Kingsbane

Chapter 1

     His poor mother. What would she say when he told her his cancer was back? God, he hated to imagine the look on her face, the tears in her eyes. The thought of her so heart broken was worse than dying. He'd put her through so much already, and his father... Would he start talking to him again? Forgive him for his lifestyle?
    It didn't matter, really. He wasn't going to fight it this time. Perhaps it'd be better to not tell them at all. It seemed a mercy to let them live oblivious of his slow and silent suffering. It would only be for a precious few months anyway.
    With a weary sigh, he kept trudging down the sidewalk. He didn't know where he was going, just knew he wasn't ready to go back to his empty apartment. His legs were moving without his consent, uncaring of the rain beginning to fall, his mind too wrapped up in despair to bother guiding them.
    When he was a kid, conquering the monster in his blood had been his greatest achievement, the one thing he clung to when other evils entered his life. If he could beat that, then surely nothing else could take him down. But that was gone now. The monster had returned, destroying his blood and devouring him day by day. Now he was vulnerable, defeated, and alone.
    "Hey." A large hand clapping over his shoulder stopping his dreary march abruptly. "There's a hell of a storm on the way. Can I give you a lift someplace?"
    Turning, he discovered a man the likes of which he'd never seen. He was stunning. His hair resembled moonlight, and was quickly getting soaked, clinging to the smooth, pale skin of his angelic face. Verdant green eyes peered down at him from beneath long lashes and a kind smile bedecked his plush lips. The stranger was so ethereal, he simply stood, dumbfounded for a few moments, staring like a fool.
    "I'm fine. The rain doesn't bother me." He managed to mumble, forcing himself to look away as the man's smile wilted. "Thank you, though."
    "Well, if you're sure." The stranger ran a hand through his hair and shrugged. "Take care."
    "You too." He murmured, looking back down at the cracked walkway and continuing on his aimless journey.
    There had been a strange, calming heat in the guy's touch that had warmed him even in the cool rain. The glimmer of his vibrant eyes had enchanted him, and those lips had been- okay, whoa. He was reaching creep status now.
    Still, he probably should have accepted his offer. Already he felt the weight in his bones, the weakness beginning to spread throughout him. Soon he'd be too tired to stand. Dammit. He should have known better. He'd never make it the mile back to his car. What had he been thinking?
    Ah, yes, something along the lines of 'fuck it.'
    Stopping in front of a large, lonely looking house, he spotted a rickety gazebo with a wrap-around bench beneath it. The grass in the yard was high and the windows of the building were so dusty he could not see into them. There was no car in the driveway, so he assumed it was empty.
    In a normal circumstance, he wouldn't have put trespassing on his list of good ideas, but it was rest there or collapse on the sidewalk. Which would result, no doubt, in an ambulance ride and ultimately revealing to his family his newest secret. So, fighting his way through the soaked, hip-high grass, he practically fell into the gazebo.
    The faded, splintered wood was as good to him as any bed at that moment. A familiar warmth radiated around him, but he didn't have the strength to question it. Before he could find the sense to fight it, he closed his eyes, the patting of the rain on the little structure's rooftop and the soothing presence around him, lulling him to sleep.

    Siva stood outside the Circle, watching the younger man. How strange of him to choose this spot, of all places, to take a nap. His green eyes ran over his slender form, scrutinizing and admiring as they went. This human was absolutely trouble, and he'd never been any good at staying out of it.
    With a heavy sigh, he made his move. Gently, he slid the man, more a boy to him, really, into his arms. The kid stirred slightly, opening his large brown eyes only for a moment, not aware enough to panic or refuse. Siva took that as acceptance enough, and carried him toward the house, his heart growing more gloomy with each step as the boy's illness became more and more apparent to him. It seemed to ooze off of him, clinging like a dew to his flesh.
    How sad it was that humans were made to suffer so, with lives so short. Though, eternity did have downfalls of it's own.

***

     "Your Highness." Rafferty bowed low before his Queen, the badges and metals adorning his uniform tink-tinking as he bent.
    "Leave us." Siofra ordered gently, raising a hand to dismiss the gaggle of nobility that insisted upon gathering about her. As they shuffled out, she rose from her gilded throne and approached her most loyal friend, and General of the Seelie army. "Have you brought news of Sverre?"
    "My Lady, you know we aren't to speak of Unseelie in this holy place." He whispered, glancing about them as if they may be being watched.
    "Raff, you don't have to be so formal with me." The Queen sighed, hurt in her mahogany eyes. "Just because I'm Queen now doesn't mean we aren't still friends too."
    "Forgive me, Your Grace, but it would dishonor me to speak in a way that is ill-befitting of your status."
    Siofra frowned and folded her pale arms, the golden swaths of her dress falling like sunlight all about her, her long red braid dancing as she shook her head. "Fine." She breathed. "Why have you come then?"
    "We have located the king. Would Your Highness like us to escort him back to Faery?"
    "No." She turned from him and began to take her leave. Rafferty went after her.
    "My Lady, forgive my boldness, but it is nearly-"
    "I know what approaches." She snapped, turning on him suddenly. "I know what I must do, and Siva has not forgotten either. If he has not returned on his own in two days time, then bring him. There is no need for us to be together any sooner then is necessary."
    Rafferty nodded, averting his eyes so as not to witness the tears in hers. "Yes, My Queen. I have but one last inquiry."
    "Speak it."
    "Do you wish the two days to be counted in Human time, or in Faery's?"
    "Faery's. Obviously." She breathed. "You are dismissed."
    Bowing again, he went to the large doors, looking back only briefly. "Sverre is well." He whispered, "Good evening, Sio."
    Her heart warmed a little at his words, but it did nothing to thaw the lonely winter in her soul.

______
Pronounce that name!
Siva:  Siv-uh
Siofra: She-fruh
Sverre: Sphere-ee
Rafferty: Raff-er-tee

K, bye.