"The Heart is a Deciving Ocean" by Sharon Kelly Adams

A small creature dressed in fine cloths walks out and bows to you. "Good evening. Allow me to introduce myself, I am Den. I am here to tell you a story, for that is my occupation. It is one of loss, revenge, deceit, hope, and love. Interested? Well then pull of a seat grab a cup of ale, and I shall set the scene of this tale that will put Romeo and Juliet to shame. Imagine you are still young of age; you have an innocence and purity that surpasses any other in the universe. The world has not embraced you in its cold dark hands. You have yet to have a real friend, you have moved from place to place so quickly that you haven't had time to make any. Till one day someone who could make the planets stopped dead in their orbit appears in your life. You love them with a burning fire Hephaestus (Greek god of the forge) could not meld. Because of this, your love more pain will come from it. For how can a Changeling love and Angel? My beloved listeners let me explain a few things to you; Angel's are made without feeling, fear or questioning. They are only to serve their master. But one Lylith, posed theses gifts. For that she was asked to leave her home, for what good is an Angel who can feel? Changelings, on the other had feel very much, but they only do so to serve their self-interest. Much was the case of Danyel who changed in to a hapless woman's ever desire of a man just to serve his will. When he grew board her moved on to the next. On a whimsical change the two happened to meet. And there is where I begin the tale. I will tell thee all I know; in fact I was a witness to it. Now then where to start… I guess that the beginning would be the best place."

The moon had gone to bed making way for day break to come. Slowly the sun crept over the hills the golden light creeping over the grass warming the earth. A small huddled figure perched in a tree, as the golden rays were seeping though the leaves touching the figure warming off the cold of the night. The figure slowly lifted their head to the morning. A pale hand reached up and brushes locks of chestnut hair away. She opened her eyes to greet the day. The light shone off of the ice blue pigment of her eyes and she unfolded and spreads her wings. She leapt off of the branch and glided to the ground. Lylith, the lone Angel continued on her journey. To find something, someone who could take her pain away.

The jovial morning came and went quickly as a thief in the night. Well near midday Danyel still lay in bed. His small snorting noises annoying any other in the room. Jakol silently stepped in to the room and crept over to the bed where Danyel still slept. He pulled the pillow out from underneath Danyel's head and the sleeping boy's skull hit the elaborate headboard.

"OUCH!" he yelped abruptly awakened.

"Do you know what time it is?" Jakol said teasingly.

"Time for me to kill you." Danyel said.

"So, how did it go last night?" Jakol said with a sly smile.

"Well the widow took the news badly and she hung herself, the young maiden drown herself and the virgin is still as sweet as ever." Danyel said with a smile.

"You've truly out done yourself. I congratulate you." Said Jakol throwing the pillow hitting Danyel in the face.

"Still, none of these mortal seem to be a challenge, they give their hearts to willingly and then when they get broken they cannot stand this thing called pain." Daniel said looking at the ceiling mosaic.

"Have you ever tried an angel?" Jakol said.

"Angels are off limits. Both you and I know that, they have no feelings so what would be the point of the game? Do you think what we do to the mortals is wrong?" he asked

"Of course not! We're for filling their every desire in a mate, they have their ultimate dream and wish, what could be wrong about that?" Jakol asked.

"Well they do feel pain after we stage our deaths, move on to the next or just disappear." Danyel stated.

"Human hearts are made to be broken." Jakol said. "Come! I have heard of some great news. Rumor has it that there is an angel who has the power to feel. The angel has chosen not to be fixed but wants to explore the thing called feelings. Can you believe that?"

"This should prove very interesting." Danyel said.

" Then lets go my friend." Jakol said.

"All right, all right, keep your shirt on." Danyel said putting on a pair of pants and grabbing his wand.

Lylith sat on a fallen log just off the road. Her eyes shimmering in the sun light deep in thought as a familiar presents closed in on her vicinity.

" Dear, Laria show yourself, you know you cannot his your presents from you sister." Lylith spoke with a bitter tone.

"Come, come now sister, you know I'm only here on this filthy piece of rock to bear a massage from father." Laria spoke as she hoped off a branch in a tall tree her paisley wings gently lifting setting her softly on the ground.

Father sends a message to you, come back now and he will fix you and he will not punish you for your sins."

"What sin have I committed?" Lylith asked.

"The sin of feelings. You know that angels are not permitted to feel, that is why we are not I have feelings."

Lylith grew angry with her sister's coldness. "No. I was given a gift, and I want to find out what this gift is. When and if I am ready then I shall return until then I will not."

"Do as you wish, though I would rather enjoy seeing you scream in pain. A word of advice, I would hide my wings. You never know how humans might react to you, you pathetic excuses for an angel." Laria took flight and disappeared though the tree canopy.

On that note Lylith decided her sister was right on one thing, she should disguise her wings. She tucked them under her cloak and cast invisible on them so that only a magical creature could see them.

Danyel and Jakol were walking down the path when they spotted Lylith and Laria’s discussion. They hid themselves as to not disturb the angels. When the girls were finished and Lylith had continued along her way Danyel gave Jakol one of his dangerous looks.

"Can you believe it Jakol! Finally a REAL challenge. What do you think she likes in a man? How should I approach her? Do you think she would be a damsel in distress?" Danyel started to skip down the path leaving his friend in the dust. Danyel stopped in a small clearing; he reached in to his bag a pulled out a full-length mirror, propping it up agents a tree. Now if I were a good-looking woman what kind of man would I want, he thought to himself. He changed his looks till he was satisfied with deep green eyes, and dusty clean-cut blonde hair, a build of about 6’5 muscular with a charming smile. Danyel, you’ll knock ‘em dead. He thought giving himself one last look before putting the mirror away. He dashed off to go find Jakol.

Lylith continued on her way stopping by a small stream she gazed in to the deep clear water looking at the world around her. She had never been this close to peace with in herself before. She felt the grass gently kissed with warmth by the sun beneath her feet, she bent over the stream gently scooping up a palm full of the crystal clear water, holing her hand to her lips drinking the sweet tasting natural nectar. She let the cool sweetness gently roll about her tongue before swallowing. She smiled softly never being able to taste water before. The world is so different from down here she thought to herself not noticing the figure slowly creeping out of the shadows behind her. She watched a small butterfly land on a clover blossom close to her; she had never been this close to one before, The butterfly slowly drink the nectar from the blossom. Lylith watched in amazement never seeing anything like this in all of her centuries of living. The figure slow crept closer till the person was only an arm reach away, Lylith sat there still gazing at the butterfly, the eerie presents not bothering her at all, this she was grabbed from behind she let out a startled shriek, as she was pulled backwards in to the dark forest, she could not see anything behind her and had no idea how to defend herself against anything. Suddenly they stopped, there standing in front of her was a man, good looking, about 6’5 with deep green eyes, Lylith stared at him, never seeing a man before this close.
”It would be in your best interest good man to unhand that stunning beauty you have in your hands.” The dashing man spoke while giving Lylith a perfect dazzling smile.
”How would you know what is in my best interests. I have a good mind to chop you in to pieces.” The man still clutching Lylith spoke; his voice was deep and raspy.

“Well if you insist on a fight, the you shall have one.” Danyel said drawing his sword.

The man threw Lylith to the side and hurriedly drew his weapon and charged at Danyel.
Danyel just brushed the man’s blade aside almost effortlessly. Danyel flashed another Dazzling smile and continued to block every one of the man’s hits, with a quick movie of his Sword Danyel had disarmed the Man. He picked up the Man’s blade backing him up against a tree.
”Now, apologize to this young maiden for the trouble you have caused her.” Danyel told him.
”I… I’m sorry miss.” The man managed to stammer out fearing for his life.
”Now off with you, if I ever catch you terrorizing girls again, you last breath will be taken from you by me.” Danyel spoke with a harsh tone as he tossed the man back his sword and watched him run off in to the woods tripping over nearly every branch that lie in his path.

“Well now that is taken care of, are you all right me’ lady?” Danyel asked giving her a warm smile.
”I’m fine, I guess.” Lylith said as Danyel helped her to her feet.
”Might I have the pleasure of knowing your name fair maiden?” Danyel asked.
”Only if I may have yours.” She responded with a small smile.
”Danyel, at your service me’ Lady.” He gave a deep bow.
”Lylith.” She said smiling at him.

“You know it is dangerous to be wondering around these woods alone, even more so for ladies as stunning as you are.” He said slowing brushing the back of her hand with a kiss.

“I do suppose you are right, well on the dangerous part at least.” She responded blushing slightly.

“Might I enquire if I may escort you to the nearest town?” Danyel asked.
”Well I do not know many people in theses parts. So a little company never hurt anyone. Yes, you may Danyel.” She said brushing a lock of soft chestnut brown hair out of her face.
”Well than shall we be off?” he asked sheathing his sword and offering her his arm. She kindly took it and they were on there way.

It was a little before sundown when they reached the town, Danyel had been very good company for the entire trip, almost too good she thought, As she looked deep in to his soul though his deep green eyes. She knew from that moment exactly what he was, she had never met a changeling before, but decided to keep his secret, for why else would he have such a façade on if he did not mean to keep his true self a secret.
”Do you have plans for dinner?” Danyel asked Lylith and they entered the Tavern.
” Not to my knowledge,” She said giving him a coy look.
”Then will you join me for dinner, I figure I better ask now before I have to book two months in advance for an audience with the most beautiful lady I have ever laid eyes on.” He said flashing another brilliant smile.
” I suppose I could find time this century.” She said as the Tavern Owner opened the door to her room.
“Well then shall I pick you up at seven?” he asked.
”Yes you may, even though you’re only right next door.” She smiled and shut the door before he could say another word.

Lylith slowly open her never ending pack and searched though it for a suitable dress for dinner, she stopped when she found one that she thought was right, it was royal blue with white trim, and little white rose blossoms around the edging and long sleeves, with a white and blue braded cord around the medium cut neck that would leave a lot to the imagination. She brushed her medium length chestnut hair till it shined then she proceeded to put it up to accentuate her face.
The clock shown seven and she promptly heard a light knock at her door, she slowly opened it and there stood Danyel, in a black tunic with white edging, his hair was neatly combed though he had a few stray blonde hair whisping across his sparkling eyes.

He handed her a deep red rose, taking her hand slowly brushing his lips against it.
”You look amazingly lovely,” he spoke to her softly, almost at an awed whisper.
Lylith smiled and winked at him “You clean up nicely yourself.”
she took his arm as he escorted her to their table. They laughed and talked till the candles burnt in to nothing and the dark of night slowing conceded to the early light of dawn.
 “I think they’re waiting for us to leave,” Lylith said looking around; the staff was setting up for breakfast.
Danyel laughed, “Typical kitchen staff always in a hurry. Have you ever noticed that, always hovering around your table? “Can I get you anything else” and all that.”

Lylith giggled as she caught Danyel trying to hide a yawn. “I think it is past your bed time good sir.”
Danyel smiled at her, “ And what of your bed time?” he said slyly.

“Oh it doesn’t come for hours yet.” She stuck her tongue out at him playfully.
”Was that an invitation?” he spoke drawing closer.

“Only in your dreams.” Said Lylith getting up. “ I bid you good night, or should I say good morning.” She said with a smile.

“ Are you doing anything later?” Danyel asked.

“ Besides sleeping? I haven’t decided.” She said coyly.

“ Shall we say lunch then?” he asked placing a hand on top of hers.

“ We shall see,” she said withdrawing her hand, walking towards the large oak double doors leading out towards the garden. Danyel sat there yawing so large that he toppled over in his chair; Lylith turned to see the commotion. She smiled and giggled before exiting the room. Danyel picked himself up and stalked off to his room. Jakol was waiting for him there.
”So, Don Juan how was your night?” Jakol ask smacking Danyel with a pillow as he entered the room. Danyel flopped down on the bed and promptly went to sleep despite Jakol’s poking. Danyel promptly kicked Jakol in the head. Jakol fell to the floor sleeping like a baby.

 Lylith crossed the cobble stone path to a stone bench near a hedge of translucent roses. She plucked one off the bush and sat there gazing at it's beauty wondering about the night she had just had. What was this feeling brewing inside her? She felt scared and yet safe at the same time, she was very confused. And unsure of herself and the world around her. What if, she thought. What if I could love?