Lori subtly grabbed a small handful of snow as she straightened back up. The demon knelt down before her to check her boot and she struck. She roughly shoved the handful of snow down the back of his jacket.
Sinker!
Lephas jolted to his feet with surprise and Lori sped away as quickly as she could manage in the deep snow, laughing.
“Shit that's cold!” he exclaimed with a laugh, attempting to shake the snow out from underneath his clothes.
“Payback!” Lori yelled at him with a grin, still running.
“Get back here, you little witch!” he shouted after her playfully. Lori squealed as he gave chase, stumbling away faster still.
Lephas easily caught up with her. The faerie screamed as he tackled her to the ground. They both fell heavily into the snow.
“Ugh, I shouldn't have done that.” Lephas groaned with a hoarse laugh, clutching his side. Lori attempted to squirm away from him, but he rebounded quickly, grabbing her legs and tugging her back underneath him.
Lori fought for breath, laughing and fighting against his hold. It was a fight she would never win. In seconds the demon had her wrists pinned.
As they locked eyes, the playful vibe ebbed away. They both panted breathlessly and gazed at one another.
It occurred to Lori in that moment that she had not had that much fun in years. More alarmingly, she couldn't recalleverlaughing as freely. She smiled softly at the demon on top of her, who was looking back at her with a thoughtful expression on his face. She desperately wondered what he was thinking. Was he feeling this same attraction to her?
A few moments passed and Lephas released her silently. They both got to their feet and brushed themselves off.
“I think I won,” Lephas goaded, breaking the heavysilence. He smacked her behind as he passed her, making her squeal.
“Did not!” she countered with a small laugh.
“Did too!”
“How old are you – seven or thirty-seven?” She teased.
“How do you know I'm a thirty-seven?” Lephas paused with a quizzical look on his face.
“Haros told me.”
The demon cursed under his breath with a laugh. “That bastard. He needs to learn to keep his nose out. What else did he tell you about me?”
“Not much, really,” Lori hedged.
“I don't believe that for a second.” Lephas shook his head, his face turning grim suddenly. “I hope he's alright.”
“I wish I could tell you not to worry, but...” Lori’s heart sank.
“Haros is a tough nut to crack. I've seen the guy take a beating before and I know he won't give up any information, but it makes me sick thinking about what they'll do to him.”
“This is all my fault.” The princess sighed heavily, feeling a lump growing in her throat. She pressed her lips together.
“Don't say that, you know it isn't.” Lephas slowed his walk to come in beside her. “Wecame to getyou, remember? We knew encountering your father's men at some point was inevitable.”
“I know, but–”
“No buts. Personally, I'm glad we were there in the end. I don't want to think about what would have happened to you if we hadn't been there.”
Lori didn't reply, but felt a violent shudder rip through her body. She looked down at the snow and swallowed thickly.
“I know my friend. Haros wouldn't have had it any other way either,” the demon's tone was low and gentle.
Lori jumped, surprised as Lephas reached out and took her hand in his. Despite the hollow feeling in her chest, her stomach flipped over. She squeezed him appreciatively.
