* Kevil is asleep, one arm wrapped around Loria's waist, holding her protectively even in his sleep.

* Loria sleeps, cuddled against Kevil's chest.

<Kevil> ::moans softly in his sleep:: Z'ya, issif ghinah...

* Loria shifts slightly.

<Kevil> Va... ::groans louder, his voice full of horror::

* Loria rolls over, still mostly asleep, absently patting Kevil's arm.

* Kevil sits bolt upright with a gasp so loud it's nearly a yell. "AAH!"

* Loria jerks awake. "Kevil-lin!" Her voice is startled, fearful.

* Kevil shudders, then looks around at Loria with an apologetic half-smile. "Only the nightmare again..." He lays back down, panting slightly from the adrenaline of the dream.

* Loria tries to relax, sitting up and cuddling one of the pillows to her chest. "You're sure?"

<Kevil> ::reaches up to take one of her hands, nodding:: It is the same dream I have had for... twenty years, more or less.

<Loria> ::takes a few deep breaths, trying to calm herself::

<Kevil> I am sorry I woke you again... ::he tries another smile:: It may be... that it will be gone soon.

<Loria> ::raises an eyebrow:: How so?

<Kevil> ::looks at her hand in his, absently rubbing his thumb across her knuckles:: The Seer said... ::he takes a breath and looks up at her:: She told me he is not... departed.

<Loria> ::quietly:: Darin? He died..?

<Kevil> ::nods:: Dead but not... gone, entirely. ::he hesitates for a moment.:: I did not tell you the entire truth, when I first told you the story, n'shava.

<Loria> ::her eyes narrow slightly:: Did you want to tell me now, then? ::she rests her hand on his shoulder:: You don't have to...

<Kevil> ::shakes his head:: It will not make sense if I do not. ::he looks at her seriously:: And I would... not like to keep secrets from you, n'shava.

<Loria> ::leaning on him, still holding the pillow to her chest:: Then what did happen?

<Kevil> ::takes a deep breath:: Darin was not killed by the pieces of the ship, when it exploded. He... I told you of the bond we shared, yes?

<Loria> ::blinks:: You told me, yes. What kil- no, nevermind, tell me as you like.

<Kevil> ::nods:: We were feeding our energy to Zoya, d'va? So that she could kill the thing, which was beyond our reach. Or - to be more accurate, Darin was feeding me *his* energy, and I was gathering it, with mine, and feeding it to Zoya. It was easier to accept from only one at a time, and she required all her concentration.

<Loria> ::nodding, not asking questions about magical abilities that are beyond her experience::

<Kevil> Darin... I do not know why. He fed me... everything. The last drop of his life force, leaving nothing behind with which to sustain himself. ::tears form in his eyes::

<Loria> ::shudders:: You knew? All this time?

<Kevil> I realized it at the last instant, tried to pull back, to push some back to him. But Zoya by then was *pulling* the energy from me, and I could not separate... reverse the... ::he makes a helpless gesture with one hand, unable to explain the mechanics::

<Kevil> ::nods:: All this time. He was dead before the explosion pierced his body.

<Loria> ::hesitantly, she brushes her fingers across his forehead:: You... ::she shakes her head::

<Kevil> ::closes his eyes, his expression pained:: Lied. Lied to Zoya - and then of necessity to all others. She was... she would have blamed herself, for pulling... And when some time had passed, I had no idea how to *begin* to tell her.

* Loria puts the pillow aside. "So, you took all the blame, shouldered the whole of it..." She pulls him into her arms, resting his forehead on her shoulder.

* Kevil curls into Loria's arms with a sigh. "For... a time, yes. For many years, I felt it was my fault he had died, that I had killed him by not being skilled enough, or fast enough..." He sighs...

<Kevil> ::softly:: Eventually I learned better. Darin sacrificed himself. And if I still regret not being able to stop it, I no longer accept the *blame* for his death.

<Loria> ::softly:: He loved you... loved you both enough to die to help you.

<Kevil> ::nods, shivering slightly:: Shalindra'va. Yes. Us, and Vasiliy, whom he would have worshipped, had Vasiliy only allowed it... ::he smiles slightly::

<Loria> ::nodding:: A wonderful, terrible love... ::then, looking down at Kevil, running her fingers through his hair:: So, what happened?

<Kevil> ::sits up again, looking at her seriously:: We had no idea, until we went to the Seer... She told me, when I... grabbed, to try to stop it, I prevented his soul from departing entirely. That, to use a metaphor, I tore off the corners and refused to let go. There are... pieces of Darin that are stuck inside me, and inside Zoya.

* Loria stares at him, her eyes wide. "Where's the *rest* of him?"

<Kevil> ::shakes his head:: I do not know... *Pieces* of souls is nothing I have encountered in any lore. Would the Lady accept into her embrace one who was incomplete? Or is he just... waiting, for us to release him the rest of the way... ::he shudders::

<Loria> ::firmly, touching Kevil's chin:: She wouldn't make him stand out on the porch, so to speak... She loves him too.

<Kevil> ::smiles faintly:: She loves all. It is her nature. But... can he rest, without the pieces I have stolen?

<Loria> ::softly:: Can you? Perhaps he wakens from wherever he dreams now, thinking of you.

<Kevil> ::shivers:: We must release him. This... This is not the way of things. He deserves to rest. ::he smiles sadly, brushing a finger along her cheek:: And you deserve a lover who does not wake you thrice in a month or more, d'va?

<Loria> ::smiling slightly:: I daresay that's about the least of your concerns, n'shava.

<Kevil> ::smiles a little more:: Well... Sleep ranks below souls, I confess. ::he sighs:: But it would be good, to be able to go to sleep without fearing the nightmare...

<Loria> ::shuddering:: Any fewer nightmares would be a blessing.

<Kevil> ::puts his arms around her:: My poor raindrop, besieged.

<Loria> ::leaning into his embrace:: Sleep's been in short supply, but I believe I'll weather the storm. ::looking up at him:: Is this why Zoya hit you?

<Kevil> ::nods:: She was... angry I had lied, and shocked at the implications... She was about to - she has a spell which locks away emotion. ::flatly:: I hate it. I told her I would rather she take any other path... She chose to hit me instead.

<Loria> ::touches his cheek:: Poor Kevil...

<Kevil> ::smiles ruefully:: I accepted the possibility... It took Darin and I *years* to pry her out of that spell. I would take ten times the pain to keep her from using it again.

<Loria> ::nodding:: The Mask. ::she swallows:: Lisl's mentioned it before.

<Kevil> ::grins faintly:: Lisl likes it no more than I do, I think.

<Loria> ::snickers:: Something you and Lisl agree on? Will wonders never cease.

<Kevil> ::grins and lightly bops her nose with his fingertip:: We agree about slavers, too.

* Loria crosses her eyes to look at his finger. "So... what are you going to do?"

<Kevil> Well. As it turns out, Zoya has some previous experience... She harbored Vasiliy's soul for a time - though whole, rather than in pieces.

<Kevil> She believes she can modify the spells she used to extract Vasiliy to retrieve the pieces of Darin, as well. Though it may be some time before her research is complete.

<Loria> ::nods, looking much like she didn't understand a word of that, but is almost positive that it means something::

<Kevil> ::grins at her look:: We wait. Zoya is looking into it. Though if you have any ideas, I am sure your contribution would be welcomed...

<Loria> More research... ::she shakes her head::

<Kevil> ::laughs and kisses her cheek:: Nothing makes Zoya happier than having something to research. All the better if it is something useful or important or urgent.

<Loria> No wonder she and Glossaria get on so well... ::she laughs:: I'm glad Vallel has his art, he'd die of boredom otherwise.

<Kevil> ::laughs:: I am sure he would think of something. ::winks at her:: He might lure Glossaria away from her books with research of a different sort, d'va?

<Loria> ::laughs, coloring:: Oh, more than likely...

<Kevil> ::grins and pulls her comfortably into his arms, resting his cheek on her head::

<Loria> ::running her fingers lightly down his arm:: Ready to sleep again, Kevil-lin?

<Kevil> ::kisses her hair:: No. But if you wish to sleep, n'shava, I will be happy to hold you.

<Loria> ::snuggles against him:: You can talk, if you like. I'll listen...

<Kevil> ::chuckles softly, bending his head so his lips brush her ear as he whispers:: I said nothing of talk...

<Loria> ::laughs, stretching out, pointing her toes and raising her arms over her head, then rolls over, pulling the blankets over her shoulder, watching him from one corner of her eye::

* Kevil laughs softly. "Blanket thief." He stretches out beside her, wrapping his arms around her and kissing the back of her neck.

* Loria shivers, leaning into him, flexing her legs to mold against his.

* Kevil grins and continues kissing her neck, trailing his fingers along her arm.

* Loria turns her arm slightly, guiding his fingers to the sensitive skin inside her elbow. She closes her eyes, sighing softly.

* Kevil drags his fingernails lightly over the crook of her elbow, propping himself up slightly to kiss the corner of her jaw. "Not going to fall asleep on me, n'shava?" His voice is quiet and faintly amused.

<Loria> ::shifting her weight, rubbing her hips against his:: I *should*... ::she teases::

<Kevil> ::takes a deep breath:: Cruel woman... If you're going to sleep, stop teasing...

<Loria> ::breathing deeply, turning just slightly for his hand on her arm to drape over one breast:: Me?

<Kevil> ::mock-sighs, his fingers toying with her nipple idly, as if he's unaware of it:: My teachers warned me that the most beautiful women were the cruellest, but do I listen?

<Loria> ::her nipple hardening, she gasps a quick intake of breath, smothering it in another stretchy yawn:: Maybe you like abuse? ::she giggles, rolling onto her stomach, taking care to keep her body next to his as she moves::

<Kevil> Ah... perhaps that is it... ::stretching, he slides his hand down the smooth skin of her back, over the curve of one hip, and back up her side, carefully cupping the edge of her breast::

* Loria folds her arms, laying her head down on her forearms, closing her eyes. She twitches slightly as his hands run over her sides.

* Kevil half-sits, bending to kiss the base of her neck. Slowly, he works his way down to the very base of her spine.

* Loria trembles, her breathing quick and shallow. She bends on knee, swinging her leg up and down, her toes curled.

* Kevil slides his hand over the curve of her ass, then slowly and firmly down the back of her straight leg to her ankle. He kisses the back of her thigh, then slides his hand back up, angling it slightly toward the inside...

<Loria> ::her eyes still closed, she drops her one leg, her legs spreading slightly, snuggling into the bed, as if unaware of what Kevil is doing::

<Kevil> ::grins, then slowly kisses the ankle of the newly-dropped leg, and begins working his way up, gently pushing her legs further apart as he kneels between them.::

* Loria gasps, squirming slightly, pulling her legs tight around him. "Ke*vil*" She half-laughs, sounding almost, but not quite, exasperated.

<Kevil> Hmm? ::he sounds blithely oblivious:: Oh, I am sorry, n'shava... You wanted to sleep. ::Carefully, he extricates himself, disentangling their legs, and lays flat beside, her, folding his hands behind his head and closing his eyes:: There. Now you can sleep.

* Loria rolls over on her side, shuddering all over. She shakes her head once, then snuggles up to Kevil's side, sliding her hand down his chest and across his stomach to rest her fingers lightly just on the inside of his hip.

* Kevil does not *quite* restrain a quick intake of breath, keeping his eyes closed only with obvious effort.

* Loria hides a smile, pressing her mouth against his chest, then twitches her fingertips lightly over the skin along his waist.

<Kevil> ::twitches slightly, hissing softly between his teeth::

<Loria> ::continuing to trail her fingernails softly over his stomach:: Something wrong, Kevil-lin?

<Kevil> ::laughs, slightly breathlessly:: Oh, you know how it is, n'shava, when you have an itch...

* Loria grins, running her fingernails down his thigh. "Oh, of course."

<Kevil> ::groans briefly, opening his eyes to look at her pleadingly:: N'shava...

<Loria> ::brushing her fingers close, but not quite touching his cock, then continuing down his leg, at the same time, she licks his chest with flickering strokes, likewise close, but not touching his nipple:: Did you want something, Kevil-lin?

<Kevil> ::gasps and slides one hand into her hair, twining it around his fingers:: *Yes.*

<Loria> ::grinning, she moves her mouth down his chest, flickering her tongue over each rib, her hands moving lightly over his hips:: And what... ::she pauses to suckle at the skin just under his ribs, leaving a slight red mark:: might that be?

<Kevil> ::tips his head back, closing his eyes again:: ...you.

<Loria> ::smiling:: Well now... ::she continues downward, her hands leading the way for her warm kisses, lingering in any spot that seems particularly sensitive, around his knees, and down his calves. Experimentally, she runs one nail lightly down the sole of his foot::

<Kevil> ::laughs shakily, pulling his foot back:: That tickles, n'shava...

<Loria> ::chasing his foot with her fingertip:: Poor Kevil... ::the other hand trails up his leg, her fingers coming to rest just at the edge of his hip, her wrist pressing lightly against his erection::

<Kevil> ::groans softly:: Loria... ::he looks at her, love and lust mingled in his expression::

* Loria laughs throatily, moving up his legs again, licking his upper thigh, her breasts pressed against his legs::

<Kevil> ::continues to watch her, wordlessly, gasping occasionally as she comes to a sensitive spot::

* Loria licks around his cock, occasionally brushing against it with her cheek or chin as she moves around him, her fingers twitching around his stomach and over his ribs.

* Kevil groans, closing his eyes again as he twines his fingers in her hair and trying to push her gently toward his cock.

<Loria> ::very slowly, using only the very tip of her tongue, she traces a wet line up his cock, from the root all the way to the head::

<Kevil> ::shudders briefly:: Lori...

* Loria runs one hand between his legs, bringing her fingers up to gently caress his balls, continuing to very softly lick his cock, her movements deliberate and agonizingly slow.

* Kevil squirms and writhes under her hands and mouth despite his fight to lie still.

<Loria> ::teasing her tongue along his length, her fingers running over his balls::

<Kevil> ::groans, his hips lifting involuntarily:: Loria...

<Loria> Shhhhh.... ::she swirls her tongue around the head, before taking in as much as she can, her tongue working down the sensitive underside::

<Kevil> ::gasps, his hands tightening in her hair:: Oh, Lori...

* Loria runs her mouth up and down his erection, flipping her hair over one shoulder and out of her face.

* Kevil pants, lifting his hips rhythmically, his hand on her shoulder occasionally spasming. "Ahh... Lori..." His tone is tight and warning.

<Loria> ::looking up at him for a moment, she stops, her eyes sparkling merrily:: Oh, I'm sorry... did you want some sleep? ::contritely she moves over, laying down with her back to him::

* Kevil gasps, and then growls softly. "Loria..." He slides his arms under her, pulling her closer and rolling her onto her back at the same time. He kisses her passionately.

<Loria> ::looking up at him, batting her eyelashes innocently:: Yes, dearest?

<Kevil> ::pants a few breaths, then laughs helplessly and kisses her again:: I love you.

<Loria> ::grinning up at him:: I know.

<Kevil> ::laughs, then kisses her neck, licking and biting gently.::

<Loria> ::leaning her head back, she closes her eyes:: Mmmmm.

* Kevil covers her shoulders, suckling just below her collarbone with enough enthusiasm to leave purplish marks.

<Loria> ::gasping, she presses against him, her fingers tightening on his arms:: Kevil...

* Kevil slows somewhat as he works down her chest, covering every inch of her breasts with his lips and tongue - but *just* missing her nipples, though his beard brushes them occasionally.

<Loria> ::whimpers, arching her back::

* Kevil grins, continuing down over her ribs and stomach, one hand beginning to lazily caress her leg.

* Loria bends her knee, pulling her foot up to her hip.

<Kevil> ::his hand slides to the inside of her thigh, tracing slow spirals upwards as his mouth moves steadily lower::

<Loria> ::the muscles in her thigh jump slightly at his touch:: Ke-ah-Kevil.... ::she twines her fingers through his hair::

<Kevil> Hmmm? ::he licks the fold between her leg and hip, tracing it from her belly down in tiny circles::

<Loria> ::quivers, moving her hands from his hair and tucking them firmly behind her back, bending her arms slightly at the elbow:: Nothing....

* Kevil moves his kisses to the inside of her thigh, leaving another red mark.

* Loria hisses, drawing her breath in sharply.

* Kevil kisses his way down her leg and over the top of her foot, grinning at her as he nibbles delicately on her toes.

* Loria squeals, pulling her feet back. "Ke*vil*!"

<Kevil> ::laughs:: All right... ::he moves to the other foot, starting at her ankle and slowly working his way up again::

<Loria> ::shivering, she moans faintly::

* Kevil follows the curve of her leg inward, stopping *just* shy of her clit. He looks up at her, smiling.

<Loria> Nis shavalin... ::she looks at him, her eyes dark with wanting::

<Kevil> ::his smile widens:: My love... ::his tongue circles her clit slowly::

<Loria> ::tilting her hips, moving her hands up to behind her neck as she arches her back::

* Kevil wraps his arms around her hips, holding them firmly, and then begins to suckle her clit, licking and lightly nibbling by turns.

* Loria cries out, arching her back. "Oh..."

* Kevil licks softly, slowly, teasing her as she had teased him.

* Loria writhes, squirming under him, her breathing growing ragged.

* Kevil slides one hand up her side to cup her breast as he works her, his own breath growing short with desire.

<Loria> ::her nipples are already hard as his fingers brush them and she almost sobs with need as his hand settles there::

* Kevil breaks off and slides upward, kissing the soft skin of her belly as he does. He stops, his cock barely touching her, his eyes on hers. His voice is rough with lust. "Tell me you want me..."

* Loria opens her eyes, looking at him. "I... " she hesitates a moment, licking her lips. "I do want you."

* Kevil puts one hand on the side of her face and kisses her deeply.

<Loria> ::her kiss is desperate, her hands tight on his shoulders::

* Kevil thrusts into her as they kiss, groaning deep in his throat.

* Loria cries out, biting his shoulder, wrapping her legs around his hips, pulling him into her.

* Kevil rolls onto his back, pulling her on top of him, his arms wrapped tightly around her. He lifts his mouth to her breast as he rocks his hips.

* Loria sits up, her hands plunging into her hair, her eyes closed, her face exultant.

* Kevil groans, throwing his head back and pulling her closer.

<Loria> ::crying out, her voice stuttering with the beat of her heart:: Kevil... love, oh.... YES! ::she nearly screams the last word, her whole body shuddering::

* Kevil gasps and then yells as her release triggers his, his arms tightening around her almost crushingly.

* Loria tucks her face into the crook of his neck, panting and shuddering.

* Kevil pants, stroking her hair. "Loria... I love you." He kisses her shoulder.

<Loria> ::shuddery laugh:: I'm glad... ::she leans back, looking at him, her face damp with tears:: Don't frighten me like that, love... please... ::she touches his mouth, trying to smile::

<Kevil> ::kisses her fingers, then lifts a hand to touch her face, his thumb brushing over the bruise lingering on the corner of her mouth, his eyes surprised and then stricken:: I am sorry, n'shava... I was... ::he swallows:: I wanted to hear you say it, of your own will, not *his*, not... ::he shakes his head:: I did not want to frighten you.

<Loria> ::nodding, she draws in a few breaths, her arms wrapping around his neck:: For just a moment, I... wasn't sure who you were... ::she smiles up at him, her momentary panic fading from her eyes:: But I knew you, again. I love you.

<Kevil> ::pulling her close:: I am sorry... I never... so sorry. ::he hugs her tighter:: I love you, nis shavalin. I would never willingly hurt you.

<Loria> ::kissing him:: You didn't... ::her eyes narrow slightly:: He did... to make me frightened of you, of *you*? I love you, Kevil, my heart, my life... shhhh.... ::she snuggles against his chest, listening to the rhythm of his heart::

* Kevil kisses her hair fervently. "Loria, my love..." He sighs with relief, stroking her hair and holding her close. After a while he smiles faintly. "How you can be bothered with such a fool as I, I do not know."

<Loria> ::fiercely, her arms tightening around his back:: You're *my* fool, and I love you so much it hurts...

<Kevil> ::holds her tighter:: I love you, too, my Loria, my raindrop...

<Kevil> ::whispers:: I may never believe I deserve your love, Loria, but I will never again try to deny it. And I will never let you go.

<Loria> ::touching his face:: Kevil... I never believed I deserved to be happy... and here you are... have some faith, lover... in yourself.

<Kevil> ::turning his face into her hand, looking at her with a faint smile:: We shall see... ::he smiles a little wider:: It is not *so* high a pedestal I put you on, after all... You *do* have this distressing habit of stealing the blankets...

<Loria> ::sticks her tongue out at him::

<Kevil> ::grins:: So soon, n'shava? Have some pity on me, I beg...

<Loria> ::pulls the blankets up around them, cuddling against him:: Oh, all right. I can wait five minutes.

<Kevil> ::laughs:: Very well. I shall just take a little nap, then, in the meantime... ::he wraps his arms around her, blinking sleepily as he smiles at her::