Chapter One – Sparks of Fire

"But I will." Dannyl said, and then stilled when he realised what he had said. Tayend leaned forward, a light in his eyes. He pressed his lips gently to Dannyl's, and Dannyl felt like sparks of fire had raced around his mouth and down his spine. He leant forward so that his lips meet Tayend's fully, but Tayend leant back and Dannyl leant forward, trying to prolong the contact.

When Dannyl realised what he was doing he leant back, and put his back against the sun-warmed stones of Armje. He looked upwards, and closed his eyes. There was silence.

Dannyl couldn't look at Tayend. He kept reaching for his powers, for his Healing powers to numb his feelings for Tayend. But he kept stopped himself, and Tayend's face kept appearing in front of him. His striking features and his cunning mind. He was drawn to Tayend.

"Do you regret it?" Tayend's question cut his thoughts short.

Dannyl opened his eyes, and looked at the scholar. He had a worried frown on his face.

"Do I regret what?" He asked carefully.

"The kiss."

Dannyl sighed, rubbing his forehead. "I don't regret it." He studied the scholar's expression. "I'm just...just...used to pushing any feelings I've had for...men away. I didn't realise that the way I thought of you as a friend, and liked you as a friend was that I also liked you as a..." His voice trailed off. Dannyl couldn't look at Tayend.

"A lover." Tayend said softly. Tayend sat gently beside him. He took Dannyl's hand in his, and began to run his thumb gently over Dannyl's knuckles. Then he began to talk quietly. "When I realised I was a...lad...I...um...went to my sister. I could trust her, you see." Tayend looked earnestly up at Dannyl, but when he said nothing, Tayend continued. "She told me to be careful. That father would not like it. I was cautious. I refused to become a magician, but I instead became friends with several people. Some were like I was...some accepted them...I became confident, but still...I'm scared...it is natural to me. What if, out there, - and I know there are – people who hate people like m- , like us? I think that all we can do is really accept it, and be careful."

He glanced up at Dannyl, and this time Dannyl didn't just see laughter and happiness, but a seriousness and sadness. Tayend leant forward and kissed Dannyl passionately. Then he pulled back and squeezed Dannyl's hand, standing up. "I'm going for a walk. Alone. I need some time to think. I-I'll be back in at least an hour."

He picked up his jacket and left Dannyl sitting there. Dannyl sat there for a long time, staring at his hands.