A Dawn of Dragonfire - By Daniel Arenson Page 0,104

he hadn't recoiled in disgust. He still stood at her side. For an instant fear swelled inside her, and she was terrified that he would try to embrace or kiss her, and she knew she would flinch at his touch, that the memories would flow through her. But he only stood at her side, sword in hand, and she loved him for it. It was all she wanted from him right now.

"Bayrin," she whispered and opened her eyes. "Can you… can you do it?"

He nodded, face pale, eyes haunted but determined.

Mori turned away and walked several feet, facing the trees. She clutched her sword so tight her fingers hurt. She closed her eyes. When she heard the cry behind her, a mewl like a kicked dog, she winced and a tear ran down her cheek.

She heard Acribus moan no more. It was over.

"He's gone," she whispered, trembling. "He's gone forever."

The sun began to set. They had flown for two days and a night, not resting, and Nova Vita still lay many leagues away.

That night they slept upon a bed of dry leaves, naked birches rising around them. Under their cloaks, Mori shifted until she lay against Bayrin, warm in his arms. She slept with her head against his chest, his hand stroking her hair, and for the first time in many nights, she did not dream.

ELETHOR

The Starlit Demon rose before him from the shadow.

A beast of stone, it rose two hundred feet tall, nearly as tall as the cavern that held it. Fissures ran across its bulky form, leaking starlight. Its teeth were white boulders, its eyes swirling pools of starlight. Its body shook and clanked as it grumbled, a sound that shook the chamber.

Elethor and Lyana stood upon the pillar of stone, still in human forms. Holding hands, they gazed upon the rising beast.

"Demon of Starlight!" Elethor cried. "I am Elethor, Son of Olasar, King of Requiem! I come to free you from your lair and call upon your help."

The Starlit Demon's head thrust forward, as large as Elethor's house in Nova Vita. Its mouth cracked open, a canyon in rock, and it rumbled with a voice like cascading boulders. The chamber shook with it.

"I serve no king… return to your sunlight… and let me sleep."

The behemoth of stone began descending into the shadows again, a mountain sinking into night. Its eyes began to close, leaving but glowing slits like crescent moons. A ridge of boulders rose down its back like a spine, creaking and shifting.

Elethor tightened his jaw. After all this—walking through the Abyss itself—would this creature refuse to help them? Floaters of light filled his eyes. His breath shook in his lungs. Lyana's hand tightened around his, squeezing it like a drowning woman.

"You will not sleep!" Elethor called to the demon. "Wake, Starlit Demon, and serve those you are bound to! You served my forefathers. You are still sworn to my house. Rise and serve Requiem, the kingdom your stars shine upon."

The demon raised its great head again. Dust and pebbles rained from its body. Its eyes opened again, blazing so bright Elethor snarled and looked aside, his own eyes narrowing.

"Sworn to your house!" the demon bellowed, voice echoing across the cavern, its waves thudding against Elethor's chest. "Your fathers imprisoned me here. Your fathers stripped me of fire to feast on." A growl left its maw, so powerful Elethor swayed and nearly fell. "Leave this place, lest I feed upon your flesh instead."

Clutching Elethor's hand, Lyana raised her chin and shouted to the beast.

"If it's fire you crave, we will feed you fire!" Her cheeks flushed and her eyes blazed. "Are you hungry, Starlit Demon? For years you slumbered here, and your light is dim. Will fire fill your belly?"

The Starlit Demon turned its head so quickly, its tail of stone lashed and hit a wall. A crack ran along the chamber, showering stones. The beast roared, baring its teeth. Its gullet blazed like swirling, molten stars.

"I have craved fire for longer than your mind can grasp," it said. "For two thousand turns of your seasons, I slumbered here, craving heat and flame to devour. The hunger in my belly is a forge you cannot fill."

Elethor and Lyana looked at one another and nodded. They shifted as one, flapped their wings, and rose as dragons. The Starlit Demon roared before them, maw open so wide, Elethor knew it could swallow even his dragon form.

"Here is a taste of the fire you crave!" Elethor shouted and blew