Page 15 of The Demon's Delight
“But you had several injuries, if I let my excitement about traveling cloud my judgment about your readiness, we should?—”
“Seir?” She put her hand on my arm, right over where she’d healed my cut. The simple touch quelled the building storm of anxiety inside me, very effectively shutting me up.
“Yes?”
“I’m fine. Really. We should go.”
“Are you sure?”
“Yes. Please. I’d like to make it to the village before nightfall tomorrow. If we stop moving now, it will only take us longer.”
“Okay. Yes. We’ll go.” I gathered our things and followed behind her as she walked back through the tall grass toward the road.
The afternoon was almost stifling,with no hint of a breeze and unseasonably warm weather. When I was sure it was just the two of us on the road, I let my wings out and raised them as high as they would go. The angle of the sun was such that my face was still partially exposed, but at least Hailon had some shade. I was even graced with a small smile for my effort.
We were both worn out by the time the sun started to slip toward the horizon, providing relief from the heat and the sign we needed to find a suitable place for making camp.
“This will have to do,” I sighed, the small grove of trees similar to where we’d stopped midday offering the only semblance of shelter on the flat, grassy plain.
“There’s a creek at least.”
“Small favors and all that,” I muttered, collecting medium sized stones to make a fire ring.
“I’m going to go get some water.” Hailon took the largest pot and went off toward the little stream.
She’d been stoic since our lunch stop, but the limp she’d picked up had only gotten worse as the day dragged on. I knew the blisters were bothering her, but still, she said nothing. She was proving both tough and stubborn, which together were an especially formidable pair of traits.
By the time she got back with the water, I’d gathered enough wood to cook our meal and keep us comfortable overnight. It took a few moments, but I managed to get a fire started with the little kit of flint and steel. One day, I would make it back to that cabin and replenish everything we’d taken so the next travelers to pass through could be as well supplied as we were.
“What are we going to do about shelter?” she asked, glancing around. “This feels rather exposed.”
“It’s not optimal, but we don’t have much choice. It’ll be alright, I don’t sleep much.” Hailon nodded, forehead wrinkled despite my claim. “I’m going to see if I can find something fresh to add to our dried meat for a stew.”
“Do you know how to recognize dangerous plants?” she asked.
I nodded but hesitated. “I know about the poisonous mushrooms with red caps, and the vining plants with three leaves that will make you blister and itch.” She frowned at my enthusiastic response. “Are there many dangerous plants somewhere like this?” I gestured vaguely to the sparse, grassy plain.
The corner of Hailon’s mouth twitched. “Yes. There are many, many things that are toxic in places like this. Plants, animals. Even water.” She waved me over, walking in the direction of the creek. “Come on. I saw what I think is cress and some kind of berry while I was filling the pot. Maybe we’ll get lucky and find some edible roots.”
“I always forget that Earth is like this. Humans are challenged at every turn just to keep themselves alive!”
She turned and glanced at me over her shoulder, judgment and concern pulling her eyebrows together. “You sound positively thrilled about that.”
“Oh, I am! I love it here, there are endless adventures to be had, and the variety of life is fascinating. It’s the same in the fae realm, but they’re far less mortal than humans.”
“Should I be worried?”
“Of course not. I’m no threat to you, Hailon. Besides, you’realsodangerous, after all, have you forgotten? Should it come down to a battle between us, it would be a narrow margin that determined a winner.” I gave her an exaggerated wink, pulse pounding in my veins. It would have been convenient to blame the hazards of Earth-dwelling for the exhilaration I was feeling, but there was more to it than that. Her, in particular. And the idea of sparring with her… well. I forced myself to inhale slowly several times and considered a quick swim in the undoubtedly icy stream.
My comical wink and commentary amused her, and the short laugh she gave only thrilled me further.
“I don’t know much at all about the fae, so I can’t speak to that. Is it not like this in Hell?”
I considered as we pushed through the tall grass, the blades making a soft swishing noise as we flattened it with every step. “I suppose for some it is. But most of the inhabitants are either already dead or demons, so it’s different.” I frowned. Was it, though? I battled legions of lesser demons often. They were mindless hordes, bent on nothing but destruction. What kind depended on who their master was. I knew my brothers were helping the stone kin face down similar infestations here on the surface. “There are no unknown dangers in Hell, only consequences. Everyone is aware of evils lurking, and if theydecide to take a chance…” I grinned and spread my arms wide, indicating that was the choice they were free to make.
Hailon had turned to look at me and stood quite still with her mouth open slightly. “I see.”
I felt a rush of heat prickle along my neck. There seemed to be equal measures of thoughtfulness and judgment in her gaze, but she continued on her mission to find us some edibles.
