Sapphire Waters Side Stories

The First Chill of Fall

The air tingled with the first chill of fall, and around the two demons red and orange leaves skittered, having freshly fallen from the tree whose branches stretched above their heads. The breeze that carried the drifting foliage blew the leaves down a gentle incline, and out across the sprawling waters of the D'Rensh Lake. Occasionally, the wind would change direction, pulling the lapping water toward the two.

Beside K'Leven, tucked in closely beneath a spreading feathered wing, was his longest and best friend. The water demon shivered slightly in the chill, but swirled a finger through the air despite the rise in force that answered his call. K'Leven could feel the younger demon's powers controlling the breezes as easily as if he himself were making the motions.

Oftentimes, the fire demon caught his companion playing with his air powers as if he felt more of an affinity toward them than he did his water. K'Leven found it odd that any demon would prefer their weaker power, but idly dismissed the thought in favor of watching a leaf dance through the air.

The demon studied the leaf,smiling slightly as a few more joined its erratic jumping. Red and gold, tipped in fresh green and dead brown swirled together, and apart, tumbled and skipped, and spun together again. K'Leven found himself inescapably reminded of a song by the play of the leaves. It was a song he'd heard just the day before, written and played for him by a young lover he'd entertained. He smiled at the thought of the young man, and feeling it fitting, he began to hum the melody in rhythm to the show before them.

The water demon beside him shifted slightly, giving away his curiosity as he lifted his face to the tall demon. K'Leven turned toward his friend, and was momentarily startled by the clarity of D'Kreishan's eyes. He'd thought the water demon drifted as he'd played with the air, but now saw he'd been incorrect.

Following through with what he considered an equally fitting action, he tipped D'Kreishan's face and planted a kiss on the water demon's lips. They savored the moment, but too soon D'Kreishan turned to the side, breaking the contact of their lips, but alleviating none of their closeness.

His cheek pressed to K'Leven's, and the fire demon felt his friend's breath whisper against his ear. "Did your lover write that?" the water demon inquired.

"He did. Sang it for me yesterday."A smile touched the fire demon's lips at the memory. The sight of the musician, blond hair over one eye and crouched close to his guitar, his lithe fingers running over the strings... The feelings racing through the human's soul had tightened around K'Leven so satisfyingly- his love, admiration, and desire blending into a heady tonic the fire demon anticipated at each thought of the young man.

D'Kreishan shifted, letting his head rest against K'Leven's chest. "As much as he loves you, your heart doesn't belong to him," he commented.

K'Leven stiffened momentarily, then forced himself to relax again. "I love him," he said simply.

"Yes, but not above all others." The younger demon tugged on one of the many knots that made up K'Leven's shirt. "That's what he wants from you."

K'Leven pressed his cheek to the top of D'Kreishan's head. "I know,"he whispered, "but I can't. He deserves better, but as you said,what he wants is me. I won't take away what little I have to give him."

D'Kreishan shook his head. "I'm not trying to criticize. I just wonder what you'll do with him. Isn't there anything you can give to him alone?"

"I thought you weren't fond of him. Why the sudden concern?"

"I..."D'Kreishan heaved a sigh. "He is important to my summoner. And...I lost the one I care for the most because I demanded too much from him. I don't want to see you push your musician away. You mean everything to him. I don't need the powers of an empath or spirit powers to show me that."

K'Leven felt a small smile touch his lips, and he wrapped his arms around his friend. "Thank you for caring, D'Kreishan." He touched his lips lightly to his friend's forehead. "You have my guarantee on that. Where ever I may stray,and whoever I may care for, I will come home to my musician."