My name is Jenna. No first or last name, just Jenna. And I'm a Vel, pathed into that of the warrior. Yes, I look like what some humans call an elf, but that's what all Veles look like, tall, graceful, and keen hearing and eyesight, including the pointed ears. I'm about 90 years old, which is young for a Vel since we can live to be 1000 years old or more. I'm five foot four, and 125 pounds last time I check, but I know I've gained weight. Typically I don't think I'm very beautiful, but He does. I think for most Veles I'm terribly plain, considering I never had a boyfriend, well, except for Him, sort of. My hair is a golden blond and hangs to the middle of my back. It's more of a pain than anything. It has always been either dirty, or plaster to my face, or chopped off, or burnt ever since this adventure started. But, He likes it that long. My eyes are hazel, and of course He thinks they're one of my best features. My skin is a pale ivory color, and very clear. The only thing I dislike about it is the fact of how easily I burn in the hot sun. But again, He likes it. He thinks that it looks good when I blush, since it turns a pale pink color. Go figure. The rest of me is quite slim, built for speed mostly. Even my chest isn't that big compared to others, but He likes it all the same. As if there is a part of me He doesn't like.

All in all, my life is about as chaotic as a Venetin (god of evil and chaos) high priest on Pathoian (god of fortune and heros) beer. From what happened in my past to where I am now, life for me has been a continuous series of changes and unusual events. My life changed a total of three times during first half my adventures, the second and third being the most dramatic. At least I still have Him. But I digress, this is about those changes in my life, so where better to start than the very beginning of my life.

My life started simply enough for a Vel. I grew up on one of Vel Homeworlds. The Homeworlds are really giant cities, full of Veles, beautiful buildings, and even people from other worlds, even the occasional human. I was born to Jinonia and Jenus, both of the Warrior class. I went to school till the age of twenty like all Vel children. From there I started my mentor ship under Krenusa, the personal bodyguard for our Lord, and also a friend of my mother. Life was good. The only problem during those years was the fact that my father was like any father, and didn't want me to join the Warrior path. He was worried I'd get hurt. Luckily, my mother had a heavy sway over him, and she could out do him in battle too.

My mentor ship ended at age 79, the start of my Year of Reflection. The Year of Reflection is one year before the Ceremony of the Paths, where all the Veles that turn 80 officially join their paths. The Year of Reflection is basically your last year to be a kid, and to be bad. The local Warriors all turn a blind eye to the goings on. Being the good child I was, I didn't do anything during that time except hang out with my friends while they did stupid stuff.

By the last week before the Ceremony though, all the Vel cities are in chaos with the various pranks, parties, and tavern brawls. In fact, the Warriors don't really punish anyone during that week unless it's really bad. They typically herd all the kids they round up in one large cell, but even then it's still a party and a break before hitting the streets again. I know since I was herded in there once after a tavern brawl where I was watching out for my friends. The funny thing was, when I was in there, I saw some other Veles that were a little old to be 79.

The week finally ended many taverns later. The Ceremony started as everyone gathered that day, separated into each of their paths by descending order, with the three Lords of the planet standing on a raised dias in the center of the room. All the unpathed that were joining today walked in silently, including me. I was excited. I was finally becoming a Warrior. It began, the droning on of the Lords, the elders for each path, and the master of the paths, who ran the whole Ceremony. I waited eagerly as the names started to be called.

Then finally I was called. I walked forward, and they asked me which path I wished to join. I stated the Warrior path, smiling. They then called my mentor Krenusa, on whether she approved of my choice. She said she did, and also added that she thought I was one of the best students she ever trained. That was a lot coming from her. Hearing this sent a murmur through the crowd and cheers from everyone that knew me. I was shocked. I blushed a bright red all the way to the tips of my ears. She then continued, and as a gift gave me my first suit of armor and an Ion Blade, the sword of the Warrior class. From there, I moved up to where all the warriors were seated, and joined my parents as everyone appalled. At the ended of the Ceremony, my friends reported that there were even whispers about me from some of the higher pathed people.

From there life continued as normal till it came to getting my first assignment. Apparently because of the words of Krenusa, I was to be sent to the planet Earth to the only Vel city in the country of Drexlar. From there I was to serve in the Lord's army, follow orders, and protect the city. It sounded easy enough, at least I thought so.

So I packed my things and left the day after getting the notice. Saying good bye to my folks, I left for the space port and the shuttle ship. That would be the last time I ever saw them. I traveled with other young Veles to the planet, and landed secretly outside the city, then traveled there on foot. The reason for all this was because the humans were deemed by the Council of the Chosen to never be allowed to gain the knowledge of space travel. Every race had to obey the Council, including the Vel Empire. Great pains had to be take to make sure they never got it. When we arrived, we were presented to the Lord for our instructions. As he was in the middle of some long winded speech, a Vel girl came running through the crowd, and fell in front of the Lord. She was obviously in a fight. Her cloths were torn as the rest of her was scraped and bruised. "Your majesty," she said, "I've come from the northern village of Celerias, we are under attack by the Orcs and need aid."

She panted, kneeling on the marble floor of the palace room. The Lord then began barking orders while the girl was escorted away. In the commotion, we were dismissed, but not before being informed to be ready to move in the morning to go to the village. The next morning, I woke up, exhausted from the preparations made last night. All the packing and drilling was enough to make anyone dead tired. Half-asleep, I got my things together, and stumbled out the door. For the rest of the day, I followed the others, still half-asleep. We stopped before evening at a clearing near a river to set up camp. As dinner was being prepared, I went to my tent to get some rest.

That was when it happened. There was a loud noise coming from the north of camp. I grabbed my sword and charged outside. There was a group of Vel warriors battling a man dressed all in black as he charged to the tent containing our Lord. My mind was reeling. Whom did this guy think he was?! Well, I didn't have long to ponder as I decided that he was definitely after the Lord, so he had to be stopped.

I pulled my sword, and charged toward him. But as I got closer, the more I dreaded it. He was dropping my companions like flies, the bodies piling at his feet. Then I reached him, and we crossed blades. It was a stalemate. As I stood my ground, I could feel him eyes peering at me. Annoyed, I quickly pushed against him, and backed up waiting for his next attack. I continued to fight him, trying to find an opening that wasn't there. And as he fought back, I could feel myself losing my footing till I stumbled. I fell onto my back as my blade went flying. Just great, some Warrior I turned out to be.

I could feel him stare at me. It gave me the creeps. Wide-eyed, I looking back at him, his face hidden behind a black mask along with the rest of him, as he raised his sword. I closed my eyes. This was the end. I'd die like everyone else. Hot tears rolled down my face. Why did it have to be now? Then his sword struck in the ground next to my head. My eyes shot open to see him kneeling beside me, a gloved hand wiping my tears. He was murmuring. It was a sleep spell. I cursed myself, then blacked out, falling into a dreamless sleep.

I woke to the clashing of blades, and a clatter. Looking around, I saw the bodies heaped, the only sign of the black figure. As I continued to lie there, I heard voices. "There must be something I can do. I can't die like this!"

That was the pleading voice of my Lord. "It's too late for you, In the eyes of the Emperor, you are already dead."

It was him, the man in black. Then with a swish, there was a wet plop, and the sound of footsteps. I quickly closed my eyes as his footsteps gave off that he was headed to me. He did approach, and with each step, I became more nervous. What the hell did this guy want with me?! My mind screamed in terror, imagining what could have happened. I heard him kneel beside me, and again rubbed my cheek with the back of his hand. It was so creepy and I was so terrified that I fainted as he left.

I awoke about an hour later I think. Sitting up, I saw he was long gone, viewing the devastation around me. Everyone was dead, except me. The tears welled up, then sprung free, hitting the blood soaked earth. Suddenly not feeling good, I stood and ran to the river by camp. I threw up. It was too much. I sat there crying. I should be dead? Why did this happen? Who was that guy? And why did he kill my Lord? Why didn't he kill me? What was I going to do now? These questions whirled in my head as I sat.

The only thing I did decide on was going back to the main city, and hopefully explaining everything. With that I stood up, and walked back. Sniffling, I grabbed my things. Then I grabbed a bedroll, a tent, and enough food to last me a while. Packing these away, I left not looking back, and not looking where I was going. I was so tired from the morning that I forgot the way I came. I got lost. Hopelessly lost. As hard as I tried, I couldn't find my way back, and ended up wandering the country. The whole time I was terrified that he, the man in black, would find me and finish the job.After many weeks of traveling, I ended up a church to the goddess Lyl, the goddess of life, and patron of healers and doctors. The church was lead by the high priestess Veronica Soft. She was kind and beautiful, an inner peace about her. But she always looked sad. As gracious as she was, she let me spend the night there, even though the place was over crowded. It appeared that there was something afoot about the people, as if they were refugees. But I was so tired, I didn't care. In the morning, I awoke to the news that there was a dragon attacking a nearby village, and some groups of fighters were gathering to go and get rid it. That was why there were all the people the day before, they were from the village. Being as good hearted as I was, I happily volunteered, wanting to finally stop wandering alone. With some other people, we left to the village.

My adventures dealing with these blasted dragons started that day. We managed to seriously cripple the dragon before a man named Draconhurst, an official dragon hunter, finished it off. After cleaning up after the battle, he offered us a proposition. He was looking for recruits for a dragon hunting group, and since he saw the skills we possessed, he thought we would fit the bill. We accepted, seeing that he was far more powerful than us.

If I had known anything that day, I would never have joined him. Yet if I didn't, I wouldn't be where I am today, so guess I should be thankful. Draconhurst was a very weird guy with a very weird armor. We never saw him take it off. It was literally glued to him, and was engraved with a coiled dragon on the breastplate. He was an all work kind of guy, and never gave up for a minute, and always had rules on the behavior of the group. He didn't allow love or fighting among the group members, and no love with anyone outside of the group either for that matter.

Also that day, I met the four people who would be joining our little group for a long time, even though the others came and went. There was Justina Rascaren, a Genvan priestess. Genva was the god of justice and good, so naturally Justina had a humble but holier-than-thou attitude, which she probably was. Other than that, she was a nice person, obeying Draconhurst constantly, while seeming to have it in for me. To this day, I don't know why, but she and I were the only girls among the group.

She was also loved by a young man named Blade, who was the scion of the house of Drexlar. In other words, he was the prince of the entire country. At first, the two of them didn't hit it off, but seemed to just get along. At times I swore Justina detested him for how he always tried to impress her by acting heroic. He was typically saved by her. It wasn't till Justina and Blade were stuck together for a while that they finally admitted to their feelings, but they never told one another. But their relationship is a whole other story that I don't know entirely. Maybe later. Blade also joined our group that day with his guardian.

His guardian was a man by the name of Thorn. To me he seemed like a true Pathoian. He was a thief, a gambler, and a womanizer, but he stuck to Blade like glue. He was saddled with the job of looking over Blade after he was caught one time. He was caught red handed cheating in a gambling game with the King. But seeing that Thorn, even though he was a cheat, was very dedicated to what he did, the King made him an offer. So for him it was either the noose or playing nurse to a young princeling. Given the choices, I think he got the better end of the deal. He was given a title, which came with the job, and with using it, he was able to entice a lot of the young ladies of the courts, but he didn't have much luck with the two females in the group.

Then there was Bradock, a Doravan berserker in their military. He was all together a tough little bugger, especially since he was apart of a sometimes fatal curse on the group. If the little guy wasn't drunk or fighting, he was stuck under some falling object. Usually it was a house or other building. We called it the house falling curse, but it didn't plague just him, I was stuck under a house sometimes too. He had the record for the most property damage though.

After many more dragon slayings, we went to the city of Goldrimar, the hometown of Justina, when there were reports of it being attacked by a dragon. We arrived, and under contract by the Lord of Goldrimar, were sent to destroy any dragons attacking the city. That contract was going to be in effect for a very long time. Because we were special, and because the Baron and Draconhurst were old friends, we were able to stay in the palace for our time under contract. So we went to sleep that night, planning to get the dragon in the morning.

The next day was when I met Him. The Him I keep speaking of is the Lord Kelladain Naidalis, the replacement of my old lord. He was visiting Goldrimar on a diplomatic mission when the dragon attacked, at least that's what I heard about him after I met him. It was our first morning there, and Draconhurst had insisted on getting up early to chase the dragon we had seen last night. Just as breakfast was ending for us, Kelladain walked in and stared straight at me. Feeling his eyes, I looked back and stared into the face of the most beautiful man I had ever had the privilege of seeing. I couldn't tell, but he looked fairly young, older than I was at the time. He was tall, had to be 5'10". Tan skin, unmarred by anything. Black hair that was long, ending just above his butt. It was kept in long bangs on the top and sides while the rest was in a full ponytail hanging down his back. He had piercing blue eyes, the color of sapphires, framed with bushy eyebrows of dark brown, not black. The rest of his face was different from classical Vel beauty. Normally, Veles were thin faced, and had an almost ethereal delicateness about them. That was me to a degree, but Kelladain wasn't like that. His face was broad and well defined to his pointed jaw. He looked almost human. From his armor, I could tell his shoulders were wide and powerful as were his arms down to his hands. His hands, unlike his face, were delicate with long fingers. I couldn't make out the rest of him from his armor, but if it was like everything I saw already . . .

I could tell I was drooling, but I caught myself in time as I felt a blush sweep over me. I averted my eyes back to my plate as he walked over. I watched him walk from the corner of my eyes, confident and graceful, yet he looked nervous. I almost giggled as I blushed more. He walked straight over to my chair and stopped. He looked flustered, gaping as if trying to find his voice as I smiled back. Finally clearing his voice, he said, "Good morning, Lady, I'm the Lord Kelladain, I believe you heard of me?"

"I'm Jenna, and no I haven't, should I have?" I asked blushing brightly. He looked even more flustered. "Well, I thought that you were one of my retinue, I ah . . ." he said as his voice trailed off. He must have been guessing from my armor, a sign that he was as new around here as I was.

I smiled back, and said, "Well, through a series of events, I came to be a part of the dragon hunter group, and when my time with them was done, I was going to find my way back to my city, hopefully, for reassignment."

I blushed, well, it was something of the truth. I barely knew him. I just couldn't blurt out my life story. "Well, if you don't mind, for your reassignment, I believe I would like to have you in my retinue."

I blushed, and smiled at him. "Well, you'd have to talk to my leader, Draconhurst, about it," I answered.

He looked down the table to Draconhurst who was looking crossed at the both of us as he was about to leave with the others. I guess he thought I was breaking one of his stupid rules. He didn't say anything about flirting. Kelladain flinched as I giggled. Then the rest of the group started heading for the door. I stood and was about to follow them when Kelladain grabbed my wrist. I looked back at him as I turn to face him. He slipped a bracelet off his wrist and placed it on mine, and said, "Here, keep this till I see you again, I hope it guards you well."

I smiled and looked down as I said softly, "Thank you." I then felt his lips brush against my cheek. I gasped softly, holding my breath. As he pulled away, I brush my hand against my cheek as I blushed yet again. I back away slowly, waving as I went, and being careful not to stumble. I managed to catch up to the group as we walked out of the palace. When I did arrive, I was met with glares from all of them as I blushed yet again. I then learned about him from Draconhurst, but the whole time I stared at the bracelet.

The bracelet he gave me was special. It was made of blue crystal beads with a small metal plaque engraved with runes. It had a definite magical ability. I guessed that's what he meant when he said it would protect me. From the stories I heard as I left the city, it was with him since he was a boy. Obviously, I got weird looks from the Vels of Goldrimar as I wore his bracelet, and as rumors circulated that I was the Lord's new girlfriend. When I heard them, I blushed. I wished he hadn't been so forward with me, yet part of me was happy that he was.

Also that morning, even though I didn't notice till later, I met Drascal and Tempest. Drascal was a Vel Mystery path or mage. For some time, I swore he was the man in black that had killed my lord. He was sneaky, mean, ruthless, and he hated my guts. I hated him right back, I'm glad though he never got to act on his words. But I still don't know why he didn't kill me. Aside from all this, he was also Kelladain's advisor.

Also, following Kelladain was an Elementalist named Tempest. Elementalists are funny. They devote their lives to a specific element and draw their magic from it. Tempest was an Earth mage, and did a lot of things dealing with nature, including summoning things. He was also a good fighter, and Kelladain's personal body guard. Other than this, he seemed slightly cursed. He often had to replace his equipment as most of was destroyed after almost every battle. He was assigned to the dragon hunters when we came back that night. It appeared that Kelladain had ordered him to watch after me. He was a welcomed addition though as Draconhurst wanted to see how good he was.

We proceed that morning to the cave where the dragon was, and in short order, turned him into minced dragon. As we came back that afternoon, all I could think about was Kelladain, and how he had now walked into my life. In fact he was on my mind till I reached my room, only to see him standing in front of it. I smiled, saying my greetings, and asking him what he was doing here. He said, "After this morning, I thought it would be appropriate if we talked, seeing as I know nothing about you, and you know nothing about me."

He smiled. I smiled back. He seemed sweet, I thought wondering what was causing such a new change in my life. Curious about him, I allowed him in without further ado. We continued to talk for the rest of the afternoon, till it neared dinner. I told him of my story to this point. He seemed fascinated when I told him about the raid on the Vel camp and the death of the old Lord, yet I could tell it didn't trouble him as much as it did me. He then proceeded to tell me his story, which was rather simple compared to mine.

He had a simple upbringing as an Elementalist, then became a Lord shortly after he was pathed. He had a cushy job as the Lord of a distant but civilized planet. After turning the place into a wonderful agricultural planet, he was transferred to Earth and the city of Cele after the death of the previous Lord, my Lord. And that was how he came to be where he was now. The conversation, then moved onto more lighthearted things. From there we said our goodbyes, and he left for the evening. As I closed the door, the room suddenly felt empty. With that, I was about to go to take a short nap before dinner, when there was a knock on the door.

I opened it to see Justina looking frightened. She was as white as a sheet. I raised my eyebrow, asking her what was wrong. She said that there was something going on in the great hall, and that all the dragon hunters were to gather there. I quickly placed my armor back on, and walked briskly down the hall with her. We arrived sometime later to the sight of everyone staring upwards and into the sky. The room was dark for that time, which was very weird considering it was summer. It should have been near sunset.

Then I noticed what they were looking at. It was a huge dragon. It was so big it blotted out the setting sun. And all around it was a horde of smaller dragons, but no less fearsome. I felt the color drain fro my face, my jaw hanging open. Did we have to fight that thing?! My mind screamed at the thought, it was impossible, beyond lunacy at the time. I looked to Draconhurst as it passed us overhead. The rest of the group was looking at him. He swallowed and said, "That is the Wyrm, I don't know everything about him, but he has the power to make the dragons rage. They flock to him, and do as he wants, either through the rage or by their own evilness. That is why there is such a rash of dragon attacks lately. The Rage has started. He doesn't attack directly unless he has to, so you won't have to fight him."

Everyone breathed a sigh of relief, till he said, "As of yet you won't but . . . there will be a host of dragons here by morning, I talked to the Baron, he said that when he took over the city, he wisely invested in guarding all the walls with huge spell wards, so they should stand a siege, but not forever, we are still under contract to Goldrimar, so it seems that we will be here a long time, so get used to this place." After he finished, dinner was served as the dragons passed overhead. None of us ate that night.

The following morning after my talk with Kelladain, Goldrimar was under siege by a host of dragons nesting around the gates, just as Draconhurst said. I remember the siege vividly. I had seen many things during that time that broke my heart, tore it out of my chest and danced on it. I was still paranoid about the man in black, even more so as I got closer and closer to think it was Drascal. It was also during that time that I felt more lost then I ever had in my life. I had lost him, Kelladain, but that's another story I'll get to. The dragons were trying everything to get us out of the city, or to get them into it. They tried making a volcano erupt under the city. They sent a dragon into the city to cause a plague. They even sent a dragon with a very big appetite into the city to eat up all the food stocks. Their favorite tactic was although was total destruction, trying to crash through the walls, and destroy anything that stood in their way.

We had managed to stop most of the plots before they could bear fruit, but there were still heavy casualties. Every militia group in the city was called to man the walls, the Ready Blades, a hire mercenary group, The Purple Shields, a defense group that specialized in magical shields. Even the Gold Dragons, Goldrimar's elite knights were manning the walls. The Official Dragon Hunters of Goldrimar, as we were known, had to man the walls as well.

Of everyone who was stuck in the city during the siege, it was surprising to see none other than the Lady Veronica Soft. The high Priestess of Lyl and her band of Lylites had come to the city before the siege to help victims of the earlier dragon attack, and now they were stuck like us. For most of the group, this was a pleasant surprise, and a comfort. The Lady had long been helping our group, and had befriended most of us. The only person displeased by her stay was Draconhurst, who had a shouting match with her upon her arrival, asking for her to leave the city and go back to the Church. We weren't surprised, the two of them fought regularly when we visited the Church between dragons slayings. And at this point, we didn't know why, but Veronica was always in tears when it was over. Naturally, they avoided each other like the plague unless there was no other way out.

But I digress, these were times that really tried us. One of the times was when the plague had hit the city. Blade and Thorn suddenly went missing before it started, when they went to try and get through to Castle Drexlar, Blade's home, and get aid. This was hard on Justina, who was coming to grips with her feeling for Blade. It was the day after they left that the plague started. A wounded rider who was last seen escorting Blade and Thorn out of the city, came back, collapsing just inside the gate. He reported that the both of them had been captured, but we feared them dead. The rider died minutes later. Upon inspection of him, we saw brown boils. He was sick, and died from that, not any of his wounds. That was how the plague entered the city. It was started by a Bone Dragon, a nasty little stinker that spread the plague, and who also had control over an army of skeletons he raised from the city crypts after he took residence inside the walls. As we found out when we went to fight him, he also had Blade and Thorn as captives. We managed to save them and kill the dragon, stopping the plague, but not before many people had already died of it. The only positive effect was that it brought Justina and Blade closer.

But that time that hit me the hardest was went both Kelladain and I nearly died. The day started simple enough. It was supposed to be our day off from manning the walls, so I was going to spend it was Kelladain. He had decided to join us at breakfast. We were gathered round, eating peacefully till there was a message from the walls. The dragons were preparing an attack, and were already coming closer to the city. We grabbed our gear, and ran out of the hall, breakfast forgotten. Well, it wasn't forgotten by the Dorv, who had grabbed his plate and eat it while we ran. There were multiple dragons attacking, twin red ones crashing into the walls, an evil chaos one sitting on a warehouse that was destroying everything in its path, and a blue thunder dragon circling overhead, and others. Draconhurst decided to split us up.

Justina and others went going after the chaos dragon on the reason that since he was evil Justina's Genvan magic could pick him off. After recruiting a squad from the Purple Shields, Justina managed to Smite the evil dragon to death. Tempest and another knight with us named Tristan were sent after the red ones, knowing Tempest could hurt them with some of the ice spells he liked to throw, while Tristan lanced them. Tempest did ice one of them as I heard later, and it was right up its tail. He divided the rest up, and sent them on their ways till he got to Kelladain and me.

Draconhurst had sent us up to fight the blue dragon. He pushed a nearby mage at us, and barked for him to cast flight on us, which he did. I didn't like the idea of this, but I went along with it since he was my leader. We glided up the sky, not really sure on how we were going to defeat it. After sometime of trying to get close, there was no success. We didn't even dent him. Then we got an idea. We glided higher than it, and rammed down, landing on it's back, planting our swords there for an anchor. I looked to Kelladain, and asked, "What now?"

He shrugged, and started to cast spells on it, some worked, most didn't. I cast as well, not doing as much damage as I liked. Our flight spells were going to wear off soon. Kelladain and I were about to jump off and fly away, when the dragon suddenly banked, throwing the both of us off. The funny thing about flight spells is that for them to work you had to know which way was up. We didn't know, and were falling faster than leaded weights.

I thought it was the end, crushing myself against Kelladain as we fell. He hugged me back looking as frightened as I was. Then it was over. It was a sudden shock, then the world went black. It seemed to remain that way for what felt like eternity. Then I felt the world go white, and I slowly opened my eyes. I was alive, but I was hurting all over. A Lylite kneeled over me, cast cure spells, and tending to my wounds. Soon I was able to sit up. It appeared as if the Lylite had resurrected me. Kelladain and I had landed in the middle of the destroyed bazaar. Kelladain looked pale. I looked worriedly to the Lylite who just smiled. She said that he had a heart pin, a device that instantly resurrected the wearer if they died. He then groaned as I sighed a breath of relief.

That was until Drascal arrived, escorted by two warriors carrying a stretcher. I look at him, trying to find out what he was up to. They loaded Kelladain onto the stretcher, and were moving him away. I was about to get up and follow, when Drascal blocked my way. "You have failed your job, Lady, your second lord had just died while you were protecting him, you won't be seeing him again for a long time, after this incident, I will be advising against any protests that he leave this rock and spend sometime on the Homeworlds, and away from you!" he said cruelly before storming off.

I gaped, trying to think of away to get him back. The tears streamed down my face. Could he do that to the Lord? To Kelladain? It sure looked like he was. I wasn't going to see him ever again, after all the months I spent by his side and talking to him. I realized that moment that I loved him, and now he would be gone. I wanted to scream, but wailed instead, throwing myself forward to cry into the earth. There had to be something I could do. They couldn't leave yet the city was still under siege. There was nothing I could do now, so I picked my sobbing self up, and walked back to the palace as the Lylite left as well.

When I got back, I talked to Tempest explaining to him what happened. He sympathized, knowing that his master cared for me. I went back to my room, mopping the whole way, while Tempest went to Kelladain. He later came back and told me that Drascal had Kelladain confined in his room, claiming that he was mad and I was the cause. I was never allowed to see him as long as Drascal was around. I wanted to punch him. He was doing all this to separate the two of us. Tempest also said that as soon as the siege was lifted, Kelladain was going back to the Vel Homeworlds, so it would be a miracle if I saw him after that point. There was nothing I could do now, but Tempest volunteered to help send messages between him and me. With these sad tidings I went to sleep with another dreamless night.

The following morning was as normal as all others. I woke up from the room I shared with Justina, blinking in the morning sun. I cringed from the light, and rubbed my eyes. I wasn't exactly a morning person. I blindly looked around the room. Justina was gone, her things neatly arranged near her bed. Something didn't feel right. I turned around, looking at my bed, and froze. A dagger was plunged into the wood of the headboard inches from where my head had been. I hold my mouth, willing myself not to scream. It was him and I knew it. The man in black was in the castle and he was after me. Was it a warning or a threat? I pulled the dagger free, starring at it with curiosity and fear. It was black, entirely black, even the metal. It was almost burning in my hands. With a yelp, I dropping it onto the stone floor with a clatter. It shined white, then disappeared. I starred at the spot on the floor where it had been. I clasped onto the bed, burring my face in my hand. Now what was I going to do? Wordlessly, I prepared myself for the day and left to join the others, too frightened to even think about it let alone talk.

Months passed as the siege got worst. We just had a major battle, having been forced to retreat into the noble quarter. The dragons had breached the outer walls, and were making their homes out of the ruined buildings. The night after the attack was filled with the screams of everyone that were in those buildings, even though some managed to slip into the noble quarter. Moral was at an all time low. The food was running out as hunting parties had to crawl outside using the sewers to get to any game left, but it was slim. I didn't see Kelladain at all, even to go out and support the Veles of this city. Not to mention the looming threat of the man in black still weighted on me. What was more depressing was that Draconhurst was near death after the attack. His armor wasn't regenerating him. Veronica, master healer and high priestess of Lyl, had been able to close his wounds, but he wasn't waking. She blamed herself for his wounds, and sat by his bedside always.

That was until she snapped. It was a normal afternoon, a week after the battle. We had managed to defeat a dragon that was in the sewers, trying to get in, two days ago. Everyone though was depressed since Draconhurst wasn't there to see it, or to even hog the glory. The group had taken to sitting outside his room, only leaving to get a meal. I left sometimes, as did Tempest too, to check on Kelladain, and to try and worm my way in there. But every time Drascal had stopped me, threatening me to stay away for my own good. We were gathered there that afternoon, each of us as sullen as the other. That was went the door opened, and a very distraught Veronica walked out. She said something about deciding that it was time for her to fight on her own. We looked at each other, pondering what she meant. Lylites aren't suppose to fight, they loose their healing abilities if they kill or seriously injure someone. That's why most Lylites used Stun Rods. She didn't stop to explain as she left walking in the direction of the battlements.

Even more worried by her direction, we ran after her, and arrived in time to see her turned herself into a dragon. She was pure white with feathery wings. Her scales were fragile, looking like they'd chip from the slightest hit. She was perched up there looking elegant and determined as she was about to leap off the wall, into the maze of dragon lairs in what remained of the outer sections of the city. She seemed sad as she sat there, almost like she was going to . . . We tried to talk her down, but to no success, till Justina talked with her.

I don't remember most of her speech, but it was really beautiful, and managed to talk her down off the wall. But as she was about to climb down, there was a large flap, and gust of wind. Another larger dragon came behind Veronica and grabbed her. He introduced himself as Draconhurst's uncle, and gave use a message. If Draconhurst ever wanted to see Veronica again, he had to come to him with the eggs. We were utterly perplexed by this, looking at each other again. Before we even reach him, he flew off, Veronica in his clutches like a fallen bird.

We walked back to Draconhurst room, expecting him to still be in his comatose state. Naturally he wasn't, he was as fit as a fiddle, and was already questioning us when we opened the door. After he told us that he couldn't wake because he was in the presence of a dragon, we explained what happened with Veronica's capture. When we were done, he didn't look too happy, cursing in what I figured was some weird language. He then decided to explain what was going on to us. Apparently they were both dragons that turned into humans. All dragons could if they wished to. They were pursued by Draconhurst's uncle, who had killed his mother and father to take Draconhurst's unborn siblings for a spell. Draconhurst took the eggs and fled, his uncle had managed to hold Veronica hostage, and wanted the eggs in exchange for her. Draconhurst fought him, and managed to flee with Veronica and the eggs, but he was badly wounded, and separated from her.

That was when he found a cave, in which was the petrified skeleton of a dragon and another skeleton of a man in armor that was engraved with coiled dragon on the breastplate. It was the armor of a famous dragon slayer. It healed him and gave him awesome regenerating powers, but for a price. From that point onwards, he wanted to kill every single dragon he could find, including Veronica, whose real name was Veronica Softscales. Only sure willpower kept him from killing her, and also his love for her. But he had to separate from her to spare her life. He could no longer show any affection for her, yet she still loved him. He decided to go back to his uncle, and finish what they started that many years ago. Since we naturally couldn't let him go on his own to get her, we went with him to his uncle.

We were teleported after we were ready. We had arrived in Draconhurst's homeland. It looked like it was almost all made of rock. Then we heard a loud laughing coming from ahead of us. I had heard it before, it was the sound of a dragon laughing. Draconhurst led us to a giant cave, in it was his uncle, a brown dragon who was laughing loudly as we entered, and coiled around him was a female dragon, emerald green scales with crystal wings. The lot of us slipped in and stood in the stone hall, starring at the pair and at the four stone columns that surrounded us. Veronica was laid down in front of the two dragons, unconscious. "Come out Draconhurst, we know you're here," the brown dragon bellowed.

Draconhurst walked out, sword drawn. We followed, our weapons checked and ready. Tempest stood next to me in the far right of the group, both of his Earth Strikers drawn. Blade and Justina stood together at the left, Justina holding her War Sword while Blade held the Lord's Sword of the House of Drexlar. Bradock stood behind Draconhurst, axes in hand. The rest of the group stood behind. I noticed something though, Thorn was no where to be seen. I impatiently thumbed the trigger of my Tri Las Blaster, glancing around suspiciously. Krenusa not only trained me in swordsmanship, but also in guns, bows, throwing daggers, and hand to hand combat. I just typically stuck to swords and guns. "I have what you want, give her back!" Draconhurst yelled across the hall.

"I will, when you're dead!" the brown dragon roared. The words of the dragon echoed through the hall, reverberating on the stone columns. One by one, out of each column emerged a giant stone warrior bearing a heavy axe, four in total. Draconhurst cursed loudly, charging up the center as the rest of us were left to deal with the stone warriors. I aimed my gun at the lumbering stone figure was he walked towards me and Tempest. The Elementalist had already charged him, avoiding an axe swipe before scoring a hit on it knee. He cursed loudly before yelling, "He dented my sword!"

Furious, he hit again, imbedding his sword in the stone guardian's leg. I let loose a volley of laser fire, hitting him right in the chest, which sent up a fine mist of powdered stone. As the mist cleared, Tempest stood among the pile of stone rubble, colored a powder white. "I think you got him," Tempest said with a smirk.

I grinned and scanned the rest of group. Blade and Justina managed to crumble their guardian, both of them covered in white powder as well. Bradock was hacking away at another stone warrior, while Draconhurst appeared to be engaging his uncle. That was when the green female lunged into the center of the hall, crashing into the remaining stone warrior before she let loose her breath weapon. Not wanting to wait and see what it was, Tempest grabbed me, as we ran behind the nearest column.

The dragon had let off a Sonic spell. Her screeching reverberated through the hall as anyone not holding their ears was about to be in for a world of pain. We covered our ears, but it still hurt. Vel ears are more sensitive then humans. That was when we felt the column shake from the blast. We peered around to see some of the pillar dented by the noise. I aimed the Tri Las Blaster at the dragon and fired another round of shots. Of the three shots, two bounced off as the last one slammed into her chest. That got her attention as she roared, and moved to charge us. "Nice going! Now you pissed her off!" yelled Tempest as stood, waiting to run.

"And what would you do?!" I yelled back. Just as she was about to reach the pillar, we ran for the next one. There was loud crash went she slammed into it, creating another shower of powdered stone. We ducked behind the pillar as she got up and roared. Tempest sheathed his swords, and pulled out his own gun, the Twin Laser. Just as we were about to go and fire round we heard the dragon scream. We looked around to see Justina's Battle Spirit slicing at the dragon. A Genvan Battle Spirit, when summoned, is a spiritual double of the casting priest, only with more power, flight, and more speed. We helped it along and fired. The shots tore through the dragon's crystal wings, reducing them to tatters. She collapsed, dead.

Sighing happily as I checked my gun, I began scanning for the rest of the group when there was an explosion from left part of the hall, where Draconhurst and his uncle were fighting. Smoke billowed from that corner, but through it I saw the fleeting figure of Thorn, running mischievously. So that's where he was, but what did the bloody gambler do now? The smoke cleared as we saw Draconhurst locked with his uncle. He was caught between the dragon's claws, slowly being crushed as he locked onto the dragon's head. His uncle looked a little worse for wear because of the various cut and burns from the explosion. "Time to die, nephew, along with all your friend," the brown dragon said with gritted teeth.

"Not yet!" yelled Draconhurst. He yelled as he pulled on the dragon's head, slowly turning it sideways. He looked like he was in an unbearable amount of pain as he twisted the head. There was aloud snap as the both of them then crashed to the ground. The dragon was dead. We pulled Draconhurst from the corpse, relieve he was still alive, as Justina and I patched him up. He slowly woke up, groaning in protest. "Is she alright?" he asked clutching his head.

"She'll be fine, she's just sleeping," reported Justina as she checked Veronica. We smiled at each other for a moment with unspoken congratulations. Veronica slowly turned back to her human self, sleeping peacefully as Thorn and Blade carried her out. As we were about to leave, Draconhurst stood over the corpse of his uncle, and threw six brown colored eggs at it, cursing with each throw. With that, we left, and were teleported back to Goldrimar. As we arrived back, we saw that all the dragons were gone. The siege was over. Now this was cause for celebration.

Too bad we didn't have one. After saving Goldrimar from the dragons, we had to saved it again from the Bone Dagger of Thacklos. The dagger was the property of a long dead and evil necromancer named Thacklos. During the siege, the dagger had found its way out of one of the dragons' hordes, and into the body of its unwilling victim. It then set up the cult of Heckco, turning some of the citizens into it's blind and possessed followers. They were secretly planning to overthrow the Baron, and take over the city. They almost succeed when they attacked shortly after we came back from the cave of Draconhurst's uncle.

We managed to kill the person the dagger possessed, but we weren't able to destroy the dagger itself. During the fight, another warrior arrived to fight the dagger, but was killed in the process. Before it was over, Bradock went over to him to see what he could do for him. It turned out the man was the first guardian of Drexlar, the Unknown Soldier. We should have known since we couldn't make out his face during the whole battle. He then passed his skills onto Bradock, who then became the first guardian of Drexlar. He then managed to contain the dagger after defeating him, preventing the dagger from possessing anyone else. He then said we had to take it all the way north to the temple in the volcano, which was run by the second guardian of Drexlar.

With the six-month siege finally over, and the city being rebuilt, our contract was over as well. We were going to leave for the temple the next day, at the request of Justina and the Unknown Soldier. Draconhurst, who was acting more civil after the defeat of his uncle, was against it, but went all the same. The country was still under siege by more dragons, including the capital. In fact, before we left, Blade, Veronica, and Thorn left ahead of us after news of an attack on Castle Drexlar.

But our leaving Goldrimar meant I had to leave Kelladain, and Kelladain had to leave me. With all that was going on, I at least wanted to say goodbye. Miraculously, Drascal had left for some reason after the battle with the dagger, so I had a chance not only to say good bye, but to see if we would see each other again. On the morning of our departure, I sent Tempest ahead into his room get him to come out while I waited.

I waited patiently outside his guarded door while his Warriors gave me dirty looks. I don't think they liked the idea of their Lord in love with one of his Warriors. It was taking too long, I thought to myself. I was afraid Tempest had failed, and he didn't want to see me. Fearing the worst, I charged past the guards calling his name, but they held me. As I called his name for the second time, he came out and ordered the guards to stop. They dropped me as I fell onto the hard floor. He then knelt and kissed me. It was the first time he ever kissed me. It was sweet, feeling his lips brush against mine, but I wanted more. Just as I was going to deepen the kiss, he pulled away. "Jenna, I know you have to go, when this is all over, please come to Cele, you can find me there," he said as he stood, and went back to the room.

I was speechless. I sat there shocked. It was the first time I saw him in months, the first time he even kissed me, and that was all he could say?! He didn't even finally admit that he liked me, let alone love me. Maybe I was hoping for too much, but before I never saw him again, I was determined to say my feelings. I stood up, stormed into the room, and kissed him again. I could tell he was shocked as he tightened his grip on me. I slipped my tongue into his mouth, wanting to savor the feeling of him. He groaned in surprise, before he pulled away. When we broke, I motioned for Tempest, who was still watching us, to leave. He was near the door when Kelladain finally got a clue. He shook his head, blushing profusely, and said, "Jenna, no, not here."

"Then when?!" I retorted, my paranoid self acting up. I was like that after the death of my Lord, always worried what would be coming around the corner. Naturally I was worried I would never see him ever again. "We'll see each other again soon enough," he said as I looked to the floor, feeling miserable and disappointed.

He then went over to a dresser and pulled out a small bundle, and handed it to me. I gingerly unwrapped it and saw a stone shaped like a heart. "What's this?" I asked.

He explained that it was a heartstone. It would get warm the nearer he was, and get even warmer in the direction he was. I kissed him again, trying to stay with him as long as possible. I didn't want to leave, but I knew I had to. Soon enough we parted as Tempest and I left. Feeling it was the last time I'd ever see him, I clutched to the heartstone and wept softly as we left. Little did I know that I would see him again.

We left that afternoon, starting our journey for the temple. We camped in the woods that night, setting up watch for fear of lurking dragons. Around the middle of the night, there was rustling in the wood. The people on duty woke everyone up as we grabbed our weapons. We waited, ready to strike as it came closer. That was when I felt something warm against my leg. I reached into my pocket and pulled out the Heartstone. It was warm, almost as warm as flesh. Kelladain? As I held it in the direction of the rustling, it grew even warmer. It was him! Just as everyone was ready to strike, I moved forward dropping my gun. That was when Kelladain appeared, nearly tumbling to the ground as he emerged.

He was out like a light. He looked like he was just in a battle, some of his cloths cut and bloodied. I was worried. Being that Warriors are also trained in some field medicine, I instinctively began checking his wounds. I sighed after seeing nothing serious, then bandaged him up. He was probably exhausted. Kelladain slowly came around, groaning as his head rested in my lap. "You ok?" I asked as I looked at him worried.

He nodded weakly, looking around as everyone crowded over us. Tempest moved them back to give him some air. "What happened?" I asked the one question that was on everyone's mind.

"You were right, he exists," he said in a detached voice.

"Who does?" I asked.

"The man in black," he said painfully before closing his eyes, "He attacked my retinue, killing all the Warriors accompanying me, I barely escaped, but my horse didn't, it's dead on the road a ways back, with all my gear, I guess I can retrieve it in the morning, but I saw him, Jenna, you were right, it was Drascal."

I hated being right. And the man in black, Drascal, was after not only me, but Kelladain and my friends. This was all my fault. As I was about to speak, Draconhurst cut me off, and said, "Well, the watch is changing, Jenna and Kelladain, take this shift, everyone else go to sleep, we'll sort it out in the morning."

He muttered "if we live" before returning to his tent. Everyone else quickly dispersed, leaving the two of us. We sat quietly, saying nothing to each other. I glanced at him as we sat. He neither acknowledged my gaze, flinched, or looked back. He seemed detached, oblivious to my presence, almost cold. I blinked and looked away, before I broke the silence. "Are you going to be ok, with what happened?" I asked.

"I'll be fine," he said coolly. I placed my hand on his, trying to give him some comfort. He quickly withdrew his hand from my touch, and looked further away. I pulled my hand back and looked away, a little too hurt to look at him. Had it been that bad that he didn't want my comfort? Or was he upset at me for being the cause of this? I pondered this till our shift was over, then fell into a dreamless and fitful sleep. By the next morning it was official, Kelladain was finally joining the Dragon Hunters permanently. He didn't have a choice in it. He couldn't show his face in Vel society or face the man in black again. And after the attack, they would assume he was missing or taken, at worst feared dead. He retrieved his things, and after breakfast, we were traveling again.

During the journey to the temple, we had to travel through the northern mountains, home of Orcs and other nasties. We had to camp one night at a ranger station in the mountain. But the problem was all the rangers were murdered before we got there. The strange part was that it was very familiar to the murders at the Vel camp one year ago by then. Kelladain even said it was familiar to what had happened to his Warriors. At least that was what we thought. We managed to clean the place up enough to make it fit to stay for the night.

That night we were attack. Someone had planted a bomb on the side the cabin. Justina and Tempest went to check it out while the rest of us guarded the door. Several daggers, light spells, and a disarmed bomb later, whoever it was had left. The only casualties were Justina with a dagger in her leg, and Tempest's armor. What happened was whoever was out there threw a coil at Tempest. It latched onto his arm armor and dug thru it. He barely managed to pull it off before it cut through. We remained on watch the rest of the night.

The following morning started like any other. Everyone woke up and got ready to move. Breakfast was cold due to the haste of our flight. Almost all of us waited down in the main room, for Kelladain and Tempest to join us so we could leave. That was when the building shook, followed by the sound of splintering wood, and the clashing of swords. It was him, had to be. I bolted for the stairs, only to be blocked by Justina, who got there first. I arrived just in time to Drascal put a sword in Kelladain, and start searching him. Screaming, bounded over the railing and shot at him with my Tri Las Blaster. Totally unprepared, it hit him enough to knock him out the window. I was about to run over to Kelladain when I heard Bradock yell that Drascal was now downstairs. I looked to Justina as she knelt over him. She looked back and yelled, "Just go!"

I bolted back down stairs in time to see Drascal turn blue and fall. Someone had cast a death spell on him, but no one fessed up to it. But it was finally over. He was dead. The man in black was dead. I sighed and looked down, after so long. But I felt as if it wasn't over, like there was something still out there, as if I was wrong and the man in black was still out there. I looked back to the steps to see Justina helping Kelladain as he walked down. I rushed over to him, looking concerned. "I'll be ok," he said as he starred coolly and walked past.

I blinked and furrowed my brow. This wasn't like him. He was acting as cold as he was the night he was attacked. In fact he had been acting like that since I left his room that morning in Goldrimar. He was acting like he didn't care about me anymore. He should have hugged me or something but . . . I decided not to worry about it right now since we were getting close to the temple.

After burying Drascal we continued up the mountain to the temple, and arrived the next day. The temple was made of white marble, and was seated inside the volcano, held in place by heavy chains. The only way down as a special staircase that only appeared to those who were allowed. With the Unknown Soldier with us, we were to be able to get in. That is when we met the second guardian of Drexlar, the Arch Lich. Now before you start calling me crazy let say that again. He was an Arch Lich. But he wasn't evil. He looked big and bad with the black skull and bones, and the purple flames, but he was on our side. Part of being a guardian is having to live a long time, or having a way to pass on you abilities, so he turned himself into an Arch Lich. Go figure.

He took the dagger, and destroyed it in some special box that absorbed it's power. He then offered to let us stay for the night. Over dinner we explained our story. He then told us about the Wyrm. The Wyrm was the third guardian of Drexlar, sworn to protect the King of Drexlar after he was conquered by an old King of Drexlar, who strangely enough was also named Blade. The red dragon who was the Wyrm was getting very old, and wished to end his existence, but there was still a need for the third Guardian. So an egg was produced to become the new guardian, but during its transport to the temple, it was attacked and lost. The Wyrm was so enraged that he mounted an army of dragons to destroy Drexlar so he could finally rest.

That was where we came in. He said that there was a second egg out there somewhere, so he charged us with finding it, after we did some other things for him. He then said that the two remaining artifacts of Thacklos were surfacing in the country. Since we had successfully brought him one already, we should go get the other two. Justina, the champion of good, happily accepted for us to get the remaining artifacts, the Skull Staff and the Fang Cloak. Also to ease our worrying minds, he transported Veronica, Blade, and Thorn from the battle front at Drexlar Castle to the temple.

After the joyous reunion with our other friends, we were teleported the following day near the location of the first artifact, the Skull Staff. It was somewhere in a secluded but inhabited valley in Drexlar. We stayed in the local town, hearing rumors of a dragon attacking surrounding villages. Then talked to the local king about the staff. He said he didn't know anything, but we really didn't believe him too well. We investigated one of the ruined villages the following day, finding that it wasn't a dragon attack, but zombies. We even found some in one of the remaining buildings.

On our ride back to the town, we were attacked by the personal guards from one of the local magistrates. Just as we were about to be captured, the weirdest thing happened. A red dragon flew out of the sky and torched the guards. It was also ridden by a girl, the princess we had met the day before when we were talking to the local king. After they were all dead, it turned out that the princess was in love with the boy who was the dragon, and also a local fisherman. Of course, her father strongly disapproved. He had arranged for her to marry a local magistrate and wealthy man. It was his guards that had attacked us. She also said that he was acting weird one day after the village was attacked, holding a staff.

That confirmed the location of the Staff. So without waiting further, we went and took it back, but not before losing one of or companions, a druid named Kenny. He was of a tribe of Terrains, those that worshiped Terra the goddess of nature, who were called the Rutabagas. He was weird, but he was also surprisingly powerful. He died trying to stop the horde of zombies as we entered the tower with the staff. It was a hard blow for the group considering that he was around since the beginning of the siege of Goldrimar. It made me think of my own mortality. Even though I was a Vel, I was still able to die like the others, and that scared me since I still had the feeling that the man in black was still watching over me.

With staff under guard by Bradock, we buried Kenny with the seeds like he said, said our goodbyes to the princess and her dragon, and left for the temple. We decided to stay at the temple for the night after our return, and leave for the Cloak the following morning. In that night and the following day, my life changed forever.

The night started like any other. After dinner, I went to go mop about Kelladain in the room I shared with Justina. I sighed as I entered, flopping on the bed. Sometimes I just couldn't understand him. At Goldrimar I could have sworn he loved me, he sure kissed like he meant it, and even the first time he saw me, I swore he felt something. But now he acted like I wasn't even there. Then my paranoid self kicked into high gear. Maybe he didn't love me? Or maybe he never did? He never did say it. But he kissed me, he must have liked me at least a little. Maybe I was just pushing myself at him? Maybe he hated me? Maybe there was another girl? I wanted to cry.

He loves me and I know it, I repeated over to myself. I grabbed the heartstone out of my gear, and looked at it. I was sure that he hadn't given it to me without reason. I placed it down on the bed, thinking my next move. Now what was I going to do? I couldn't stand another night like this with all the worrying. Then the feeling that the man in black was still out there came over me. I knew he was out there. I knew it. And he would come back for me. I choked just thinking about it. I knew what I had to do. I had to go over there and say I loved him before anything happened.

As I was going to get off the bed, I remember what had happened today. The death of Kenny again reminded me of not only my own mortality but Kelladain's as well. We could die tomorrow couldn't we? The thought was like a thunderbolt. This could be our last night together. I was now more determined then ever to not only confirm my love for him, but show him what he meant to me as well.

As I was about to head out, I saw myself in the mirror, and grimaced. I looked terrible. My hair was a mess, and my cloths weren't that good either. I couldn't go like this. I looked out the window and into the sky. There was still light, but I had better go fast. Stripping, I ran into the bathroom, and took the fastest and most abrasive bath in my life. All wrapped up, I sprinted out and looked through my cloths. Everything was in need of a washing or was torn. I couldn't wear any of it. Fretting, I decided my next move. The answer was simple. I needed a dress. Now where would I find one?

If I asked Justina, she'd know what I was up to, so that was out. And Veronica wasn't my size. No way any of the guys would have a dress. There had to be a dress somewhere in this place. Then I got an idea. The Arch Lich. He had a ton of artifact and stuff. Someone could have given him a dress. Smiling brightly, I bounded off the bed and quickly dressed in the cleanest thing I had. I opened the door, and padded down the marble floor, trying not to attract too much attention.

I peeked into the rooms as I went, trying to find him. Then I noticed one with a purple cast on the white marble walls. It was him all right. I knocked softly on the wooden door. "Who is it?" he asked.

"Um, it's I, Jenna," I said nervously.

"Enter," he called back. I opened the door, walked through, and closed it softly. He looked at me, his jaw half opened, his way of smiling. "Now, what can I do for you, Lady?" he asked as he relaxed in a chair.

My natural reaction was to blush. "I don't know how to ask this, but I need dress, just for tonight?" I asked looking down.

"I believe I have something you can use," he said standing and walking to a large vault as he beckoned me to follow. I was floored, I really didn't expect that he'd just give me one without a series of question. He was nicer than I thought. I obediently followed him.

"It was the property of one of your own people," he continued as he looked through the racks, "It belonged to a Vel Queen, and she left it one night, along with other things."

I blushed, but a Vel Queen? There was no such thing. Most likely it was a Lordess. "Ah, here we are," he said pull out the gown.

And I nearly had a heart-attack. There was only one word to describe it, radiant. It was a simple design. Long-sleeved, a scooped neck, and looked like it clung to upper body before falling in cascades of fabric at the hips. But the really fascinating part was the materials. The neckline and wrist were banded in woven solid gold thread, and encrusted with sapphires and rubies. The rest of the dress looked and felt like silk, but the way it glowed pure white light, I knew it had to be something else. As he handed me the dress, I looked closer at the fabric. It was made of diamonds, woven diamonds.

"This is?" I asked, my voice trailing off. He nodded, and said, "Nothing a little enchantment can't do."

I smiled, and held the gown against me, seeing if it would fit. It looked like it would fit like a glove. I almost screamed with joy, but . . .

"I don't know, it seems a little too nice for me," I said looking at the dress in my hands. "Lady, there is a lonely man down the hall waiting for you, now get going," he said.

I blushed. He knew? I blushed further, all the way to the tips of my ears. He smiled to me in his own way, looking very pleased with himself. I smiled back, and said my thanks as I was about to leave. "I didn't mean now! Ow! You don't have anything to go with it!" he yelled at me.

I turned around and giggled. We walked back into the vault. Stopping at a jewelry chest, he pulled out a diamond collar and a pair of diamond earrings, and handed them to me. He then took a pair of white slippers from a rack. A row of small diamonds traced along the top, as the ribbons tieing them were shot with silver thread. I thanked him again, and with these treasures, walked back to my room, feeling a lot better.

Luckily by the time I was back, Justina was in bed and fast asleep. Hurriedly I changed into the gown, and placed on the jewelry and slippers. Before I left, I looked at myself in the mirror. I looked like a princess, but I didn't feel any different. The butterflies in my stomach were going at max flutter, hoping this would work. I looked back to Justina in the bed. She was lucky. She didn't have to win her man, hers was as loving as a puppy, and proved it on a daily basis, even if she didn't show him back. I sighed as I looked back into the mirror. Was I sure about this? This night could make or break my relationship with Kelladain.

I silently said a quick prayer to Nanai, goddess of love. Breathing deeply, I opened the door and looked out. No one, which was good since this dress would shine like a beacon in the darkness of the hall. Moving ever so quietly, I walked down the hall to his door. Was I ready for this? Did I know what to say? Now wasn't the time to be frightened. I was going to do this. With all my courage, I knocked.

Part II

After knocking, I wait for some sign of life from within. "Who is it?" his voice asked from in the room.

"It's me," I answered as the waiting started to make me more uneasy. I then heard the sound of rustling, and clanging metal. Probably his armor. I smiled at the thought. Then the door opened, and he appeared from the dark room.

Kelladain looked as immaculate as ever, but he was wearing only his Underskin, a body suit that was protection as well as underwear. It was somewhat indecent to be seen wearing only that, especially on him since it gave nothing to imagination. Naturally, I blushed to the tips of my ears, trying to look elsewhere. He, on the other hand, was visibly gaping at me. I couldn't tell whether it was from shock at my appearance, from liking my appearance, or if he was scandalized by my lack of wearing an Underskin. Standing there under his gaze, I felt absolutely naked. So I crossed my arms demurely and adverted my eyes to looking down the hall and away from him.

After a good minute standing there, I felt my nervousness rising and an eagerness to finally talk to him, even though I wasn't through the door yet. He apparently was stunned into silence, making me blush further. He was trying to find his voice as his mouth opened and closed like a fish. I couldn't help but giggle at his expression. I think the gown was working. Smiling, I asked him, "Can I come in? Or should I stay out here?"

"I, ah, um . . . one second please," he said finally, finding his voice as he blushed and hastily closed the door. I giggled when he was gone, marveling at the lack of his typical suave demeanor. The look on his face would make you think he'd never seen a Vel woman that dressed up before. Another clang of metal came from the room followed by the crash of metal hitting the marble floor. My mind began pondering what he was doing, and what his armor had to do with anything. My questions were answered as he opened the door again, now appearing in the bottom parts of his armor. I nearly giggled again but managed to squash it. "Are you all right?" I asked concerned because of his different choice in pants.

"Ya, er, yes . . . ah, please come in?" he asked blushing a bright red. He stepped aside, holding the door wide. Smiling, I walked into the center of the room, and looked around. Since he was special, he had his own room while the rest of us paired off. There was a large four post bed set against the right wall. All set for one to go to bed. Also on that wall was a closet, and next to that in the opposite corner was a small table. The room was dark, the only light coming from the moon as it shone through the window. The rest of room was sparsely decorated except for the door leading into the bath, and the pile of his gear that sat in the corner. Before closing the door, I heard him murmur the words to a silence spell, ensuring that there would be no ease-droppers. He seemed more composed as he closed the door, walked to the bed, and sat, retaining his royal demeanor. "What brings you to my door this night, my lady?" he asked smiling.

"I have been concerned about you lately, that is all," I said as I looked down. That wasn't all I wanted to say. He raised his eyebrow in my direction, then said, "Something is bothering you, I can tell it, now what is it?"

I didn't know how to tell him. I could see the words forming in my mind, but it would be terribly impolite of me to be so unkind. Yet he was the one being unkind to me. I looked back to him. He looked concerned, blinking now and then. I decided that I had better say it before he kicked me out.

"It's you, Kelladain, ever since we left the city of Goldrimar, it seems as if you have changed, you don't act the same around me," I looked down as I continued, "you haven't kissed me in months, or even came close to touching me in weeks. I'd like to know why. Was it something I did? If I ever did, I'm terribly sorry."

I looked down again as he sat there pondering. "It's not your fault, lady, I do care for you, and I never want to hurt you, so this is how it has to be for a while," he said coolly.

Not for a second did I believe him. He was hiding something. "Why?" I asked as the anger raised in my voice.

"I can't tell you," he said with a blank face. I shook my head. I wasn't leaving with that answer. My doubts on his real feelings for me came back. I had better ask him.

"I need to know Kelladain, do you like me or are you leading me on? This turn of events is making me doubt it," I said nearly choking on my words. I was deeply worried now. The same expression was written on his face. He looked like he was debating something within him as we fell silent. I was debating too. I knew I loved him, he could guess at it, but I never did tell him either. As I continued to think of what to say, the feeling for him since the accident with the dragon swelled in my chest with crushing agony. I knew that if I didn't tell him now, I never could again. Swelling with courage, I looked deep into his sapphire blue eye, and said what I want since he gave me the heartstone, "I love you, Kelladain."

He looked back at me, a mix of curiosity and awe playing across his face. His voice was caught again as he continued to look at me. I was worrying again, I shouldn't have said that, not to my lord, but it was the truth. I cared, no, loved him. I loved him so much, I'd die a happy girl saving him if he was in danger. I loved him so much it hurt to look at him, and hurt even more if I didn't. "I don't know what to say," he finally said.

I could feel the tears swelling in my eyes. I looked down again, trying not to look at him again. I should have seen it coming. I knew it. He didn't love me. Cared yes, but . . . maybe there was hope. I looked back at him, trying not to feel hurt. "Just say what you feel," I said wondering where I got that burst of courage.

He lowered his head again in debate. I sighed quietly with the feeling that his answer would not be good. But then his head snapped up, I could feel his eyes boring into me. "I love you, Jenna, I have loved you since I saw you that morning at breakfast . . . and I knew that I want to marry you," he said blushing when he finished.

"Marriage?" I asked out loud to myself. He nodded smiling from ear to ear. I was floored. I couldn't believe it. I had thought about it many of times, but I never thought he would ask while all this was still going on. It was all I ever dreamed of. "I accept," I said smiling back at him.

He then got off of the bed, and pulled me into his arms, planting a kiss on my forehead. I nearly was about to bounce around the room when I noticed he was being as cool as ever.

"What's wrong?" I asked as I went back into worrying.

"Nothing," he said trying to brush it off with a smile.

"You just told me you loved me, yet you still act like this?" I asked in disbelief, "I guess I got all dressed up for nothing then."

"Why are you dressed up?"

"Why do you think?"

"I don't know," he said blushing. As smart as he was, he didn't seem to understand women. I shook my head. "Kelladain, one of the reasons I'm here tonight was that I . . ." my voice trailed as I was suddenly nervous.

He nodded as I found my voice again, and said, "I wanna be with you . . . tonight."

"You mean . . ." as his voice trailed off too. He turned white. I couldn't tell why, but he turned white.

"Jenna, I love you but . . ." he said again shaking his head. I was annoyed. He just said that he wanted to marry me, that he loved me, yet he still rejected my advances. I thought I made it very clear when I came in here, dressed up like a princess. And he looked very happy to see me when he opened the door. So why was he rejecting me? Was he afraid to hurt me, or wanted to wait for the wedding? Then I thought about him again, the man in black, and if he was still out there. Besides, with the quest for the necromancer's artifacts and the dragons, it could only be a matter of time before . . .

"You don't get it," I said, "this could be the only chance we have at this, we could go into battle tomorrow, and one of us could be dead."

My paranoid side was taking over. "You remember I told you about what happened with the man in black and my lord?" I asked trying to jog him memory. He nodded. "Well any more I don't think he was Drascal, I think he's out there, waiting to find me and finish the job. I'm afraid that you would wake up one morning and I'd be dead where I slept! Or worse, you would be dead for being connected with me! We might not live to be married! This is the only place I feel safe in right now, and this could be our last night here," I said staring into his eyes, feeling as mine glazed over.

"You know that could never happen, I'd never let it!"

"And what if it did?! I can't bare the thought of living without you now that I found you."

"Jenna . . ."

"Please, Kelladain, we just agreed to get married, it's going to happen anyway," I pleaded with him. He looked at me, the ache plainly in his eye. He shook his head. I looked down, my tears welling up. I had failed. I felt like a fool. I wanted to go back to my room, tear all the finery off, and cry myself to sleep. Maybe even hide in there for a week and refuse to go after the Cloak. I tromped off to the door, my head bowed. As I was about to open the door, he grabbed my wrist and quickly turned me around to his face as my hair and gown flew.

I quickly closed my eyes shut. I didn't want to look at him right now as I felt the tears rolling down my face. I wanted to sob, but only whimpered as my body shook feeling weak. What did he want now? Couldn't he tell how much hurt he was causing me? He probably didn't want to talk to me again till morning or later. Maybe he thought that I was being selfish and self-centered? What was with him?! He said he loved me! I never should have come here tonight! I wanted to scream and get out of there, but I fought not to cry out.

Then I heard the clank of metal on marble, and felt his hand leave my wrist and his arms circle about my waist. What was he doing?! My mind screamed. Then his lips touch mine, his tongue entering my mouth and going for the back of my throat. My eye shot opened as I realize what was happening and kissed him back as my arms went around his neck. I then realized that what remained of his armor was gone, leaving him again in just his Underskin. His arms tightened around my waist as I felt myself being lifted off the ground, and backed into the door. My back hit the door as he pressed against me. His hands left my body to lean against the wall. I slipped my tongue into his mouth, racking his teeth as I moaned into the kiss. He then pulled away from me, panting heavily as I looked up at him.

"You have no clue of what you ask, Jenna," Kelladain said glaring at me with obvious want. He didn't move. Still pressed against me and leaning over, his face was inches from mine. I wanted to grab him again and prove him wrong. Although he seemed like he wanted to say something, but was having trouble putting it into words. "I thought I was being quite obvious," I said reluctantly removing my arms from him to cross them over my chest.

He growled, and pressed his hips hard against me as I felt a bulge touch my waist. I gasped, my jaw hanging wide open as then a moan escaped. "This is what you do to me, Lady, ever since I opened the door, I have not touched you in weeks because I feared of losing my control of myself around you, and right now I'm a little hard pressed," he said grinning.

I wanted to giggle, but managed to blush a deep shade of red. Regaining his seriousness, he continued, "I'm not joking any more, Jenna, if you want this you better be sure, cause if you're not ready for this, I'll regret it forever, I never want to hurt you, you know that, so what is it going to be? Leave and we will continue as normal till we get married," he said blushing deeper as he said married, "or stay, and I'll show you how much I love you."

Well, if I ever heard an offer I couldn't refuse, this was one. I felt I was ready for this or I wouldn't have had the courage to show up at his door this night. I wanted this to happen as much as he did. I slipped under his arms and walked to the table at the end of the room. I slowly undid the collar of diamonds from my neck and dropped them on the table. I then turned to him, and pulled off the earrings saying, "My beloved Kelladain, I made up my mind when I walked out of my room, and once I decide on something I stick to it, I love you, Kelladain, I want to be with you, and nothing is going to take me from this room tonight, not Draconhurst, nor Justina, nor the rest of the group, nor an army of dragons, nothing is going to stop me, including you."

I looked at him with as much determination as I could muster then turned away, putting the earrings on the table with the necklace. I then bent down and undid the slippers, placing them on the table as well. I looked back. He stood absolutely still as if waiting for something. I walked back to him, and then kissed his left cheek. I moved to touch his lips with mine but stopped an inch away, feeling his breath wash over my face. He then leaned closer, brushing his lips to mine in the faintest kiss. I nudged my nose against his cheek then touched his lips again with mine, kissing him longer.

His arms wrapped around me again, rubbing along my back and sides. I pulled my hands to the back of his neck, running my fingers though the black silken strands that was his hair as it was wrapped in a ponytail. I tugged to find the leather tie to the ponytail and succeeded, pulling the tie and tossing it as his hair fell. All the while, he proceeded to kiss my cheek and worked down my neck as I felt my temperature rise. I leaned my face into the crook of his neck, deeply inhaling his scent as he gained access to the back of my neck and hair. He smelled of spice, a mixture that made me wonder if he tasted as good as he smelled. I blushed at that thought as I felt him pluck a couple locks of my hair and raised it to his nose, inhaling deeply. He smiled as he figured out what shampoo I used since my hair always smelled of lavender.

I pulled back, and looked at his face again, lazily running my finger through his hair. He smiled, and kissed me again. His tongue sought out mine, entwining the both of them. I moaned into his mouth as I pressed myself against him. His hands became more daring as he griped my rear end and squeezed. I squealed, rising high on my toes. He seemed to be enjoying himself, even though he just tried to kick me out. I was still angry at him, and the pain still hurt. My mind started working, trying to find a way to make him feel very sorry. I had a plan, but for it to work his hands had to stop.

Not really wanting to, I clasped his wrists while I continued to kiss him, and pulled them from my body. He made a curious noise in the back of his throat then tried to overpower me till I began backing him toward the bed. I broke apart from him, panting heavily. "Sit," I said in a commanding voice.

He obediently complied, sitting on the side of the bed. I smiled, kissed him again, and reached around his neck to find the closure to his Underskin. Just as I was going to pull it down, I felt his hands again, busily pulling my gown up past my shins. I moved back from him and pulled his hands away again. He furrowed his brow, looking at me with a mixture of hurt and confusing. "No touching," I said as he looked at me upset.

Well, he looked that way till I leaned over and kissed him again, my tongue plunging into his mouth. I could feel his arms twitch under my hands, resisting the urge to touch me. I giggled to myself in satisfaction. My hands moved back around his neck as I kissed down his neck. I found the zipper, and quickly pulled it down, feeling the fabric loosen. I ran my hands back to his neck as the muscles of his back twitched, then slowly began to peel the fabric from his shoulders. His skin was as golden tanned as his face, and just as smooth, which sent a thrill of possessiveness through me.

I rubbed his shoulders, feeling the strength in them as he eagerly leaned into my hands. I then removed my hands, and grabbed the wristband of left arm of his Underskin, holding it tight. He gingerly pulled his arm free, then his right as I grabbed that band as well. I traced my fingers along the muscles of his arms. They were full of power, and not an ounce of fat on them. My mother said these were the signs of a great swordsman, which was why she married my father. But there was one more thing. I kneeled down, pulling his hand to my face. I looked at his fingers and palms, admiring their length and the small furrows in the skin from years of battle and wear. This, my mother said, was the sign of an artist, or a man with many skills.

Gazing at his hand like this, I thought back to my days training with other female warriors, and listening to their experiences, specifically the ones of a sexual nature. I was the only one among them that hadn't been with another male. Thus, they took it upon themselves to educate me in their experiences. I thought back to their stories and blushed, then decided to use a technique used by a friend. I licked his palm. He chuckled, then promptly stopped when I took his middle finger and slipped it into my mouth. I looked up to his face, which held a smile of bemusement and curiosity. I wrapped my tongue around his finger then sucked. I felt the bed move as he shifted uncomfortable, and grunted. I looked up at him again. His frustration was plain to see. I continued my work, rolling my tongue around his sensitive finger. He groaned, his head falling back as he pleaded with me to continue.

I giggled, pulling his finger out of my mouth. I then proceeded to kiss my way up his arm to his neck as he groaned again. At the base of his neck I stopped, sucking lightly on his skin as he moaned appreciatively. I gripped the fabric of his Underskin, tugging it down his chest and abdomen. He hissed as the backs of my hands grazed his skin, as if their touch was burning him. I looked down admiringly at the newly exposed skin, and the muscles that twitched under it. Again, golden tanned perfection. His whole chest was as powerful as his arms, but not bulky with a thin layer of fat left to pinch. His nipples were a dusty brown, and fully erect, tensed by the closeness of my hands. The whole of his upper body was hairless, and of the hair that was there, they were blond to go with the tan.

I gently pushed at his shoulders, silently telling him what to do. He leaned back, resting back on his elbows to look at me. I could see his muscles ripple as he moved, making my eyes widen and my breath quickened. He grinned back at me, noticing my situation. I winked back, then leaned over to kiss him again. I rolled my tongue in his mouth as he answered back with his, still resisting the urge to touch me. We pulled apart, panting heavily, as I kissed my way to his cheek then his jaw, and back down to his neck. My hands quickly found themselves caressing his chest, the hard nubs of his nipples rubbing against my palms. His voice cried out, followed by a series of moans. From his neck, I licked my way to the place of my hands, tasting the salt of his sweat.

I gently flicked my tongue across one of his nipples as I rolled the other between my fingers. He called my name with his breathless voice as I saw the sweat pour from his brow. I continued playing with him, enjoying the way his skin tasted, and the way my name rang out with each lick. I giggled to myself at his agony and frustration, till I realized at I was beginning to get hot and bothered as well. I continued to kiss my way down his body, and past his abdomen to his navel, having to sit on my legs to reach it. I seductively licked the outer edge, enticing chuckles mixed with groans. "Stop! I'm ticklish there!" he yelled between chuckles.

I smiled wickedly back at him, and asked, "Where else are you ticklish?"

"Why don't you find out?" he retorted with a feral grin. I blushed yet again, multiplied by the frantic beating of my heart, wondering what he meant. I decided to move on, rising to my knees. I reached behind him, hugging his torso as my hands slipped downwards. I reached into the Underskin, and roughly grabbed both cheeks of his rear end, squeezing them. I always wanted to do that to Kelladain, especially the way his butt wiggled when he walked. It was by far the area on him that had the most fat, but even then I could squeeze it lightly and still feel the muscle underneath it move. The touch made him gasp as he raised himself off the bed. Seizing the moment, literally, I peeled the Underskin off from under him, and pulled it down his legs. All the while, I purposefully didn't like up at him, knowing I'd get to it later.

I finally pulled the Underskin off of him totally, and dumped it on the floor. Then I pulled off his socks, and tossed them to the pile. Above me, he sighed happily to be free from the binding cloths. Well, he sounded happy till I kiss the back of his left knee, further adding to his dilemma. He moaned again, louder as I moved up his leg. Then I looked up, and there it was. It was the only manhood I'd seen in my life, and is probably the only one I ever will. It was nestled in a thin bush of tight black curls of hair that looked like wisps of smoke against his tan skin. It looked normal from what I learned in school, but what surprised me was it's size.

From the stories I had heard, most of the Vel men were small, average around 6 inch or shorter. I don't know why, but it was part of their anatomy. Kelladain, on the other hand was slightly larger than that, a good 7 inches roughly. I was scared. I didn't expect him to be as big, yelled the part of my mind that also told me that it doubted if he would even fit. The other part of my clouded mind was overjoyed and telling how this was a good thing. Ten guesses which half was saying which.

I tentatively touch him with my right hand before quickly pulling it away. I heard him groan in frustration. Getting curious, I touched it again, staying my hand there, and felt it twitch. It felt like the silk of my dress, yet it was warm and as hard as the marble I was kneeling on. I felt the blood pulse through it as I also felt my blood pump harder. I slowly raised my hand over it as it twitched, and as he let loose a chorus of moans. I think I was on to something. I lowered myself to sit on my shins to get a better look. I starred at the thing as my hand lazily rubbed along its length, enticing more cries from him. Of everything I learned about it, I still wondered one thing. Unconsciously I licked my lips, then leaned closer, and breathed on it softly as I heard him gasp then pant heavily. I blinked, and licked the head of it. Kelladain groaned, throwing his head back as a bead of white liquid formed at the tip. Now I knew I hit something.

He looked like he was in agony, but was throughly enjoying himself. I decided to try something else. I wrapped my lips over the head and lightly sucked, tasting the white liquid as more of it formed. He moaned louder, crying my name. He liked it, so I pulled off hearing his moaning protests, which turned into sighs as I licked my way down to the base of his shaft, then licked up. At this point I was lost on what to do next.

Then I thought back to another one of the stories from my friends. I grinned at him as he stared back utterly perplexed. I cleared my throat then popped the head back into my mouth to hear him moan. I then began to take as much of him into my mouth as I could. When I was almost near the end, I felt him reach the back of my mouth. I relaxed the muscles in my throat as best I could, tilting my head back, and pushed him down. He slid the rest of the way down my throat, the end of his shaft at my nose along with all the hair.

It was a struggle keeping him there without choking or gagging. Then some wisps of hair brushed against my nose. It tickled so I giggled. The noise reverberated over him as I looked up to see his eyes roll back in his head and a loud moan escaped his lips. He was crying my name again in anguish as his hips tried to trust up to my mouth. Luckily my arms were seating in his lap, pinning him down. He looked down at me, and asked huskily, "Jenna, what are you doing?!"

I couldn't really answer him at the time, so I showed him. I tightened the muscles in my neck and swallowed. He nearly screamed, yelling my name. "Jenna! Stop! Do it again, and I'm gonna!" Kelladain yelled before I cut him off with another swallow.

This time he did scream, shuddering as he flopped back onto the bed. I think I broke him. I felt him twitch violently in my mouth, so I quickly pulled away, leaving the head still in my mouth. Hot liquid then began to pour into the back of my mouth. I nearly gagged, but managed to swallow it all before it could even pool. He soon stopped as I pulled off of him, his taste still in my mouth. It was bitter but with a salty quality that I seemed to like. I licked my lips again, savoring the taste. As he came down, he looked at me with a mix of awe and shock. I blushed, my arms rising to cross my chest as I felt his gaze running over me. He slowly rose to leaning on one elbow, and said, "That was. . . ."

He trailed off, blushing as he looked utterly perplexed. I giggled, then answered for him, "Erotic?"

He nodded vigorously. I giggled again. "How did you know to do that?" he asked bluntly.

"My friends were more experienced than me, and would tell me about what they did to their boyfriends, I just picked up a thing or two," I said looking down as I innocently brushed my feet together, "So, are you sorry you almost kicked my out tonight?"

I half smiled, thinking of his answer. "Jenna, I'm no longer going to regret what we do tonight if you don't as well," he said sounding so heartbroken that I wanted to hug him until his pain went away, but he continued, "What I do regret is that I was so blind these past months to the way you felt, for that I'm sorry for whatever heartache you went through."

My smile faded at his words as my heart burst with pride over those same words. For the first time in months I felt at peace about my relationship with him. I felt that I loved him more than ever for just being who he was that night, the man I loved.

I looked back at him. The expression on his face had changed, specifically in his eyes. Ever since I entered the room, his eyes shone with bemusement and the love he had for me, but now his eyes were purely feral, shining with desire in the moonlight. I stood absolutely still, my eyes locked with his. I suddenly felt like a wounded bird staring at the teeth of a large cat, about to be devoured. If I had any left qualms about staying that night, they were gone under his gaze. I swallowed hard, feeling the temperature rise around me, feeling a warmth in the pit of my stomach, and all from just his look.

He rose off the bed, and stood before me, towering over me. I looked up at him, my eyes shining in the moonlight. His gaze softened, now that of pure love. I smiled, closing my eyes as his breath washed over my face, and his warmth radiated through me. Then he kissed me, pulling me up into his arm. I wanted that moment to last forever. I felt that there was no better place to be than in his arms at that moment. To just be near him. To feel him pressed against me. To feel like I was a part of him as he was of me. But at the time we only had that one night to be together, and it was quickly slipping away.

We broke apart, both of us panting heavily. He kissed my cheek, working his way back from there to my ear. He slowly licked from the outer edge of my earlobe, and up to the very tip. One of the most sensitive parts on a Vel was their ears, and his tongue was doing wonders on mine. I moaned uncontrollably, pressing myself against him as I stood on my tiptoes. With each lick as he went lower, I groaned in frustration, squirming in his grasp. He then kissed down my neck, sucking on the skin. I cringed, knowing that the mark he was leaving would be there a while, and hoping no one, namely Justina, would notice it in the morning.

All the while, his hands glided down my back to rest just above my hips. He then grabbed my butt, softly kneading it with his hands through the fabric of my gown. I squealed, jumping in his hands. He chuckled before moving his hands forward to my stomach. I sighed happily as his hand continued to move up to my chest. I held my breath then as he gently cupped my breasts. He rolled his hands over them, softly kneading the flesh through the fabric. I bite my lower lip, trying to hold back the feeling as I pressed eagerly into his roaming hands. He grinned back to me, looking as feral as he did when he rose from the bed. I moaned, surrendering to him as I pressed further against him.

Then his hands disappeared. I groaned, frustrated as I slowly sank in his arm. He kissed me again as his hands were suddenly at the back of the gown, reaching for the zipper. I grinned as I ran my finger back through his hair, breathing heavily. He slowly pulled the zipper down ever so slowly, biding his time. I squirmed under his touch. He was doing this on purpose. I could hear him chuckle at my dilemma. I decided to add to his as I innocently raked my hands over his chest, just grazing his nipples. He grunted, finally pulling the zipper down to the small of my back. I felt the fabric loosen. I smiled, happy to be rid of it's constricting feel. I then sighed as he gently ran his fingers over my back. "Forget to wear something?" he asked with a curled grin.

"It didn't go with the dress," I hissed through my teeth as he pulled my arms off of his neck. The dress then fell off my shoulder and down my chest, revealing to him my upper body. I blushed, suddenly feeling hot as he openly starred. I pulled my arms out of the dress as it continued to fall, resting at my navel. He tentatively replaced his hands on my shoulders, running his hands down my arms. I flinched, feeling his fingers glide effortlessly to my hands. I squirmed feeling the warmth in my stomach redouble its fire. Could he do this just by touching my arms? I pondered this thought, wondering if his hands felt as good in other places. I moaned, feeling hotter at that thought as well.

His hands left my arms and moved up to my chest. My overworked mind screamed with joy at the thought of what he was about to do. I panted more, heaving my chest as his hands stayed just inches from them. He sat back down on the bed, pulling me closer at the hips as he was now completely face to, um, breasts to sort of speak. I could feel the blood pounding in my veins as my skin turned a shade of pink mixed with my ivory complexion. I placed my hands in his head, running my fingers back through his hair while silently nudging him onward. He solemnly licked the valley between my chest. I moaned pressing his head closer to me. His hand then captured a swollen nipple, rolling it between his fingers as I threw my head back and cried his name.

Then his mouth was near where his hand was, sucking lightly on the outside skin that was just a fraction of an inch near my aureole. He then lightly licked the nub causing me to moan louder. I gritted my teeth, the sensations running through my mind like a fever. I felt on fire, burning under the ministrations of his mouth and fingers. I arched my back as I pressed myself into his mouth, crying his name again. I could feel the liquid falling down my legs, all from his touch. He continued his near torture, at least that's what it felt like. I was possessed, nearly mad from his touch, writhing in his grasp. I wanted him to continue, pulling on his hair to make him go down further. "Kelladain, please!" I pleaded between moans.

He looked up at me, grinning like he just won a prize, or like a tiger that was about to swallow his prey whole, then slid off the bed to kneel at my feet. I groaned inwardly, feeling like I just created a monster. He kissed his way from my chest to the bottom of my ribs. As his hands glided over my skin, I squealed as they rubbed over the sides of my lower ribs. Letting loose a fit of giggles, I tried to wiggle out of his grasp, pleading him not to do that again. "Ticklish?" he asked with a broad grin as he tickled me again.

I squealed and kicked him in the thigh as he chuckled. I looked at him cross. That kind of killed the mood. I pouted and averted my eyes as he stopped his chuckles and nuzzled my stomach. I blushed as a wave of warmth resurfaced. I whimpered as he traced around my navel, and stopped to look up at me. He looked like he was sorry, his eyes reading of love and desire. I brushed my hand over the top of his head, wanting to lower myself to him and kiss him again. I licked my lips just thinking again of his kisses.

His hands snaked back to the zipper of the gown. He then pulled it all the way to the end as the gown finally slid off my hips to pile on the floor. I gingerly stepped out of it as he picked it up, and threw it across the room to float into the pile of already discarded cloths. He looked back to my face, then moved down, scanning my body with his eyes. I could tell he greatly approved as his eyes were as wide as a Vel child just receiving a present he always wanted. I blushed as his hands ran over my smooth legs, coated lightly with blond hairs as was the rest of me. The palms of his hands traced my curves as if mapping them for his memory. I moaned happily, wiggling to press into his questing fingers.

He looked back to my face, as if seeking an answer to an unspoken question. I smiled and nodded to him as I parted my legs slightly. That was all the urging he needed. He nuzzled his nose into the bush around my mound, inhaling my scent. I heard him chuckle from where he was. I guess he found out my secret which was that I was a true natural blond. I felt more liquid creep out as he lowered himself to sitting on the floor. He then began to lap up the honey as it trailed down my legs, and his tongue moving closer up to its source. I panted heavily, the feeling trying to register in my brain. The closer he got the louder I got till he I felt his nose nuzzled the outer lips of my womanhood. I gasped, unconsciously pushing my hips down. He looked back to my face again, the desire shining in his eyes. I moaned throwing my head back as I felt his breath tingled the hairs.

He then licked up the slit, lapping away my juices while he briefly grazed my clitoris. I nearly screamed as I felt the strength leave my bones. I fell forward, barely standing as my hands reflexively planted themselves on the bed. I was panting as if I had just run a mile, the sweat pouring from my brow. I slowly rose back up, grabbing onto one of the bed post for support. I was tense as he looked to me. "You might want to hold onto something," Kelladain said playfully as he lowered his gaze back to my womanhood.

I grabbed the post in a death grip, steadying myself for the oncoming wave of sensations. I felt his tongue again licking the outside. I groaned, pressing myself further into his mouth. Not one to refuse such an offer, he eagerly brought his fingers around, and separated my folds. I cried his name as I felt his tongue plunge into my depths, sucking on the honey that poured out. My hips thrust downwards, trying to push his tongue further inside. I screamed, the feelings clouding my already choked mind, trying to memorize each feeling.

It was getting to be too much. I didn't feel, I was on fire. The warmth in my stomach intensified, blazing like an inferno over my skin. I could hear my heart pound over my cries, pumping right into my ears. I thrashed as he continued to plunder my canal, wiggling his devious tongue into every crevice. I felt I was close, but not close enough to be thrown over the edge. I screamed in frustration, pushing against him harder. He then pulled away, licking his way up to my clitoris. I was close, very close. My mind screamed this as my chest heaved.

It wasn't even two licks till I went rigid, scream his name as loud as I could, and felt the fire in my stomach finally explode. I felt my body shudder and tremble as the feelings soared through me. The liquid poured out of me and into his eager and lapping mouth. I came down, feeling like I had just won a footrace. I felt like I was being drained of my strength, my mind turning into a pile of mush as it worked overtime to record what just happened. I moaned, leaning against the post for much needed support.

Kelladain squirmed his way out from under me and stood, pulling me around him. I looked at him lazily, placing my trembling hands around his neck as I felt my knees finally gave way. He effortlessly scooped me up as I fell. I leaned closer to him, nuzzling my face into the crook of his neck. He climbed onto the bed, and deposited me in the center of the feather soft bed, gently placing me down. I felt exhausted, but I still wanted to continue. I kissed him, running my tongue into his mouth, tasting myself in a lingering aftertaste. I then grabbed his manhood as it proudly stood out to rest on my leg.

He groaned into our kiss then broke away, looking deeply into my eyes. He was asking the silent question again. I nodded looked deep into his sapphire blue eyes. I laid back and separated my legs, looking at him with a heavy dose of desire. He slowly climbed between them, the head of his member twitching against my opening. He leaned down and kissed me before I felt my folds separate to his entrance. I moaned into his mouth as he slowly pushed in. Then he hit the barrier. I yelped, pulling my hips away from the pain. His eyes shot open as I pulled away. He jaws hung open in shock. "But I thought . . . we better stop," he said solemnly as he began to reluctantly pull out.

I wanted to scream in frustration, but instead I wrapped my legs around his waist to lock him in. He looked back to me annoyed as he furrowed his eyebrows. "Kelladain please, this would have happened anyway," I pleaded with him looking hurt.

He looked like he was debating it as he began to try to pull out again. I held him fast. "We've been over this already, this could be our only shot at this, please," I pleaded again as my voice cracked. I was desperate. After we had come so far tonight, was he still debating whether he would try and throw me out again. I wanted to cry. Why did he always have me so frustrated?!

He looked to my face as I saw the ache there. I guess he finally figured out how much hurt was doing with his protests, which he thought were in our best interests. He closed his eyes, and said softly in a pained voice, "This is going to hurt, tell me if it's too much."

"I understand," I said, nuzzling his face as I wove my arms around his back. I tried to invoke my love for him, to comfort him, to make him feel better about the coming actions. He gently patted my head before he did it. In one swift motion, he jerked forward as the barrier shuddered and tore away. I bite my lip to keep from howling my pain. My eyes misted over as I closed them. The last thing I needed now was for him to regret this. He stopped moving, continuing to pat my hair till I looked back to his face and nodded. I lurched my hips forward, finally taking him all the way inside me. I moaned as I arched my back, accommodating to his intrusion. He seemed more pleased by my response as he pulled out and rammed back in. I gasped, tightening my legs around him.

He continued, quickly finding a rhythm. I could feel my heart pound, threatening to beat out of my chest or stop all together. I thrust my hips back to meet his movements. Each movement brought another wave of sensations coursing through my already overworked nerves. I breathed erratically, each breath ending in a cry. The fever spread through me, searing my skin. Even the slightest touch was a shock of sensations. I was getting close as I gripped his rear end. I could tell he was also. His face locked into a look of unwavering determination. His hands gripping the sheet into balls as sweat poured all over him.

I felt it coming, and in within a second I was lost. I screamed, crying his name as my nails raked his butt, leaving red welts and in places breaking the skin. The rest of me thrashed wildly against him as my vision blazed white hot. As soon my nails broke his skin, he screamed as well, burying himself in me as my walls gripped him in a silky embrace. He shuddered against me as I felt his member pump into me, the liquid hitting the back of my entrance.

Then it was over. My dream since I met him had actually happened, and I was relieved, exhausted, but relieved. It was everything I ever thought it would be. Even at that moment, I knew my life had just changed forever. I was suddenly not alone anymore. I had him, my fiancee. Fiancee? I blushed at the thought. He was mine? I still could barely believe it as my mind screamed back joyously that yes he was mine. And I hoped that was the way it would always be. I didn't want to ponder my, our future at that moment, bathing in the euphoria of it all.

He leaned over me resting on his elbows as not to crush me. We starred into each other's eyes as we both came down and regained our strength. He looked finally and sincerely happy since I walked into this room. He pulled out of me, much to my protests, and laid back down on his side to face me. I snuggled against him, feeling his warmth spread through my now cooling skin. He looked at me very contently with a peaceful smile. I smiled back turning to face him. "Was it worth it?" I asked him, my mind finally getting back to normal.

"Was what worth it?" He asked, perplexed by my question. I smiled, "Was it worth it for me to come here tonight?"

He looked at me like I just said the most obvious question he ever heard. I giggled. He looked too funny not to. His chuckled and shook his head. "I think you should be asking yourself that, Lady," Kelladain said as he rested his head on a pillow, "You're the one that came over here tonight."

He smirked. I snickered back. I sighed, and said as the words flowed to me, "It was worth it, cause I finally know what was bothering you these past months, and your feelings, for that peace of mind and for you, any risk is worth it."

I hugged him as I said this, my heart swelling as it threatened to burst for with my love for him. He snuggled the top of my head, whispering my name. Everything about this night seemed right. So right that I wanted to cry from sheer happiness. Had I finally found it? Happiness? My life had been so plagued before this night. The death, the destruction, and all the pain. Had I finally at long last found happiness in the arms of my love? It felt like heaven being with him. If that night was heaven, I never wanted it to end. More questions for a troubled mind. I pondered this, but I wanted to get back to the discussion at hand. "Now answer my question, dear," I said looking into his eyes with a grin.

"I have gained you as my wife tonight, my love, for me that is worth anything, and also I want to thank you for having the courage you had to come here tonight and put up with my blind stupidity, I now regret how stupid I was acting and am very glad I was smart enough to not turn you out this night," he said before I cut him off.

"Yet you nearly did turn me out," I said gruffly before adding while I looked hurt, "almost twice."

He blushed looking awful. Me and my big mouth. You shouldn't have said that, part of my mind said. I wanted him to be happy, didn't I? If he was happy I was as well. He looked back at me, his eyes shining like a hurt puppy. The same part of me wanted to hug him so bad, to make him feel better. But still, he neglected me for months, all for some stupid reason. He didn't even tell me he loved me till tonight. For that I was angry, but still, I couldn't stay mad at him forever. Then I'd be just as bad as him. "I'm sorry," he said frowning.

Any resistance left crumbled. I had my satisfaction in his love, and for me that was enough. I surrendered, and said, "You're forgiven, just don't forget who came here tonight."

"There's no way I'm gonna forget this night," he said, flashing a bright smile. And I thought I changed moods quickly. I giggled. He was acting too cute at the moment not to. "Good," I retorted as I kissed him on the cheek then sat up to get off the bed.

Just as I was going to get up, his hand grabbed my shoulder. "Where do you think you're going?" he asked sounding perturbed.

"Back to my room," I answered blinking. He pulled me back as I yelped and fell against him. "What's the big idea?!" I shrieked as his arms locked around my waist.

He chuckled, and said, "You said you wanted to spend the night."

He was right, those weren't my exact words, but he was still right. Damn, not only was he cute, but he was convincing too. Maybe that's why he was a Lord, cause he acted like a sneaky official. I giggled at the thought. No, he was too sweet to be one. My mind flew back to what I would do in the morning. I knew I was bruised, and the hickey was a dead giveaway. Great. Now what would everyone say in the morning? I sighed, I knew Justina would be on my back about this, being miss goody two shoes about my behavior. Draconhurst would be crossed at the both of us for breaking his damned rules. I decided to forget the both of them, Justina had a man, and Draconhurst broke his own rules with Veronica. I snuggled my back against Kelladain's chest, deciding it was better to stay the night.

As I wiggled against him, I felt something poke my butt. I yelped as I heard him groan. I quickly sat up to see what it was. Just as I had expected, his member was standing tall yet again. I looked to him grinning as he rolled his eyes. Talk about stamina. It was just a couple minutes ago when we finished. I blushed, staring at the little beast as it twitched under my sight. I leaned closer hoping to stare it into submission. It wasn't working as Kelladain wiggled, trying to get up. "I'll take care of it," he said as rose and sat on the edge of the bed.

My body was responding his presence again. My skin suddenly flushed. Even though I was tired, my body was still getting the better of me. It called for me to stop him, and part of me agreed with it. I couldn't resist. Just he was about to get up, I placed my hand on his erection. He groaned and quickly sat back down. "What is it?" he asked sounding pained as I traced my finger over his body.

"If I don't leave the bed, neither do you," I said grinned mischievously. It wasn't me, I swear! But then again it was part of me. I blushed.

"But, but, but," he protested as my hand went back to resting on his member. I could see the indecision in his eyes, so I decided to make the decision for him, well I didn't, my hand did. I began pumping his shaft in my hands. He whimpered before laying down on his back. Normally I wouldn't be doing this, but my prudence had flow out the window just as my gown had flown across the room. I was a changed woman, and it was all his fault!

I grinned unthinkingly, quickly straddling his hips. His eyes went wide. "Jenna! No! Not so soon! You would be walking right for days after this!" he screamed trying to wiggle free, but not really trying hard at all.

"Do I look like I care?" I asked before I impaled myself onto him. He groaned finally surrendering to the emotions running through him. At this point I was possessed yet again. I couldn't have even cared if the whole group suddenly walked in on us, nor would I stop if they did. I rolled my hips, rising and falling in a rhythm while on his lap. My hands rested on his chest, raking his tender flesh. Slowly my skin turned back into fire, all my hairs tingling with the slightest move. I leaned forward, kissing him long and hard. He grunted, pounding up to meet my movements. His hands grabbed my breasts, slowly kneading them against his palms.

I could feel my control breaking down, I pressed against him, each time harder and faster than the last. With each passing moment, my world turned whiter as the fire in my stomach burned brighter. It was only a matter of time. Then I howled his name, thrashing above him before I flew over the edge and spiraled downwards. I could feel the liquid pour out, drenching my legs. I looked to his face as he gritted his teeth, holding a locked grip on his emotions as my walls tried milking his manhood.

I felt then suddenly detached for a second, coming down from the high peak. I pondered on the way he looked at that moment. The way he looked made me feel like a goddess. He looked like he was in the utmost heaven or hell, in divine agony. He looked like he wanted this torment to end, yet he looked like he also wanted it to continue. And here I was on top of him, deciding the fate of this beautiful man. To me, for that moment I had power, the power to make or break him. It was a funny thing, a warrior having power over her lord. It was that satisfaction that made me feel like a goddess, like the most desirable woman on this rock of a planet. And all because this beautiful creature was all mine. But then again I was all his as well.

My little revelry ended as I felt him redouble his efforts and pound into me as fast and as hard as ever. I was still hyper sensitive from my last climax so it didn't take much for me to leap over the edge again. My breath shuddered as I shook, feeling myself succumb again to my desire. I cried his name again as he joined me, filling the room with our cries. My walls clamped onto him again as he thrust as much as he could into me, filling my canal. Panting, I came down, suddenly feeling limp. Trembling, I slowly moved forward to rest my lighter body on his chest. I smiled as I felt his heart pumping in his chest. I looked up to his face as he smiled serenely. "Is it always going to be like this?" I asked innocently.

"I hope not, I might not last long," he said chuckling. I giggled feeling his laughter ripple through his chest. We remained that way for a few minutes just listening to the breathing of each other. Then his now flaccid manhood popped out of me and remained that way for the rest of the night. I felt tired. I couldn't move a muscle even if my life depended on it. I hoped I wasn't too heavy for him. I looked up to his face for some answer only to see his eyes closed as he had drifted off to sleep. I smiled, laying my head down as I was content to stay where I was for the rest of the night. Soon enough, sleep claimed me I as remained on top of his chest till morning.

I slept peacefully till before dawn. I was chilled awake as a breeze blew through the room. I guess I forgot the covers. I blinked, realizing where I was and what had happened the night before, I sighed contently just thinking about it. I looked up to his face. Kelladain was still sleeping as sound as a baby. I smiled, lazily twisting a strand of his hair between my fingers. I then realized that I had better get going before we were found out. As I was about to climb off him, I heard him groan. There went my getaway. I looked to him again as he wiped his eyes, trying to wake up. He then peered at me smiling lazily. I grinned back, trying to roll off of him but his arms held fast.

He kissed me, pulling me closer. As sweet as it was, I couldn't let this continue. I pulled away to hear him whine. I pouted back to him, sighed, and said, "We can't stay here all morning remember."

He sighed, releasing his hold on me as I rolled off. He then slowly sat up, stretching his back. I continued watching him as he stood, and walked for the other side of the room to the bathroom. Judging from the way he looked and walked, he was going to start a bath. And judging from the way I felt, I could use one as well. As he walked away I noticed several red mark displayed well against the tan skin of his rear end. I blushed. I guess I was a little too hard, huh? I giggled as I ran my hands over the hickey that proudly stood out on the ivory skin of my neck. It was one for one I guess, only mine was much more noticeable.

I sat up. Every muscle in my body ached, even ones I didn't know to exist. Just as I was about to start stretching, I heard running water from the bath room. I sighed, just thinking of how good the water would feel on my aching muscles. I moved from the center of the bed to sitting on the edge, waiting for his return. It was nearing close to dawn, the sky already turning pink. A few minutes later, I heard the water stopped and saw him walk back out. He moved right back to the bed and leaned over me, his face inches from mine. He offered me his hand, bowing ever so gently. I giggled as he kissed the back of it, then place my arm around his neck. I kissed him, place my other arm around him as well.

His own arms slithered over my legs and back. With a yelp from me, he swiftly had me in his arms, and strode into the bath. The one thing I liked about the baths in this place was how big they were. The tubs were solid marble, and were built into the floor with slightly raised steps leading into them. They also had enough room to roughly fit three bather, or two quite nicely. Kneeling, he slowly lowered me into the water. I sighed as I entered, each inch bringing relief for my tired muscles. Once I was in, he quickly removed his hands as I wiggled around in the tub, trying to get comfortable for a good long soak. I looked to him as he remained outside the bath, just kneeling beside it. I blinked, then asked him, "Aren't you going to join me?"

"I think you better bathe in peace, I'll just watch," he said nodding in agreement.

"But you'll get a better view from the tub," I said grinning from ear to ear. My body was fooling my mind again, besides we only had so much time left and I intended to make the most of it. He groaned then chuckled, shaking his head no. I smirked, then got an idea. I rose out of the tub to kneel in front of him, the water dripping off of me as I stopped inches from his face to breathed heavily. He blushed. I gently traced a finger on the head of his manhood as it sprung to life in my hands. He whimpered as I grinned. "Now do you wish to join me?" I asked again.

"You're evil," he said frowning. I pouted playfully. "I thought I was a good girl," I said placing my hands on my hips. "About as good as a Nanain priestess," he said smirking.

I gawked. Nanain priestesses were know for being highly skilled in the art of erotica, and known to do services for large amounts of money. I blushed, not knowing whether it was a compliment or if he was making fun of me. I didn't care, my blood was growing hotter just looking at him sit there. I grabbed his member again, tugging lightly. He yelped. "Ok, ok, you win!" he yelled as he slid into the tub.

He hissed as he entered, the water lapping around him. He sighed as he sat, looking very happy as the water worked on his muscles. I moved over, and sat on his knee, his member trapped between us. He didn't seem to care. "What exactly did you mean by that comment?" I asked him as I thought back to it.

"Do I have to answer?" he retorted looking smug. I elbowed him lightly as he chuckled. He sighed, turning a bright shade of red, and said, "Well, let's just say last night was the best love making I have ever had the privilege to enjoy, and since I know of the Nanain's reputation I thought the two compared."

I raised an eyebrow. Did he . . .? I blushed. Maybe he did. He really knew what buttons to press last night. I starred back at him in shock, my mouth hanging half open. He flustered, trying to read my face when it hit him. He blushed bright red, quickly saying, "Wait, it's not like that! I may be a little experienced but I, Er, Damn it! I'm not a dirty old Vel yet!" he screamed trying to cover his reputation.

I laughed out loud, I couldn't help it! I doubled over, hanging my face over the edge of the tub as he burst out laughing as well. After a good minute of laughing, we calmed down enough to not look at each other without another burst of laughter. "We better get washed," he finally said as he grabbed a sponge from the side of the tub.

I grinned just knowing what this was going to lead to, and wanting to help it along. I leaned my back against his chest, feeling him get warmer just by my presence. I slowly rubbed my back against him, feeling his nipples rub my shoulder blades. He groaned, trying to resist it. I continued, my rear end rubbing along his shaft. He dropped the sponge as his fingers gripped the sides of the bath. I wiggled to hear him growl in frustration. I could tell he had enough when he gripped my waist, stopping my motion. I pouted until I felt him right between my legs. I yelped as it was touching right at my entrance. I wanted so bad to just lower myself, but he held me still. "You're insatiable, my dear," he breathed through his gritted teeth.

"And evil," I said grinning devilishly. He growled, threateningly. I admit, I was pushing him, playing Veneti's advocate. I wanted to see how far he'd go. Call it a test. And apparently he was playing along. Yes, this was I what I wanted. I waited eagerly to see how he'd solve his problem. "You know you're asking for it?" he stated smirking as he pulled me against him.

I squirmed in his grasp, and asked, "So what are you going to do about it?"

I was answered quick enough. He forcefully spun me around to my side. I turn my head to his face as he kissed me. He literally crushed my lip, forcing his tongue into my mouth. I could feel my lips already bruising, but I soon answered him back just as forcefully. He scooped me up again, sloshing through the water till he reached the end of the tub. He dropped me, my butt landing on hard marble. Naturally I yelped, but he didn't seem concerned at all. If this had happened last night, he would be saying he was sorry by now. I guess pushed him a little too much, but I didn't care. I wanted this as bad as he did. I leaned back, resting on my hands as he parted my legs. Before I could even protest, like I even wanted to, he had found the entrance to my womanhood, and was quickly in and forming a rhythm. I cried out at the suddenness, half excited and half scared.

I threw my head back. This was going faster than I expected. My blood was on a fast boil, drying the water still around my body. My stomach churned, blazing like the hearth of a great hall in winter. I knew it wouldn't be long. In fact it wasn't long at all till I cried louder and shuddered around him. There was only one word to describe it, intense. The feelings alone made everything I felt last night pale in comparison. But the one thing it lacked was the emotion of last night. It wasn't the same, but even then it was great while it lasted. After I had finished, he was still moving within me like a man possessed. I moved back, trying to bring this exquisite torture to an end.

Then it happened. We cried in unison as the sensations washed over us. It was too much. As I came down, I crashed onto the marble floor groaning in agony. He quickly pulled out and fell back into the water, the look of complete contentment on his face. We looked at each other, and laughed. I don't know why, but it struck us funny at the time. I quickly regained my strength, and slid back into the water. He looked at me, concern written deeply on his face. I blinked then raised my eyebrow. "I'm sorry," he said frowning say he stared into the water.

"Kelladain?" I asked as I waded over to him, feeling concerned.

"I'm sorry, Jenna, I shouldn't have let that happened," he said looking miserable. What was he sorry about? Then it hit me. I sighed, looking at him tenderly before wading over. "Kelladain, look at me," I said grabbing his face to lock his eyes with mine.

"There's nothing to be sorry about," I said smiling. He looked taken back. "But I was rough, I thought . . .," he said trailing off.

"I'm not a fine statue remember."

"But I worry, I don't want to hurt you."

"Then you worry too much," I said nearly giggling, "and stop being so sorry, I didn't complain did I?"

I smiled. He seemed to relax, leaning on the wall of the tub. "If you can't tell, I haven't had a relationship like this in a while," he said with a smirk.

"Well, I haven't had one ever, so it makes the two of us," I said. I was still smiling. He could be so cute at times yet so stupid the next. Like now he was acting like a spineless boy then the dashing Lord I had come to remember him being. I could almost feel he was hiding something through all of this. But my thoughts were soon dashed as he was act like himself again. "We better hurry up, it's dawn." he said as the we saw the light stream in from the window.

He grabbed the sponge and turned back to business as we quickly bathed, washing away the grim from last night. We were soon done. I climbed out of the tub, dripping water on the already soaked floor. I blushed remembering where it came from. I quickly grabbed a large towel from the rack on the wall. I wrapped myself up, snuggling in the clean warmth. I grabbed another and handed it to Kelladain as he joined me. I padded out, wiping my hair dry with another towel as I went. I then surveyed the distraught in the room.

The bed was throughly in a mess, desperate for a cleaning. I sighed sorting through the cloths on the floor for my gown. I looked and looked but I couldn't find it. I blanched with fright. Where was it?! I walked to the table, now looking for the jewels and slippers. They were gone as well. I blushed. He didn't! But I had a feeling he did. I did tell the Arch Lich only for a night. I looked down. I was only wearing a towel. I sighed, trying to think of a plan to explain this to Justina, and praying she would be asleep. "Something wrong?"

I nearly jumped, whiling around to see Kelladain leaning against the door of the bathroom. I blushed. "Nothing," I said turning redder.

"Out with it," he said in a commanding voice. I sighed and said, "the dress and slippers are gone, I have nothing to wear."

I looked down as my cheeks burned. "I'm not going to even ask," he said, "but I have something small for you to wear."

He smiled as he hurriedly went to the pile of his gear. I saw him pull something small out, but I couldn't tell. He turned around, his hands behind his back. "Let me guess, close my eyes and hold out my hands?" I asked grinning.

He nodded, smiling brightly. I complied, eager to see what it was. He slowly crept over to me, making my anxiousness rise in my throat. He gently grabbed my right hand. I then felt something cold and metallic slip onto my ring finger. I tried to register what it was, and then it hit me. I gasped, my eyes shooting open. There it was, a ring. It was a yellow gold band, engraved with two hearts, one just outlined while the other was deeply set and shadowed. They were against each other, the shadowed one eclipsed slightly by the other. I was awe struck, dumbfounded by the emotions coursing through me. It was now official. It was all too much as my eyes glazed over. I cried, wrapping myself around him.

I sobbed with joy, rubbing my face into his chest. I could feel his hand on the back of my hair, stroking it softly. I pulled away from him, wiping the tears on the back of my hand. I looked into his eyes as they shined on me with love. "I love you," I whispered softly as I nuzzled his faced with mine.

"I love you too, Jenna," he whispered back before releasing me. I then caught a glimmer from his hand. I pulled his hand closer. He was wearing the same ring as me, only bigger. I smiled kissing him again. He pulled away soon enough, and helped me off the bed, guiding me to the door. I knew this was it. It was finally over. Well, this night was over at least. I opened the door, looking back longingly into his face. He kissed me again, trying to hold onto the sweetness of it. We parted, and without words I walked to my room, feeling his eyes on me. I looked back again, and then silently entered.

I closed the door softly, then nearly burst with joy. My mind was doing upper level flips to keep me from howling in happiness. I felt deliriously happy as I bounded across the room to grab my armor and gear. My revelry was broken when I heard an, "Ahem," coming from near the window.

I sighed and looked to see Justina resting against the window. "Where were you?" she asked bluntly, looking pristine in her Genvan robes and mantle.

"What, not even a good morning?" I asked trying to avoid her question. She didn't look amused. I blushed, and answered, "I took a bath."

She didn't looked convinced for a minute. She walked over to me, and pulled up my hair, revealing the hickey. She sighed as I quickly collapsed onto the bed, suddenly feeling miserable. "Jenna, I thought you were a good person, I could expect this from one of the guys, but not you, you're not even married to him, or not even engaged!" she yelled.

I held up my hand and the ring. Her jaw dropped as she grabbed my hand and studied the ring closer. That was the only time I heard a Genvan curse. "When did this happen?! I missed any ceremony?!" she screeched.

"Calm down!" I yelled as her mouth shut. She pouted as I sighed.

"We're just engaged," I said gazing at the ring. She sighed, and said, "But you could have waited."

"Don't even feed me that, you have a man as well, and if you'd come off your pedestal, you'd be in his room right now instead of chastising me!" I said crossing my arms. She was gaping again, too shocked to say a word. "Fine," she finally said, "Nothing to Blade about my feelings for him, and I'll shut my mouth about this."

I nodded, then proceeded to get dressed. After I finished, there was a knock on the door. I opened it to see Kelladain smiling brightly. "Good morning, Ladies," he said bowing slightly.

I blushed while Justina smiled. "Good morning, sir," Justina answered looking smug. He smiled back, looking very happy. "Jenna, would you like to accompany me to breakfast?" Kelladain asked as he offered me his hand.

I nodded placing mine in his. I waved to Justina as she starred at the both of us in shock. We glided down the hall towards the main room, not passing anyone as we went. We arrived a few minutes later as Draconhurst, Veronica, Tempest, and the Arch Lich were already present. As we entered, I could feel their stares and inquiring glances. The only one that seemed happy at our entrance as the Arch Lich as he smiled the way he always does, his jaw hanging half open. Draconhurst looked perturbed. He was about to raise his voice when Veronica elbowed him in the ribs as she smiled sweetly. He grumbled, gazing down at his meal. We sat next to Tempest as he eyed us suspiciously. "Are you two ok?" he asked nervously.

Kelladain nodded quickly, looking at his meal. Minutes later, Justina, Blade, Thorn, Bradock, and the rest of the group all walked in, each eyeing us as Kelladain and I chatted through the meal. It was nonsense really, trying to cover the emotions between us. "So, how did everyone sleep last night?" asked the Arch Lich grinning in his way.

Kelladain choked, coughing on his food while I blushed. He then gulped down some water, trying to clear his throat. "It was fine, very restful," I answered feeling my ears start to burn.

Kelladain's eyes went wide as he swallowed the water hard. Justina almost choked on her food as well, trying to suppress the giggles. Everyone else looked totally bewildered, trying to make sense of the goings on. The only one that didn't care was Bradock as he stuffed his face. The meal continued with no further questions. No one even noticed the ring. After we were done, we grabbed our things, and join the Arch Lich in one of the side chambers. Draconhurst and Veronica stayed behind while the rest of us were going after the Cloak.

"Now, the Fang Cloak is located in Maximillian Castle near the center of the country," he said. The group groaned in unison. Maximillian Castle was the home of an old Vampire Lord of the same name that was killed by another group of people. We had the privilege of staying there after we were attack by three dragons at night in the middle of the pouring rain. The new owner was a knight of the realms for Drexlar, who wasn't as goodly as a knight should be. And being as Drexlarian as he was, he let us stay the night because there were Drexlarians among us, and for that fact alone.

Just looking at the castle was enough to give anyone the creeps for a week. We didn't trust that place one bit. The night we spent there was one of fitful and restless sleep. Spending another night was not on one of my favorite things to do list. I glanced at Justina looked disturbed by this news, since she said after staying there that the place reeked of evil, especially a door near the entrance. Now we knew why the owner never wanted us to touch that door, for the Cloak was behind it.

"If you are quite ready, I'll teleport you outside the gates, then I'll reopen it the following morning, you must have it or destroyed it by then," the Arch Lich said before he began murmuring. His voice rumbled softly then stopped. A black and purple portal opened in front of us. It swirled then cleared into the image of the castle. I shuddered, leaning against Kelladain, looking uneasy about this. "I don't like this," I said frowning.

"It's ok, we'll get through this," he said trying to comfort me. We walked somberly into the portal, each movement with dread at what awaited us on the other side . . .

***********

Part III

We stepped out, looking at the front gate of Maximillian Castle. The place hadn't changed. It was still a thing of nightmares. The walls were covered in plants, muck, and cobwebs, looking like it was just dug up from a crypt. The place looked like it was falling apart, but it still had the ominous feeling about it. The only thing that did change was that a dragon carcass was entangled in the metal vines that were the gate.

It was probably still from night we were attack and had to flee here. That night, the gate was down as we entered. But as soon as we were past, one of the dragons chasing us came lunging through. As it did, the metal vines had snapped up and pierced through the dragon's head, instantly killing it. It was the corpse of that dragon that was wrapped in the gate. The body was mostly dry bone with a few chunks of flesh hanging off. I was frightened as I clung to Kelladain. He rubbed the back of my hand as he stared straight ahead.

We walked forward, trying to remain calm at what we were about to do. We reached the gates when they snapped down suddenly, disappearing from view as the dragon carcass turned to dust at our feet. We jumped, each person clinging for their weapons. We moved forward and over the gate. Once we made it in, we breathed a sigh of relief. That was until the gate snapped shut, each of us letting out a surprised cry. "I don't like this," said Justina trying to calm herself as her hand shook on her War Sword.

"You and me both," I said as we nodded to each other. Bradock grunted in agreement as Kelladain rolled his eyes. We then turned our attention to the door of the Castle. The doors opened slowly, as if expecting us. We looked at each other as if daring someone to go first. Naturally, Justina strode ahead, followed by Bradock. The rest of us fell in place as we entered. Even though it was around noon, the place still had a gloom about it as the feeling sunk into my bones. Somehow, I dreaded entering here, but I couldn't leave the group behind.

We walked into the grand hall. It hadn't changed either. The hall was decorated with black suits of ancient-looking armor, covered with cobwebs. A crystal and metal chandelier hung from the ceiling, twisted in a demonic sort of way that made one frightened to look at it. The owner himself was seated on a throne near the back, sipping on wine from a plain silver chalice. He looked amused to see us again, but didn't speak of it. "Ladies and Gentlemen, this is the second time you have entered my hospitality, what brings about this visit?" he asked coolly.

We all looked to Justina. Of all of us, she was the best talker. She smirked at us before moving forward, and said, "We are questing for the Fang Cloak, we heard it was in this castle, and wish to have it."

"And why would a good Genvan like you be after a necromancer's artifact?" he asked sarcastically, trying to ruffled Justina. She didn't look moved.

"We wish to destroy it," she said bluntly.

"If it is that you seek, then you will have to wait for morning, it will be destroyed by then," he said carelessly.

Justina didn't look convinced. Tilting her head, she asked, "And how will it be destroyed?"

"As we speak, I'm absorbing its power to prolong my life to protect this country, what good is a knight of the realms if he is dead," he said as he took a long drink from the chalice, "the Cloak will have lost all it's power by morning, and I'll move on to a lesser evil artifact."

"How do we know you are not evil?" she asked eyeing him as if he were a Venetin holy symbol.

"Because I am strong minded enough to suppress their evils," he said as he stared at the chalice in his hands, "and this is one of the most benign things in this place."

With that he placed the chalice on the pedestal near the throne and stood. "Your rooms are the same as last, you'll leave in the morning after you have your proof," he said as he pointed in the opposite direction of the door.

Just as he was going to turn to leave, Bradock was edging closer the forbidden door. The knight's face twisted into anger as he shouted, "Don't even think of touching it!"

Bradock quickly moved away, looking smug but shaken. The knight seemed to relax. He bowed, then left. We looked at each other. "Looks like were staying the night, again," said Justina as she frowned, "We'll see what tomorrow brings."

We walked off, but as we left, Kelladain turned away from me, and starred at the door. I pulled his hand. He flinched and turned back to me. I furrowed my brow, silently asking if he was all right. He smiled back his answer. With that, we walked to the rooms, passing corridors of web-covered walls. We entered our rooms and paired off. Kelladain again had a room to himself. I was almost tempted to ask if I could sleep in his room. No, not like that! Get your minds out of the gutter. It was from fright of this place that I wanted to share his bed, but I didn't ask in the presence of the group. Dinner passed peacefully as everyone was silent as we ate. By the time of night, there was a rainstorm outside, thundering on the metal roof of the castle. Justina and I were snug in our beds, trying to fall asleep. We both fell asleep reasonable fast considering this place was as creepy as it was. But it wasn't restful.

About half way through the night, I had a dream. I was standing in some white world hugging Kelladain. I felt sublimely happy, feeling his arms around me. Just as I was going to kiss him, he backed away. I reached for him, but he backed away again and fell. I looked and he was gone in a puddle of black liquid that started oozing out and onto the white of the world. I screamed as everything was quickly turning black. I was standing alone in a circle of white as it crept everywhere. Then it began to invade the circle and crawled up my leg. I was deathly frightened, trying to run but I was stuck as it crept up my other leg. Everywhere it touched, I lost feeling. It slowly slithered up my face, trying to blot out my eyes and mouth. I felt like I was slowly suffocating. As it entered my mouth, I screamed again as the blackness disappeared and the world blazed white.

I woke up with a start, sitting upright in bed. I was scarred, frightened to the bone. I looked around. The rain was pouring outside as it suddenly thundered. I jumped, while Justina continued to sleep peacefully. I really really didn't like this, especially after that dream. I wanted out of there. I jumped out of bed and padded out of the room, clad only in my Underskin. I walked to Kelladain's room, wanting to seek comfort in his arms. I knocked on his door, hoping he would still be awake. There was no answer. I opened the door and looked into the dark room. I couldn't see a thing.

As the sky suddenly flashed with lightning, I saw that there was no one there. His bed looked like it was slept in, but he was gone. My mind was reeling. Where was he?! If he wasn't here, then . . . I nearly screamed. The Cloak! I ran out of the room, pounding back into mine. I quickly grabbed my armor and sword, wearing them as fast as I could. I then walked over to Justina, and shook her by her shoulders. She drowsily woke up and said, "Huh?"

"Justina! Wake up! Kelladain's gone!" I yelled. That was the second time I ever heard a Genvan curse. She quickly came out of bed, almost tripping, and was quickly armed and robed. As she dressed, I ran to the other rooms, waking fellow group members. We gathered and walked briskly down the hall, Tempest and me in the lead since his safety was supposed to be our responsibility. "I should have stayed in with him," said Tempest silently cursing himself.

"I thought that was my job," I stated as I strode past him. He looked bewildered as he caught up, not saying a word. The closer we got, the more I feared what was awaiting us. My nightmare was coming true. I silently prayed that we'd get through this in one piece, fearing the worst. The others caught up. As soon as everyone was there, we burst through doors leading to the main room, slamming them opened.

I nearly burst into tears. The forbidden door was swung wide open as Kelladain was hovering in the air, the cloak wrapped around him. The cloak looked like a living thing. It was made of flesh patched together. All the edges were surrounded with fangs which were sunk into Kelladain's shoulders, arms, and neck. The Underskin he wore was torn from his chest, lying on the ground at his feet. He starred right into the group, looking with contempt at all of them. He was possessed. He murmured as we drew our weapons. Then a wave of magic flew over the group. I closed my eyes, trying to shield myself with my Ion Blade. I opened them again to my horror to see Justina, Tempest, and the others frozen in stone. The only one who wasn't stone was Bradock as he laid limp on the floor. I breathed heavily. This wasn't good, not good at all. It was I and Kelladain.

What was I going to do? I looked at him, my eyes hurting. I looked at my sword. That wasn't even an option. I looked around trying to find a way of escape. I looked back to him then raised my sword hoping to threaten him. "You wouldn't do that, would you," he said sarcastically as he lowered himself to the ground.

I suddenly felt defenseless. He was right. The sword felt like lead in my hands. I couldn't raise it even to save myself. "Aw, you're as beautiful as he remembers," the cloak said as he spoke through Kelladain.

My eyes narrowed to slits. I was beginning to hate the useless feeling I was having. I stiffened as he got nearer. Even if he was possessed, he was still Kelladain, my body argued as it tried to betary me. He then reached out and stroked my hair. I slapped his hand away, starring daggers at him. "I guess he didn't tell you did he?" he asked he chuckled evilly.

"Tell me what?!" I yelled, furious that it was playing a game with me. I didn't like the way this was going. Something was wrong. He brushed my face with the back of his hand. My heart nearly jumped from my chest, and out my throat. That touch felt oddly familiar. But it was impossible, there was no way. "You see, Lady, he's the one that killed your Lord," he said without any emotion.

That idea shot through my brain like a crossbow bolt. I felt as if a dagger had been plunged into my heart. It wasn't true. It couldn't be! It wasn't true! My mind screamed at me to do something, anything but believe it was true. "You lie!" I screamed as my voice cracked.

"My dear, I'm afraid it's very true, he's not what you think," he said, before laughing maniacally. I dropped my sword, and fell to the ground. I cried. Maybe he was right. But why would Kelladain lie to me?! I felt used, fooled, and stupid, so I cried. I looked back to him as he paced. I wanted this to end. I wanted to hear the truth from Kelladain's own lips, not from the cloak. I quickly wiped my tears away, trying to not look hurt, but I was. I stood up looking down. "You know, I'm not going to hurt you, you're too precious to do that, in fact, I'll make you an offer, be my queen, and I won't kill you, you can't hurt me, I know you still care for him, I can see it in your eyes," he said as he breathed down my neck, making me shiver.

I looked around the room, trying to find so way of escape. Then I saw it, remembering back to the words that the knight said before he left. The plain silver chalice was still sitting by the throne. My mind was quickly forming an idea. Looked back to him, and said, "I accept."

It was a blank stare but he bought it as he grinned. "But first a toast," I said praying he'd say yes.

"An excellent idea," he said as he moved toward Bradock. I cringed before quickly grabbing the chalice, and said, "How about this instead?"

"As you wish, Lady," he said walking back to my side. Inside I was grinning. The cup filled with red wine on it's own. I gingerly took a sip. I felt a wave of magic run through me. I felt all my wounds from the previous night wash away. I was right about the chalice. I then handed it to him. He took a sip as I smiled brightly. The Cloak had sealed its own fate. I had just managed to fool the evil artifact of a necromancer. And I thought mages were smart.

With a scream, he dropped the chalice, clutching his throat. In a bright flash of light, his body was enveloped totally. He fell to the floor. The cloak turned to dust and drifted away. It was gone forever. I quickly grabbed the chalice and poured the wine down each of my friends' throats. They quickly turned back to normal, each of them staring at me suspiciously. I didn't care. I kneeled beside Kelladain, pouring the wine into his mouth. All the wounds left by the fangs on the cloak were gone. With each second, I resisted the urge to sob again. I waited for him to wake so I could finally find the answer. I kept telling myself it wasn't true. It couldn't be.

I leaned over him, staring right at him, waiting for any sign of life. He eyelids flickered then slowly crept open. I could feel my tears running down my cheeks. He closed his eyes again as if it hurt to look at me. "It's true," he said as his voice cracked, trying to fight back his own tears.

I hung my head. It was true. I closed my eyes tightly, trying to hold back my wail. "Why did you do it?" I asked softly as my voice ached.

"I'm an assassin, I was sent to kill your lord, but now it's over, I was found out, and now I have to die," he said as his voice sobbed. What was he talking about?! Die?! But why?! He slowly pulled a dagger out from my belt and placed it in my hands. I couldn't believe it. Now this?! I looked to him, the pain rising in my chest. "Do it Jenna, I'm dead either way, I was found out and now you hate me! Kill me or the others will! I'd rather die by your hands!" he screamed.

He looked in pain. I raised the dagger above my head. Could I do this? Was I doing this? The man I loved, the man who had just lied to me was asking to die?! My fiancee? Was he still my fiancee? What was I going to do?! My tears were flowing heavily, I could barely see. I closed my eyes, trying to sort my feelings as my hands shook. Then it burst through my chest, a crushing feeling. My heart was aching. Was it breaking? I looked at the dagger then closed my eyes. I snapped. I screamed and thrust downward to hear the dagger hit with a clunk.

I opened them to see the dagger inches from Kelladain's face embedded in the stone floor. I wailed. I pulled the dagger free and threw it across the room as it skittered away. I sobbed horribly, my body shaking terribly. I stood up, throwing my arms around. "Damn it, Kelladain! If I couldn't kill you when you were possessed by the cloak, what makes you think I can do it now!" I wailed, whirling to face him.

"I'm supposed to hate you! You ruined my life! I've gone through hell after that day! The fear! The pain! And all because of you! But damn it, I can't do this! Cause I . . . ," I suddenly stopped.

Why couldn't I do it? I knew the reason as it burst from the pain in my chest. I wailed. "Despite everything I still love you!" I screamed as I crashed down beside him, my head buried in his chest.

I cried as his arms circled around me. I didn't know what to do. I didn't know if everything would be right between us again, and that frightened me. I still felt the happiness of being in his arms, so there must have been hope. I looked back to his face, he looked pained as I asked between sobs, "Who are you?"

He close his eyes and said, "I'm not a Lord. I am of the path of the Shadow. It's a secret path. Only a few who prove themselves worthy can join it. I'm one of the few selected. I was an Elementalist before. We do the dirty work for the Empire, killing enemies, and destroying civilizations for new colonies. We also watch over the lords for their safety, and kill them if they go too far. That is why I killed your Lord. He was secretly plundering the city treasury and killed anyone that found out. He had to be stopped. I was sent to lure him away from the city, and kill him and any warrior that stood in the way."

"Then why didn't you kill me?"

"I couldn't, you were the most beautiful creature I had seen in a long time, Jenna, you were so young, so innocent, you even managed to hold your own against me, you had so much ahead of you, I just couldn't do it, I think I was in love," he said blushing.

Ever since I entered the room, I felt my life had changed, and it had. I felt all my anger and pain wash away. I felt all the fear and paranoia that I felt since that day lift off my shoulders and fly away. The man in black was the man I loved. I suddenly felt that even though he may have done some evil things, I still loved him. He was still a good person. That's how my life changed that day, I had found the man in black and was in love with him. All my days of worry were now over. "You probably still hate me," he said turning away.

"Kelladain, I forgive you, and I do still love you, I don't want anything to change between us, but I can feel it will, and I'm scarred of it," I said my voice cracking again. His gaze softened, and he said, "Jenna, part of being a Shadow is to watch another Shadow as another watches you, to keep you in line, if you are ever caught by anyone not a Shadow, your Shadow is supposed to kill you, I've just been found out, so my Shadow is going to kill me! Either way I'm going to die, Jenna!"

"Then why didn't they kill you before? When you kept me alive?" I asked. He cringed, then looked away before answering, "Because you didn't know exactly what I was, you didn't know it was me, or about the Shadows, but now you do, all of you do."

"Do you honestly think your Shadow could be in this castle? Could even get through the gate without the knight finding out?" I asked trying to prove a point. He raised an eyebrow and said, "Not really the way this place it."

"Then there's nothing to worry about cause he isn't here to hear you tell us, the Shadow won't know that we know," I said suddenly feeling a lot better.

"It only takes one person with a slip of the tongue to end my life," he said as he brooded to himself. I smirked. He was being difficult, like he wanted to die. He was resigned to it. I guess he felt he had nothing left to live for. I was getting more furious at that thought by the second. I was going to show him that he had something to live for, namely me. Before he could even protest, I kissed him, pouring everything I felt for him into it. He quickly responded back, hugging me tighter. We then pulled apart. "Still wish to die?" I asked smirking.

"No, I never did, but still . . . ," he said trailing off.

"I swear in the name of my Lord, the Empire, and the Emperor himself to keep this secret of secrets till the day I die, and if I do, may I lose my honor as a Warrior, and my life," I said as I starred at him unflinching.

"I swear on the House of Drexlar, and in the name of the King of Drexlar as the scion of the House of Drexlar to never divulge this secret as long as I live, and if I do, may I lose my life and the crown," said Blade proudly as he held Justina's hand. She was blushing, but said, "I swear in the name of Genva and everything holy to him that I will never tell this secret of secrets as long as I still breathe, and if I do, may I rot in a Veneti temple."

"In the name of whatever territory I lord over, and my life as a gambler to keep this secret as long as I live, and if I do, may my balls and everything that goes with it fall off," said Thorn grinning at Blade and Justina, before Blade punched him in the ribs. The two glared at each other then back to us.

"I swear in the name of the Doravan military guild, and as the first guardian of Drexlar to never tell this secret as long as I live, and if I do, may I never touch a drop of beer again," said Bradock as he nodded.

"I swear in the name of my Lord, the Empire, and the Emperor himself to keep this secret of secrets till the day I die, and if I do, may I lose my honor as an Elementalist, and my life," said Tempest as he nodded as well. The rest of the group said similar oaths. When it was over, I looked back to Kelladain. He didn't look too convinced. I looked at him tenderly. He melted, and said, "Thank you, everyone, I just hope this works."

I hugged Kelladain, feeling the happiness and love swell in my chest. Just as we were going to kiss, there was an "Ahem" from the group.

I glared at Justina and stood. Kelladain soon followed as he stood uneasily. I gathered my weapons as Kelladain closed the door. We then walked to join everyone else. "Well, since the Cloak is gone, I don't see any reason to stay around here, let's go get our things and leave," said Blade.

Just as we were going to exit the room, something in the room creaked. We jumped, looking at each other. Then suddenly one of the suits moved. It was barely a twitch but it was enough to get us to draw weapons. My Ion Blade was out in a second and flickered on, while Kelladain pulled out three weird looking daggers. I blinked at him while he grinned. Must be his gear from being a Shadow. We gathered round in a circle, our backs to one another. Then the armors moved again, each engaging one person.

Just as they attacked, there was a loud screech coming over our heads, like metal tearing at itself. We looked up to see the chandelier uncoil into dozens of metal tendrils, each ending with a crystal shard that was as sharp as a razor. We jumped forward, expanding the circle to try and avoid the waving arms. The battle wasn't looking good. I had managed to make short work of the suit of armor in front of me before I was hit in the back of the leg with one of the tendrils. I cursed and spun around to chop the tendril in half. I then began to cut away at the others before the one mage of the group cast a fire spell on it. The chandelier almost screeched, and curled back into itself.

The others were having trouble. Justina couldn't use her Genvan magic or pray for aid because the knight had forbidden it. She was reduced to fighting with her War Sword but her skills were lacking. Luckily, Blade was nearby to help her. I looked up to the chandelier again to see it regenerate and uncurl again. I yelled a warning before it struck again. Just as it was about to hit, there was a loud "Stop!" coming from the stair.

The suits of armor went back to standing in the room as the chandelier curled up again. We looked over to see the knight standing on the stairs. He looked severely angry, eyeing each of us suspiciously. "What happened to the Cloak?!" he bellowed.

Justina glared back at him and yelled, "That Cloak tried to possess one of our group members, we had to destroy it!"

"I thought I told you all to stay away from that door!" the knight yelled loud enough to shake the metal of the chandelier. He looked severely pissed as he eyed us again.

"It wasn't like I had a choice, the blasted artifact possessed me!" Kelladain yelled back with contempt in his eyes.

"Then you shouldn't have been so weak willed! I expected more from a Vel Lord!"

"I've been going through a personal crisis for the past two nights! Don't talk to me about being weak willed, that Cloak could even have taken over you!"

The knight didn't look happy, but grunted. Kelladain must have hit a rare nerve in the knight. "So be it, it was almost finished anyway, but I don't want any of you back here unless it's on more friendly terms, especially you," he said coolly as he starred at Kelladain.

"Why did those things attack us?" Justina asked smirking.

"A safety measure, against thieves, now get your things and go!" he said angrily.

With that, he turned and left. It was the last we ever saw of him. We walked back to our rooms in silence, and packed quickly. By the time we were walking outside the gate, it was dawn. Thus we sat, and waited. "Kelladain, that night is going to change everything for us, isn't it?" I asked as I leaned against him.

"More than you know, dear," he said with melancholy, "but things will get better, I promise."

"When this is all over, can we go to Cele?"

"Of course."

"I love you."

"I know. I love you too."

"You know that now everyone knows what happened last night?"

"I could care less."

"I'm glad." We snuggled against each other, wanting to stay that way forever. But soon enough, our time was broken as a black and purple portal opened before us. Then we walked through.