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. Shewinced 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 thinkIcan 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 averygood 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.
“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 werethe 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.
