“What?!” she replied, surprise rousing her.
“I've managed to coerce you to drink a few times, but other than that you've just been completely out of it.” The demon shifted her in his arms and lifted her into amore comfortable carrying position.
“Wow. Whatever majick I managed to use really was potent stuff.”
“You're telling me.”
Lori squinted her sensitive eyes against the sun, desperate to gaze upon Lephas's face once more. Her heart flipped as their eyes met. His dark gaze sparkled, filled with life. The faerie sighed with relief.
“Hey, sleeping beauty is finally awake,” he teased.
Lori groaned, burying her head into his chest to hide her smile.
“How are you feeling?”
“Like I've been trampled by a thousand horses,” the princess grumbled.
“Any better at all?”
“A little, I suppose.” Though she ached from head to toe, she was managing to keep her eyes open against the bright sunlight. That was a small improvement.
“Do you need anything? Food, drink?” Lephas asked.
“I could do with a drink, and I really need to pee.” She laughed softly.
“Oh.” The demon grinned. “Do you think you'll be able to go on your own?”
“I'm not sure.”
Lephas walked a little way into the forest, pickinga suitably sheltered spot before coming to a halt and carefully let her slide free from his hold on her. He rolled the blanket into a messy bundle and tucked it under his arm.
The sun was melting some of the snow already, heavy drips of icy water pattered around them from the trees above.
Lori cautiously attempted to put weight on her shaking legs, alarmed when they buckled beneath her almost immediately.
The demon caught her before she fell. She gripped him tightly with her arms wrapped around his waist.
“I think that's a 'no',” she replied quietly.
“Do you... I mean, I don't mind helping, but–” Lephas floundered.
“Honestly, I'm hurting too much to be embarrassed about it.” Lori shook her head with a defeated smile.
“Okay, so, uh, how do you want to do this?” The hesitation in his voice brought forth a bubble of laughter in the faerie's chest once again.
“Just, kneel down beside me so I can lean on you. I think I can manage the rest.” She giggled.
Dutifully, the commander crouched, supporting her weight entirely as he did so. Lori hurriedly pulled her trousers down, just enough to bare her nethers, andawkwardly perched to relieve herself.
She glanced across at Lephas, who had averted his gaze chivalrously in the opposite direction.
“I've got to say, this is possibly the strangest retrieval mission I have ever been put on.” He laughed, shaking his head.
“Well, there's no going back now.” Lori joked. “Couples who pee together...”
“Oh man,” he groaned with an exasperated laugh.
Once she had finished, Lephas helped her get back to her feet. Lori quickly righted herself and buttoned her trousers.
