“I get the feeling you know more about my sister’s whereabouts than you’re letting on,” Faye muttered, finishing her drink.
“Another?” the demon asked, gesturing to the empty glass.
“Don’t try to change the subject.”
Raxx allowed a smirk to creep onto his face. He grabbed the bottle and poured out another serving in each of their glasses. He pushed Faye’s glass to her across the table and took a sip from his own.
“I know very little about your sister and where she might be. I would certainly not be here if I did.”
“Hm, good point,” Faye sighed, raising her glass to her lips. She fixed him with her beautiful eyes over the rim. They stared at one another in silence for a moment. “Who is the friend that is supposedly with Lori?”
“His name is Lephas. He’s my superior.”
“Does he look like you?” Faye asked, her speech already beginning to slur slightly. He saw the faerie’s eyes linger on his horns before falling to his wings.
“More or less. Older.”
Another tense silence enveloped them and Raxx fought to keep his eyes on the glass in his hand and off the faerie sat in front of him. He watched the light shimmering on the surface of the liquid as he swirled it gently. Just as he took another sip, Faye spoke.
“You’re much more handsome than I was expecting. For a demon.”
Raxx’s eyes widened and, knowing he would be unable to keep a lid on his reaction, he slipped away into the shadow realm.
Faye startled and she jumped back from the table. The chair legs screeched against the wooden floor.
Raxx remained sat where he was, grateful for the knowledge that he was invisible in the dimly lit tavern. Her comment had surprised him. She thought he was handsome? It was something he had been told from time to time, but he was by no means used to hearing it. Particularly from faerie princesses.
He used his brief reprieve from Faye’s distrusting gaze to look freely upon her. There was no denying she was definitely his type. Fair hair and pale complexions were rare traits in Banesteppe. Most demons were dark in colouring, but Raxx would be the first to admit he had a real penchant for blondes. There was probably some strange insight into his psyche hidden in that revelation, but he didn’t dwell on it.
Faye was as blonde as they came, some streaks so pale they were almost white. The dark velvet hood she wore hid most of her face, but from what he had already seen, the princess was also easy on the eyes. She was pretty, with delicate features and full lips. Was he really that attracted to Faye or was Tabitha’s stupid fortune telling playing on his mind? He patted a hand over the crystal in his pocket. It was hard to argue with the evidence.
Shit.This was getting out of hand already.
Raxx got to his feet and allowed himself to solidify beside the table, giving the illusion he had been elsewhere and not hiding bashfully in the shadow realm. Faye jolted and stared at him with wide eyes.
“How do you do that?” she gasped.
“You’re not the only majborne in Hestaesia, you know,” Raxx replied, sitting back down in the chair.
“Where did you go?”
“Just checking on something,” he lied cryptically. That was another positive of being an enigma – people didn’t tend to press when you gave ambiguous answers to their questions.
“You’re a majborne as well?” Faye asked.
“Keep your voice down.” Raxx looked around the empty tavern. “That’s not a good thing where I’m from.”
“Sorry, I didn’t—wait, what do you mean?” Faye shot him a puzzled look.
“Your father isn’t exactly supportive of majborne demons. We are banned from training our people in majick and he hunts down and kills those of us who are born naturals.”
Faye’s face fell and Raxx shifted uncomfortably in his seat. “Oh.”
“You didn’t know?”
“No. I’m afraid I didn’t.”
Raxx and Faye sat in uncomfortable silence. The shadow demon racked his brains for a way to change the subject. Thankfully, he was put out of his misery by the innkeeper’s wife. She strode from the kitchen, carrying a bowl filled with what looked to be some form of hot stew. The demoness did a double take as she spotted him, but dutifully placed the meal in front of Faye.
