“Shit... His own daughter?” The prince's expression softened a little.
“She had no idea. She's been in a pretty bad way since.”
“I bet. What about the other one? Where did she come from?” Oriel questioned.
“That I can't help you much with. Raxx eventuallytracked us down and she was already with him. She's the youngest daughter, Faye Goldwyrm. From what I can gather, she left home to bring her runaway sister back.”
“So, Lori is going to swear her allegiance, but what about this Faye?” The prince narrowed his eyes. “She has no reason to help us.”
“Other than the love for her sister,” Lephas stated simply. “She wasn't aware that their father had sent men after Lori. By all accounts she's too frightened to return to him now. She has also come along with us willingly.”
“And you trust these faeries? You, of all people?” Oriel cocked a brow.
“That should go some way to clearing their names, surely? That I, of all people, trust them?” Lephas challenged.
“Shit, I guess. This is completely out of character for you. You know that, right?” the prince muttered with a confused frown still plastered across his face.
“Trust me, I'm already painfully aware.” Lephas sighed with a short laugh. He toed the ground in front of him nervously.
“Alright, well, I still have questions, but I guess we should–” Oriel turned to leave.
“There's... One more thing I need to tell you. Before we head back inside.” The commander kept his eyes downcast and his heart pounded in his chest. His palms were wet with sweat and he rubbed them roughly against his trousers.
The prince didn't speak, just turned questioningly.
“Lori and I... uh...” He faltered, words dying on his tongue. “We've, uh... Been intimate.”
There was a long, heavy pause. Lephas glanced up at Oriel, unsure if the prince's eyebrows could get any higher.
“...You fucked her?” he stated simply, surprised.
“Yes... No... Sort of – look, that's not what I meant.” Lephas floundered, feeling himself flush with embarrassment. “I... I care about her, Oriel.”
The prince laughed. “Fuck me, did you hit your head whilst you were out there or something? I know I told you all not to do anything I wouldn't do, but fuck... That's not just taking a leaf, that's a whole fucking branch right there my friend.”
“I know, I just–”
“Have you fucked her, though?” Oriel interrupted, stepping closer curiously.
“Is that all you can think about?” Lephas chastised with a laugh.
“It is now, yeah.” The prince grinned.
“I'm serious, Oriel. Really.” Lephas implored, scrubbing a hand down his face. “I love her.”
“Fuck.Zelrus is going to shit a brick when he hears about this.” The prince ran a hand through his hair.
“I know,” Lephas groaned. “Wh-what do you think about it?”
“Honestly? I'm surprised… And kind of impressed. She picked you over Haros?”
“Fucking–” Lephas punched Oriel hard in his arm. “That's what Raxx said too!”
Oriel laughed heartily and rubbed his bicep.
“Listen,” the prince continued, his tone turning serious once more. “I'm just glad you're back safe. I don't trust those faeries as far as I can throw them, but I am willing to follow your lead on this one.”
“And... The other thing? You're okay with that too?”
