Lori barely contained her laughter as she rolled up onto her knees to watch the demon crashing through the undergrowth. The commotion was more than enough to spook to poor rabbit. It shot off at great speed, right towards one of the snare traps.
Lori looked away with a pained wince.
CHAPTER NINE
The rabbit hadn't stood a chance.
Lephas knelt and carefully untangled the small creature from the snare. At least it had been a quick demise and that was the most any of them could ask for.
It wasn't the biggest rabbit he had ever caught, but beggars couldn't be choosers. It was better than going hungry.
“Got one!” Lephas shouted out to the faerie girl.
“Oh, no! Don't show me. I don't want to see it.” she wailed from back at their hiding spot.
“Whose side are you on here?” He laughed, brushing the snow from the still-warm fur. He strode back up the incline towards her, rabbit in hand.
“Let's put some more biscuits down overnight. We might be able to catch another one, hopefully a bit bigger. That'll come in handy for keeping us going tomorrow.”
Lori locked eyes with him for a moment. Her cheeks were still flushed and hair slightly dishevelled. Lephas coughed into his fist and averted his gaze, turning his back before the girl saw his smug smile.
He had never been with a woman who made the kind of noises the faerie had been making, not whilst still fully clothed at least.
He didn't even try to keep his mind from imaging what she would be like, writhing underneath him naked, with her–
No, no - definitely not a safe train of thought!
Lephas shifted uncomfortably in his thick leathers. Had these things always been so constrictive? He had never noticed it before.
At least there was no doubt left in his mind that Lori was enjoying his attentions. He liked that. Generally, when it came to these kinds of situations, Lephas was plagued with self-doubt. It made him feel good to be certain.
Real good.
They had waited all afternoon for that damn rabbit and it chose that exact moment to show up? Lephas scowled at the bundle of fur in his hand.
He shook himself. He would get another chance, that he was sure of now. He'd had a few opportunities to sample what Lori was offering and he was curious to see how far she would let him go. She definitely seemed keen. It was exciting.
“So, what are you going to do with the poor little thing now?” Lori asked.
“Do you really want to know?”
She grimaced. “No, I don't. I guess we just need to find somewhere to settle down for the night?”
“Yeah, that sounds like a good idea. I doubt we'll be as lucky as we were last night. It might be a case of using some of the equipment to make a lean-to.”
“That doesn't sound so bad,” Lori said, rolling up the mattress and strapping it to the pack once more.
“It'll be cold,” Lephas warned. “We'll be a bit more open to the elements, even if we manage to find a nice sheltered spot.”
“I'm sure you'll keep me warm.” Lori shot him a sultry look.
“I might be able to manage that,” Lephas responded simply, enjoying the momentary surprise on the faerie's face before she managed to school her expression.
“Well let's get going then.” Lori grinned and handed him the travel bag.
“Hold this a minute...” Lephas held out the dead rabbit. For a split second, the faerie blindly obeyed him and held out her hands before checking to see what he was about to give her. Her eyes widened as realisation hit.
“Oh!No-no-no!” she squealed and leapt away.
