“Is she alright?”
“As well as can be expected.”
“Good, I’m glad.” Faye paused. “If only I could say the same for Sivelle. It’ll be her birthday in a few days, you know.”
Raxx hummed and nodded.
“It will be the first time we’ve ever missed a birthday. It saddens me to think we may have to get used to it.”
“Is there anything I can do?” Raxx asked.
“That’s sweet of you, but I doubt it.” Faye shook her head. “I just wish I could speak with her one last time, let her know Lori and I are alive and safe – for now at least. For all she knows, we’re dead in a ditch somewhere.”
The princess’ eyes grew glassy with emotion.
“It may not seem like much, but I want to wish her a happy birthday.”
Raxx paused, weighing up his options. He knew of a way to get a letter to Awrelwood, but it was risky – not only for Faye and Lori, but also for himself should anyone find out.
“It’s pathetic, isn’t it? The things we take for granted,” she laughed softly.
He watched as a small tear trickled from the corner of Faye’s eye and she wiped it away. In a second, he decided it was worth the risk. “Would you like to send a letter to Sivelle?”
Faye froze, her eyes widening. “How?”
“There is a way. It’s not the same asseeingyour sister, but I’m sure she would appreciate hearing from you both, at the very least.”
“Oh, Raxx! I’d love to.” Faye sat upright and threw her arms around him.
Relaxed and sluggish from sleep, Raxx failed to disembody in time. Faye’s bare forearms brushed across his shoulders and he hissed, leaping back into the shadow realm as blistering pain shattered the tender moment.
“I’m so sorry,” Faye squeaked, her hands flying away from him.
Raxx remained hidden for a moment, trying his utmost to focus on his breathing as he rode out the pain. He screwed his eyes shut, waiting for it to subside.
“Raxx? Are you okay?” the princess asked, glancing around the empty room.
Finally over the worst of it, the demon reappeared and sat on the side of the bed.
“I’m sorry, I didn’t mean to. I forgot. It’s just—” she spluttered, her face tight with guilt.
“I should have been paying attention. I’m going to have to get used to mistakes like that happening from time to time.”
“Still, I’m sorry,” Faye whimpered and stroked a gloved hand down his back.
“I can send the message to Sivelle by raven,” Raxx continued breathlessly.
“But there are no ravens that know the way to Awrelwood. I may not know much, but I remember reading about that as a child. My great grandfather, Edwin Goldwyrm, ordered all messenger ravens to be extinguished from the capital. Faerie’s only use pigeons or doves now and even then, there are very strict rules you have to comply with to be able to get a licence.”
“There is one bird that still knows the way – a predecessor of a bird that was missed all those years ago.”
Faye’s eyes bore into him with curiosity. “Incredible – where?”
“In King Zelrus’s aviary.”
The princess paled. “Will this get you in trouble?”
“If I get caught? Undoubtedly.” Raxx nodded.
