A bird was on the outside of the log It clawed at the surface as it hunted for insects. Lephas craned his neck back to glance outside, taking care not to wake Lori.
It had finally stopped snowing and the sky had cleared. He could see a shaft of rosy early morning sunlight spearing through the forest. That would certainly make travelling easier for them today.
In a moment of quiet contemplation, Lephas glanced down at the sleeping faerie in front of him. Her cheeks had returned to a healthy colour, albeit marred with a painful looking gash and a dark bruise. He was relieved that she had remained warm enough through the night.
The demon couldn't quite believe the previous day's events. There were almost too many things to wrap his head around.
Naturally, his immediate thoughts were of Lori’s kisses... Plural.
He had been, and still was, surprised. The faerie had definitely been the initiator. He was confused. Lephas couldn't quite bring himself to believe it was as simple as she found him attractive and hadwantedto kiss him. Was there trickery involved? Did she think to sweeten him up and gain his sympathy by engaging him romantically? It was working, he admitted sourly.
Maybe his lack of confidence around women was palpable? She had seen him as an easy mark and decided to hone in on his weak spot... Or maybe she really was just attracted to him? Lephas frowned. He didn't know.
Unsurprisingly, the girl had been upset after the previous day’s turbulent events, but why had she turned to him for comfort? He was part of the reason she was in this mess in the first place.
His thoughts turned to King Lazuli with a scowl. What kind of monster sent a troop of fifteen men to slaughter a young girl? His own daughter, no less. Though there was no denying the princess’s actions had led her here, Lephas doubted she had even considered her father might have had her killed for it.
Lephas had begun to piece together some of the puzzle and intended to probe further once Lori was less sensitive about the issue. She had defied her father's wishes in something and had fled. Whatever the princess had done, he doubted it deserved a death sentence. The commander felt his grip tightening on the girl in his arms.
She squirmed and mumbled sleepily. As Lephas attempted to shuffle across to give her more room a razor-sharp pain splintered through is ribcage, stealing his breath momentarily.
He suspected he had broken a rib, maybe two. That was going to hinder his ability to trek through the snow today. He would have to attempt to bind it with one of the bandages in his pack.
“Lephas?” Lori asked groggily, interrupting his thoughts.
“I'm here,” he replied.
“My head hurts.”
“I bet it does. You took one hell of a hit yesterday,” he soothed
“Is it bad?” She wriggled free to lie flat on her back and pulled her hood down. Her braid had come undone during the night, leaving her hair knotted and wild.
“Let me see.” Lephas sat up carefully. He gently inspected the dark bruise on Lori's cheek.
“Ow.” The girl winced.
“It looks clean and has stopped bleeding, but it will take a few days to fully heal. We'll keep an eye on it.”
Lori gazed up at him. Though she still looked tired and was covered in scratches, the faerie appeared to be more alert now she had rested. She eyed him curiously and Lephas felt himself growing hot.
“I need to get up.” He groaned and clutched his ribs as he dragged himself out of the narrow log.
“Are you alright?” Lori shot him a questioning look.
He gave a short laugh. “Not really. I think I've broken a rib.”
The demon carefully clambered out into the snow, relieved to see the vast blue sky above them. It was still cold but the sun's rays were already making a noticeable difference to the temperature.
“Did you do that when we fell?” Lori asked, her face creased with concern as she climbed out of the log behind him.
“No, earlier than that. I took a horse to the face at one point back there.” He grimaced and cautiously stretched to stand upright.
“Is there anything I can do?”
“Actually, yes. I'm going to need your help to bind it up. That's the only chance I stand of being able to get anywhere fast today. It's definitely more painful than it was yesterday, that's for sure.”
“Sure, what do I need to do?” Lori tucked her wild hair behind her ears.
