Bittersweet Sword Chapter 8: Delte's Dreams, a dragon knights fanfic

Yay for long chapters. For any of you who like Thatz/Delte, here it is. I doubt it's a common pairing, but as you can guess, I want Kitchel to be with Tetheus. And sry (again) for how long it took me to update, but you can appreciate how long all my chapters are. Anyway, thanks for all my reviewers! I love you guys! It's a really neat feeling to see people liking your stuff. well, anyway, here's this chapter.

Memories/.../
dreams: ...

Bittersweet Sword: Chapter 8-Delte's Dreams

I shifted into slight consciousness at the feel of something pressing into my palm. Something round and smooth. I heard a door click shut and realized it was my own. Brushing my hair out of my face, my fingers lingered subconsciously on my lips, and I wondered why, until I remembered. And I hoped. I remembered my dream. It was dark, but that was usual in all of my dreams, especially as of late. It was dark, and I felt like I was drowning in solitude and loneliness. Guilt and knowledge. Faces passed me by, feeding my guilt. The feeling of powerlessness. The face of a despairing, angry red-haired knight. And my knowledge of his death. And the fact that it had happened anyhow, despite my warnings, my wish to help. And also tugging the delicate strings of my heart was how his death grieved the one who held my heart unknowingly. The thought of him had helped calm me down, until I felt almost peaceful again. I knew it was all a dream.

But suddenly, I felt a sensation that I was fairly sure was not the figment of a dream. I... dreamt of his face leaning in, and kissing me, softly. And I remembered that as the image of his face coming into mine appeared in my mind, I felt a very real sensation of lips on mine. I wondered if it was only a dream... But it'd been such a real dream... I remembered my lips tugging into a smile as I relished the thought that maybe it had happened. Now I wasn't so sure, it was all fleeting by so fast, but... the apple in my hand tried to convince my mind otherwise. In any case, someone had been into my room, leaving this present as their parting gift, and I could only imagine who. I wished, so fervently, that it was whom I hoped it was, and that the sensation of lips on mine had been real, and by him. It had to be... I touched my lips again, felt the warmth of them and finally realized that I was blushing.

I shook my head, trying to clear my head of any fantasies and chiding myself harshly for acting like a young girl heads over heels in love... which was exactly what I was. But that did not excuse me acting likewise, gushing and fantasizing every second. I was a fortuneteller, I had to be mature. I carried great responsibilities on my shoulders. My mother had hated the fact that I had been gifted with the magic, or curse, as she and others had called it, of telling the future. But I couldn't help what I had been born with, and I'd been strong, taking the fear and scorn of my peers when I had been young and turning it into a reason to develop my powers. Though that hadn't helped me at all. Because fortune telling was not a favorable job. It was a cursed job. You saw things... that were better kept unknown. You knew things of the future, but you didn't have the power to do anything other than warn. You were just a messenger. Sometimes feared unfairly, as I was, of telling a cursed future. I didn't blame them. I had a tendency to be able to detect danger and misfortune more than blessings. So my fortunes weren't oft that reassuring. I was feared and pushed aside. I grew up alone and simply got used to it.

But it hurt, thought I tried to hide it, pushing my feelings to the back of my mind. Ignoring myself. No one could accuse me of being coldhearted. At least not to others. But to myself, it was much different. Despite my attempts to lead the life of a fortune teller, alone, there were times at night in which I would simply break down. It was like a wave. All the feelings and emotions I had thoughtfully and deliberately locked inside found a key and unlocked themselves, washing me away in their power.

The dragon castle made me feel much more at home than I had been at my real home. Yet I was still a behind-the-scenes person, simply because of my quiet withdrawn character. And so even in this kind, giving environment I was still left out and pushed aside. More because of my own doing I was sure, but I didn't know how to correct it. Being so alone hurt so much. I saw my hand begin to shake, my body trying to contain the emotions I was experiencing. So I focused on one thought, the one that brought me happiness. Him. Thatz.

Sure, it seemed to me that most thought he was inconsiderate and irresponsible, a pig in all manners and disrespectful. But his kindness reached all. He treated everyone like an equal, royalty or simple servant. And his kindness had reached me. I felt like he gave me attention, and that simply made me feel special and wanted. He gave me company just by sitting next to me at breakfast or waving at me as he passed by with the other members of the castle. And I hadn't experienced companionship in so long, I was simply drawn to him. I felt kind of silly, taking the hand of the first person who offered it, but maybe that was the way it was. He'd been the first to offer me respite from my loneliness and I was immediately and irrefutably connected to him. The problem was showing it, and wondering if he felt the same way.

He probably didn't, seeing as to how handsome he was and how easily he could find a suitable partner. And then there was Kitchel. I was sure they were already... taken. Although... I had done a reading, against the custom of never doing readings for your own personal gains of reasons, but it'd been eating at my heart for the longest time. The cards had said that she wasn't they weren't in love. But still... I had no idea if he felt the way I did.

The gray sky above seemed to reflect my depressing mood. But now I was hungry, so I headed to the dining room. Walking into the large room, I saw that the only person there was Thatz. My stomach did a slight turn, and I felt my cheeks warming with a blush.

"Did you...?" I held up my apple as I walked to him, sitting next to him.

"Yeah, sorry if I disturbed you sleep," he said, looking at me with that adorable grin. I felt my blush turn deeper.

"Um, no, it's okay. It was nice," I said lamely. So if he was the one who gave me the apple... was it too much to hope that he'd been the one who'd kissed me?

"So you gonna eat or not?" he asked, motioning towards his already full plate. I nodded and he began to serve hefty portions of food.

"Thank you," I said.

"Speak up will you?" he grinned. I laughed, finally relaxing and ate in silence, though I felt it was a comfortable silence. I finished, placing my utensils on the plate, and a couple minutes later he did the same, leaning back and sighing. For some reason, I found it funny the way he ate, and I giggled.

"You eat a lot," I commented.

"Is that bad?" he blinked adorably.

"No," I said quickly and laughed. He smiled widely.

"Wanna take a walk?" he said, standing up and offering his hand to me. I nodded, feeling slightly elated that he was inviting me to a walk.

"Well, let's go then," he grinned. He stroked his chin thoughtfully, "Well, I know that you've cruised the palace gardens who knows how many times, so let's go somewhere else. Let's see... we met you in Chantel, so you've never had a chance to see Draqueen up close and personal, right?"

"No, I mean, right," I said.

"Alright then. We're going sight seeing," he began to run, pulling my hand.

"Are we allowed to leave the castle?" I asked as we snuck out of the castle and began walking down the path that would lead us to the capital of the Dragon Lord's kingdom.

"I don't know about us, but it was only Rath and the Lord that Alfeegi yelled at for leaving," he paused in his run and looked at me squarely, "You do know Rath's big secret, right...?"

I had a feeling he was asking, but were my answer to be negative, he wouldn't fill me in. In any case, I knew.

"Yes... I know. Poor soul..." I murmured, looking down. I started as I felt his arms wrap around me, and his hands lifting my chin to meet his eyes.

"And you don't care? Do you know what demon he was?" he asked carefully.

"The... the one who killed so many of my kind..." I said softly, the memories burning deeply in myself. I felt his hand stroke my back soothingly as I felt tears prick at my eyes.

"And yet you still called him 'poor soul'. Do you not care that that was what he was?" his voice was soft, almost hopeful. I felt that he was searching hard for something, that the answer of this question was very important to him.

I shook my head, "Of course not. I don't believe it was his fault at all... it was the demon who killed my family, not him... I'd been able to feel his pain for a while, and it'd been almost overwhelming... he was hurting so badly..." I began to sob, pained my memories of my family being killed and of feeling Rath's pain and torture so clearly. His arms wrapped around me protectively, shielding me, as he whispered smooth words, and I buried myself in the folds of his clothing, taking in his warmth as I fought to keep the memories out of my head and failed.

/I looked down from the tree I was sitting in, snapped out of my meditation by the sound of children yelling below me. The village children were playing tag, chasing each other gleefully as they yelled good-natured taunts and dodged their friends among the trees. Children my age. They're rather deep into the forest, I mused, watching them. I wasn't often that the younger faerie elves ventured this deep into the faerie forest. I was the only exception. This was where I was usually found.
I put down my fortune-telling cards in a hole in the tree and watched. I had been exercising my telepathic and psychic powers, and then began my meditation. As I did every single day, and I would have never guessed that today was the last day I'd do this out of routine. Well, in truth the only reason I did this was because I had nothing else to do.
One of younger girls in the group tripped over the root of the tree and fell, crying. I waited to see if the other children would notice, but they were too busy playing. I bit my lip and sighed, jumping down from the high branches of the tree in front of the faerie girl.
I reached down to take the girl's hand and help her up, but she withdrew it fearfully, whimpering in fear.
"I just want to help you," I said softly, trying to hide the pain in my voice at being rejected. But I'd expected it. That's when the others finally noticed me and the girl.
"Get away from her you evil witch girl!" one of them yelled and I winced. He ran up to the girl taking her and holding her protectively as if I might lash out any second and hurt them. I bit my lip, tasting faintly the sharp taste of blood.
"I was just trying to help her up," I muttered softly taking a step back.
"Oh yeah, and then curse her or something? Tell her that she's going to die today?" "I only tell the future. It's not my fault that I can only see the bad part..."
"Yes it is stupid! You're just a witch, you shouldn't even be allowed in the village!" the others joined in, calling me names. I took a couple steps back, and cried fearfully as I saw them pick up stones from the ground.
I screamed as I felt a sharp pain in my leg and felt blood trickle down. The rock on the ground glistened with fresh blood. Tears began to run down my face as I turned and ran. But they had me surrounded, and I only ran into another one of their group. He pushed me back into the center harshly, and I fell, crying out every time I felt the rocks cut and smash into my body and a foot connected with my stomach.
"Stop, I was only trying to help! Stop!" I cried in vain. They laughed and jeered. I felt flood flow into my mouth and spit it out weakly, my body shaking from the sobs and pain. I did the only thing I could think of.
"I predict that you'll all die today!" I screamed. They were afraid of my fortunes. I was just trying to get them to run away before they killed me. It worked. They stopped immediately.
"You're lying!"
"No I'm not! I saw it in my cards, you will all die today! A terrible demon will come and eat you!" I was lying, lying as I cried and clutched my leg and blood seeped into the ground. But I didn't care, it was either lie or be beaten up by them, "Run away from here if you want to live!" I continued, drawing in a shaky breath.
They muttered among themselves for a minute, then one of them smirked, "We'll just leave you here to be eaten then."
They left glaring at me and laughing. I sobbed, falling to the ground. At length I stood, limping towards my tree and settling down in a hole inside the roots, sheltered by the strength of the tree and hidden from view.
A soft glow emitted from my hands as I tried to heal myself. I was young though, so I wasn't that good at it. The end results were bruises and half healed cuts, but at least the bleeding was gone and it didn't hurt. Blood made me nauseous.
Exhausted by everything, I curled up and fell asleep...
OoO

I woke up, shivering, panting. A dream... that had all been a dream. Invoked by the lie I'd told earlier, I was sure. I stood up, wavering a bit, and crawled out of the tree hole. I fingered the bruises on my body and tried to heal them again. Sure enough, the cuts and purple marks disappeared, and I was good as new. On the outside at least. Inside... I hurt. It hurt that they hated me so much simply because I was a dark fortuneteller. That wasn't my fault. All I'd been doing was trying to help the little girl get up. But they hated me. I wrapped my arms around myself, trying to find some sort of comfort. None came.

Looking up through the dark treetops, I saw the sky was darkening. It must be getting late, I thought, and picked up my pace. I was loath to return to my village, but maybe if I snuck in the back and into my house without anyone noticing it'd be all right.

I sniffed the air... something seemed a bit off. There was a rank smell in the air... but I couldn't place it. And was it just me, or was it getting warmer? Oh well, I paid nothing any heed, until I heard a scream. I stopped in mid-track, body tensed. Had I imagined it? I fervently hoped so...

I began to run out of the woods again, my breath quickening in fear as I heard another scream and forced off the chill that made its way down my back. A band of water lights came towards me, running away, not bothering to stop when I called frantically to them. For some reason, I hadn't thought of running away when I heard the screaming, which was getting louder and more frequent, only of finding what was wrong and trying to help. That was why I was running back to the faerie village, I was afraid, but not necessarily for myself, more for my friends... peers was a better word.

Branches and brushery passed me by, whipping my face and getting stuck in my clothing. Large tree roots hindered my way. And I confirmed for a fact that it was getting steadily warmer, I could hear crackling now, I was almost to the village. The screams were loud, right ahead, but now they were scarce, and there was a soft yellow glow coming ahead... I was beginning to falter in my step.

I froze. Red. In the green of the grass. Orange among the trees. The rank smell was strong, and the heat was getting uncomfortable. I recognized it. That had been no dream I'd had! It'd been another vision! There was a demon... destroying my people.

I fell to the ground, shaking. I was now afraid to step into the clearing where the village was. I was afraid. I followed where the crimson blood came from and saw a body. I dashed forward, looking at the beaten figure, who obviously had escaped by dragging herself across the ground. Overcoming the nausea I felt at her blood soaked body, I lifted her up and checked her pulse. She was dead. I dropped the body abruptly, getting up and leaning against a tree for support and heard another scream.

That meant there were people still alive! Maybe I could save my mother, maybe all of my vision didn't have to come true. I ran frantically ahead, bracing myself against the sight I was going to see. It was nothing like my vision. It was worse. I hadn't been prepared for this much. The smell of death, so overpowering, I clutched a tree and hid behind as I heard a growl. The fire was spreading, but thankfully, away. The growl came from a large creature. A hideous dog youkai. Blood covered its muzzle as it scraped and tore off meat from an unrecognizable carcass on the ground. I saw one of the elven warriors try to stab the youkai, blood pouring from a wound on his leg. The youkai kicked him aside, then continuing with his dismemberment of the current carcass.

I watched in horror as drop after drop of red life dripped from the creature's jaw. I think I tried to scream, but nothing came out, and I was only aware of a paralyzing wave of fear that crept slowly, chilling me, immobilizing me. There was no one left alive. There was no one... I was alone... like I'd always been... but it'd never been truer than now. It was all there, everything from my dream.

My mother's body, eyes open wide, laying on the crimson ground, flames licking at her sides. My father's head, laying as scraps of meat and bone, a bloody mass of a body somewhere to the side. And then the village children. I couldn't say 'I told you so,' and I couldn't say 'You deserve this.' Thought both could have been true. But I knew that were I to utter of even think that, a part of my soul would be blemished, and I would be stained with guilt forever. The whole sight of them was too horrible to even describe. The carcasses, devoured by the fire, released a rotten stench, and blood and masses of meat and organs sprawled on the ground. Insects, already feasting on the scarlet dinner.

Now satiated with the havoc it'd caused, and the feast it'd gained, the terrible youkai howled, one long screeching wail. I shivered convulsively and covered my ears, my stupor broken by my will to stop the sound. It paused, looking in my direction with cold, evil eyes, barren of a soul, unreflective, vicious, lusting, and sadistic. But it didn't come at me, as I feared it would, it only howled again and bounded off, ripping trees to the side and disappeared.

My body kicked back into gear, now that the danger was gone. I realized I was sweating, cold sweat that clung to my skin, my muscles quivering and trembling convulsively. I leaned to the side, breathing heavily and vomited. Then my legs felt weak and I tumbled backwards into nothingness.

OoO

Screams. That was all I heard, but I couldn't see where they were coming from. Images were fleeting by. Running through the woods, green passing me by. More screams. Then crackling. And orange among the green. Heat. Figures screaming. Red among the green ground. Shadows. I stood in the middle of a battlefield. A battle between my people and a hideous demon. Dog like in form. Red eyes. Blood lust. Death. My mother, eyes open wide, unseeing, body limp. The children who'd hurt me, bodies torn and scattered. Fire. Heat. The stench of death. And then myself, hidden behind a tree. Screams. It was my vision. But now, there was more. My father's body. Fire raging, consuming all the dead faeries. Insects, biting, feasting. A howl. A terrible, blood curdling howl. Blood. Children's bodies scattered randomly on the barren ground. The forest consumed by fire. Houses, burning. My house, only a couple beams left standing, smoldering in the heat and flames. And then everything faded and I was falling into nothing once again. I was surrounded by black, alone, faces flying by, words, voices, all fading until I was left in the cold darkness.

And then I woke up, shivering despite the fact I was hot. I subconsciously drew the blankets around me, then stopped dead. Blanket? I was in a bed, I realized as I opened my eyes. A small fire crackled in the fireplace. Most would have called it a merry fire, but for me it only heralded death. I looked around the small cabin. It seemed cozy, but I wondered what I was doing here. Had everything only been a dream? I started at the sound of a door opening with a slow creak.

An old man came in, beard long, eyes squinty in a wrinkled face.

"Oh, hello dearie, how are you?"

"Um, fine..." I murmured. He nodded kindly. A water light floated lightly at his side, and I got the distinct feeling that he was a faerie. I relaxed, and I guess he noticed because he chuckled.

"I'm sorry. I am Troding. You're taking refuge in my house."

"How did I get here?"

"Well..." his face darkened, "After the demon attack, the villages and cities that were left standing sent out search troops and such to try to find survivors."

I turned my face down, "My village was destroyed completely..."

He nodded, "Yes, it has been a tragic incident. It's impossible to say how many of us were killed, but it's well over a third."

I looked up in shock, "That much?"

"Yes... now more than ever every faerie counts more and more, so we're glad that you're alright," he smiled, showing an almost toothless mouth, giving me the impression he was very old. Hundreds of years old probably. I got up from the bed, walking to the window and looking outside. It looked like this city had been under fire as well.

"You got attacked as well..."

"Sadly. But not as badly, the creature only toyed around with us..."

"Where did it come from?"

"No one knows. Some of the more experienced warriors believe that it could have come as one of the freakish creations of that renkin wizard."

"Renkin wizard?" I repeated dumbly.

"He is... not in the Demon Lord's side, but not on our side. He only looks after his own goals, but often assists the Nadil's army for pay. He creates macabre beings, can revive the dead and who knows what else. Of course, those are just the legends. All you need to know is that he is an enemy of the faeries."

"Could I help?" I motioned outside.

"Of course, all help will be greatly appreciated," he smiled in approval and led me outside.

OoO

I tossed restlessly in my bed, hoping, for the love of the Elder that I would be able to fall asleep. But I knew well that that would be impossible as long as he couldn't sleep. How long had this been going on? Well, the sleeplessness for only a couple nights, but the constant pain and distress had well been going on for months. Strongest when I was around him of course, so as long as I kept a distance away I couldn't feel it enough to discomfort me. But at night, when it was obviously worse for him, it didn't matter that my room was on one side of the castle and his on the other, I felt it.

Rath Illuser's pain and distress. And lately it'd been getting worse. I planned on talking to him about it the next day, it was beginning to affect me as well. Now I couldn't sleep, and my appetite was dwindling, along with he former cheerfulness I'd had being in the warmth of the dragon castle. Headaches, nightmares, lack of sleep, depression. Just like him. His were much worse, more noticeable though.

I stood up from my bed, feeling parched, and poured myself some water from the jug I kept available on my table. The pain was residing... and with it, my insomnia. I sighed, relieved, not only for myself but for the fire knight as well. Laying in my bed, I fell asleep in an instant.

OoO

"Hey Delte," I finished tying my hair into a ponytail as I turned, finding Thatz coming in.

"Hello," I smiled at him. He waved.

"Have you seen Rath?" he asked casually.

"My guess is he's still sleeping. I've only just woken up," I said, sighing heavily.

"Only? You're as bad as Rath," he said, then looked at me closely, "You feeling alright?"

I backed away slightly, "No, I'm fine, I just couldn't sleep..." I said, trying to make it sound as trivial as possible. He gave me a long look then shook his head.

"Well, alright..." he said dubiously, brushing a strand of hair from my face. I blushed slightly. Then he straightened and turned around, lifting his hand in a goodbye wave, "I'm gonna go wake up Rath, he's been sleeping too much lately."

"Ah... wait," I said, then covered my mouth. He turned around, looking at me expectantly.

"What?"

"Ah, nothing..." I said, turning around, "See you..."

OoO

I sighed, and began walking forward, making my way to the figure on the bench. I sat down next to him as casually as possible. "Hello Rath," I smiled a bit. "Hey..." he replied after a moment. I paused. I was never one for vagueness and indirect approaches. "What do you want?" and obviously, neither was he.

"You're in a lot of pain..." I said quietly. He started, looking at me warily.

"How would you know?"

"Because I can feel it," I replied. Even if he was getting evasive, I stayed blunt.

"Yeah and?" he muttered.

"I want to know if I can help you..." I said. He looked at me for a moment, measuring me.

"You don't know then. If you did, you wouldn't want to help me. After all I did?" he scoffed.

"I know. About you," his eyes widened, but luckily he still remained in place, "But I don't care. The only one I have to blame is the one-winged angel, and the renkin wizard."

"Kharl the Alchemist..." he muttered, and I looked up.

"What?"

"He has a lot of names..."

"You mean, the one-winged angel and the renkin wizard are both Kharl?" I asked numbly, "He's the one that decimated all the faeries?"

Rath nodded as if it was obvious, "But I was the one who did it."

"It wasn't your fault," I said.

"You feel very different than you speak," he said coldly.

"No. I can feel your pain. It's not your fault, you don't have to feel the guilt and regret that you do," I pleaded.

"Yes I do! Don't you see it? It's all MY fault. And even if it wasn't, I was the one who did it! How do you think I could live with myself?" he exploded, then stared at me, covering his mouth. Then the fire knight growled and glared at the ground, teeth bared.

"If you can feel my pain then you should know that no one can erase it."

With those words he turned and stalked back into the castle, leaving me clutching my chest, reeling with the sensation of his disturbing emotions.

I looked up at the bounding of footsteps, both Thatz and Rune were running over, their puzzlement clear in their faces.

"Delte? You alright?" the green haired knight held me up gently, stroking my hair in an attempt to calm me down. Which to my surprise, it did. The water knight stood looking after the door Rath's retreating figure had fled through.

"What happened?" he asked softly.

"I don't know. I just know that he was in pain, and I tried to help him, but he just pushed me away," I said, lingering a moment longer than necessary against Thatz before pushing myself up to stand again.

"Pain? But he's not hurt..." Thatz muttered.

"Emotional pain..." Rune corrected, voice still soft, as if by his gentleness he could soothe everything. But wonderful as the prince of faeries was, I doubted that we could do anything.

"What's it about?"

"I... I think he's very guilty. Of his past... But I don't think any of us can do anything about it. It's too deep inside to reach... But nothing was his fault, it was all Kharl..." I murmured.

"Yes... he single handedly destroyed all our kind," the elf's voice slipped out of his mouth, cold and hard.

"Kharl?"

Rune nodded at Thatz, his gaze icy and distant. But as he turned around his eyes softened into the gentle and soothing blue that we knew.

"And he's such a loner sometimes, he's not going to open up to anyone..." Thatz scratched his head, frustrated. He looked at me and continued in a cheerful voice, "Well, we're going to go chase after him and beat some words out of his closed mouth. Toodles," he raised his hand and then dragged a scowling, complaining Rune behind him.

OoO

After that day, Rath shut out his pain, and I wasn't able to feel it anymore, except for at night, when it was strong as ever. And so I was forced to adopt the fire knight's sleeping schedule. Sleep only came at the earliest hours of morning, and ended mid afternoon. Thought few noticed, as they were busy with the knight. I could feel his energy slipping slowly, his aura diminishing. But I didn't ever expect death. It was an emotional sickness. But there was nothing I could do about it. Every time I came near the knight, he would shy away and leave the room. I was at a loss.

I rolled over, trying to take a nap to make up for the lack of sleep at night. The door was knocked, making me raise my head.

"Delte?"

"Yes?"

The door opened and Thatz head poked in. I sighed in relief, and not a bit of flatter that he was coming in.

"Taking a nap?" he smiled slyly. I nodded shyly. He looked at me, "You've been almost as bad as Rath. How much sleep do you need?" he asked playfully exasperated.

"We may go to sleep at the same times as the rest of you, but neither he, and hence, I, actually fall asleep until much later. That's why we wake up so late."

"So we got a pair of insomniacs. Hey wait, how do you know Rath can't go to sleep?"

"Because that's why I can't go to sleep," I answered.

"So... you can't go to sleep until he does. How do you know when he's asleep or awake though?"

"I can feel him... it's probably because of my fortune telling abilities," I smiled grimly.

"Oh... well..." he was at a loss of words. He ran his hand through his hair, "Well I hope he gets his senses back. I hadn't realized it was that bad... I mean, sure he's been acting funny, but he won't talk to Rune or me. He pisses me of sometimes."

I laughed slightly despite myself. There was no anger in his voice when he said that, just mild exasperation. And worry. He turned and looked at me.

"You gonna be okay though?" I felt a blush tinge my cheeks at his worried tone and intent gaze.

"Yeah," I murmured.

"Well, if you need anything you can tell me," he said, making to leave the room.

"Wait!" he stopped and looked at me, and I blushed, "What did you come in here for in the first place?"

He smiled teasingly, one of his trademark grins, "Just for some company. But I'll let you sleep now."

"Oh... thanks," Why-oh-why wouldn't this blush leave my face when he was around? Although, had it been just me, or had he used that smile to cover the scarlet tinge I saw on his face? I smiled contentedly and settled back on the covers. Sleep would come much easier now./

I was roused from my slumber to find that I was comfortably sleeping in Thatz arms, as he leaned against an old oak tree, stroking my face gently. I looked up into his hazel eyes.

"You passed out. But only for about ten minutes," he said, but didn't remove his arms from around me. I sighed contentedly and leaned into him, not feeling shy about it for some reason.

"Sorry..."

"You must have been having some nasty dreams," he said slowly. I nodded against his chest, feeling it rise and fall with his breathing, his strong arms supporting me. I hadn't been held like this in so long I'd forgotten how good it felt. He looked at me, "About the youkai who killed most of your people?"

I nodded again, turning my gaze down a bit.

"Do you still not blame Rath?" the question startled me. I looked at him, but his gaze was looking distantly into the sky.

"I don't blame him. I only blame the one winged angel. I told you that before," I said. My answer seemed to startle him. He looked at me, surprised, then smiled widely. I wondered why he found it so important for me not to blame Rath...

"You still want to go to Draqueen?" he asked, helping me get up then dusted himself off.

"Sure," I answered, feeling shy again now that I was out of his warm embrace. But he wrapped one arm around my waist, giving me a glance for permission. I blushed again but nodded and he smiled, intertwining his fingers in mine.

"Now we're going to have one helluva good time, cause I know all the hottest places in Draqueen. And I think I need to get nicely trashed again," his former cheerfulness was back.

"Trashed?"

"Drunk," he explained.

"Why do we need to do that?"

"Cause the best way to get your feelings out is while you're drunk. Cause then you don't care what the heck you're saying, you just do," he grinned mischievously.

"Oh..." I wasn't sure if I liked that idea... I didn't really want to tell my whole life story to anyone, and I'd never gotten drunk before.

"Don't worry, it's not like I'm going to force you to drink, and we're not going to get horribly drunk, just moderately. It's not that bad," he grinned again, and I couldn't help but agree with this gorgeous god of drink and merriment. And I was sick of being so depressing.

"Whoops, we better hurry, it's beginning to rain," Thatz let go of me and ran ahead, taunting me to catch up. I picked up my dress and ran after him, laughing happily at the sweet sensation of raindrops on my face and running after the keeper of my heart.

OoO

Something brought me back into consciousness, and for a moment I wondered where I was as I opened one slim eye and shut it back. Willing the annoying throb in my head to slow, I looked again and bit my lip as I realized I was in Thatz's room. And I was on a bed, in Thatz's room, which meant I was on his bed. And if I was on his bed, there was a good chance that so was he. Indeed, as I looked to my side, I saw his sleeping figure, resting face down next to me, one arm draped across my waist, head nuzzled against my neck. His shirt lay on the floor, but to my relief, that was the only article of clothing. Although my dress was very messed up it was still on... partly, but still on. For a moment there I'd been completely freaked out. But now that I was assured nothing had happened I relaxed again, breathing in his warm scent and turning to my side so I faced him. I bit back a laugh as I noticed the slight drool slipping gout of his open mouth and wiped it away. With his pillow of course.

How had I gotten here in the first place? Oh yes... we'd gotten drunk. I knew that much because I was fighting to keep whatever was in my stomach in. I racked my brain, trying to figure out how exactly last night had gone. That sounded so suggestive... but I didn't care. It'd all felt so good and right, that I didn't care if it had gone farther. In any case, I relished the memories of the night before like a treasure.

/I tried to catch my breath, leaning against the doorpost of an inn. The rain had been brief, giving our clothes enough time to dry, and us enough time to finish out tour. Thatz gestured widely to the building.

"Welcome to our last spot of the night, Master's inn," he said, ushering me inside.

"Sooo, who's master?" I asked, looking around the place. It was dark, lit only by candlelight, but well-kept.

"Well, he's Master. Kinda my father here in these places as I grew up. Here he comes now, show him the respect he deserves," Thatz winked at me.

"Hello Thatz. If you and Kitchel think you can wheedle free food from me then you're badly – Oh. That's not Kitchel," the old man stopped and looked at me.

"Hey old man."

"That's master to you," the bartender chided Thatz's impudent statement. He turned back to me, "So who is this? Haven't seen her around before."

"This is Delte, a faerie fortuneteller. I've been showing her the sights around Draqueen," Thatz kissed my cheek chastely. I blushed as I saw Master raise an eyebrow curiously.

"Finally found a girl, eh? And faerie too," he laughed, "Watch out for him, he eats like a pig. And he's got horrible manners and has an obsession with treasure and money that could take him to the ends of the world. And what's worse, he gambles. And you should see him when he was little, he was as bad as he is now, in fact –"

"Master, could you please just get us some beers?" Thatz sweatdropped, cutting off whatever amusing story the man had to say. I raised my eyebrow at him and he just smiled.

"Sure, whatever you say. If he tries anything, just call for help," the bartender winked at me.

"Master!" Thatz whined.

"Just kidding," the man held up his hands defensively and left. Soon afterwards a young girl came by, dropping two bottles of beer in front of us. I sniffed at it experimentally.

"It won't bite, just give you one hell of a hangover if you drink too much of it," He took a long sip, "See, it's not that bad."

I smiled and took a sip, then grimaced, "I don't like it..." I paused and took another sip, "But it's addicting."

"Yup," he took another one.

The rest of the night went like that much of the way, random comments as we sipped our drinks. And once those were done, we got another glass. And another, and another, until I felt like I was about to pass out. Thatz was still going strong.

"C'mon, that's only your fourth glass, I can do ten at least," he bragged, but I could see the pinkish tinge to his cheeks. He wrapped an arm around me and pulled me closer, kissing my forehead lightly.

"Maybe we should go home?" I suggested, giggling slightly. I felt giddy, which was an unusual feeling for me. I leaned into him, stroking his face.

"Go home?" he looked at me thoughtfully, "Sure, after another drink."

"Fine..." I muttered, drinking the last sip of my glass before it was refilled, again. He took another large sip and leaned back, arm still around me. I looked up at him, feeling like a child clinging to her savior, "I've always been alone... ever since I was young. All because I was a fotuneteller, but with you, I don't care anymore, and I'm finally happy," I whispered, snuggling deeper into his hold. He smiled lovingly. Then he sighed, looking away.

"I'm sad that Rath died... I don't think he deserved it..." his somber mood surprised me, but then I realized that really, this had been what he'd been like for a while now, but hadn't shown it.

I looked at him then sighed and leaned into his arms, "I don't think so either. He was in a lot of pain... maybe it was for the best that he was relieved from it."

"But... but why couldn't we help him? Why'd it have to be like that?" Thatz said bitterly, burrowing his face in my hair. I turned around and hugged him, letting him fall against me. I didn't respond, since I had nothing to respond in the first place.

"And it's hard on Rune too. And everything's been so different without him. I mean, sure he wasn't the most sociable of people, and he caused a lot of trouble, but we all loved him. I don't think he ever saw that," I felt his body trembling slightly, but he didn't cry like I thought he would.

"I think he knew that the whole time. It just wasn't enough to stop him. He's in a better place now anyway, maybe you should be happy for him that his pain is over," I tried to comfort him, holding him close. He sighed heavily and looked up, getting himself together.

"Yeah... I guess you're right. Let's go home now..." he helped me up, and I realized just how drunk I was by the fact that I could barely walk straight. He though, wasn't nearly as bad as I was, so he was able to guide me back to the castle.

The night was dark, the clouds covering the light of them moon and stars. I just felt contented to have Thatz next to me... guiding me out of the dark solitude I'd had to live with before...

Once inside the castle, he steered me to his room and closed the door behind us.

"Why in here?" I asked drowsily, tired from the walk home and too drunk to stand up straight anymore. I fell back onto his bed, watching him lazily.

"Cause I'm sick of spending the night alone, and you're gorgeously beautiful," he answered, pining me down and tilting his head so that it was only inches from mine. I blushed at the complement, feeling giddy again with his touch.

He gazed at me intently and bent his head forward, capturing my lips firmly but gently. I gave a little gasp, opening my mouth slightly and his tongue brushed in slowly, making it feel so natural that I did the same, letting my mind flow blank except with the though of him. His hands cupped around my face, he pressed closer, and I let my hands slide under his shirt, feeling a sort of bliss that made all of our moves harmonize in a mysterious way in which nothing we possibly did was wrong or intrusive. It felt so right to share myself with him I thought nothing of when he pushed me farther into the bed and laid on me.

"You were the one who kissed me in my sleep!" I said suddenly. He grinned wickedly.

"The one and only."

"Hm..." I smiled sweetly at him.

"I love you," he said softly, looking at me and caressing my face.

"I'm so glad... you have no idea how alone I'd been until you came," I murmured into his ears and kissed him again. I let my mouth plead to him that I wanted him nearer and so he took me firmly, pressing our bodies together. I curled up against him, feeling safe and comforted in his grasp, warmth all around me as he drew the blankets over both of us. /

I hope you liked. If it was a bit odd, it's because I really had no idea what to write. And I'm sry for any spelling/grammar mistakes, as you know, I type fast and in a hurry. So yeah... but I'd like to know it you find any mistakes where they are so I can fix them. Anyway, good night, have a good summer. And etc... tata. Next chapter'll be either Raseleane or Tetheus. Rune'll be one of the last ones cause he's going to have something big to do when Rath comes back to life. Hehehe.