset. It's all alright,” Faye soothed, her face sympathetic.
“It is, but I have no idea how.” Lori sniffed. “He was gone and then I... I was so desperate and frightened and I just wanted nothing else but for him to be alive again. The majick was so hot, it was agonising.”
“Healing majick can be quite unpleasant.” Faye nodded knowingly. “Especially if you're trying to heal a severe injury.”
“I healed death, Faye,” Lori whispered. “He was dead, I know it.”
“But that's impossible,” her sister replied with a frown, “Are you sure–”
“Crystal clear. I... I could hear his heart come back to life. I felt it, as if it were my own.”
There was a long pause.
“Well, shit,” Faye muttered.
“Have you ever heard of something like that? I've been so worn out since, I haven't really had much chance to think about it.” Lori hugged her knees.
“Never, but then we weren't ever really formally educated, were we? I may be able to cast majick with ease, but even I don't really know what I can and can't do. I just sort of muddle my way through it.” She admitted.
“Our father has a lot to answer for.” Lori scowled.
“You're telling me.” Her sister paused. “Do you... Do you think we'll be safe if we go back to Banesteppe with these demons?”
“I don't know. I know we're safe with Lephas and I'm coming to terms with Raxx slowly, but the other demons? I just don't know.”
“They must hate us,” Faye replied sadly.
“Lephas is planning to take us back to King Zelrus.”
“The demon king?!” the sun sprite spluttered.
Lori nodded. “That's who they work for. He was the one who sent Lephas after me. They aimed to capture me and take me back to Banesteppe for questioning.”
“Over my dead body,” Faye growled, but Lori shook her head.
“No, it's alright. I've already agreed to go back and tell them everything.”
“But why?”
“My life in Awrelwood is over, Faye.” She smiled sadly. “Whether I wanted to go back or not, I couldn't now. All I know is Lephas is kind and cares about me. He won't allow harm to come to me.”
“Even if his king requests it?”
Lori's stomach churned. Lephas was nothing if not obedient and disciplined. Would he stand up to his king for her? She felt cold with doubt.
“I haven't got much choice. I figure my best shot is to go back willingly and swear my allegiance to Zelrus. I'll tell him everything I know and maybe he'll allow me to stay with Lephas.”
“I can almost see that vein popping on father's temple from here.” Faye jok
ed, but her eyes remained serious.
“He wants me dead.” Lori glowered. “I'm not going to just roll over for him any more. I'm going to fight and if swearing my allegiance keeps me safe, then that's what I will do.”
“What about me?” Faye asked quietly.
“Do you think father would allow you back? Does he know you've left yet?”
“I don't know. But...” Her sister paused, her eyes fearful. “I don't want to return to find out. I knew he was controlling and protective, I just never realised he had kept so much from us.”
“He'd rather see me dead than free. I'm a loose end to him now.”
“I'm not going back.” Faye shook herself. “I couldn't bring myself to leave you behind, not now I've found you.”
“What about Sivelle? I'm so worried about her.”
“She's a tough cookie. You know she was always father's favourite. I just hope she's got the sense to keep herself out of trouble now we're gone.”
“She must be so lonely. Hasn’t she got Father’s ball coming up?” Lori asked.
Before Lori had run away, Sivelle had been preparing for a ball their father had been holding in her honour. He planned to invite all the eligible bachelors in Awrelwood (pre-screened, naturally) in the hopes that Sivelle would take a liking to one of them.
Lori herself had been invited, but when she had refused her father had taken to picking a suitor for her instead.
The rest, as they say, was history.
“I bet she's unbearable. She was up to five different gown choices when I left.” Faye smirked.
“Well, I hope she knows she's welcome to any of the thousands I've left behind.” Lori sighed, forlornly.
“Those poor innocent dresses.”
“It pained me to leave them behind. Like that diamond one–”
“With the back cut out of it? I remember. Your demon would bust something if he saw you in that.” Faye teased. “You really don't look at your best in all this winter gear.”
“I know,” Lori whined. “But I have a feeling clothes shopping is going to have to wait, even when we eventually get back. It's a shame because I'd actually packed one or two outfits to bring with me but I lost my satchel trying to escape the demons when they first found me.”