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            Wow 19 people read this and liked it! That’s pretty good… if only it was 20 *sigh* I love even numbers.

            “So what was it the first faery queen used these things for?” Lyssa asked curiously, loving the shocked expression that it caused on her lover’s fine-featured face, “What, did you really think I wasn’t listening?”

            “To be honest, yes,” pausing in their walk he slipped away from her for a moment, looking between her and the innocent-looking flower, “You’re not going to kiss me again are you?”

            She smirked, moving forward to reclaim her grip on his waist, pulling his deliciously slender body close, “Would that bother you? Are you afraid of being kissed in public?”

            “Yes,” he glanced around, looking for other occupants of the pristinely kept garden and thankfully finding none, “The way you kiss, I am.”

            “Very well,” leaning forward slowly she merely suckled his rosy bottom lip for a moment before releasing him to kneel down and study the pretty flowers more closely, “So what did these little things do for your queen?”

            “They… they helped her conceive.”

            She smiled, fingering some of the soft petals, “My dear beautiful counsellor, you sound a little breathless.”

            “Will you please stop teasing me, your highness?”

            “Your highness?” she mused thoughtfully, “You do realise you will have to stop calling me that once we are married?”

            “And what should I call you then?” he knelt beside her, gently easing her fingers away from the flower she had been about to pick, “You don’t want any of those.”

            “Hmm. Lyssa will be fine, though ‘my love’ or ‘sex master’ are just as good,” grinning she kissed his flaming cheeks, “You do get embarrassed easily don’t you, dear? What are these flowers?” she reached for some small purple flowers growing next to the lilies but his elegant fingers caught her wrist. When she looked up she found his dark eyes clouded with sadness, “What is it, love?”

            “You don’t want any of those either,” his voice was barely a whisper and it worried her. Standing she pulled him with her, wrapping her arms around him loosely and comfortingly.

            “What do they do?”

            “They are a mild poison, when taken in small doses they can assure no baby will be conceived. In… larger doses they can get rid of an unwanted child.”

            She kissed his lips softly in sympathy, running her fingers through his long hair that she now flatly refused to let him braid, “They are what you used.”

            “Yes,” swallowing rising tears he pulled from her loose embrace, turning away, “I do not want to talk about it, Princess Lyssa.”

            “Then we won’t, love, but please don’t push me away,” claiming his hand gently she guided them onwards along the path, continuing what had been a very pleasant walk until a few moments ago. They walked in silence for several minutes and she could feel the tension in his fingers but refused to let go. When they came to a bench overlooking the main fountain in the centre of the garden she pulled him down beside her, staring at him until he took note and returned the gaze.

            “Lyssa…” placing fingers against his soft lips she halted his words.

            “There is no need to talk about it if you don’t want to, I won’t force you. I just don’t want to see the sadness return to your eyes, you are so beautiful without it.”

            “I’m sorry,” he kissed her fingertips before grasping her hand and entwining their fingers, “It is just so strange feeling so happy most of the time. I was so used to being alone and now you make me feel things I haven’t in such a long time. Sometimes I need to feel sad again, if only for a short while, it just doesn’t seem right otherwise.”

            “Well as long as you always smile again afterwards… Yes, that’s the one, you’re irresistibly gorgeous when you smile like that.”

            “Sometimes you can be very infuriating.”

            “I know, but you wouldn’t want me any other way,” smirking she brushed some hair back behind his ear, “You like being teased and told how appealing you are, you’re just too modest to admit it.”

            “I still don’t understand how you can find me as attractive as you seem to. I’m really not beautiful.”

            “Of course you are, love,” she grinned, taking a quick look to check they were still alone, “But perhaps I need to show you again?”

            She practically skipped into her brother’s room, who would have thought that her lovely fiancé had a thing about making love in public places? It had been a most satisfying event but her joy vanished as she saw Talan hunched over a letter at his desk, a drop of moisture falling to hit the paper.

            “Tal? What’s wrong?” Stepping over to him quickly she glanced at the paper, instantly recognising their uncle’s elegant handwriting. “Is something wrong with Daemir?”

            “No,” he shrugged, miserable, “His hands were healing well and he seemed happy enough.”

            “Then what is it?”

            “He left,” he looked up at her with eyes that she hadn’t seen tears in for years, “He promised me he’d stay, but he didn’t. Uncle Vilya wrote that he left a note, apologising to me, but that’s all. He didn’t even say goodbye to his own father. But then what did I expect from a fickle gypsy?”

            “Oh, Tal, I’m so sorry,” she tried to hug him but he pushed her away, standing angrily.

            “It doesn’t matter, he would have made a lousy companion anyway. There are far better candidates.”

            “You’re not going to do anything rash are you?”

            “No, of course not,” he wiped his eyes on his sleeve before straightening his clothes and hair, “I’m going to go propose to Lord Risha.”

            “Have you gone mad?”

            “No, sister, I haven’t. I’ve just had my heart shattered beyond repair, but there is more to life than love. I have a duty to the people of Negal, and Risha, despite his somewhat annoying nature will actually make a good companion. He is good with the other nobles and will look good by my side, and he can give me heirs. No, this is the only thing I’ve done lately that isn’t an act of madness.”

            It was dark. It was dark but not cold, and he was surprisingly comfortable. Forcing his eyes open slowly he looked around the sparsely furnished room, glad the shutters were blocking out most of the brilliant sunlight that seemed to want to sneak in. Sitting up gingerly he wondered why he was in such an average looking room, an almost comforting room. There was even an exquisite tapestry hanging on one wall, wild horses and hunting birds travelling across its surface. Had he somehow been rescued? Slipping from the bed he padded over to the window before pulling back the shutters gingerly, squinting until his eyes adjusted to the light.

            Looking out all he could see was forest, thick forest. He couldn’t see one section of cleared ground. There were mountains in the distance but not much else. Perhaps he could have used his wings to fly away but he wouldn’t know which way to go. Leaning forward to get a breath of fresh air, he felt a jolt run through him and stumbled back with a cry. When his heart had calmed itself he moved forward again, very slowly raising his hand and moving it towards the window. Just as his fingers almost passed the level of the sill he felt a painful tingling and pulled back again. So he couldn’t fly out after all. Why he had thought differently he wasn’t sure. If he was where he thought then his ‘keepers’ would know all about his wings, and his magic.

            Footsteps sounded from the other side of the door and he spun, body strung tight as the lock was lifted and the heavy wood shifted smoothly inwards. He wasn’t entirely sure what or rather who he had expected to see but he certainly hadn’t pictured the keepers his father had spoken of to look like the man who entered. Daemir could only stare numbly, even slightly entranced as the golden-haired being closed the door and moved a few smooth steps closer. He was tall and built, looking quite impressive, like an ancient war hero come to life. The most amazing thing about him was his colouring. His skin was as golden as his hair, making it appear almost as if he was a living statue, clothed in heavily embroidered silks and velvets. The eyes shone an almost eerie blue, as blue as the sky in summer.

            “I am not what you expected, little demon?” the stunning creature smiled, lips half hidden by an impressive golden beard neatly groomed and oiled.

            “You… you’re an angel?” he hazarded to guess and was rewarded with a proud nod. “What am I doing here? You can’t keep me prisoner, you have no right to.”

            “I’m sorry you feel that way, but you will change your mind in time. When you see that my brethren and I only want to help you.”

            “Help me?” Daemir asked, backing up a step as he sensed the magic emanating from the angel’s strong body. “The only way you can help me is to remove the magic barrier from the window and let me fly from here.”

            “No. That is not the only way I can help you, little demon,” the angel frowned, worry and concern in his brilliant eyes, “You know how dangerous you are. If you are left to run rampant your magic will eventually control you. You will run with the ghosts, wreaking havoc upon the innocents of our world.”

            Daemir swallowed as something caught in his throat. The angel’s words were strangely seductive and he had to fight not to believe him. “You are powerful, angel, that’s for sure but you won’t make me believe your lies. I’ll get free from here and there’s nothing you can do that will stop me.”

            “So young,” the angel smiled patronisingly, “One day you’ll understand but until then I’m afraid this castle will be your home. I suggest you at least try to be content with your life here, or we may lose you to madness. That would be a true shame.”

            “I’ll kill you!” he tried to move forward but ended up stumbling weakly and collapsing from the floor. It felt as though the air had been sucked from his body and he panted almost desperately to get it back. He heard the angel stepping away but didn’t have the strength to lift his head and look.

            “You will never kill me, little demon, you have neither the power nor the will. The sooner you recognise your place the better.” And with those disheartening words the door was once again opened. It wasn’t until the lock was clicked back into place that he finally gained some strength back into his limbs, and even then it was only enough to crawl over to the bed and lean against it.

            “Lord save me…” he wasn’t sure which godly being he was praying to, all he knew was that he was trapped in a small, if comfortable room in some castle in the middle of nowhere, surrounded by magical wards and very powerful guards. Would he really ever get free? At that moment it seemed highly doubtful, especially since the only ones who would contemplate rescuing him thought he had run off. Life just wasn’t fair, but then it never had been for him.

            Dragged up the stairs at high speed he tried not to laugh or stumble, not really succeeding in either. “Should you be running in that?” he called out, trying to get his new wife to slow down, or at least let go of the death grip on his wrist. Though she did neither, the only response to his question a hearty laugh and an increase in speed. He was having difficulty keeping his footing on the unfamiliar stairs but she seemed to be having no trouble, despite the fact she was in layers of elegant and supposedly restrictive clothing. Of course the fact that his vision was bleary from the moisture pooling in his eyes didn’t help. He couldn’t believe she’d done something so undignified. The second their vows had been exchanged she’d grabbed him with one hand, hiked up her skirts with the other and off they went.

            When they finally reached the corridor leading to the royal quarters of Negal he let out a sigh of relief, but it was short lived as she gave another tug on his arm, nearly pulling it from his body. As it was he didn’t have the dexterity at that moment to avoid a fall, sprawling gracelessly on the neatly polished floor. His wrist was finally removed from her grip by the action and he looked up warily as she rounded on him, a glaring hunger in her pales eyes that was strangely enticing. The look softened a little as she saw the state he was in but then he couldn’t help letting out a breathless laugh and the sympathy was gone in an instant.

            “Get up,” she ordered coldly, hands poised on her hips as the gorgeous fabric of her gown flowed back around her.

            “Can’t,” chuckling softly he managed to get his legs under him enough to kneel, “Give me a moment to… catch my breath.”

            “Either get up now, husband, or I will strip you right here. I was merely trying to get to the privacy of our bedroom, as I know how embarrassed you get about public displays of affection, and this is how you repay me? By laughing? Do you find my lust for you amusing?”

            Swallowing heavily he couldn’t help trembling a little at the intense emotions in her eyes. He had a feeling he was going to be rather sore in the morning, if he made it to the morning. “Lyssa…”

            “Get up!” her tone made him jump and he scrambled to his feet just in time to have his wrist captured again. Seconds later he was practically thrown onto their bed, her hands tearing at the wispy fabric of his tunic to get at the flesh beneath. Her fingers brushed up his side and in the mood he was in he couldn’t help laughing. Though he regretted it as the action angered her and a hand connected rather forcefully with his cheek. She’d never hit him like that before and it shocked him, so he could only stare at her numbly until she realised something was wrong.

            “What?” she basically growled out the word, wondering why his body had suddenly gone so still, then the red mark darkened, marring his beautiful face. Feeling her lust ebbing away she stroked the abused skin gently, “Oh, Elveryn, I’m so sorry, love. I don’t know what came over me… actually I do.” Letting her fingers trail lower, she stroked his smooth skin, loving the soft warmth it emitted. “You just looked so absolutely gorgeous standing there, whoever tailored your outfit certainly knows what I like. I couldn’t help it, just the thought that you would finally be mine completely and forever… I need you, love, more than anything else.”

            “Don’t look so worried,” he offered her an understanding smile, reaching up to run elegant fingers through her hair, “You didn’t hurt me, not really, and I love you too. I need you. Never worry that you will hurt me in your lust, Lyssa, believe me when I say that I am not as defenceless as you seem to imagine. If you do something I don’t like I will stop you.”

            “You promise?” she couldn’t help still being a bit worried, “With your insecurities I worry that you’re going to let me do things you don’t want because you think I’ll leave you if you don’t.”

            “Don’t be silly,” he chuckled warmly, “We are married now, princess, you can’t leave me.”

            She answered his laugh with a predatory grin, shifting to crouch over him, “And you, beautiful creature, can’t leave me…”

            He supposed he should have been sad, still mourning his heart but he didn’t feel sad at all. He felt content. Watching his graceful new husband talking with his father happily, surrounded by several important lords and ladies. Risha was exactly the sort of son-in-law Kirash had wanted, and even Garin seemed to have taken a liking to the petite blond. Talan knew that he would never have the passion he had felt for Daemir for his new husband but that didn’t matter. It wouldn’t be too hard to spend his life with the charming conceiver, and that was another thing. Soon he would have children, something he had never really thought about before but now seemed very appealing.

            “You’re looking very pleased with yourself,” his uncle handed him a drink, giving him a friendly clap on the shoulder, “Seems you’ve managed to please everyone.”

            He shrugged, “Risha will make a good companion.”

            “He will,” Resc’s golden eyes studied him carefully for a moment, “And you really are pleased with the match? Are you sure this isn’t something you will regret?”

            “It doesn’t really matter if it is, it is done now. Don’t worry, uncle, I am happy, things are finally starting to be as they should. I think the one we’re going to have to worry about is Lyssa. It was rather rude of her to drag her new husband off like that.”

            “Yes,” Resc smirked, thinking of what he had done the moment he’d been married to Vilya, “But no one will ever question who is the predominant partner out of those two. She showed just the right sort of confident strength the faery like in a future queen. They make a good pair, those two.”

            “Yes, they do,” Talan glanced around, not seeing his other uncle, “Vilya is not here?”

            The faery shook his head sadly, “He is more reclusive these days. What Daemir did really hurt him. He won’t say anything but…” Resc shrugged, “He has always had a longing for children and to find one only to lose him so quickly…”

            “I can’t believe he had the nerve to just leave like that. He could have just said he didn’t want to marry me but there was no reason for him to run away from Uncle Vilya like that. I just hope for his sake that he never decides to come back here, I don’t know if I’d be able to stay calm seeing him again after all the pain he’s caused.”

            “You’re not the only one, nephew. But let us put such thoughts aside, your lovely new husband is looking this way and I think your company would please him.”

            “Then I’d better not keep him waiting,” Talan smiled, offering the pretty blond gazing his way a little wave. Talan may not have been in love but he was happy.

THE END

            Now before you kill me (Lira-chan especially), there is actually a sequel (this world isn’t quite done-to-death). I’ve even started it already. It is kind of more of a ‘part 2’ though, like Demon Servant was to Faery Prince. The new one is going to be called, ‘The Shadow Jewel’, bet you can’t guess who this story revolves around *hehe*. I’ll put the first chapter up in a week or so, when I’m on holiday so I can finish it quickly.

            As a side note, if anyone did happen to want to write a fanfic with my world/characters I certainly wouldn’t complain (as long as they let me know where to get at it so I could read it). It might make me a little full of myself though. lol