Stardust (29 page)

He stood completely nude before the looking glass. Staring at his feet, he wiggled his toes experimentally, reveling in the feel of smooth, cool stone against the soles of his feet. Traveling upward, he took in the length of his legs, lightly haired and permanently darkened from the constant exposure to the sun. That was, of course, befo
re the unfortunate incident which
had sent his people beneath the ground to live like pit dwellers.

Turning his mind away from such thoughts, he forced himself to continue his perusal. His thighs and buttocks were well defined and firmly muscled. His manhood, nestled in the valley of his strong thighs was more than adequately proportioned and had once pleasured many wiling females. Only as his gaze swept upward past his midsection, did Slamock feel the need to hide his nakedness. The normal male part of him was connected to someth
ing so hideously grotesque
his mind did not want to comprehend it.

Above his waistline, Slamock –
once a prou
d, strong leader of his people –
was as scaly as any slithering reptile on the surface of any of the galaxy
’
s unnumbered planets. The hard, shell-like skin was damp and cold to the touch, its multiple ridges overlapping one another like plates of armor. His neck was non-existent and his small head, hairless and of a ruddy complexion sat incongruously atop his broad
shoulders.
His ears were no more than tiny slits in the slimy pink sink.

Picking up the crystal candle holder atop his bureau, Slamock threw it forcefully against the mirror, blotting out his image. It was not so easy a task to vanquish it from his mind. Willing his chaotic thoughts into something akin to order, Slamock dropped his weary body onto his sleeping mat. Most of his people had been slaughtered when the fire came from the sky. He had watched his father and brothers burn in the flames and others smother in the enveloping smoke. As well, half of his once lush planet had been destroyed. Like cowards, he and his remaining people had run underground, burrowing deep into the planet where they were safe from the atrocities of the war above.

But it had been too late to escape the terrible spell cast upon them. The hundred or so men that had managed to get below with their families had fallen victim to the terrible fate put upon them. Unable to withstand such punishment, all but a handful had taken their lives, and their loved ones had joined them in the underworld, grief stricken beyond rational thought.

Now Slamock knew
it was up to him to ensure
his race did not perish, such as it was. And with the beautiful female called Aurora, he was ready to begin.

But how to con
vince such a lovely maiden
he was her destiny? Somehow he must make her see that together they could build a great nation. Together they could rule a planet of proud and strong people.

Yet how could he get her to look past the ugliness that was his existence and see the future that could be theirs? Somehow he would find a way. To think otherwise would be to lose all hope and this he could not afford to do.

Aurora
’
s eyes had slowly adjusted to the darkness of the underground. She rubbed her arms with her hands,
trying to remove the chill which
had settled upon her body. Never had she felt so cold. She tried not to think of the hurt she had felt when Talena had refused to accompany her.

The turin had been her constant companion since she had been thrust into her Uncle Darvek
’
s harried household. She knew she had been a burden to the elder statesman, but he had made her feel so secure after the death of her parents. Her heart still grieved at the words read at his passing. If the maids of the palace had not told her of Bartok
’
s evil plan to capture her, she would have no doubt met with the same untimely demise. For never would she have submitted to his touch.

Up ahead she could make out the slight glint of the guards
’
yellow eyes as they patrolled the caverns. Easing back into he shadows, she waited for the group to pass. She breathed a deep sigh of relief as they passed her by, unaware of her presence. She did not fear death at their hands. Slamock had made it very clear his plans for her.

Once again she started forward. A faint light at the entrance of a large cavern grew brighter as she neared. Surprise filled her that no guards were posted. The room was composed entirely of white crystal, a huge boulder lay at its center. Unable to stop herself, Aurora moved forward as if drawn by some unseen hand.

Looking down, she saw the center of the great crystal was empty, as if a huge hand had scooped away part of the stone. She knew immediately this was where Krossos
’
s life stone had once been. The remaining white crystal was veined with blue, a color so brilliant it seemed to emanate a light of its own. Within seconds of her touching the stone, small streams of water flowed from the center. Instantly the feelings of peace and comfort were replaced by pain and suffering. And terrible grief. She quickly drew back, her anguished gaze fastened hypnotically upon the large crater-like rock. Wrapping her arms around her shivering body, she backed away
slowly.

Instantly she no longer had any desire to traipse about the cold, wet caverns by herself. All she wanted to do was be back in the safety of Darton
’
s strong arms. But she
’
d have to settle for the solitude of her
‘
borrowed
’
chambers. Turning quickly, she made her way hastily along the darkened hallway, careful to avoid the patrolling guards.

“
Where have you been? I was beginning to get worried about you.
”
Talena
’
s harsh whisper echoed in the darkness.

Closing the heavy door, Aurora
struck a firestick to the candle
beside her sleeping mat.
“
Do not carry on so, Talena. I am in no mood for your attitude.
”

“
Well, excuse me. I don
’
t think –
”
Talena
’
s tirade stopped suddenly.
“
Mistress what is wrong? You
’
re shaking.
”

Aurora dropped onto her sleeping mat, her weak legs refusing to support her any longer.
“
I cannot explain it. One minute I was fine, the next I felt as though I was in the grip of the
deepest despair. I am so scared.
”

Talena could feel the fear too. Not because of Aurora
’
s words, but from the way she was acting. Her master had never shown fear, even when their very lives had been in danger while escaping from Palermos. Crawling upon the sleeping mat, she huddled close, pleased when Aurora
’
s arms wrapped about her, drawing her comfortingly close.

“
Oh, Talena, whatever will we do?
”
Aurora
’
s softly draw question was filled with hopeless despondency.

“
Well.
”
The word was long and drawn out, as though the turin was giving her comment considerable thought.
“
Tonight we will sleep as though we have no cares, and tomorrow morning we will try not to wat
ch that overgrown weasel eat at
break
fast.
”

Aurora laughed and felt her fears lessening. Rubbing the soft, warm fur of her life-long friend, she let her eyes flutter shut.
“
You always know how to make me feel better. I don
’
t know what I would do without you.
”

Aurora stifled a yawn and Talena breathed a sigh of relief. She could not break her promise to Darton, yet she did not know what she would have done if she had been unable to calm Aurora
’
s fears. The candle had burned low by the time Talena was s
atisfied
Aurora
’
s sleep was deep and peaceful. Closing her eyes, she gave herself up to the world of dreams as well.

Darton moved his stiff limbs as much as possible in the confined space of his cell. His clothes had drawn dampness from the moss-covered stones and his body was numb from the cold. He had fallen asleep. Even as tired as he was, he recognized the danger of such foolishness. It would not happen again.

“
Siara?
”
His low voice carried clearly on the cool night air and he stiffened as a passing guard turned. He held his breath until the sentry strode past his cell and continued up the rough stone stops.
“
Siara.”

The big cat raised her head, her eyes glittering brightly in the darkness.

Darton
’
s voice commanded the large cat
’
s full attention.
“
Come closer and let me share your warmth.
”

Siara raised her great body and tread quietly to her master. The big cat pressed her warm body against Darton
’
s cold legs, instantly warming him.
“
Thank you. I know it was much drier where you were, and I appreciate your sacrifice.
”
Darton could not stroke the warm golden fur as he would have liked. But
even as his body warmed, hi
s mind could not find comfort. Something tugged at the back of his senses, trying to pull him to a place he wasn
’
t sure he wanted to go. When the strangeness had first touched his mind, he had rejoiced, thinking he had finally found Aurora in the darkness
of the ground, but within seconds he had known it
was not his beloved. He had, however, sensed the unknown entity was female. But he had never encountered such a likeness before. He felt great sorrow, pain and suffering, but strangely no fear. His mind began to relax and he felt Siara shift restlessly.
“
You felt it too, my friend, didn
’
t you?
”

He grinned weakly as the cat growled.
“
I am glad. For now I know I do not dream of things that are not there.
”

Almost against his will he allowed his thoughts to drift upward out from his body. This time when he traveled through the darkness, he did not feel the suffocation of the rock walls around him. He flew faster and faster, propelled toward an unseen and unknown destination. As he passed a long row of closed doors, he stopped abruptly.

Inside the room was Aurora. He reached out, trying to break through. He could feel her mind awaken from sleep and he could hear the soft calling of his name. Behind him the other spoke, urging him forward, the words whispers of prayers, a plea for help.

“
No,
”
he silently screamed, blocking out everything but Aurora. His name on her lips grew louder and he hurdled though the door. Reaching down, his formless self bent as if to pick her up in his arms, to hold her close once again. He pressed his mind to hers, willing her to hold on, telling her of his love. Before he could awaken her fully, the entity snatched him away.

Darton
’
s breath left his body as he felt himself falling through space, hurtling into the darkness below. He woke with a jolt, his consciousness once again in his shivering body.

Aurora jerked upright on her pallet, her breath harsh and heavy. Her eyes flew around the room searching the darkness. She had felt him. Darton had been here, beside her in this very room. Throwing the life cover away, she went to the door, gasping as some kind of charge surged through her body when she touched the metal frame.

Talena, having been awakened by Aurora
’
s abrupt departure from the mat, rushed to her side.
“
What is it, mistress
?
”

Aurora held her fingers to her mouth, gently suckling the tender flesh.
“
I do not know. This door now holds some kind of power.
”
Tentatively she reached out to touch the door again.

“
I do not understand,
”
Talena said.
“
There was no such thing before.
”

“
But I have never ventured forth during the middle of the night either. Perhaps my host does not wish the secrets of the crystal to be revealed.
”
Aurora was relieved when her second touch did not produce another sharp sting of pain. Whatever had been before was now gone.

Talena sat on her hunches.
“
You should heed this unexpected warning and remain within our chamber,
”
she cautioned.
“
Remember, your earlier excursion did not end so well.
”