candle in the window

I know what your thinking, how can Kai-Stern and Lord Lykouleon ever fall in love if they aren't even together? I guess the better question is how can they fall in love if one of them is dead? Or is he dead? Hmm.

chapter 5

"Lykouleon?" Raseleane's voice called to him in a haze. "Sweet heart." she woke him, stroking his soft cheek. "Have you been dreaming?"

"Hm." Green eyes opened, realizing his neck was a bit stiff, he sat up. The dragon lord was in his study, until a moment ago, sleeping on his desk of papers. "I must have dosed off."

"I can understand that, official documents are hardly thrilling." She peeled away the paper that had managed to stick securely to is face. "You must have been tired."

"I don't remember being tired." the blond sat back as she straightened some stacks on his desk. Golden eyes blinked at him.

"Either way you made it official." the dark red head pointed to his cheek and held back her laugh with a closed hand.

"I what?" he touched his cheek.

"Here." Raseleane handed her lord a small hand mirror. He took it and looked at his face.

"Hm." the dragon lord examined the royal seal that had some how transposed to his royal cheek. "Hm," he set the mirror down and thought, "Would I be a policy or order of state?"

"Maybe a requisition order." she teased.

"Yes!" the blond stood, "Send me more paperwork!" they laughed as he sat down again.

"You could be the offical dream policy, then maybe Alfeegi will get some much needed rest."

"Dream." Lykouleon's expression became serious. "Dream..."

"Like a holiday." the dragon queen tested his level of attention. "Of course he'd have to submit in a written request."

"huh?" green eyes shifted with distraction.

"What is it Lykouleon?" Raseleane touched his hand.

"I think I had a dream," he frowned, "it seemed important."

"Like a preminiton?"

"I don't know. I..." the blond considered more carefully, "I don't think so."

"Do you remeber any of it?"

"Water."

"Water?"

"And the wind was so strong." He paced around the room trying to retreave the shattered peices of his dream. "It was like someone was calling me. I could hear the wind cry out and then...then..."

"What?"

"I can't remember." he cupped a hand over his mouth, why did he feel sick all of a sudden? Raseleane came behind him and touched his back. In that simple gesture the sickness the worried feelings everything was melted away.

"It was a dream." She told him as he turned to face her. "It can't hurt you."

"I was never worried about me." The dragon lord embraced his queen. "But you're right I think." he nodded. "It was just a dream," he released her and walked to the dark balcony and looked at the stars. "Dreams...can only cause problems for what's real."

"I don't believe that." the red head came beside him.

"Raseleane." green eyes looked into golden.

"Some of the greatest joys in this world come from the dreams of it's people." she touched the blond's face. "You're dreams are as important as any other person in this world." he held her delicate hand closer to cheek, closed his eyes and sighed. "I want to share your dreams." The dragon queen leaned against her lord's chest. "Share them with me?"

Lykouleon put an arm around her waist and tilted her chin with his free hand. Green eyes looked into the windows of his queen's soul. Her rouge lips and milky skin seemed to glow in the moon light. Her radiant golden eyes, so loving and so beautiful. Raseleane. Lips parted to welcome the touch of the other's.

Lykouleon's arms tightened around her, deepening the kiss. This smell, this emotion, this warm body against his, this taste...how could he dream of something, of anything else. This is what the dragon lord wanted. Perhaps his confusion was from stress, the council had been particularly cruel in thier last summons of their lord.

Stress, that had to be it. Some how even this excuse did seem to completely suffice. A corner of his heart seemed undecided on the matter, like a peice of him that wasn't convinced. Thinking about the council matter ruined his mood. The dragon lord gave his queen a series of quick kisses, letting her know his intentions.

"Is anything wrong?" Raselean's golden eyes searched for the reason when he let her go.

"I," he hated to distress her, the blond didn't want her to know his concerns. The truth was she already knew the issue, but she didn't know about the council's reprimand. "I'm fine." Green eyes lied. "It's late." he took her hands in his. "Why don't you go to bed?"

"But." the dragon queen was reluctant.

"I'm sorry," he brushed a strand of shadow dipped crimson from her warm cheek. "I'll be right there. Okay?"

"Alright." she obeyed. "Good night."

"Good night." the door shut and Lykouleon colapsed into the couch. That council, they think they can do anything, maybe it was true. Damn. Was it a mistake? Telling the council that...Even if it didn't work though, at least it got them off his back for a short while. He washed his face with dry hands and let out an exaggrated breath. Just because you're a lord doesn't mean you know all the right decisions, or make them.

{memory}

{"I'll go." Kai-Stern told his lord and fellow dragon officers.

"You volunteer for every mission outside the castle walls," Ruwalk had said. "I'm starting to think you don't like it here."

"Have you delt with sea storms before? They are quite dangerous, you risk you're life." Tethis told him looking up from Alfeegi's documents on the subject.

"So do the people who live there." light yellow eyes were confident. "I'll be fine."

"I'd rather send our dragon knight of water but Rune has his own duties to preform." Lykouleon added.

"He's still inexperienced," Alfeegi protested. "I think Kai-Stern is a better choice on this occasion." he folded his arms. "Although, Rune fills out paperwork properly."

"I'll get you a paperweight as a souvanier," Kai-Stern waved as he walked away....

(a moment later)

"Wait," Lykouleon stopped him just down the hall, "This is probably bad timing but...can I speak with you privately?"

"As in... alone?" the light yellow eyes asked.

"A private matter is best discussed between few parties." the green eyed lord smiled.

"Don't patronize me," the albino frowned, "You know why I'm asking."

"Oh come on." the dragon lord waved for him to follow. "Be practical, what are the odds of it happening again?"

"About the same as all the other times."

"Uh, no way." he tried to laugh.}