Read Forever, After... :: FA - Chapter 05

Chapter 05 - ' My Life. Your Life. Her Life? '

The eastern winds rolled across the skin of the men standing near the fourth boundary of the castle's wall. Xyra was particularly favourable today. There was no rain falling from the heavens. The sun, Fiha was not exceedingly hot. The wind from the sea was not cold either, yet out of the four soldiers standing guard one fidgeted the most. His golden eyes bounced around nervously as though that would help push time forward.

"When the next patrol passes, request to be replaced," said Nicx, his golden eyes were sharp not letting a single thing pass by him. This earned him the title of group leader. Tall, but lithe he truly encompassed the physical form of the storm dragons.

"I did on the last two guard duties," said Rystler.

Nicx shook his head disapprovingly. He had been friends with Rystler from the first day of the current Monarch's reign. He knew Rystler could be stubborn, but it wasn't helping anyone. If the castle were to be under attack, three strong men could possibly do the job, but the holy number was four. Four heirs to the throne, four divisions of Xyra, four seasons throughout the year.

"Ask again."

"No! If I do they'll get suspicious." The complaining tone in Rystler's voice did not sit well with Nicx.

"All in favour of replacing Rystler," said Nicx. The remaining two men muttered their agreement. Taking a chance Nicx turned to the younger man.

"Go back to the battalion leader and inform her of your ... condition. The glamour spells you use can only protect you for so much longer," said Nicx.

The words that Rystler wanted to say stayed on his tongue. He spotted the fifth patrol of the morning on their way and knew his fate was sealed.

Golden eyes gazed lazily out the castle's windows, slow steps were made to the Storm elements quarters. Deep in thought the sudden touch caused him to jump. Holding onto the body beside him, Azrael's eyes widened at Rystler's unusual behaviour.

"By Soni... Ah ha," Rystler scratched behind his neck, hoping Azrael would not pursue things. Dressed in a casual outfit with the crowns crest and the death battalions insignia, Azrael stared in confusion at the fully armoured man before him.

"Shouldn't you be on guard?" asked Azrael.

"Um, yes but I wasn't feeling well so they replaced me," said Rystler.

Azrael's eyebrows frowned in confusion. Dragons were the most hardy of creatures. They had amazing bodies which were capable of fighting off many physical attacks and illnesses. Not fully trusting the words spoken by his partner he reached out to touch him.

The echoing of foot steps caused the extended hand to shoot back to his side. They waited until the passing soldiers had gone to continue speaking.

Azrael opened his lips, but Rystler spoke up in a rushed voice, "I have to go. We'll meet ... tonight?"

"The death battalion has guard duties at night. I'm not sure if it will be my group or one of the others. If we are not picked I will make an effort to visit you," said Azrael. Rystler nodded in agreement before walking away.

The heavy wooden door was shut behind him. Golden enchantments flared to life locking the door and sealing out prying ears or eyes. The armour that was worn, was removed quickly and placed into a cupboard. Sitting bare on the soft sheets, Rystler closed his eyes. Three words were muttered.

"Emphor quie plinte."

The magic that dressed his skin slipped away. Sitting in a meditative position, long thin fingers gripped each shoulder. Bending forward from the adding weight, his nails gripped the soft skin. Gliding in a downward direction, they comforted him. Giving him the touch that he desperately craved.

Golden eyes tainted black opened themselves. Freeing the energy within himself, he smiled. His favourite pastime of the recent months began.

Not vocalizing his words, but using the ever changing patterns within himself he whispered, "Hello honey." His head dipped, allowing for the fingers that caressed his arms to glide along his neck and back. A contented groan left his lips. Too soft to be noticed without extreme concentration a change in the energy was felt.

"Hello."

Rystler smiled and bit his bottom lip. His left hand moved pressing and squeezing on his left thigh and slowly made its way to his aching back. The fingers massaged the tail of his spine.

"Feeling good today?" He whispered. His right hand snaked along his calf moving to his thigh. He moaned as a pleasurable shudder ran through his body. The touch activated his element sending sparks of lightning flying in the air.

The smile that graced his pink lips widened. His left hand found its way back to his knee, while the right moved up, lovingly caressing his abdomen.

"I am." Came the response from the wisp of dark energy. Rystler's eyes glistened in the morning light. Happy that he was able to coax a few words out of his light's lips.

Knowing that the exchange they had taxed them both he took his time getting off the bed. With careful steps he moved to the storage unit. The sweet scent that attacked his senses when he first set foot into the room, was now his for the taking.

Leaning against the cupboard he removed a ripe pomegranate and began to clean the seeds away from the blemish free fruit. The second a few seeds touched his tongue he crumbled to the floor. The energies within him buzzed, becoming excited at the introduction of the fruit into his body. Rystler chuckled.

You love this don't you?

The snack was consumed and the sickness felt left his body on wings. The windows were shut and the room fell into complete darkness. The glowing, gold incantations on the door were left as the only source of light. Going back to the bed by memory. Rystler covered himself in his sheets falling into a deep sleep. Today's problem will have to be dealt with on another.

Azrael tapped his foot impatiently on the stone floor. His thoughts stayed with Rystler. His actions of late bothered him to no end. A small hand came to rest on his knee. He looked across to the owner of the hand. Rea smiled at him.

"Is something wrong? You're never this disgruntled," said Rea. Her shoulder length, black hair moved in time with the tilting of her head.

"Everything is fine," said Azrael. Pulling together himself he sat still in the library chair. His attention however was still on the outside and not on the page of the book he had yet to turn.

"We could always go to the market. I need some things." Rea suggested.

Azrael looked at the small mouse next to him, making another attempt to befriend him. If it wasn't for the fact that they were in the same group, he may have never given her his light of day. With nothing better to do than worry about his partner, Azrael agreed to her suggestion.

The looming ceilings and many hallways of the royal library were left behind. The streets of the capital city, Reisvor held many interesting shops and places of beauty. The mismatched couple found their way around the marketplace.

"I haven't seen these in ages!" said Rea.

Azrael was tugged along to a fruit stand. Set apart from the rest, 'food for the dead' took the spotlight. Living up to its high standards, the fruits were spotless, at the peak of ripeness, and were ready to be consumed by the skeletal practitioners.

Rea quickly placed her order from the fruits that she wanted, spending the most money on the infamous pomegranate fruit. Not wanting this opportunity to pass him. Azrael also chose some from the batch shown.

The vendor, large in width and height, laughed loudly, saying, "If I knew these were such a hit among the King's soldiers, I would have ordered more!" Rea rolled her eyes in a joking manner.

"I doubt your sales would have increased by that much. Not many of us actually consume these fruits, and besides the dragons can't eat it. I'm sure you know how the story goes for the living. One bite and you belong to the Underworld," said Rea. The vendor frowned, his bleached hair that was sticking to his forehead from the sweat slowly came free.

"I know, but several of them dragons kept purchasing... Ah never mind! Thanks for the sales!" said the vendor before turning to another patron. Rea turned to Azrael in confusion. The same thought flew through their minds.

Dragons are purchasing food for the dead?

Rea spoke of many plans to find the guilty parties. A painful throbbing was felt in Azrael's ear. He began wondering when she would stop talking. The last hour spent at the market was the longest, as Azrael didn't have the heart to leave her there alone. They finally made their way back to the castle after Azrael dropped a few well mannered hints that it was time to go back.

Standing at the intersection of the two elements' living quarters, Azrael looked down the hallway to the closed doors of the dragons. Calling on his element, the hall was left empty without a single soul to see him leave. Navigating his way in the in between, he walked up the stairs to the third floor of the storm battalion's living quarters.

Standing before room number thirty-nine. Azrael extended his hand out of the dark tunnel and slid a key into the keyhole. After four failed tries, he sent a wisp of dark energy beneath the door. The energy was rejected and sent back to him.

Protection Spell?

The bright flash of red light woke Rystler up from his rest. Registering that the seal had gone off, he panicked. Calming himself, he rose up taking a robe from the cupboard before removing the enchantment.

"Who is it?" said Rystler.

"It is me, open up quickly!" said Azrael. Rystler froze in place.

It's not night already is it?

"Uh. I need ... I need a minute!" Walking over to his cupboard Rystler searched for the catalyst for the Glamour spell.

Azrael's eyes narrowed in annoyance. What could Rystler possibly have to hide? He'd already seen him bare under the moonlight. Not caring for the words spoken earlier. He tried the key once more opening the door. Slipping inside he shut the door behind him.

"Rea and I went to the market today. I got you some things. Do you want to see them now or later? Rystler?"

"I, I asked you for a minute," said Rystler.

With his back to his partner, he sighed heavily watching the bottle of pills that his fingers grazed as Azrael entered the door. Seeing no real difference between when he laid eyes on his partner earlier that day and now. Azrael walked over to him. He wrapped his hand around Rystler's waist. Azrael frowned in confusion.

Rystler took shaky breaths as he slowly turned around. Cheeks marred with the stains of his tears. He shook his head, avoiding his partner's eyes. Pulling in his lips he bit them nervously. This wasn't the way he wanted things to play out but so be it. Undoing the belt of the robe, his fears, his anxieties, his pain, his hurt and his joy was shown to Azrael.

Struggling to hold back the ever flowing fountain in his eyes, he choked out his words, saying, "I was meaning to tell you, but the opportunity was never there."

Azrael held the shaking hand that covered Rystler's lips. Ensuring that his eyes found those before him. He gave a genuine smile that made Rystler fall apart. Leaning in, Azrael placed a soft kiss on his lips.

"Thank you for telling me about them," said Azrael.

"Her." Rystler quickly corrected, much to Azrael's surprise.

Caressing the smooth bump of Rystler's stomach he said, "Thank you for telling me about her."