Raxx glanced across at them too, before looking hastily away and turning his attention back to the fish.
“I think they're done.” Raxx cleared his throat and reached out to gently prod at one of the fish on his spit. The flesh flaked away easily, a sure sign it was cooked.
Lori sat up, allowing Lephas to shift himself up onto his knees as both he and Raxx removed their fish fromthe fire.
“It's hot, so be careful.” Lephas pulled one of the fish free from the spit and handed the stick to Lori.
The faerie took it eagerly and began nibbling cautiously at the offering. Raxx followed suit, handing his spit to Faye. Both sisters wasted no time tucking in. Clearly a generous appetite ran in the family.
Neither himself nor Raxx minded eating with their hands. It was messy, but it was something they had both gotten used to doing when in the wilderness.
A comfortable silence fell over the small campsite. A breeze sent flurries of fine, dusty snowflakes circling around them and the fire cracked and popped, glowing brighter.
Although the vegetable matter was a little sparse, it was still a welcome change to eat something with more substance than just meat. Lephas finished his meal in record speed. The fish, as promised, had been worth the trip Raxx had made for them.
He had never tasted anything quite like it. The flesh was delicate and almost buttery and it melted in the mouth. Unlike most fish he had eaten, the mirror trout wasn't filled with thousands of fine bones. It made eating them much more enjoyable. Lephas could see how it would be fitting for a banquet or some other fancy occasion, not that he had ever attended one.
“That was delicious.” He nodded, leaning back against his arms. Lori discarded her stripped fish bones before hastily snuggling in against him once more. He squeezed her tight.
“It's definitely one of my favourite meals.” Faye agreed with a happy sigh. “Thanks for getting it for us Raxx.” The sun sprite smiled across the flames.
“You're welcome,” Raxx replied, almost awkwardly. “It was as good as you promised.”
“It's even better when you've got a full complement of vegetables and sauces... And the right wines.” Faye licked her lips, placing her fish bones into the snow beside her. “But that was still pretty damn good.”
The forest had long since grown dark, their surroundings illuminated only by the glow of the fire. Faye sparkled in the dim light, whereas Raxx had disappeared almost entirely. Lephas knew the shadow demon would soon vanish, as he often did once darkness had fallen.
“What are you planning to do with yourself this evening?” he asked his friend as Raxx stretched his large leathery wings.
“I'll scout ahead, keep an eye out for Lazuli's men - that kind of thing,” the shadow demon repliedthoughtfully.
“You're not going to sleep?” Lori asked, pulling her hood up as the snow began to fall harder. She shuffled forwards on her knees, moving to sit herself between Lephas's legs. Resting on her hip to face Raxx, the princess lay back against the commander's chest.
“I don't do much sleeping,” the shadow demon answered with a smile. “Nightfall is easier for me. The darker it is, the faster and further I can travel. I'll see any trouble coming our way miles before it becomes a problem.”
“That's nifty. Pretty much your opposite, hm Faye?” Lori called across the campfire.
“Well, I wouldn't go as far–”
“She's scared of the dark, you know.” The princess teased, ignoring her sister's protests.
“I know,” Raxx replied simply, his dark eyes flickered with interest.
“What do you mean by that?” Faye spluttered. “How do you know? Lori, what have you been telling people?”
Lori laughed. “Nothing - I swear!”
Lephas shot a silent questioning look to Raxx. The shadow demon just shook his head subtly. Another story for another time, it seemed.
Without a word, Raxx got to his feet. His huge blackwings stretched to their full capacity before fluttering closed once more.
Unlike faeries, when demons sported wings they were much larger and angular, more like the kind you would see on a reptilian creature. The thin membranes that stretched between each spindle of cartilage were soft and smooth, but leathery in texture.
Raxx's wings were unusual in that they were as black as night. No daylight could permeate them when he stretched them out, even at midday.
“Anything you'd like me to keep my eye on?” Raxx looked to Lephas for instruction.
“Nothing specific, just let me know if you find anything of any interest.”
