Chapter 40: A Night on the Snowbanks
Rafael cleared his throat loudly. Before Soleia could stop him, Rafael cupped his mouth with his hands and straight up hollered. "Excuse me, Orion, are you busy?"
"What are you doing?" Soleia hissed, grabbing his arm in horror. Sir Ralph knew all too well they were busy!
"Making sure we have someplace warm to sleep tonight," Ralph muttered back, before marching forward to thump at the carriage door as though he was a paperboy demanding payment. Soleia was helplessly dragged forward by the strength of his body. "Orion! Pay attention to me!"
The carriage door swung open so violently Soleia was honestly surprised it did not fly off its hinges.
"What is it?" Orion barked out irritably as he stared at the both of them.
"Well, my good friend, as you can see, night has fallen," Rafael pointed out, a muscle twitching in his jaw as he brandished his free hand to gesture at the dark night sky, where the only light came from the waxing moon.
"Surely you’re not thinking of making the princess sleep on freshly fallen snow. Now that you have had your fun, it’s simply gentlemanly for both of us men to vacate the carriage and seek shelter elsewhere."
Elowyn peered out behind him, blinking owlishly at the interruption before a practiced blush covered her cheeks. She let out a little squeak and ducked behind Orion’s broad back.
"Oh my! I guess... we might have gotten too carried away," Elowyn said, her voice muffled by her hands.