There was a long pause. “How much do you know about your father’s politics?” Raxx eventually asked.
“For the love of– will you just answer the question?” the princess growled.
“I will, but answer mine first.” Raxx fixed her with a steely expression.
“Father keeps it to himself. He never speaks about these things with us. My sisters and I don’t see him from one week to the next.”
“What has he told you about demons?”
How had this turned into Raxx askingherquestions? Faye felt irritation beginning to prickle at her once more, but she obediently answered. “Very little. Growing up, I always believed your kind to be monsters.”
Raxx shot her a disapproving glare.
“But I’m starting to think it was all a ruse. I’m not sure why our father would lie to us like that, but—”
“To keep you under his control. Your father is a very deceitful man, Faye. More so than you even realise.”
“Well, I don’t know about that. What—”
“Do I look like a monster to you?” he asked.
Faye cast her eyes over him. When she didn’t answer immediately, Raxx shook his head.
“Perhaps that’s a bad example. The woman back at the inn – was she a monster?”
“No,” Faye admitted.
“There are bad apples, but demons are not the monsters your father has painted us to be. Tell me, princess – why do you think he would spread lies like that?”
Faye had a knot in her stomach. She didn’t answer the demon’s question.
“You’re safe with me. I swear it. You’ve already escaped from the clutches of the most dangerous man in Hestaesia,” Raxx said, his tone serious.
Faye felt a cold shiver dance across her body. She tugged her scarf up around her neck.
“Who is Lephas?” she asked again, her voice quiet.
“Lephas is my commander. We heard the princess – Lori – had run away and we were keen to make contact with her. Lephas was sent to intercept her.”
“What happened to them?”
“It’s probably easier if I show you.”
* * *
Faye wasn’t sure how much time had passed. She and Raxx journeyed on in silence. The sombre tone of his words circled around and around her head.
It’s probably easier if I show you.
Where was Raxx taking her? Faye felt sick with dread. The demon stopped just ahead and held up his hand. Faye pulled Gaia to a halt.
“Dismount here. You can tether the horse to one of these trees,” Raxx said.
Faye stared down at him. His stern expression softened a little as their gaze met and he turned away, looking out across the forest. After a moment’s hesitation, Faye slackened her reins and took her feet out of her stirrups. She swung her leg gracefully over Gaia’s hind quarters and dropped to the floor. The snow was deep and undisturbed here. In silence, Faye looped Gaia’s reins around a sturdy-looked tree branch. The mare snorted and began picking at the leaves, foraging for a snack amongst the undergrowth. After double-checking the horse was secure, Faye looked across at Raxx.
“Follow me,” he muttered and began striding ahead. Faye followed the tracks he left behind in the snow. She pulled her cloak around herself and her wings fluttered nervously at her back.
The forest began to open into what appeared to be a clearing. Faye swallowed as she peeked around from behind Raxx. Dark shapes loomed in the snow ahead.
