Dedication, chapter 2:
Very much thanks to all who reviewed the first chapter;
Stary Angel1, Mad Hatter (much thanks), Hentaikoneko, Insaneoveranime, Lisasa, Cesia Illuser, Ginsing1, Darkangelkitty08, saya1sein1YDP, nice person, and especially Jared/Tofu!
Shout-out to Brotee, for reviewing my "Here Without You" story. Hope you'll review this too!
:::
This chapter is about twice as long as I usually make them, but I couldn't find I good place to break it, and I am going to Kona for a week, (6/30-7/6), so I thought I'd give you a nice long chapter in consolation.
Constructive criticism is respected; I'm always open to any suggestions of improvement.
Here we go, getting into book 11 now, I know I said we'd start at 11, but I kind of began with a bit of 10, instead... oops. Anyway, here we go, 11/12, with the Rath/Cesia that I know you all want.
Nice, very long R/C chapter for you all! Enjoy!!!!!
:::
Then there was that moment, that rush of confusion and hope, when I looked over the balcony, lost in my own thoughts and the company of that little orange dragon, his ruby wings tucked behind him. At first I was too na•ve to hear his words, trapped in my own questions and curiosity. But his voice was strong enough to burn through the pages of my need to know, and the notes ran strong and clear when he pulled me into his embrace. I'd forgotten how much taller he was than I, his arms pulling me closer to him. I could feel his heartbeat, the endless pulse of his body against mine. He was hurting; something was slowly dissolving his will to live, again. I thought he'd been rid of that foul desire, but something within him was flaring up, sparking an inflammation of self-hate and worthlessness in his heart. I wanted to tell him, to help him to realize that there were other things to live for. Other people. Thatz, Rune, Kai-stern.
Me.
"Rath..." I began, unsure of how to fit my findings into words. He took a deep breath, softly nuzzling my hair, and whispered, "I shouldn't have come back here."
But I was glad he did, secretly glad that his arms were around me, warming the chill in my soul.
Then he was gone, and so I returned to my bedchambers, drowning in bewildered hope. The room I had spent much of my time at the castle in was empty as usual, a large crimson-covered bed in one side, and a polished vanity on the other. There was a huge, charmed mirror, an easy way of communicating to others in the castle, without leaving the confines of your room. I had used it to speak with Zoma many times before, as a sort of alternative to the tiny, handheld mirror we once spoke through. My footsteps sounded muffled against the tapestry carpet beneath my feet. I glanced into the empty mirror, seeing my confused reflection dance in the magical swirls of mist that shrouded the glass. My own image stared back at me, her features occasionally blurred with fog, but then she smiled. It wasn't a normal smile, not like the ones I use with Zoma, or the other people in the castle. It was a hissing, spitting smile, full of anger and hatred and despair. I fell away from the glass, struggling to get away from it before she took over. Before Dark Cesia could escape again. She was getting stronger. Now on the floor, I groped at the thick rich fabric of the rug, pulling myself farther from her. The wine-colored carpet stretched before me, cloaking much of the spacious room with a deep velvety color. I felt protected there, grounded and safe, somehow. Then I noticed it. The dragon amulet lay but a few inches from me; so deep in color it appeared to be black. How it had gotten there I wasn't sure. With my fingers shaking slightly, I pulled the pendant to my chest, not feeling fully stable until I had wound the long strands into a tight knot around my throat. But even then, I did not chance a look into the mirror. I did not want to risk my sanity, my memory, and even my life, at the hands of the powerful demon that I could truly call my own.
And then things began to get out of control. With the castle under attack, there was no longer any time for deep thinking, just action, and my thoughts became blurs. Only short bursts of memory are left with me, although I pretend as though my memory is still pristine, still flawless and endlessly accurate. There is no point in worrying the Dragon Tribe; they already have too much to worry about. But...why is it I can only remember the moments that don't seem to matter? Crying on the stairs, and falling into deep crimson pools, drowning in the fire they contained.
But then what we had all been dreading happened. We had wished, hoped, prayed that Rath would be able to defeat the monster within him. But we were wrong. And I cannot blame him, because he was trying to fight against Nadil, the strongest demon one could imagine. And because...because you do not blame the one you love.
Nadil returned, devouring the life force that was once Rath's. He swallowed Rath's soul, and I hate him for it. But we found a way to resurrect the fallen, a way to bring him back. We did what we had to do, nothing more. And we lost one of our own in the process. We lost Kai-stern; we exchanged his life for the heir's.
And then I waited, silently watching the heir to the Dragon Lord, and waiting for sleep to betray him, so that he would be forced to awaken.
When he did at last, he was confused and bewildered, torn with frustration. It was all understandable, of course, after what he'd been forced to endure. His hand went to his throat, and then followed the path of the silken cord, ending in a red-black jewel.
"That's your Dragon Amulet, Rath," I said, trying to keep my voice level and tone gentle. It was harder than I thought. "Zoma picked it up when Nadil discarded it." shock and fear were etched all over his face, a mingled, questioning look that threatened to overpower me. "I'm glad you're back." I murmured, lost in his beautiful, penetrating eyes. "I've missed you."
His hand was still clasped tightly over his Dragon Amulet, and I could tell my words had done little to ease the confusion he was currently plagued with. But at the sound of my softer words, he flushed. And I was momentarily frightened; afraid I had said more than I should have. It's happened before, you know. I sometimes blurt out my feelings without fully thinking them through. Something about Rath causes my composure to go haywire, and I don't know what to say. Except when we're arguing. Then my words fly like stinging arrows, which causes regret. Sometimes.
"I don't believe it!" he said, one hand now covering his face, in either an attempt to cover his blushing cheeks, or, as is more likely, to mask the shock that was clearly presented in his quavering voice.
I was more than a little surprised at his actions, and the way his voice shook with emotion, so I could utter little more than a mutter of confusion. "Huh?"
"You brought me back to life?!"
That sentence was something I had prepared an answer for. I looked at him, albeit a bit incredulously, and said "I had no other choice, Rath. With you gone, who was I supposed to make fun of?" Who was I supposed to protect? Who was I supposed to care for? "And I seem to recall a promise I made about never letting you die." I paused, and, to fuel his need for answers, I continued, "Well, technically you did die. But I brought you back!" the second part came flooding out of my mouth, as if in proof that I had kept my promise, although it hurt me to know that I hadn't. "You still remember everything, don't you? Maybe I messed up with the incantation." I whispered these; gentle prodding to know of his secret feelings.
"Of course...I remember." he said, still looking groggy and trying desperately to retain all the information I was giving him. But he seemed to be registering, and I leaned over him, bringing my face close to his. I had to see his answer in his eyes. "You do? Then what's wrong?"
"I also remember killing Alfeegi." He said softly, his voice floating in the sudden stillness that followed his words. I was surprised he was bringing this up. Didn't he realize?
"That wasn't you. That was Nadil."
Abruptly, he switched gears and began on a different note. "I was brought back to life? This isn't normal. Now I'm even more of a freak then before!"
What on earth was he babbling about? Sure, it was unusual, but the Dragon Tribe isn't exactly normal, are they? His voice called out to me like a frightened child, although his tone was strong. But underneath those steely words of conviction, lay a shivering little boy, wanting nothing more than a little love and comfort.
"Calm down! You don't need to act like this!"
"How should I act?" he retorted, his voice rising sharply, and cutting into my heart with an angry shove.
"Do you realize what I've just been through? Can you be MORE insensitive?!" he shrieked, emotion riddling holes into his weak defenses.
"Insensitive?!" I cried out, hurt at his tortured words "Of course I realize! I'm the one who did it!" I shot back at him, finally breaking down the barrier his anger had thrown towards me.
His voice quieted, and his fingers closed around the thin blankets that covered him. "I can't do this. I'm not like you, Cesia."
My anger instantly dissipated. My gaze once again fell upon his in a gentle caress, sadness carved into my eyes by the pain in his heart.
"I just don't... How can I face the rest of them after what's happened?" he asked me, his voice no more than a quavering whisper, like the rustling of leaves in an autumn wind. "I can't do it. I can't act like nothing's happened. I can't pretend I didn't kill Alfeegi, or unleash Varawoo."
"Don't worry," I murmured, my voice sounding far less soothing than I wished for it to be. "It'll be all right." It had to be all right. We were both silent for a moment, but I was no longer able to fall into his eyes, no longer able to bathe in their crimson pools. I allowed him to fall back against his pillows, finally subdued enough to relax once again.
"So Crewger is dead." He commented at last.
Our conversation continued with new fervor, with Rath's need to know and understand driving him to speak more openly than he would have, ordinarily. But how could I blame him, after what he'd been forced to do? It was as if, by speaking, he was slowly trying to heal himself, from all the pain he'd caused. It wasn't working well enough though, for he still wanted death. Death so that he wouldn't feel anymore, because simply being alive was too painful to him. But he kept talking; kept trying to heal what we both knew could not be healed. But then his words created realization in his own mind, and he angrily turned to me, his eyes burning simultaneously with rage and prayer.
"Nadil drained my life force and took my body. But I am here now. Life cannot be restored without the death of another. Who has died in my place, Cesia?"
How was I expected to break this to him? How was I supposed to tell him that Kai-stern, his mentor and eternal guardian had been the one to lose his life?
"Who?! Tell me! Who has given up their life for me?! Answer me, Cesia!"
His words became more insistent, each one becoming louder, more frightened, and then I understood. He knew, and was terrified. "WHO DID I KILL THIS TIME?!" he shrieked at me, the words pinging off the walls and resounding against the still curtains and furniture.
"Answer me!!"
His obvious emotion betrayed what had seemed to be a cleverly chosen exterior, which had always given the impression of cold indifference. But now he was showing something unintentional. He was revealing a cowering little boy, fear radiating off his body in waves or nauseating heat.
I held his face up to mine until he was forced to look into my eyes. He had to see the truth in my words, even though I knew how much he would be hurting. "Kai-stern. Kai-stern gave his life to you. He loved you." I spoke slowly; making sure that Rath would understand why Kai-stern had done what he had. "I used the power of the wind staff and Kai-stern's life force to bring you back." I could tell he was unconvinced. Why Kai-stern? He pleaded with me, using his sparkling eyes to communicate his question.
"Do you remember the Revival Water that was poured on you, Rath? Do you know what happens if it gets on someone who's not a demon?" I could tell that he didn't know. His eyes betrayed any pride he had within himself, but I didn't care. It didn't matter.
"It slowly destroys the victim, first his body, and then his mind. It eventually kills him...very painfully. Rath, the Revival Water got on Kai-stern as well as you. He was already dead."
He shoved me brutally away then, maddened by anger and grief. His rage seemed boundless almost, and he shredded a pillow in his sorrowful frustration, cursing. He yelled things I knew he didn't mean, but those words were the only things left to let him express his irate behavior. And then, the broken shadow of an innocent boy snuck out, his former mask shattered. "I-I...he's..."
"Rath..."
He seemed speechless, confused by the effects the sadness had upon his body. He raised one hand shakily towards his face, the only words of realization slipping out in a befuddled whisper, "Why am I crying?" The tears were slipping past the barrier he had up, sliding down his cheeks in a slow and dreary stream.
"Demons don't feel pain. Monsters aren't supposed to cry!"
Those words struck a note deep within my chest. Monsters? Rath was no monster. He was a demon, but then, so was I. No, I thought, he wasn't a monster. Just an angel with blackened wings.
I reached up, and brushed his salty tears away. Then, as I knew Lady Raseleane had done, I kissed his forehead. For some reason that sort of kiss always comes off as motherly and comforting. And I'm not sure exactly why.
I don't know if I'll ever figure it out, but something about Rath really draws me. I felt weak and sad, just as I knew he did. So, to force a little emotion away from sorrow, I leapt up. The flood of words that left my mouth was what I had secretly been thinking, ever since he had awoken.
"Now, shut up! Stop feeling sorry for yourself. Don't forget, you're not the only one here who's a yokai."
"I...didn't forget," he said, his voice soft and surprised. A flush of embarrassment filled his cheeks, and I continued.
"Don't make the situation harder than it already is. Stop acting like a spoiled child." A child. That's what he's always been, isn't it? I guess he had to grow up too fast, being demon in a dragon world. So he never got to be that little kid, fooling around just because it was fun. Everything he did had a purpose. And I felt such a strong bond to him; that it took me a moment to process what I wished to communicate.
"If you feel lonely, just call my name." I murmured. His eyes were shinning unusually bright, and I wondered if it was because of his recently shed tears. "If you feel scared, just take hold of my hand," I said softly, lifting his hand in demonstration. "And if you feel your demon side taking over, just pray to God it isn't happening around me. Do you understand now?" I asked him, my voice pleading for his realization. "I am here for you, Rath Illuser."
His voice reminded me of autumn wind when he spoke next, crackling with the dried leaves of fall. "....So this body was Crewger's" he muttered after a long pause, as if unsure of what to say.
"That's right. He did it willingly, like Kai-stern."
He looked so tired, spent and exhausted from our heated discussion. I silently berated myself, not pleased for riling him up as I did. So I cupped his cheek lovingly, in what I hoped would be comfort.
"Now, how about a...good-night kiss?" I asked him, putting on a smile that I wasn't even sure was real. But I was willing to put on a brave face, a strong, happy expression, to ease the loss of his best friend, and to put his soul at ease. I owed him that much. So I bent over the edge of the bed, letting my lips brush delicately over his smooth skin. I paused and looked at him, for just a moment, and saw his breathing slow and regulate. I closed my eyes, letting out a long breath. And then I walked out through the heavy wooden doors, leaving behind my heart, and the sleeping man that kept it.
:::End of Chapter Two:::
I tried to keep with the storyline in the books, we'll start right where this one leaves off next time, so be prepared. Next chapter we find out what really lies beyond those heavy doors.
Please R&R, I'd really appreciate it.
Thanks again, all of you!!
-Lady Dragonnaine
Very much thanks to all who reviewed the first chapter;
Stary Angel1, Mad Hatter (much thanks), Hentaikoneko, Insaneoveranime, Lisasa, Cesia Illuser, Ginsing1, Darkangelkitty08, saya1sein1YDP, nice person, and especially Jared/Tofu!
Shout-out to Brotee, for reviewing my "Here Without You" story. Hope you'll review this too!
:::
This chapter is about twice as long as I usually make them, but I couldn't find I good place to break it, and I am going to Kona for a week, (6/30-7/6), so I thought I'd give you a nice long chapter in consolation.
Constructive criticism is respected; I'm always open to any suggestions of improvement.
Here we go, getting into book 11 now, I know I said we'd start at 11, but I kind of began with a bit of 10, instead... oops. Anyway, here we go, 11/12, with the Rath/Cesia that I know you all want.
Nice, very long R/C chapter for you all! Enjoy!!!!!
:::
Then there was that moment, that rush of confusion and hope, when I looked over the balcony, lost in my own thoughts and the company of that little orange dragon, his ruby wings tucked behind him. At first I was too na•ve to hear his words, trapped in my own questions and curiosity. But his voice was strong enough to burn through the pages of my need to know, and the notes ran strong and clear when he pulled me into his embrace. I'd forgotten how much taller he was than I, his arms pulling me closer to him. I could feel his heartbeat, the endless pulse of his body against mine. He was hurting; something was slowly dissolving his will to live, again. I thought he'd been rid of that foul desire, but something within him was flaring up, sparking an inflammation of self-hate and worthlessness in his heart. I wanted to tell him, to help him to realize that there were other things to live for. Other people. Thatz, Rune, Kai-stern.
Me.
"Rath..." I began, unsure of how to fit my findings into words. He took a deep breath, softly nuzzling my hair, and whispered, "I shouldn't have come back here."
But I was glad he did, secretly glad that his arms were around me, warming the chill in my soul.
Then he was gone, and so I returned to my bedchambers, drowning in bewildered hope. The room I had spent much of my time at the castle in was empty as usual, a large crimson-covered bed in one side, and a polished vanity on the other. There was a huge, charmed mirror, an easy way of communicating to others in the castle, without leaving the confines of your room. I had used it to speak with Zoma many times before, as a sort of alternative to the tiny, handheld mirror we once spoke through. My footsteps sounded muffled against the tapestry carpet beneath my feet. I glanced into the empty mirror, seeing my confused reflection dance in the magical swirls of mist that shrouded the glass. My own image stared back at me, her features occasionally blurred with fog, but then she smiled. It wasn't a normal smile, not like the ones I use with Zoma, or the other people in the castle. It was a hissing, spitting smile, full of anger and hatred and despair. I fell away from the glass, struggling to get away from it before she took over. Before Dark Cesia could escape again. She was getting stronger. Now on the floor, I groped at the thick rich fabric of the rug, pulling myself farther from her. The wine-colored carpet stretched before me, cloaking much of the spacious room with a deep velvety color. I felt protected there, grounded and safe, somehow. Then I noticed it. The dragon amulet lay but a few inches from me; so deep in color it appeared to be black. How it had gotten there I wasn't sure. With my fingers shaking slightly, I pulled the pendant to my chest, not feeling fully stable until I had wound the long strands into a tight knot around my throat. But even then, I did not chance a look into the mirror. I did not want to risk my sanity, my memory, and even my life, at the hands of the powerful demon that I could truly call my own.
And then things began to get out of control. With the castle under attack, there was no longer any time for deep thinking, just action, and my thoughts became blurs. Only short bursts of memory are left with me, although I pretend as though my memory is still pristine, still flawless and endlessly accurate. There is no point in worrying the Dragon Tribe; they already have too much to worry about. But...why is it I can only remember the moments that don't seem to matter? Crying on the stairs, and falling into deep crimson pools, drowning in the fire they contained.
But then what we had all been dreading happened. We had wished, hoped, prayed that Rath would be able to defeat the monster within him. But we were wrong. And I cannot blame him, because he was trying to fight against Nadil, the strongest demon one could imagine. And because...because you do not blame the one you love.
Nadil returned, devouring the life force that was once Rath's. He swallowed Rath's soul, and I hate him for it. But we found a way to resurrect the fallen, a way to bring him back. We did what we had to do, nothing more. And we lost one of our own in the process. We lost Kai-stern; we exchanged his life for the heir's.
And then I waited, silently watching the heir to the Dragon Lord, and waiting for sleep to betray him, so that he would be forced to awaken.
When he did at last, he was confused and bewildered, torn with frustration. It was all understandable, of course, after what he'd been forced to endure. His hand went to his throat, and then followed the path of the silken cord, ending in a red-black jewel.
"That's your Dragon Amulet, Rath," I said, trying to keep my voice level and tone gentle. It was harder than I thought. "Zoma picked it up when Nadil discarded it." shock and fear were etched all over his face, a mingled, questioning look that threatened to overpower me. "I'm glad you're back." I murmured, lost in his beautiful, penetrating eyes. "I've missed you."
His hand was still clasped tightly over his Dragon Amulet, and I could tell my words had done little to ease the confusion he was currently plagued with. But at the sound of my softer words, he flushed. And I was momentarily frightened; afraid I had said more than I should have. It's happened before, you know. I sometimes blurt out my feelings without fully thinking them through. Something about Rath causes my composure to go haywire, and I don't know what to say. Except when we're arguing. Then my words fly like stinging arrows, which causes regret. Sometimes.
"I don't believe it!" he said, one hand now covering his face, in either an attempt to cover his blushing cheeks, or, as is more likely, to mask the shock that was clearly presented in his quavering voice.
I was more than a little surprised at his actions, and the way his voice shook with emotion, so I could utter little more than a mutter of confusion. "Huh?"
"You brought me back to life?!"
That sentence was something I had prepared an answer for. I looked at him, albeit a bit incredulously, and said "I had no other choice, Rath. With you gone, who was I supposed to make fun of?" Who was I supposed to protect? Who was I supposed to care for? "And I seem to recall a promise I made about never letting you die." I paused, and, to fuel his need for answers, I continued, "Well, technically you did die. But I brought you back!" the second part came flooding out of my mouth, as if in proof that I had kept my promise, although it hurt me to know that I hadn't. "You still remember everything, don't you? Maybe I messed up with the incantation." I whispered these; gentle prodding to know of his secret feelings.
"Of course...I remember." he said, still looking groggy and trying desperately to retain all the information I was giving him. But he seemed to be registering, and I leaned over him, bringing my face close to his. I had to see his answer in his eyes. "You do? Then what's wrong?"
"I also remember killing Alfeegi." He said softly, his voice floating in the sudden stillness that followed his words. I was surprised he was bringing this up. Didn't he realize?
"That wasn't you. That was Nadil."
Abruptly, he switched gears and began on a different note. "I was brought back to life? This isn't normal. Now I'm even more of a freak then before!"
What on earth was he babbling about? Sure, it was unusual, but the Dragon Tribe isn't exactly normal, are they? His voice called out to me like a frightened child, although his tone was strong. But underneath those steely words of conviction, lay a shivering little boy, wanting nothing more than a little love and comfort.
"Calm down! You don't need to act like this!"
"How should I act?" he retorted, his voice rising sharply, and cutting into my heart with an angry shove.
"Do you realize what I've just been through? Can you be MORE insensitive?!" he shrieked, emotion riddling holes into his weak defenses.
"Insensitive?!" I cried out, hurt at his tortured words "Of course I realize! I'm the one who did it!" I shot back at him, finally breaking down the barrier his anger had thrown towards me.
His voice quieted, and his fingers closed around the thin blankets that covered him. "I can't do this. I'm not like you, Cesia."
My anger instantly dissipated. My gaze once again fell upon his in a gentle caress, sadness carved into my eyes by the pain in his heart.
"I just don't... How can I face the rest of them after what's happened?" he asked me, his voice no more than a quavering whisper, like the rustling of leaves in an autumn wind. "I can't do it. I can't act like nothing's happened. I can't pretend I didn't kill Alfeegi, or unleash Varawoo."
"Don't worry," I murmured, my voice sounding far less soothing than I wished for it to be. "It'll be all right." It had to be all right. We were both silent for a moment, but I was no longer able to fall into his eyes, no longer able to bathe in their crimson pools. I allowed him to fall back against his pillows, finally subdued enough to relax once again.
"So Crewger is dead." He commented at last.
Our conversation continued with new fervor, with Rath's need to know and understand driving him to speak more openly than he would have, ordinarily. But how could I blame him, after what he'd been forced to do? It was as if, by speaking, he was slowly trying to heal himself, from all the pain he'd caused. It wasn't working well enough though, for he still wanted death. Death so that he wouldn't feel anymore, because simply being alive was too painful to him. But he kept talking; kept trying to heal what we both knew could not be healed. But then his words created realization in his own mind, and he angrily turned to me, his eyes burning simultaneously with rage and prayer.
"Nadil drained my life force and took my body. But I am here now. Life cannot be restored without the death of another. Who has died in my place, Cesia?"
How was I expected to break this to him? How was I supposed to tell him that Kai-stern, his mentor and eternal guardian had been the one to lose his life?
"Who?! Tell me! Who has given up their life for me?! Answer me, Cesia!"
His words became more insistent, each one becoming louder, more frightened, and then I understood. He knew, and was terrified. "WHO DID I KILL THIS TIME?!" he shrieked at me, the words pinging off the walls and resounding against the still curtains and furniture.
"Answer me!!"
His obvious emotion betrayed what had seemed to be a cleverly chosen exterior, which had always given the impression of cold indifference. But now he was showing something unintentional. He was revealing a cowering little boy, fear radiating off his body in waves or nauseating heat.
I held his face up to mine until he was forced to look into my eyes. He had to see the truth in my words, even though I knew how much he would be hurting. "Kai-stern. Kai-stern gave his life to you. He loved you." I spoke slowly; making sure that Rath would understand why Kai-stern had done what he had. "I used the power of the wind staff and Kai-stern's life force to bring you back." I could tell he was unconvinced. Why Kai-stern? He pleaded with me, using his sparkling eyes to communicate his question.
"Do you remember the Revival Water that was poured on you, Rath? Do you know what happens if it gets on someone who's not a demon?" I could tell that he didn't know. His eyes betrayed any pride he had within himself, but I didn't care. It didn't matter.
"It slowly destroys the victim, first his body, and then his mind. It eventually kills him...very painfully. Rath, the Revival Water got on Kai-stern as well as you. He was already dead."
He shoved me brutally away then, maddened by anger and grief. His rage seemed boundless almost, and he shredded a pillow in his sorrowful frustration, cursing. He yelled things I knew he didn't mean, but those words were the only things left to let him express his irate behavior. And then, the broken shadow of an innocent boy snuck out, his former mask shattered. "I-I...he's..."
"Rath..."
He seemed speechless, confused by the effects the sadness had upon his body. He raised one hand shakily towards his face, the only words of realization slipping out in a befuddled whisper, "Why am I crying?" The tears were slipping past the barrier he had up, sliding down his cheeks in a slow and dreary stream.
"Demons don't feel pain. Monsters aren't supposed to cry!"
Those words struck a note deep within my chest. Monsters? Rath was no monster. He was a demon, but then, so was I. No, I thought, he wasn't a monster. Just an angel with blackened wings.
I reached up, and brushed his salty tears away. Then, as I knew Lady Raseleane had done, I kissed his forehead. For some reason that sort of kiss always comes off as motherly and comforting. And I'm not sure exactly why.
I don't know if I'll ever figure it out, but something about Rath really draws me. I felt weak and sad, just as I knew he did. So, to force a little emotion away from sorrow, I leapt up. The flood of words that left my mouth was what I had secretly been thinking, ever since he had awoken.
"Now, shut up! Stop feeling sorry for yourself. Don't forget, you're not the only one here who's a yokai."
"I...didn't forget," he said, his voice soft and surprised. A flush of embarrassment filled his cheeks, and I continued.
"Don't make the situation harder than it already is. Stop acting like a spoiled child." A child. That's what he's always been, isn't it? I guess he had to grow up too fast, being demon in a dragon world. So he never got to be that little kid, fooling around just because it was fun. Everything he did had a purpose. And I felt such a strong bond to him; that it took me a moment to process what I wished to communicate.
"If you feel lonely, just call my name." I murmured. His eyes were shinning unusually bright, and I wondered if it was because of his recently shed tears. "If you feel scared, just take hold of my hand," I said softly, lifting his hand in demonstration. "And if you feel your demon side taking over, just pray to God it isn't happening around me. Do you understand now?" I asked him, my voice pleading for his realization. "I am here for you, Rath Illuser."
His voice reminded me of autumn wind when he spoke next, crackling with the dried leaves of fall. "....So this body was Crewger's" he muttered after a long pause, as if unsure of what to say.
"That's right. He did it willingly, like Kai-stern."
He looked so tired, spent and exhausted from our heated discussion. I silently berated myself, not pleased for riling him up as I did. So I cupped his cheek lovingly, in what I hoped would be comfort.
"Now, how about a...good-night kiss?" I asked him, putting on a smile that I wasn't even sure was real. But I was willing to put on a brave face, a strong, happy expression, to ease the loss of his best friend, and to put his soul at ease. I owed him that much. So I bent over the edge of the bed, letting my lips brush delicately over his smooth skin. I paused and looked at him, for just a moment, and saw his breathing slow and regulate. I closed my eyes, letting out a long breath. And then I walked out through the heavy wooden doors, leaving behind my heart, and the sleeping man that kept it.
:::End of Chapter Two:::
I tried to keep with the storyline in the books, we'll start right where this one leaves off next time, so be prepared. Next chapter we find out what really lies beyond those heavy doors.
Please R&R, I'd really appreciate it.
Thanks again, all of you!!
-Lady Dragonnaine