Lori nodded.
“The cause of that collapse will determine on the kind of edge you'd be left with. In this case, there's volcanic activity deep beneath us - something I didn't realise before today,” the demon explained.
“So? What does that mean?”
“It means...” Lephas paused, heaving them both up onto a plateau of rock. “I've found a natural hot water spring.”
His words took a few moments to sink in. Lori gazed at him vacantly. He caught her eye and gestured for her to look out away from him.
The princess almost gasped aloud. There, encased in dark rocks and surrounded by snow, was a small pool of water. Steam rolled over its surface invitingly.
Tears of joy and relief stung at her eyes, but Lori blinked them away quickly.
“I'm not sure how hot it is,” the demon continued, kneeling to place her gently on the ground next to the spring. “We need to check that before you just get in. Some springs are so hot that the water actually boils, you know.”
“What are you waiting for then, old man? Stop boring me with geography and find out!” she teased.
Lephas shot her a playful scowl but obediently shuffled to the water's edge. He removed a glove andcautiously dipped a finger in.
Satisfied the water wasn't going to burn him, he placed his whole hand beneath the surface and swirled it around thoughtfully.
“Verdict?”
“It is quite hot, but not dangerously so. Here...”
He helped her crawl to the edge. Lori hastily removed her gloves and put both hands into the dark, mysterious water.
A needy groan escaped her as hot water stung her cold hands. In that moment, she realised just how much she had missed lazing in a hot, soapy bathtub back at Awrelwood. Her aching body cried out to clamber in.
“Can I please get in? Please?” she begged.
“Alright, but you mustn't get too cold when you get back out again.” Lephas glanced up at the sky. “The sun is shining and we've still got a few hours until nightfall. As long as you're dry and completely dressed before then you shouldn't be in too much danger.”
“Will you help me undress?” Lori wriggled free from her blanket and eagerly attempted to kick her boots off.
“I thought you'd never ask.” Lephas grinned, shooting her a look that made her heart flutter in her chest.
He shrugged his pack off, placing it nearby, and unbuckled his sword belt. Lori gazed at the weapon, traumatised. The last time she had seen that silver handle, it had been buried in the flesh of a bear... She shivered.
Lephas grasped her boots and pulled them free, one at a time. Next, he rolled her socks down to reveal her feet. The princess curled and stretched her toes. Though the air was cold, she was relieved to be able to bare her skin for the first time in days.
The demon stroked her feet thoughtfully. He twisted the small silver toe ring on her right foot. It occurred to her suddenly that Lephas had never seen her bare feet before... And he was about to see a lot more of her flesh bare too. Her stomach squeezed nervously.
Though the demon fought to keep himself professional, the soft pink flush on his cheeks gave him away. He was clearly coming to the same realisation.
Lori unfastened her trousers and fought to remove them but her weakened arms shook. Lephas reached forward to assist her in peeling the thin leather breeches from her thighs. He tugged them over her knees, then her calves, before finally freeing her of them altogether.
The faerie watched him curiously as he fought - and failed - to keep his eyes from the scrap of silk between her legs.
Had she been feeling more energetic, Lori would have revelled in teasing him with glimpses here and there, working him up into a lather, but her limbs were heavy and clumsy with weariness.
She unbuttoned her fur coat with shaking hands and threw it unceremoniously onto the ground. The demon leant forwards and grasped the bottom of her tunic. He paused for a second and swallowed, as if to steel himself for what he knew was coming next.
Lori barely hid a grin as she raised her arms and allowed him to tug her clothing off over her head. The tunic was thrown into the pile of other discarded clothing. Her wings unfolded and stretched. Much like the feathers of a duck, faerie wings were soft but water repellent. She needn't fear getting them submerged.
She gestured to her undergarments. “I'm going to keep these on. They could do with a good wash anyway.”
“Probably for the best,” Lephas replied hoarsely and scrubbed a hand over his mouth. Lori giggled, enjoying watching the demon fight to look anywhere other than at her and the body she had bared.
