“And you've already gutted them too?” Lephas noticed with interest.
“It made sense to do it some place where there were less sensitive female constitutions to upset.” Raxx grinned.
“Hey,” Lori complained. “I may be a tad sensitive when it comes to small, cute, fluffy things but seeing a fish gutted is no issue for me.”
“Well, I've saved you the trouble anyway Princess,”Raxx replied. “The only disappointing thing is I've been unable to find much in the way of vegetables. I did have a look around and gathered together some wild garlic and tubers, but that was about all I found.”
“Good job,” Lephas praised. “The fish won't take too long to roast on a spit, we could just stuff the garlic and tubers inside.”
“They aren't especially dense or tough at this time of the year, so they should cook quite well.” The shadow demon nodded in agreement.
Lephas got to his feet and hunted through the snow for some suitable sticks to use as a spit whilst Raxx stuffed the fish with the sparse array of vegetables he had collected.
The demons expertly speared all four fish, two on each stick, and held them out over the fire. Whilst their meal was prepared and cooked for them, the two faeries continued to chat easily with one another. When Lephas was confident they were suitably distracted he turned his attention to his friend.
“So, trekking for miles to gather a specific kind of fish? That's unlike you to go to so much effort.” He probed, keeping his voice low so as not to be overheard.
“Like I said – I was curious,” Raxx replied tightly, not taking his eyes from the fire.
“Hm.” Lephas hummed, still unconvinced. He changed the subject. “I suppose we'll need to take the pair of them back to Banesteppe with us now.”
“Faye certainly looks happier now she is with Lori. I doubt they'll want to separate again.” The demon's black eyes flickered across the fire to the sun sprite.
“Zelrus will be interested in meeting them. I think it would be in our best interest to return with them both.”
“Have you given much thought to what you're going to do when you get back to Banesteppe?” Raxx asked. “What are you going to tell our esteemed leader?”
Lephas felt his mouth form a grim line. “The truth, I guess, and pray that he understands.”
“He definitely won't, you realise that? The king isn't known for being particularly understanding when it comes to matters like this.”
“No, but when have we ever had to deal with matters quite like this before?” the commander replied defensively. “I know the king gives Oriel a hard time about his, uh,extra-curricular activities,but it's not like I've ever done something like this before, or ever will again.”
“True. In all honesty I'mstillquite surprised. I would have definitely put my money on Haros getting the princess into bed, not you.” Raxx stared thoughtfully into the flames.
Lephas punched the demon in his arm, striking before he had the chance to fade, and laughed. “Fuck you.”
“How much longer will it be? I'm starving.” Faye called out. Their playful banter had attracted the faeries' attention.
“A little while yet,” Raxx replied.
Lephas caught Lori's eye across the fire. She cast him a sultry smile and twisting a strand of long blonde hair from her ponytail around her finger flirtatiously. Her hair looked even more silky and shiny now it was brushed and braided. It suited her up out of her face like that.
“Are you hungry?” he asked her, ignoring her sister's complaining. She nodded and, with a quick glance across to Faye, Lori got to her feet.
She skipped around the fire gracefully and sat herself down heavily beside him. She wormed her arm beneath his and hugged his bicep to her body.
“Hi,” the princess chirped happily, flashing him a dazzling smile. With her squeezed tightly against him, Lephas realised how much he had missed touching her all day. He wasn’t resentful - they had been busy and it hadn't been appropriate – but he was surprised by how glad he felt to have her tucked up next to him once more.
Lephas quickly glanced between Raxx and Faye. The faerie was studying her nails and the demon was absorbed in watching the fishes' flesh bubbling and crackling in the fire. Sensing a rare moment of opportunity, the commander leaned over quickly and silently to press a chaste kiss against Lori's mouth.
The faerie melted beneath his touch with a small whimper. He would never tire of the reactions he elicited from her.
They pulled apart quickly before anyone noticed them. Lori released his arm, instead wiggling beneath it. She wrapped her arms around his chest and snuggled against him. Lephas draped an arm over her affectionately.
There was a deep sigh from the tent. Faye was gazing at them both with a small smile.
“You guys... I'm so jealous.” She wrapped her arms around herself.
