“Of course, and good luck.” Raxx nodded his head and slipped away into the shadows.
It was hardly a crisis averted, and the shadow demon sensed Lephas may still be in for a serious reprimanding, but he felt confident that the king was now thinking more clearly.
In all the years Raxx had known Zelrus, he had never seen him lose his cool the way he had earlier that evening. The king was no stranger to setbacks and disappointment and was renowned for his exceptional ability to keep a calm, level head, even in the most difficult of circumstances. It only went to prove how highly the king thought of Commander Lephas, to have been so furious about being let down by him.
His angry outburst with the commander aside, Zelrus was no fool. Raxx was sure he would eventually come around to the realisation that the princesses were useful and maybe even trustworthy, but for now Raxx would follow his king’s orders and keep a watchful eye over them – though he feared he may be keener to watch over one prisoner in particular.
Zelrus’s rage, combined with the discovery the shadow demon would never be able to do as little as hold Faye’s hand, without experiencing agonising pain, should have been more than enough to snuff out any lingering curiosity Raxx had in the faerie, but alas, no. Despite himself, the shadow demon found himself keen to return to her company.
Once he had ensured Faye wasn’t too uncomfortable in her cell – though he severely doubted she would behappywith the arrangement – his next task would be to collar Tabitha and ask her what in Hestaesia was going on with his fortune crystal.
Raxx entered the cell block, slipping unnoticed past the guards that stood vigil at every doorway. It wasn’t the most pleasant of places to be contained against your will, that was for sure, but it was dry and reasonably clean. The trio would be fed and watered to an acceptable degree and they would have a small cot bed to sleep on. All in all, it could be worse.
He walked down the first of several corridors, glancing left and right between the cells in search of familiar faces.
Eventually he came across the commander and Lori. They were imprisoned together, sharing a small cell. Clearly the guards were still respectful enough of Commander Lephas to obey him when he had ordered them to place him there.
Lephas was on his back on the small cot with Lori lying on top of him, curled into his chest. She was asleep, though her eyes looked sore and swollen from crying. The commander lay awake, staring at the ceiling, smoothing his fingers through the faerie’s hair.
Raxx carefully rested his forearms against the bars of the cell, leaning against them before solidifying his presence.
“Commander,” he whispered through the dark.
Lephas jolted and Lori mumbled something incoherent in her sleep as he jostled her.
“Raxx?” the commander asked. “What are you doing here?”
“Zelrus asked me to keep an eye on you.”
“I see. Shouldn’t I be callingyoucommander now?” Lephas asked stiffly.
“You knew he wasn’t going to welcome you with open arms, he’s just pissed,” Raxx replied.
“We both know there’s ‘pissed’ and then there’s ‘so angry he’s going tothrowsomething at you’,” the commander muttered.
“Yeah. I didn’t see that one coming; I’ll be honest with you.” The shadow demon shrugged.
“Did he say anything else after we left?”
“Not an awful lot, but I’ve talked him down for now. I don’t think he’d piss on you if you were on fire at the moment, but he’s listening to reason when it comes to the faeries at least.”
“I’ve fucked up, Raxx,” Lephas groaned.
“Yes, you have. Oriel and I both warned you.” Raxx paused. “Though I will admit, I’m quietly impressed you stuck by the faerie. After that candlestick nearly took your eye out, I did wonder whether you would be swayed. You really do love her, don’t you?”
“Too much, I fear.”
“More fool you. Do you know where they took Faye? I need to check on her too.” Raxx cleared his throat, schooling his voice into a dull, almost bored tone
“I’m not sure, but she’s not close by. Lori called for her for a little while after they took her, but she didn’t respond. I thought the poor thing was going to give herself a heart attack, she was crying so hard.” Lephas frowned.
“I’ll find her and I’ll call by on my way past to let you know how she is.” The shadow demon nodded.
“I’d appreciate that. I don’t think it’ll make Lori feel any better, but it might put her mind at ease a little.”
“Stay strong and I’ll see you in a little while.” Raxx stood straight and disembodied back into the darkness.
“Thank you, Raxx,” Lephas whispered.
