Icy Blues and Amber Fires

by Ceye

Shandra's loss is heartbreaking. Spirits are low initially, but the rambunctious party isn't one to be tame for very long. The fight against the Shadow King must continue! Meanwhile, Casavir and Bishop have to sort out their own demons with each other...with Lily in tow. Rated M for absolutely everything that rated M stands for. Contains lots of Bishop, and lots of Casavir.

84. Chapter 84

* 84 * 3/6/13

"Okay, that was weird."

Bishop leaned against a tree and looked up into the darkening sky, thinking of Lily's emotionless visage. She hadn't reacted to pretty much anything that would normally get on her nerves. The sheer disgust he felt at her fake demeanor made him crave the fresh air and sight of the wilderness, so here he stood out in the woods.

He had half a mind to return to the spot Lily and he had discovered by the waterfall, but he kept his distance from that place in case it would dig up some unnecessary feelings.

Feelings, the ranger thought with distaste. I'm sick of them. Such a hassle, a weakness.

Why did he stick around anyway? His debt to Duncan had been long repaid, yet Bishop still tolerated the bunch of buffoons. His experience today made him grim.

If she's going to act like that, I'm not going to hang around. His interest in staying with the group was limited if Lily wasn't being Lily.

He recalled the last time he saw the elf cry before today. The pain-in-the-ass paladin had been taken in by a succubus, and Lily was upset. Perhaps she craved all the attention, or just felt like the holy paladin was an impostor for wanting to fornicate with a demon.

When Bishop caught up with her, she had started to cry. At that time, though, it didn't feel like she was just upset with Casavir. Lily looked so lost, so out of place, and he thought it had something to do with the destruction of her village, as well as the loss of her happy-go-lucky childhood.

That was the first time Bishop held her. The desire had taken hold of him rather suddenly, and she looked like she badly needed some comfort.

It had felt a lot better than he thought it would, and soon, Bishop realized he wanted more.

Stupid as hell for me to get all touchy-feely, he thought.

But, for some reason, the ranger felt calm against his better mind when he thought of Lily hugging him, thanking him for saving her on Mount Galardrym. When he thought of laughing with her in the stream, he didn't feel ashamed, but amused. And when he recalled her reaction to sharing a vanilla flower with him...he just couldn't help but smirk as it lingered in his head, tantalizing his senses as if she were there with him again.