"Welcome to my home."
Shido stepped into the warmth of the low, wide hallway, shaking snow from his hair and smiling at Menthis.
"Thank you, my friend."
Menthis gestured to a partly-open door on his left as his entourage, led by Beal and Lin, filed into the domicile carrying the trunks and valises that necessarily accompanied the half-demon when he travelled.
"Please, join me..."
The door led into a warm parlour, low-ceilinged but expansive, the wooden walls almost glowing in the muted golden light. A fire crackled in a grate at the far end where two capacious arm-chairs faced each other over a low table. Menthis ushered the vampire into the right-hand seat, then eased himself carefully into the other. For a moment there was silence, Shido watching Menthis, the half-demon staring into the fire. Then Lin entered soundlessly, two large goblets and an antique bottle on a small tray held in her capable hands. Menthis sighed and smiled forlornly at the little demon.
"Thank you. Please ensure that the bedchamber is ready for Lord Shido."
"Yes, my lord. When will it be convenient for you to dine?"
Menthis glanced at the vampire, who inclined his head.
"Whenever is most convenient, for you, Menthis. I can drink any time."
The half-demon nodded absently.
"At ice-moonrise, then."
Lin bowed.
"Very well, my lord."
Shido watched her leave, then leaned forwards, stretching graceful hands towards the flames.
"You have a beautiful home, and a most efficient staff, my friend."
"It suffices." Menthis rubbed a hand over tired eyes, and the vampire frowned.
"Is all... well? If you wish to sleep, please do not put yourself out on my account."
"I am not tired."
It was obvious to Shido that this wasn't entirely true, but he refrained from demurring. He was a guest here, after all. He softened his already gentle voice, striving for a measure of discreet intimacy.
"I wish to help, Menthis. What must I do?"
The half-demon regarded him from shadowed eyes.
"I... do not know... I feel..."
Shido dropped to his knees at the half-demon's side as Menthis' head lowered, the pale face hidden by a curtain of silky black hair. He laid a hand on a lean, black-clad thigh, alarmed by the faint trembling he could feel but not yet certain enough of his welcome to do what he really wanted and pull the half-demon into his arms.
"It will take a little time, Menthis, to heal the damage and come to terms with what he has done."
"I know it."
The voice was very low - but Menthis hadn't pulled away from the vampire's soft touch, which gave Shido confidence that his attentions weren't distasteful to the half-demon.
"I will do anything I can. Just ask."
Menthis raised his head a little, dark eyes gazing into golden.
"Thank you." He sighed, then seemed to rouse himself. "Where are my manners? Allow me to show you my home."
Shido smiled and rose gracefully to his feet.
"I would like that..."
The domicile was a single storey dwelling, wood-built, fireplaces in each room banked to provide a delicious ambient warmth. Deep woollen rugs glowed against the polished wooden floors; the furniture was sparse but luxurious; the light soft and eye-easing. Menthis paused at the doorway of his own bedchamber, then opened the door to the adjacent room, almost identically appointed, the wood almost black, the walls a soft rich blue, the bed large and soft with sweetly scented cotton sheets and a deep hartha-feather blanket. The fire here burned blue, and the black wood gave off a faint musky fragrance. Shido stared then turned to his host and bowed.
"Lord Menthis this is... wonderful."
"I trust you will be comfortable."
"I'm sure I will." Shido glanced at the simple armoire in the corner: his bags had already been unpacked. Menthis inclined his head.
"I will leave you to refresh yourself. Dinner will be served in about an hour, earth time: I'll have one of the servants guide you."
Shido bowed formally.
"Thank you, my lord. I will see you then."
The vampire availed himself of the ensuite bathroom, showering quickly then perusing the clothes hanging in the armoire. Along with his own formal suits, shirts and heavy frock-coat there were several unfamiliar outfits, two high-necked fine woollen tunics similar to Menthis' usual garb but the palest ice-blue, with matching trousers in suede so soft it felt more like silk, another identical set in fine, dense black fur, and a heavy fur-lined cote in shimmering white: there were two pairs of knee-length boots, one pair in thin black leather, the other much heavier white, lined with fine white fur. He frowned - were they for him? Or had they been left by a previous visitor?
A discreet tap on the door had him glancing over his shoulder: a small lavender-furred servant with upturned snout and prominent fangs stood in the entrance a little nervously.
"M'Lord Shido? I'm Jasti - 'm here to serve you..."
He smiled and beckoned her into the room, then gestured to the unfamiliar clothing.
"What are these?"
"They are for you, m'lord. My master thought you might be more comfortable in clothing made 'specially for his realm."
"That was most thoughtful of him." Not to mention fast: it had only been decided he would visit a day and a half ago...
The little demon curtsied, huge golden eyes wide.
"May I help you dress, m'lord?"
"Thank you, but no. Though I would appreciate you showing me where we dine."
"Of course, m'lord." She moved back over to the door and lowered her head, waiting for him to dress. It seemed polite to avail himself of Menthis' generosity: Shido slid into one of the ice blue outfits, but left his feet bare: the wood underfoot was sensually smooth and warm, the rugs thick and soft...
Running long fingers through his mane of pale hair, Shido took a deep breath, then indicated to the little demon to guide him to his host.
The dining room was at one end of a long corridor and took up the whole width of the building at that point. Three walls were of glass, as was part of the ceiling, and the room looked out onto a scene of splendid frozen desolation. Menthis was standing with his back to the room, gazing out of the long window, when Shido joined him. The half-demon glanced at his guest, pale lips quirking in a faint smile, then turned his attention back to the vista outside as a huge, glistening icy-blue moon rose smoothly above the jagged horizon.
"It's a beautiful sight."
"I have always found it... soothing." The half-demon pressed a hand to the glass, as if in greeting, then turned to gesture to the solid, plain wooden table a short distance away, ready laid with a setting for Menthis and a deep crystal goblet for Shido. "Please, make yourself comfortable."
The seats were also solid and wooden, but surprisingly comfortable for all that. Shido poured himself a glass of the rich liqueur from the tall bottle warming over a low burner at his place and raised it in a toast.
"To survival. To courage. And to friendship."
Menthis lifted his own glass, touching the rim chimingly to the vampire's goblet.
"To friendship. Long may it last, and deeply may it touch."
Shido sipped the deep red liquid as Menthis ate his simple meal, rare steak and a small pile of unidentifiable vegetables. He finished quickly, then sipped from his own glass, leaning back in his chair and regarding the vampire levelly.
"This would seem an ideal opportunity to acquaint ourselves with each other, if you are willing. I feel that you have seen much suffering."
Perhaps prescience was part of the half-demon's heritage... Shido tilted his head, eyes changing from their 'resting' deep turquoise to the cat-pupilled gold of his active nature.
"A little. I am... hunted. The vampire who made me does not approve of my desire for freedom from him."
"Ah. Yes, I have heard that is often the case. He troubles you?"
"Usually no. He knows where I am, but in the main leaves me be. I'm not sure why - unless he thinks to keep me uncertain, off-balance, and hence easier to trap." He sighed. "It has worked in the past."
"What is his name? Might I know of him?"
"Cain."
Menthis frowned, murmuring the name a couple of times then shaking his head.
"I do not remember hearing of such a vampire. He is discreet?"
"More so these days, I think. He doesn't wish to bring attention to himself - that could be dangerous. But he still haunts me."
"Were you lovers?"
Shido lowered his gaze.
"If you can call such an unequal relationship love."
"I see." There was a thoughtful silence, then Menthis tentatively touched the vampire's hand where it lay on the table. "I am sorry."
Surprised, Shido raised his head: the half-demon was smiling ruefully.
"Dominance can be such an ugly thing, can it not?"
"When you're on the receiving end, yes..." The vampire hesitated for a moment, then turned his hand over, long fingers lightly wrapping Menthis'. The half-demon's gaze turned to the main window, where the ice-moon now hung full and shimmering over the ice-plain below - but he did not move his hand. After a few minutes he glanced back at Shido.
"I regret that I am tired, my friend - I cannot be the most amenable of hosts tonight. And tomorrow there are some urgent matters that need my attention. However, Jasti is at your disposal while you are here and will be more than happy to show you the library. There are several multi-dimensional computers there, which you are welcome to use. Should you wish to go outside, please do consider the temperature, and dress accordingly." He gestured to the window. "There is nothing in my small realm that can harm you, except for the cold."
Shido smiled, his fingers tightening fractionally against Menthis' hand.
"Oh - my thanks for the gift of clothing!" He glanced down at himself. "A perfect fit, of course, and a delight to wear."
The half-demon nodded.
"You are most welcome. The style and colour are attractive..."
Shido almost blushed. Was that a compliment? He chuckled quietly, then reluctantly pulled his hand away and rose to his feet.
"I should retire, my lord. I don't wish to presume upon your hospitality."
"You do not." Menthis stood, wincing almost imperceptibly. "However, I must rest."
"Might I walk you to your room?"
Menthis' dark eyes gleamed for a moment.
"That would be most acceptable - since it is next door to yours."
Shido grinned.
"Then neither of us has to go out of our way." He bowed from the waist, a curiously old-fashioned gesture. "Thank you, my lord, for your hospitality."
Together they walked, slowly and in a companionable silence, back to their rooms.
On earth, Shido could tell what time it was by the positions of sun and moon, even if no timepiece was available. But here, in Menthis' beautiful, frigid realm, there was no sun, and the seven moons - at least one of which was always in the sky at any one time, brightening the eerie landscape to a greater or lesser degree - seemed to keep no regular time...
It was oddly liberating, Shido thought on waking after an excellent sleep an unknown time later. He yawned and stretched, then jumped slightly on finding Jasti at his bedside, big golden eyes watching him warily, offering a goblet of steaming blood. Smiling at the nervous little demon, he drained the glass then handed it back.
"My thanks, Jasti."
She bowed her head.
"My master says you'd like to see the libr'y?"
"I would, yes - but first I want to go outside for a little."
Firelight glinted on her large fangs as Jasti shivered involuntarily, and Shido chuckled.
"No, you don't need to come with me."
"If you want me to, m'lord..."
"I assure you I will be perfectly fine by myself."
She nodded and scuttled off to pull the heavy white cote and the thick boots from the armoire.
"Then you'll be needing these, m'lord."
"Thank you, yes."
"And if you feel too cold, you ought to come straight back in, m'lord."
"I will."
She hovered uncertainly, glancing from Shido to the door and back. He made shooing gestures with his hands.
"I won't need you until later, Jasti. Go and do whatever it is you usually do."
"Thank you, m'lord."
The little demon scurried out of the room, leaving Shido bemused for a moment, then he shook his head, pushed back the hartha-down coverlet and strode to the bathroom.
The cold bit him as soon as he stepped out of the warmth of the half-demon's domicile, clawed at his exposed skin and had him pulling the high furred collar more tightly around his neck. Cold!
He shivered. Since becoming a vampire temperature had far less effect on him than it would a human, but gods this was freezing, a supernal cold that seeped deeply into his soul...
The beauty of the place was spellbinding, though, sharp and translucent and still; there was no wind, and sound was oddly muted, falling away without echo. Even his careful footsteps through the crisp snow sounded strangely dulled. But the sky - oh, the sky! - made up for any shortcomings on the ground.
You could cut diamonds with those stars.
Trying not to breathe too deeply, he made his way down the gentle slope from the domicile, wandering, gaze dancing across the horizon but always returning to the heavens, entranced. And in paying scant attention to where he was going he almost stumbled over it.
At first he thought it was a statue of some kind - a naked human figure, arms and legs spread wide, its back arched so as to not quite touch the snow below it. Then he saw that the hands and feet were... he frowned and looked closer. They were encased in - was it rock? wood? - the effect was oddly unfinished, as though the artist had carved the exquisite body, the head, the smooth, beautiful face framed by long snow-coloured hair, the long slender arms and legs, then neglected to carve the hands and feet, leaving them unrealised in the raw material. Very curious...
He stumbled backwards, shocked, as the head turned in his direction, vast silver eyes opening to gaze pleadingly at him.
"... please..."
Biting his lip, Shido moved closer, kneeling in the snow at the figure's head.
"How... How do I help you?" His benumbed hands went to the being's wrist where the arm became gnarled and rootlike, trying to pry the rough material away from the chilled flesh. The creature shook its head.
"No... you cannot free me..."
"Then... what... what do you want..."
"Warm me."
Warm it? Shido blinked, eyes widening as his gaze moved to the creature's groin: a long, sturdy penis was engorging, quivering against the white flesh of the hollow belly. Moving gingerly down the chilled body, pausing at the legs, the vampire's eyes widened further at what was revealed between the wide-spread thighs, under the creature's human-looking testicles.
Hermaphrodite? That was without a shadow of a doubt a vagina, the tiny labia - useless for any kind of protection - quivering as the soft channel between them pulsed.
"... please..."
Shido knelt up and stared down at the lovely - pleading - face.
"What are you?"
"... I have always been here. Please, warm me..."
"... How...?"
The head rolled back, the eyes closing as the hips bucked upwards as far as the creature could reach - which wasn't very far. Shido swallowed. Right. Well, sex usually warmed up the participants... Except there wasn't going to be much participation here, since the being could hardly move...
"... please!..."
Shido bit his lip. He had no idea what this was, whether he'd harm it or himself if he did as it wanted - would he be breaking some sort of geas? And should he take it as a female or allow it to take him, impale himself on that tempting spear of chilled flesh...?
"... please..."
The voice sounded fainter. Reassuring himself with Menthis' assurance that nothing here could hurt him, he nestled as close to the creature's groin as he could, loosened the fastenings of his trousers to release the erection that had built while he'd been agonising over his decision, and plunged smoothly into the slick - and cold - sheath of flesh...
Ohhhhh... he gritted his teeth to stop himself coming, then wriggled to position himself a little more comfortably, thighs under the creature's, his hands wrapping the rigid penis, fingering the near-frozen flesh as he rammed smoothly and forcefully into that cold body...
The creature whimpered, writhing as best it could given its restraints, and Shido moved with it, hips bucking as he tremblingly fondled the quivering erection...
... all Shido knew was the thrust and pull of his own cock deep in the oddly yielding cold flesh, the slow throbbing of the icy phallus in his chilled hands, and the expression of ecstasy on the beautiful face below him. Time did not exist here, in this tiny erotic space, with the snow turning to flowers in Shido's whirling mind...
The creature suddenly stilled, its body tensed, and the vampire felt the penis in his hands quiver and pulse - but there was no resultant wetness over his hands. Instead... he gasped as a sudden flood of warmth engulfed his cock inside the creature, surprise sparking his own orgasm, adding his own semen to the mix. Shuddering, he gazed down at the now-contented face, the silver eyes half-closed, white lips half-smiling.
"... warm now..."
The eyes closed, and the cold body relaxed back into immobility. Shido gently eased himself out of the cooling vagina, hurriedly covering himself - the air felt colder now, somehow - and gazed down at the creature.
It was immobile again, eyes closed, a beautiful, frozen statue...
He rubbed a hand over his eyes.
He really would have to speak to Menthis about this.
The opportunity arose at dinner. Menthis had spent the day immured in his private office, while Shido, after spending from the rising of a small garnet-red moon until the setting of a slightly larger, faster moving silver-white orb wandering the plain below the domicile, had returned to his room to warm up, then had Jasti take him to the library, where he'd immersed himself for... a long time in the reams of information the half-demon had collected over the centuries on the machinations of the demon realms and their effects on each other.
Of his own small realm there was little mention, other than to note its position was variable, as if it wandered through the darker places of their universe. This, Shido concluded, might account for its continuing freedom: if it couldn't be found, it couldn't be conquered - and would anyone actually want a realm so inconveniently, inherently unstable in space?
Other than Menthis, of course. And perhaps himself. It was undeniably beautiful.
Menthis had smiled at his enthusiasm.
"I am gratified that you find it agreeable."
"More than that. It has a deep appeal - a restfulness I've never felt before."
"You are welcome to stay as long as you like, and visit as often as you like."
"Thank you." Shido gazed into his goblet for a moment or two, then glanced at the half-demon.
"I found something unexpected..."
Menthis inclined his head in enquiry. Shido frowned slightly.
"I thought it was a statue, a work of art at first."
"Ah." Menthis nodded. "You have met Guardian."
"It spoke."
"Yes. It is alive."
"But - it's out there, trapped, freezing... Should it not be rescued, brought into the warmth?"
The half-demon shook his head.
"I do not believe it could live away from its place. It certainly believes so."
"I... it asked me to warm it."
"And you did."
Shido bit his lip.
"Did I do wrong?"
"No. Guardian knows what it needs, and the presence of someone new, someone whose essence it feels is necessary, will awaken it."
The vampire frowned.
"Why would mine be necessary?"
Menthis lowered his gaze to his own drink and smiled slightly.
"I would suppose it saw the reason for your visit, and perhaps decided you should become part of this land - metaphysically speaking - for my sake."
"It's physically connected to your realm?"
"Indeed. As am I. As are you now, in a sense, through the seed you left within its body."
Shido blinked, a little alarmed.
"What effect will that have?"
Menthis laid a hand lightly on his wrist.
"Nothing obvious. But this will always be your home, and Guardian will ensure your protection."
"Even back on earth?"
"I cannot say. Perhaps not. But here, certainly, and in the wider environs of the demon realm."
Shido nodded slowly, then frowned.
"But it did not protect you in Lord Hokochu's realm."
Menthis eyed him levelly.
"I have never coupled with it."
Shido stared, then coloured slightly.
"That might have been a little... remiss."
"I agree, now."
"Is it something you will now rectify?"
The half-demon bowed his head.
"I had hoped..."
A brief pause, then Shido leaned a little forward.
"Hoped what, my lord?"
"Hoped that my first experience would be with one for whom I had... respect, and affection."
"Which you do not have for Guardian."
"I respect it. But it neither needs nor asks for affection."
"Nevertheless, it might be wise."
Menthis sighed.
"I suppose so."
"I will be with you."
The half-demon's head jerked up, dark eyes wide.
"You would do that?"
Hold you while you make love to a frozen thing bonded to the ice? Watch you being granted its protection? I think I can do that. And perhaps, afterwards...
"Of course, my lord. It is vital that you be protected."
"Then... perhaps..."
"Now, my lord?"
"Now?"
"Do you have anything else to do?"
"... no..."
Shido rose to his feet, one hand extended to the half-demon.
"Then let us go."
The silver eyes were wide, the lovely face smiling gently in anticipation as they reached it, walking cautiously through the falling snow. The cold pale body was dusted with snowflakes, the ivory-hued nipples hard and erect, the penis already jutting from the groin.
"...I have waited long for you to come to me. Warm me, master of the realm..."
Menthis glanced hesitantly at Shido, who nodded encouragingly; the half-demon slid out of his cote and tunic before the vampire could stop him.
"Menthis - it's too cold!"
But Menthis shook his head, easing his leggings and boots downwards, shivering as the snow brushed his pallid skin.
"No, my friend. I should be naked for this."
"Why?"
"It... it feels correct."
And Guardian nodded. Cursing silently, Shido stepped forwards to pull the half-demon against his fur-clad body.
"Then please, don't linger."
Menthis dropped to his knees in the snow between the wide-spread thighs, one shaking hand reaching out to tentatively touch the spasming opening, fingertip pushing inside as Guardian's hips bucked upwards. Shido knelt behind him, pressed to his back, one arm around his chest fingering a strange mouth-like nipple, the other sliding down to his groin, wrapping the stirring organ there. The half-demon gasped, tentacles lengthening and stroking the warm hand, then he leaned forwards slightly, first one, then two, then all seven pene sliding smoothly into the cold tight channel.
Guardian's eyes opened wide, hips straining upwards as Menthis' pale hands gripped its penis and began to pump, hips rocking as he drove instinctively into the writhing white body. Shido wrapped as much of his heavy fur cote around the half-demon as would reach, both hands splayed on the pale lean chest and cock achingingly erect as the nipple-mouths rhythmically suckled at his fingers...
Menthis cried out, head flung back against Shido's shoulder as each pene jetted semen into the cold body, shuddering as Guardian also orgasmed, once again inside, adding hot jism to the half-demon's warm seed. Gasping, Menthis held as still as he could, given he was shivering violently with the cold, and Guardian smiled gently up into his pale, startled face.
"... warm... so warm... share the warmth with your companion..."
With a sigh the silver eyes closed, and Guardian was once more sleeping in the snow.
Menthis pulled out of the cold body, deeply chilled and shaking so hard Shido had no choice but to dress him, forcing cold-numbed fingers to tug the tunic over the half-demon's head, pull leggings over long lean legs... Quick as he was, by the time he'd draped the scarlet cote over his host's shoulders, Menthis was only semi-conscious.
"My lord? We must hurry."
The half-demon sighed something that sounded like "... so tired..." and slumped against the vampire's strong body, dark eyes closing, lashes like bruises against his white skin. Worried, Shido wrapped an arm around his waist, pulled a limp cold arm over his own shoulders, and hastened back to the domicile as fast as he could, Menthis a cold heavy weight against him...
© 2006 September 12th Joules
The Night