The Return of the Dragonhawk

Chapter 36 -- Aftermath

"Have no fear," Acontis murmured into Alyn's ear as he carried her from the sickroom to her own chamber. "I will look after you." She rested her head on his shoulder, certain that she could never be afraid as long as she was in his arms.

They lay on her bed together, alternately talking and dozing through the night hours. Once or twice she thought enviously of Rhoz and Alyx savouring the flower of their youth, and cursed her own withered body, past caring for love play. Her regrets quickly dissolved in the pool of joy bathing her. What she shared with Acontis was so satisfying that she could not imagine anything sweeter. While their souls were mingled, she had discovered unconditional acceptance of her secret self. Now that she was back in her own body, she could no longer hear his thoughts, but felt them as if they were her own. Her oneness with Acontis transcended even her sisterhood with Rhoz. Without measuring her words or hiding any part of herself, she poured out her heart to him like a pure spring, and drank in his essence with every word he spoke.

While the moon was covered by a cloud, Acontis told her haltingly of Elitherion's visit at her bedside. She edged closer to him, yearning to be the chalice of that great love of which the master spoke.

"If I die--" she began.

"Do not speak of dying! I will not allow it!"

"If I die," she repeated with tender insistence, "know that I would not trade any length of life for the hours I have spent with you."

"When you are rejuvenated, you will laugh at yourself for saying that."

"Perhaps. But whenever my death comes, I want love to be my legacy. Swear to me that you will forgive every dark part of yourself for my sake, and allow yourself to love and be loved for as long as you breathe."

"I will never let you die," he muttered.

"Then your oath will cost you nothing. Swear. Consider it my final request."

She held him as tightly as her limited strength allowed while he warred with himself. At last, the words tore from him with a sob. "I swear."

"By the Hawk?"

"By the Hawk and all that is sacred to me. But you must not die. I could not bear it."

Alyn smiled in the darkness. "I will do my best to grant your wish. But be forewarned: you may come to regret it. I mean to stay by your side always, earning the right to a shrivelled body like this, and a sharp tongue to go with it."

An hour before dawn, Acontis disentangled himself from her embrace. "I must go and purify myself for the ceremony."

She shivered, suddenly overcome with dread. He stood up and looked down at her. "I love you."

"Even if the spell fails and I remain as I am?"

"Even if the spell fails."

She would have leaped into his arms, but she was too weak to stand. "I love you!" she called to his retreating back.

He turned. "When you are young again, you will not care to waste yourself on a one-eyed ruffian like me."

"Try me," she said. "I love you as you are today, and I love what you are meant to become."

He returned to her side and kissed her lips, then left without looking back.

When she was alone, the minutes passed in agonizing procession. Before her transformation, she would have settled herself by practising her swordplay sequences. Now, there was nothing she could do but lie still and wait. She resolved that, however long she lived, she would never fail to be kind and patient with the aged.