The shadow demon nodded silently and stepped into the darkness, disappearing almost immediately. Lephas felt Lori shiver against him.
“Creepy,” she murmured.
“Goodnight to you, too. Asshole,” Faye muttered to herself, hugging her knees.
“Sleep well, Princess,” Raxx replied from nearby, his voice distorted.
The faerie startled with a short yelp before growling under her breath.
“Asshole!” she shouted into the darkness, laughingbreathlessly.
Lori shifted uncomfortably between his legs and Lephas glanced down at her. She was pale and her eyelids were heavy.
“You look worn out,” he stated, sitting forwards. “I think maybe you should try to get some sleep. You've even got a proper roof over your head this evening.”
“Where are you sleeping?” Lori asked quietly, hiding a yawn behind her fist.
“I'm not sure, but I know I definitely won't fit in there with you pair.” He laughed. “I'll probably just tend the fire and nap where I can.”
“But I want to sleep with you.”
“That's cute.” He smiled, leaning in to kiss her cheek. “But I'm putting my foot down on this one. You need to be wrapped up warm and out of this snow.”
Lori huffed and got to her knees. She cupped his face in her hands and kissed him. Lephas, wrongly assuming it to be chaste kiss, was surprised when Lori pushed her tongue boldly into his mouth. He shuddered and held her close. He allowed her to kiss him for a few moments longer before pulling away with a grin.
“That was great... But you're still sleeping in the tent.” He laughed.
“You're no fun at all.” Lori scowled playfully and herarms dropped heavily to her sides.
“Faye?” Lephas called out, leaning around the princess. “Do you have enough bedding for you and Lori in there?”
“I've got plenty,” the sun sprite replied, glancing over her shoulder into the tent behind her.
Despite Lori's protesting, Lephas got to his feet and held out his hand for her. She took it begrudgingly and allowed him to lift her up.
Faye grinned. “It'll be just like old times - camping in the castle gardens. Except, you know, much more unpleasant and colder.”
Lori giggled and clambered into the tent. She collapsed wearily onto the travel mattress that was laid out inside.
“Goodnight ladies. If you need anything, I'll be just outside.” Lephas smiled, turning his back and walking over to the fire.
He sat heavily in the snow once more and reached out for Lori's abandoned spit. He poked the embers and listened to the two girls as they whispered amongst themselves.
The snow swirled around him and Lephas stared into the flames, lost in thought. As the fire dimmed, he tended it, throwing more foliage into its depths and listening to the satisfying popping and crackling as it was devoured.
An hour or so passed and soon all the commander could hear were the soft, deep breaths of the two princesses.
“I thought they were never going to fall asleep,” Raxx spoke out behind him.
Lephas jolted and the stick fell from his hands.
“Fucking hell!” he cursed with a shaky laugh. “I hate it when you do that.”
“Sorry, it's a bad habit.” The shadow demon sat down beside him.
“I thought you were out scouting?” he asked, breathing deeply to calm the rush of adrenaline.
“The forest is quiet for miles,” Raxx replied. “There's a small cottage a little north from here that might be worth checking out, but no sign of anything sinister.”
