Initially not much

As you left behind a fortress, you found yourself going through a thick forest, with only a rarely used pathway. Layla fiercely looked out for any danger ahead, while you rode on Kelaras back with Doris.

"This is it." Kelara broke the silence. "I never thought I'd be here, at the border and actually crossing it." She said while not slowing down. "Not much is known what's behind this point. The southern demon lands are one big question mark for us. I'm so excited to travel there!" She squeeled.

"You like being explorer?" You smirked while holding her waist not to fall off.

"Yes. Also when you were recuperating, I sent a letter to my squad explaining everything what has happened. They responded with giving me additional task of mapping the route west. Apparently it's been over twenty years since anyone mapped the area properly."

"Oh, so you will be also a cartographer?" You asked.

"No, not me. Doris is far more skilled in drawing so she agreed to help me with this part."

Fairy didn't add anything, still alienating herself for some reason from you. You didn't press.

"Alright... What about the demons themselves? They don't share any maps or anything with anyone else?"

"Demons are... They keep to themselves. Diplomacy is scarce if happens at all. That's why we have to collect intel ourselves."

You wanted to add something to the conversation, but an incoming threat of spider girl holding something stopped you dead on your tracks.

"Beware of Greeks bearing gifts..." You muttered to yourself.

Oh, she is far more dangerous than any fucking Troyan horse.

Ishtar commented.

"David, I'm back! I brought some food. Here, look, David, a fruit!" Layla as usual made a commotion and almost rubbed something into your face. You looked at it and discovered that it's a fully grown and perfectly edible pear.

"Thank you, Layla." You took it and put it into your pocket.

She didn't proceed to run around anymore, opting instead to stay with the rest of the group. But staying silent wasn't her strong feat.

"Do you have fruit like that in place you came from?"

"Yes. It's called a pear." You answered shortly.

"Is it tasty?"

"Depends on your taste. But I like it."

"And meat. What meat do you like?"

You were getting suspicious at her questions. Usually it's Kelara that's curious, and while Layla's inquiries were clearly hitting her area of interest, she isn't usually the one to pay enough attention to have interest in all of your answers.

"May I ask why are you asking?"

She sighed loudly.

"Well... I know that you and Kelara are close. Very close. I want that. And she is usually talking to you all the time and asking about stuff from your home." She looked at you with serious face. "David I want to be your friend, your love and your whole world. But I can't, I know. Because of that stupid, stupid guy she was and she is your first. So I want to become your friend. Friends talk and ask each other questions, right?"

You gestured for Kelara to stop, and managed to get off from her back. You moved in front of Layla, who froze when you touched her hand. You took her in your arms and planted a kiss on her lips.

"Layla, I trusted you with my life and you saved me. Saved all of us. You are confident, strong and resourceful, a great material for a wife. A mate. And my heart can have more than one of those."

You admitted, both to yourself and Layla. You really had feelings for her. It wasn't like with Kelara where you had a pure attraction, but more like twisted arousal combined with the fact that she made you feel good and safe just while being around.

You let go of her.

She stood like that paralyzed for a few second, your words and actions slowly getting to her. Then she looked at you menacingly and pounced at you knocking you down, and showering you with kisses.

"David loves me, la la la, David wants to be my mate. I love you too, David! You are the best, making me feel so fuzzy now, like so so good."

She let go of you eventually, but it took some pleads and promises from you. When you came back to Kelaras saddle, she looked at you amused.

"I hope you know what are you getting yourself into." She giggled.

"Shush. I like her, she likes me. There is no reason to share a bit of happiness together. And you told me already you are okay with more women." You whispered to the centaur.

"And Layla." Spider girl stopped mid step and focused her entire attention on you. "I'm not that into meat that much, but I really miss burgers."

For the next few hours you explained the various elements of human cuisine. Layla was the most into fast foods and basically everything that was deemed unhealthy. Kelara expressed her interest in trying out various salads one day, and bananas. She never heard of them before so you could only attempt at describing how good they can be. Doris stayed out of entire conversation, only having a bit dreamy face when you were describing sweet stuff like donuts, cakes and all kinds of cookies. You were getting increasingly worried about her. You really wished she would open up soon.

The landscape shifted from a flat forest into hills you had to climb every once in a while. To decrease Kelaras burden every time you were going up, you were using your own feet, which she was grateful for. For the next few days you were traveling without meeting anyone. In the evenings centaur and fairy were working on maps while you let spider girl snuggle with you. It made her happy and felt nice. Ishtar was quiet almost entire time, only sometimes throwing in her five cents, but usually just listening to your conversation. She explained later that she was acclimating to local magic, whatever that meant.

On the fourth day, when the sun was slowly moving out beyond the horizon, all of you heard something.

Girls had hard times recognizing what was that noise, but you couldn't mistake it with anything. It was...