Putting him out of his misery, the princess extended a leg cautiously into the hot spring. She moaned as hot water enveloped her and hurriedly slid the rest of her body into the depths.
Without hesitation, she allowed herself to sink below the surface. Fresh, hot water swirled around her, cleansing her skin, her hair... It was bliss.
Lori remained under the water for a long moment, basking in the heady relaxation. Only when her lungs burnt for fresh oxygen did she eventually surface.
“That's so good,” she groaned, smoothing her wet hair back and wiping water from her eyes. She remained almost totally submerged, up to her chin in the water. It was deep, but not dangerously so. If Lori stretched, she could just about tip toe on the rocky bottom of the small pool.
“I thought you might approve.” Lephas grinned at her from the side. He was still fully clothed she noticed disappointingly.
“I don't suppose you've got any soap in that miracle pack of yours, have you?” she asked hopefully with a smile.
“That depends,” he hedged, grinning. “What's it worth?”
“Shut up!” Lori exclaimed with surprise. “You actually have?! You wouldn't tease a girl, would you?”
Lephas pulled his bag in front of him and opened a side pocket. There, wrapped in simple greaseproof parchment, was a white bar of soap.
He unwrapped it and held the bar out to her. Lori paddled to the side and snatched it eagerly.
“Why do you even have this?”
“For an emergency. You don't want to be cleaning and sewing wounds with dirty hands.” He shrugged.
“You...” she sighed, gazing lovingly at the soap in her hand. “Are the absolute best.”
“Me, or the soap?” Lephas laughed.
“You.” She looked up at him and smiled softly. They gazed at each other for long moments. Lori never wanted to look away.
She felt a strange urgency to take in as many details about him as she could. She was gripped with an irrational fear that this was some sort of dream and at any moment she would wake up lying next to his lifeless body back in the forest.
A cold shiver shot down her spine. She needed to touch him. Now.
“Join me,” she whispered.
Lephas silently complied and sat up on his knees to unbuckle his chest armour. It chilled her to her core to see the sleeve of his right arm was still shredded. Thankfully intact, healthy skin could be seen through the gaps in the material. The princess felt her chest tighten.
The demon shrugged out of his jacket and tugged his undershirt off over his head in one smooth motion. Lori sunk her teeth into her bottom lip.
She had almost forgotten how glorious he was. Somehow, he looked even more muscular now he was fully healed. She eyed every plane, dip and knot of muscle greedily.
He ignored her heated gaze in an uncharacteristically brazen manner and sat back, pulling his feet out from underneath him. The demon tugged his boots and socks off, then stood to unbutton his trousers.
Though she desperately wanted to compliment him on his physique, Lori held her tongue and allowed him to continue shedding layers of clothing.
Lephas stepped out of his trousers, keeping his undergarments on as well, before hurriedly sliding into the water to join her.
Their bodies came together like magnets. Lori floated to him and wrapped her legs around his waist, sighing when he gathered her into his arms. She embraced him, bringing her bare chest into contact with his.
Lephas rested his forehead against hers and closed his eyes. They floated in silence, both submerged to their chins and soaking in the heavy comfort the hot water provided.
It was more than that, Lori realised with her heart swelling in her chest. Just being skin to skin with the demon brought with it some kind of deep peace, one like she had never known. She didn't ever want to move.
Relief flooded her and the faerie was hit with a wave of emotion. Large, hot tears rolled down her cheeks, disappearing into the spring's waters.
“I can't believe you're here,” she whispered.
Lephas opened his eyes. His expression turned sorrowful as he realised she had begun to cry and he squeezed her tighter still.
