With the element of surprise ruined, Raxx hopped over to the opposite side of the fire and sat down in the snow, before allowing himself to become visible. Faye turned to glance over her shoulder in the direction he had been standing just seconds before. Raxx sat silently, waiting for her to notice him. When she turned back, the princess jolted and scuttled away with a yelp, her eyes wide with panic.
“Raxx!” she gasped. “You nearly scared me to death.”
“How did you light this fire?” Even as he asked, Raxx knew failing to acknowledge the princess’s surprise or apologise for his intrusion would rankle her. He had to fight back a grin as Faye scowled and pursed her lips.
“I know a few handy tricks,” she huffed, placing her hand against her chest in a bid to slow her heart rate.
“And the tent?”
“What kind of idiot leaves home to wander the wilderness in the middle of winter without a tent?”
“Good point,” Raxx conceded.
“Where have you been? You’ve been gone for hours.”
“I found a way down from the cliff. I had to make sure it was safe and passable before I returned.”
“That’s great news. Will we get Gaia down there?” Faye asked, her eyes brightening with interest.
Gaia? So, the horse had a name. Not just a stock horse from the king’s stables, but a beloved pet.
“Yes. You will probably have to walk down rather than ride, but it should be fine.” Raxx nodded.
“Good.”
There was a moment of long silence. Raxx’s wings twitched at his back and he grappled for something to say. Faye beat him to it.
“Are you hungry?”
Raxx glanced at her over the flames. The princess began digging through one of the satchels before producing an apple, holding it up for his inspection. As if on cue, the demon felt his stomach rumble. His mind turned to the food he had pilfered from the kitchen at the inn earlier that morning. He had tucked it into Lori’s satchel for safe keeping.
Faye smiled shyly. “It’s not meat.”
Raxx grinned back at her endearing offer. He nodded and caught the apple easily as Faye threw it to him. He took a big bite; the crunch of the apple’s crisp fruit was loud in the silence of the forest.
“Have you eaten?” he asked through a mouthful.
“I too have only had an apple. I’m certain I packed some nuts in here somewhere…” Faye began to search through her belongings once more.
“Check Lori’s bag.” Raxx smiled knowingly and took another large bite out of his apple.
Faye glanced up at him with a sceptical expression. She dragged her sister’s satchel between her knees and opened it up. The princess picked up a linen parcel and, with another suspicious glance towards him, she opened the bundle.
“Where did you get this?” Faye asked, eyes sparkling as she pulled out a crusty wholemeal roll.
There had been no suitable fillings that would have remained fresh, though Raxx had hunted for some in the inn’s kitchen, so plain bread would be on tonight’s menu. He figured it would be better than nothing when they were both hungry. Though Faye was distracted, having already taken a large, eager bite out of the bread roll, Raxx knew the parcel also contained some dried fruits and cured meat jerky. There were also two metal flasks filled with water. These would be easy to replenish; once filled with snow they could be placed directly into the flames of a fire to boil and purify the contents.
“I swiped a few things before we left the inn.”
Faye shot him a disapproving glare, but her mouth was too full to respond.
“Don’t look at me like that. You more than over-paid for your night’s stay, princess. I think they owe you.”
Faye rolled her eyes and swallowed her mouthful. “It would have been polite to at least ask.”
“I’ll be sure to write them a thank you letter,” Raxx said, earning another playful scowl. He took a bite of the apple to mask the smug grin he fought to keep from his face.
There was a moment of silence as they both ate. Raxx finished the rest of his apple and dropped the core into the flames. He watched the flesh sizzle and scorch, the waxy skin curling up and blackening at the edges. He glanced up at Faye. She was distracted, absorbed in devouring the bread. Raxx knew he should get up, walk around the fire and sit beside her like a normal person, and yet… The demon vanished, strode through the fire and sat heavily in the snow on the other side before reappearing once more. He opened the satchel to help himself to a bread roll, fighting to hide his amusement as the princess jumped out of her skin. What he hadn’t expected was the swift, firm punch she landed against his arm.
