“I have just one favour to ask of you, Lori.” Oriel sat forwards, his face serious.
The girl nodded.
“Be gentle with Lephas. He's an old man and fuck knows how long he's been out of the game–”
“Oriel!” the commander groaned. “Fuck off.”
“I'll take real good care of him.” Lori laughed, fixing Lephas with a decidedly heated look under her lashes. “But I can't promise I'll be gentle about it.”
Despite his surprise, Lephas felt his gut tighten with need. The prince's eye brows shot up, clearly just as stunned by her reply.
“Oriel?” Magna called from the kitchen. The commander barely held back a sigh of relief.
The prince obediently got to his feet, but not before Lephas caught his eye.
“Lucky bastard!” He mouthed with a playful expression before heading into the kitchen.
CHAPTER TWENTY
“Magna, that was delicious,” Lori exclaimed, leaning back in her chair to stretch her full stomach. She hadn't realised just how hungry she had been until the large chicken pie had been placed in front of her.
The pastry had been so fine and buttery, paired with beautifully soft pieces of chicken and a thick, well-seasoned sauce... And vegetables! The faeriesmiled to herself, feeling a wave of contentment wash over her.
Lori still couldn't quite believe the day's events. What had begun as one of the more terrifying moments of her short, uneventful life, had ended withcomfort and acceptance as she had never known.
Magna was truly an angel in disguise. Though the aged woman had every reason to want to throw Faye and herself out – she had been the nurse and maid to King Tennul, the demon their father had infamously slaughtered only decades before – she had been nothing but accommodating.
Yet again, Lori couldn't help but make comparisons between how kindly her demon companions had treated both her and her sister, and how unfavourable their treatment would have been if they had been demon princesses picked up by her father's men. She shuddered. Thoughts for another time, for sure.
“You're very welcome. I'm glad you enjoyed it so much.” Magna smiled, her eyes creasing at the corners. “I do so love to see young women eating heartily. So many of you worry unnecessarily about your figures.”
Lori caught Lephas's eye across the table. The demon grinned at her, his dark eyes sparkling affectionately. She kicked him playfully under the table.
“Oh, please,” Indi scoffed from beside her. “As if either of them would need to worry about their figures. They're both gorgeous.” The faerie laughed, taking a sip of dark red wine.
Lori smiled and gently tapped her own glass againstthe girl's in thanks.
“This wine is beautiful, Magna.” Faye nodded, sniffing the liquid appreciatively. “I can't believe you made it yourself.”
Magna flapped her hand dismissively. “Ah, it was just a trivial pursuit really. Something I thought would be a bit of fun a few summers back.”
Lori took a sip, soaking in the warmth of mild intoxication that had flooded her senses. She watched Lephas over the rim of her glass, silently delighted when he met her eye again.
Feeling brave, and a little tipsy, she fixed him with a sultry gaze. The princess licked a drop of wine from her bottom lip slowly and her heart skipped a beat when the demon's eyes dipped to watch the movement.
She needed to touch him, skin to skin, so badly she ached. Finally beginning to feel fully rejuvenated, Lori was painfully aware that she and her demon had some unfinished business.
Lori's stomach churned with nerves and excitement. She wanted to have sex with him, as soon as possible.
There was no denying she was a little apprehensive. It had been a long while since her last sexual encounter and, in honesty, it had been overly pleasurable for her. Lori was worried. What if it was awkward, or she didsomething stupid to ruin it? What if she wasn't very good?
The princess pushed her questions to the back of her mind, the alcohol helping considerably. She may have had concerns, but they were far outweighed by her desires and her curiosity.
There was no doubt that Lephas's talent in bed would more than compensate for any bumbling errors she might make. She knew he would be willing to teach her what to do. He was nothing but patient, kind and oh-so considerate. Lori shivered.
“Are you cold?” Faye asked from her other side and unfurled the blanket she still had draped over her knees to share it with her sister.
“Thanks.” Lori smiled, awkwardly accepting the blanket.
