Stardust (49 page)

“
What is happening?
”
Aurora said, unable to go to Darton even though her heart begged her to. He was ruler of Palermos, never to be hers again.

“
Quickly,
”
Chantar said.
“
This stone must be replaced.
”

Darton retrieved the fallen crystal, surprised to feel the heat radiating from its core.
“
Here,
”
he said, handing it to Chantar. A small white-haired woman Darton had never seen now stood beside the traveler.

“
No,
”
the woman said,
“
you must give it to the Keeper.
”

“
Who are you?
”
Darton demanded.

“
I am Winoka, Chantar
’
s partner.
”

Darton narrowed his eyes upon the chubby man.
“
Where is this Keeper?
”
he asked, suspicious again of the strange little man.

“
She is there.
”

All eyes turned, gazing upon Aurora
’
s startled face.

“
Me?
”
she gasped, looking behind her as if another had entered the cavern.

Darvek nodded his head slowly as if only now solving some ancient riddle.
“
Of course,
”
he murmured.
“
That is why Bartok was so intent upon possessing her. With her under control, he could have ruled without removing the stone. His power would have been absolute.
”
He looked almost sadly at Bartok
’
s still figure.
“
I wonder if he even knew the power he sought?
”

Jalon stepped forward.
“
In the end, I believe he gained an even greater knowledge.
”
He would be forever grateful for the courage Bartok displayed in saving Darton
’
s life.
“
Go my child,
”
he softly commanded Aurora.
“
It is your destiny.
”

Aurora moved slowly, returning her uncle
’
s nod of approval as she passed beside him. She stopped at Darton
’
s side.

“
It is only fitting,
”
Chantar beamed.
“
The ruler of Palermos returning the stone to the rightful Keeper.
”

He patted his wife
’
s hand.
“
I told you everything would work out.
”

Winoka did not answer her husband for several seconds as she watched Aurora and Darton.
“
Do not count your chickens before they hatch, Chantar.
”

“
I believe this belongs to you,
”
Darton said, holding out the stone.

“
I guess it does,
”
Aurora agreed, unsure of what to do.
“
Darton,
”
she whispered. Some of her anguish must have shown on her pale features for he reached out and soothed a wayward strand of hair behind her ear.

“
Do not be frightened. You have faced many a Bawna warrior and lived to tell the tale. And do not forget Slamock and his men.
”
His face was sad even as he spoke the tender words of encouragement. He knew this moment had been written since the beginning of time, and he, a single male, even one of noble birth, had no power to stop it. His fists clenched at his sides.

Aurora
’
s hands trembled as she reached out to take the stone. The blue glow grew stronger. Her whole body shook as a mist of the same color engulfed her. She fell to her knees, the precious stone clutched to her middle.

Seeing the pain on her face, Darton rushed forward shouting her name.

“
No,
”
Jalon ordered.
“
You must not interfere.
”

Darton scanned the faces of those around him. Each was lost in the power of the moment, unmindful of the pain Aurora was suffering.
“
Damn you,
”
he yelled.
“
Damn you one and all.
”
He drew his sword, cutting through the dense fog until he freed her from the cloudy bonds.

“
You cannot have her,
”
he shouted.
“
She is mine.
”

The blue mist gathered together, returning to the stone.

“
I must,
”
Aurora said, her face pale and drawn.
“
There is not much time.
”

“
No,
”
Darton groaned, burying his face in the side of her neck.
“
I love you. I cannot stand to see you in such pain.
”

“
It does not hurt,
”
she said.
“
Much.
”
She grinned widely, letting him see the determined warrior he had first fallen in love with.

She rose to her feet, gathering the crystal to her once again.
“
Show me the Circle of Eternity,
”
she demanded of Chantar. Her mind whirled with the knowledge the mist had imparted upon her.

“
This way, my lady,
”
he bowed. As he spoke, huge sections of the ice ceiling began to fall.

“They will be fine
.”
Winoka gathered her skirts around her, gesturing excitedly to the group.
“
But w
e must leave this place.
”

Darton took one last look at the opening Aurora and Chantar had taken before following his mother and father to safety and leaving his love, and his life, in the hands of fate.

* * *

Darton paced the length of the large chamber, stopping to rest one foot on the great stone fireplace. Wearily he leaned his forehead against the granite mantle.
“
Why did I not stay behind with her? How could I have been so foolish?
”

“
You had no choice.
”
Talena lay on the thick rug beside Siara, failing to find contentment in the warmth of the licking orange flames.

“
Yes I did.
”
Darton straightened.
“
I gave her to that blessed mountain and now I realize, I need her more. I love her.
”

“
Then go and get her.
”

“
What?
”
Darton found himself staring at the turin as though she had just sprouted another head.

“
I said go and get her.
”
Talena rose, stretching languidly.

“
If she had wanted me, she would have come here when she finished replacing the stone. The tremors and storms stopped two moons ago. The moons are brighter than ever.
”
Darton had never felt so unsettled.

His father had urged him to take the throne but Darton had declined, seeing the love the people felt toward their elder ruler. Besides, he was not yet ready to assume such a responsibility. He still had much to see in the galaxy. He had thought to share his adventure with Aurora by his side. Perhaps he should become first councilman of Yulon as Darvek had suggested. It would help him prepare for his eventual role as ruler, yet give him freedom to explore.

With the death of Bartok and Saatan, Yulon
’
s royal lineage had been broken. The citizens, upon the advice of Jalon, had offered Darvek the title of first citizen to represent them. With the help of Jalon
’
s wizards, the planet
’
s destruction had been stopped.

A special envoy had been dispatched to Krossos, their life stone returned with deep apologies from King Jalon.

“
Then why has she not come for me?
”
Talena questioned.
“
I am, after all, her best friend.
”

Darton shrugged wearily.
“
I do not know. Perhaps she waits for me to leave so she can come here freely.
”

“
Surely you do not believe that?
”
Talena walked quietly across the room to rub against his leg.

Darton reached down, drawing the small creature into his arms.

“
What are you going to do?
”
Talena could not keep the worry from her even as she purred contentedly at Darton
’
s administrations to her soft fur.

“
It is late. We will adjourn to our sleeping mats. Mayhaps things will be clearer on the morrow.
”

Talena did not comment as she noted the weary slump of his shoulders. Surely her beloved master would not be so cruel as to de
s
sert those
she loved. And Talena knew
Aurora loved Darton.

Darton smiled as Talena and Siara fought with one another for position at the foot of his sleeping mat. He had not thought it possible, but he had actually grown fond of Aurora
’
s pet, perhaps because it was his only remaining link to the woman he loved.

He waited until the animals were settled before extinguishing the candle. Closing his eyes tightly, he allowed the images he had fought so hard to banish during the day to flow freely through his tortured mind.

Aurora, her beautiful hair flying in the breeze, her smiling lips, her bright eyes. Her face flushed with
the passion he could
aroused in her.

“
Darton.
”

Darton tensed, holding his body still, listening intently to the sounds of the night. Surely his imagination was playing tricks on him.

“
Darton?
”

Turning his head, he swallowed a gasp as his eyes stared at the apparition standing before him.

Her dress was white, a pale ivory glimmering in the moonlight pouring through the open window behind her. Aurora turned, presenting her cameo profile to him. Darton strained to see what her arms were reaching for when a blue light shimmering from around her throat caught his attention. It was a necklace fashioned from the life stone.

A man dressed in flowing red robes swung her high into his arms. As he turned to take her away, Darton caught sight of the tears falling from her cheeks.

He sat up with a start, his body soaked with sweat, his chest heaving in exertion as if he had run a great race. He slung the covers back, tumbling Talena to the floor. The turin shrieked in sleepy protest.

“
Come my friends,
”
Darton said, slipping a clean karta over his lean hips.
“
We have much to do before the night is over.
”

* * *

Aurora woke slowly, stretching her body to remove the kinks from her back. After two solid weeks of sleeping on a rock floor, her body felt bruised to the very bone.

“
Good morning, my dear,
”
Chantar greeted cheerfully.

“
If you say so,
”
Aurora grumbled good-naturedly. She took the cup of tea he handed her, sipping the soothing liqu
id thankfully. The sickness which
had befallen her on Krossos had returned. Every morning she had risen, retching
violently
until Chantar had discovered her illness. Now, no matter how early she rose, a cup of the fortifying drink could be found.

“
Do not worry. It will soon pass,
”
Chantar said, dropping to the floor beside her. In a se
ries of twisting maneuvers which were
agonizing to watch, he criss-crossed his legs, pulling the huge robe over the chubby appendages.

“
Today is the final day.
”

“
I know,
”
Aurora said, a certain sadness in her voice.
“
I will miss it.
”

“
You do not have to,
”
Chantar reminded her gently.
“
The gift is yours. Nothing I may teach another will come close to what you naturally possess.
”