Faye’s eyebrows quirked. Considering her vast enjoyment of what she had experienced with the demon thus far, that was a bold statement indeed.
Raxx stooped and lifted her up off her feet. Faye giggled, wrapping her arms tightly around the demon’s neck as he embraced her.
“Hold on to me,” Raxx instructed. “We can’t teleport, so we’ll have to go on foot. If you feel disorientated, that’s normal.”
“Alright,” Faye replied with a smile.
She watched with wide, curious eyes as the cell around them blurred, the details fading away and growing darker. Faye could barely see her hand in front of her face and yet the usual terror that accompanied the darkness was missing.
Instead, she focussed on the body heat emanating from the demon as she squeezed him tighter. She felt his warm breath tickling her neck and his hands grasp her legs, encouraging her to lift and wrap them around his middle. For the first time in her life, she felt safe in the darkness.
“Ready?” Raxx’s voice was deeper and echoed like he was far away.
The princess nodded, squealing as the demon’s body leapt into action and they hurtled from the cell.
They were moving too fast for Faye to see her surroundings clearly, though she felt the bitter chill as they hit the cold winter air. Instead, she watched in fascination as Raxx’s wings expertly balanced and steadied his movements. The princess laughed, squirming when her stomach flipped as he leapt down from a tall stone wall and glided on the air for a moment. Once solid ground was beneath his feet once more, the shadow demon darted away into the night.
If Raxx wasn’t taking her to meet with Tabitha, where was he taking her? She had initially assumed perhaps she was to spend the evening with Lori, but having left the cells behind that was clearly not the case. Faye’s mind whirled with possibilities. Thankfully, she didn’t have too long to wait.
Raxx came to an abrupt stop and eased her down from his arms. Faye felt dizzy and she grabbed his forearm, squeezing her eyes tight shut as she willed the world to stop spinning.
“Are you alright?” the demon asked gently.
Still with her eyes closed, she felt a crackle of magic and was assaulted by a bitterly cold blast of wind as they re-materialised.
“It’s so cold,” she whimpered.
“Come, inside.” With Raxx guiding her, Faye concentrated on placing one foot carefully in front of the other.
Out of the wind, Faye sighed with relief and took a deep, steadying breath. The familiar smell of hay and manure greeted her and Faye’s eyes snapped open.
Her heart swelled as a horse at the far end of the stable let out a loud, excited neigh.
“Gaia?” she squealed.
Her pretty mare’s head shot out over the stable door and, instantly forgetting her nausea, Faye sprang into action, hurrying to reunite with the horse.
Tears sprang to Faye’s eyes as she grabbed Gaia’s head in her hands and peppered her soft, velvety muzzle with kisses.
Footsteps crunched slowly to join her. Faye felt the horse’s warm breath as she released a low, welcoming nicker and she glanced over her shoulder. The demon stood a respectable distance back, watching Faye keenly.
“Oh, Raxx! I could—” Faye turned and moved as if to leap into the demon’s arms and kiss him. She halted just shy and let out a low, frustrated growl.
“I know,” Raxx soothed. “Fear not, the sentiment is appreciated at least.”
With a beaming smile, Faye turned on her heel and pulled the bolt across the stable door. The princess slipped inside and wrapped her arms around Gaia’s wide neck.
Lori and Sivelle had often teased Faye for constantly smelling of horses, yet she had always found their musky smell soothing – now more than ever before. Tears fell freely and Gaia snorted, almost as if understanding the princess’s relief.
Eventually, the mare began to fidget and Faye was forced to release her. She sniffed and laughed as Gaia nudged her with her nose.
She wiped the wetness from her cheeks and glanced around, spotting a small grooming kit tucked away in the corner of the stable.
Delighted, Faye slid her hand beneath the strap of the brush and began working it along Gaia’s muscular back.
The princess took every detail in as she groomed her mare. Gaia was looking well; her coat shined, clearly brushed and cared for every day. Both the water bucket and hay trough were full and the horse’s straw bedding was clean.
Faye sighed with relief. Though she should have probably been more concerned for her own safety than that of her horse, she had spent many nights wondering how Gaia was doing. The mare was content and well cared for here and there were no words for how happy Faye was to have her worries put to rest.
