FSE

Furry search engine

formerly SoFurry search engine

Chapter 12

The moon illuminated the Realms with its strong, silvery light, whatever wildlife woke up during this mysterious time of every day bathed in the light. The sounds of nature accompanying every nightfall couldn't be compared to anything else. The sounds of wind, trees and creatures where both interesting and frightening at the same time for anyone willing to listen. However night doesn't only bring that specific distress with it but also a peculiar harmony.

During nightfall every creature knows its role, knows who is a predator and who is prey. Stalking and hiding in the silver grass or on the branches of the trees. Predator and prey, playing a deadly game of hide and seek, in perfect harmony.

Mostly.

Whatever owls were judging the pitiful morsels below with their intelligent eyes, deciding what is worth their attention and what is not, scattered chaotically in every direction. Snapping branches with their talons as they jumped, spreading their mighty wings and beating with them so fiercely that even the wind itself seemed to bend to their avian will, creating a gust whenever the birds needed it the most.

Some owls sped parallel to the ground, some shot through the crown like brown, feathery cannonballs. All of them sending twigs and leaves swaying and falling onto the silvery ground. All of the owls ran, spooked by flying magical icy projectiles that seemed like tiny comets, but instead of falling from the sky they were shooting from the ground, trying to strike down the birds.

All managed to avoid the gruesome fate.

"This is exactly what I'm talking about" Ignus commented frigidly as he watched the flying icy bolts, shimmering towards the sky with eyes of a bored spectator who got invited to a play he seen countless times already

"You never learn"

Iris clamped her mouth shut with an audible click of her teeth as she turned to face the drake, her expression disgruntled as if she would be munching a lemon.

"Skam dakte ame zifaete at?"

The words coming out of her mouth lacked the typical accent he was used to hear. There was no trace of Common in her tone, only that infuriating language. It was maddening to hear her speak like this.

And she knew that.

Ignus growled, his burning tail tip spat out flames.

"Quit it Iris"

"Der aktet besziam"

Ignus stomped his paw fiercely.

"Stop it!"

Iris fixed him with a full of disgust gaze.

"What's the matter uncle? Having troubles understanding royal language?"

Her accent was back, but unfortunately it didn't make him any bit calmer.

"Spare me this idiocy. You think this is a game?"

"You never learn" she remarked him tauntingly

A vein of fury pulsed on the dragon's neck like a heart.

"I don't know what Athron was thinking, this farce was fun in the beginning, but now she's dead. This stupidity died with her"

A puff of icy mist wafted from the dragonesses nose.

"Don't question my mother's ideas, she knew what she was doing. As dragons we shouldn't be speaking the tongue of filth on a daily basis. We're elite." she examined the dragon from horn to claw with a mocking gaze "At least some of us"

She turned away from him and sauntered forward towards the clearing where a patch of flowers grew, swaying her tail and hips in such a provocative and mocking way that suits only those of royal blood, those born into the sophisticated environment.

In the way she moved there was a sign for all the others who never got a taste of grandeur, those could only stare and drool. The oblivious ones at least, the more intelligent would see letters forming on the dragonesses rump that would make their eyes roll.

You're below it. Fuck off.

Ignus watched his niece with a fiery gaze "To be an elite you need more than royal blood in your veins, you also need respect"

She indifferently walked through the patch of flowers, amused by the way they bent as she walked, like little people bowing to their majesty.

"And you'll never have respect, because you don't appreciate what you have girl"

The dragoness pressed her nose to one of the flowers, sniffing at its pleasant scent "And what is that uncle?"

"Me"

Iris snorted.

Ignus relaxed, this was her typical response, something he got used to acknowledge during the years.

Nothing has changed.

"Hide behind contempt if you will, but the truth is that I'm your harbor. You keep sending waves after waves but I'm still standing"

The dragoness growled quietly, tightly wrapping her claws around the stalk of one of the flowers, right below the head.

"What are you rambling about?"

"You need me"

She jerked her paw up, separating the head from the stern with a delicate snapping sound.

"Bullshit. I don't need you or anyone else. Get lost and stop wasting my time"

"And leave you to drown in sorrow? How long do you think that medallion would keep reminding you how it is to live? It's a thing, things break"

Iris slashed with her claws as she roared ferociously, heads of many flowers flew up and down in the wake of her swiping paw.

"Don't pretend that you know me!"

The dragon observed her calmly, again like a spectator, familiar with every scene of the play.

"But I do know you Iris, think what you want, but we're family. Our relationship is difficult, but that doesn't change the fact that I'm still your uncle"

She stomped her paw, ice shot from underneath it, freezing the soil and turning the flowers into dead, small icicles.

"What the hell do you want from me?!"

"I'm here to keep you safe, to fulfill my promise to your late mother"

She snorted once more "Touching"

"I only ask that you don't repeat the same mistakes"

"You think I'm an idiot? You ask for respect while you show me none?"

Ignus shook his head.

"I don't want you to respect me as a person, I want you to respect what I symbolize. You can still find some good in life Iris. You can remember how it is to smile. If you won't realize this, you're going to ruin everything around you"

"I know what I'm doing"

"Do you really?"

Iris rolled her eyes, annoyed "Speak up your mind already. I have enough of dealing with your senile deviations"

"I'm talking about the boy"

She balked with a surprised snort "What? What boy?"

"The one that stood up in your defense"

Her eyes sparkled with amusement "Dynamite? You can't be serious"

He didn't say anything, only watched her meaningfully.

"He's a nobody!"

The fire drake nodded painstakingly "Exactly"

She growled in fury "I have enough of your riddles! Start making sense or this conversation is over!"

"You have a weakness Iris, do I really have to lead you by the hand? Start using your brain, doesn't this situation remind you of anything? Doesn't the boy seem familiar?"

"Familiar? How? He's a walking fire for crying out loud! For all I know he can fart flames, did you see anyone like him before? I'm sure I haven't"

"I'm not talking about outside appearances"

"Then what-" her eyes suddenly widened, hate and aggression that was clouding her judgment lowered their defenses long enough for realization to pierce through

"Are you fucking kidding me?" Iris blurt out incredulously

Ignus nodded sagely "You are a female Iris, no matter how seriously your heart might be shattered, you will long for the feeling that made you so happy. You will try to reminisce old memories"

"You're insane!"

"You're a pretty girl, how long do you think it takes for a young boy to develop feelings for you? Especially if you show interest"

"I don't care, he can drool all he wants. It's strictly business for me"

"I have no doubt about that, but remember what I said. Spare the boy the pain and watch your step, we don't want the same thing to happen again"

"Stop talking to me like I'm some kind of oblivious brat! I learn from my mistakes!" she snapped at him "I felt that idiot's power, it's extraordinary, I can use it. If he starts following me like a sick puppy all the better, it'll be easier to play him"

Ignus sighed "You can't use people like that"

"You were the one that told me to mistrust people and keep them at a distance!"

"Yes, but I don't recall saying that you should treat them like toys"

"Whatever, I know what I'm doing. Dynamite is a moron but a powerful one. Far more reliable than that childish fascination of yours"

"How can you say such a thing? Do you have any idea what Spyro has done? He froze time itself! I've heard legends about it, never believed it was true until now"

"Good luck controlling an overrated time jumper"

Ignus balked at the words "Control? I don't want to manipulate him, I want to have him as an ally"

Iris frowned "Those aren't even our people! Why bother?"

"Because to see our revenge complete we need all the help we can get and we won't get that if you start playing with people"

"You're crazy if you think I'll start kissing Goldie's ass"

The dragon shook his head sadly "By the gods Iris, have you forgotten how valuable simple sympathy is?"

Her cold gaze remained unmoved "Time taught me that things like sympathy, trust and all the rest of the crap is worthless, there's no value to be found there. Waste your time if you want on Goldie, he's overrated. Besides I doubt he will like me when I'll shove his girlfriend's claws down her throat"

"Iris!" the dragon admonished his niece fiercely

"That bitch dared to touch me! I won't be humiliated!"

"I forbid you from doing such a thing!"

Iris looked at him disdainfully "Forbid me? Who do you think you are to tell me what to do?"

Ignus growled "Will you stop with this royal nonsense? Open your eyes, you are nothing here!"

"For them, maybe, but it is you who needs to remember your place uncle"

He licked his lips, once, twice and then swallowed, his expression twisted like he would just swallow a ball of extremely bitter herbs

"Watch your tongue Iris, I might be your uncle, but even I have limited patience for impudence"

She turned from him and sauntered away in the same manner as before, her swinging tail tip leaving behind an icy mist that seemed to form a mocking smirk.

At first Ignus dug his claws deep into the soil, as if sinking them into flesh while eyeing his niece with his fiery ruby orbs. His claws kept clenching farther and farther until they got a hold off of something round and solid.

A rock.

He narrowed his eyes on the tauntingly swaying body of his niece and started to press his claws against the rock. His muscles flexed, as his claws tried to pierce through the thick rough surface. Grimace of pain and effort wrinkled his snout.

And then his eyes sparkled with the same feeling that is strictly connected with his niece. His well-formed muscles bulged underneath his scales as if a bolt of lightning shot through his body.

The stone cracked.

His eyes widened in hope, desperately wanting to see something happening, almost craving for it.

Nothing has changed.

Suddenly the dragon blinked, straightened up and removed his claws from the earth. He was observing his niece in a perfectly relaxed pose. All was good once more.

Nothing has changed.

*

She knew this staircase like the back of her paw , she didn't perhaps walk down them for like million times, but the experience she gained from those couple of times when she actually beat the stairs made her familiar with each step. She balanced her weight perfectly on them, applying enough weight here and less pressure there, making sure that her toes and claws touch the wood first before the rest of her paw does.

Tactic such as that was not only healthy but also adequately comfortable. The pressure was perfect, allowed stability, body doesn't sway, spine is happy. We can't forget about the legs, they also took advantage of this sophisticated plan. The perfectly calculated steps didn't force her well- formed feminine muscles to flex and stretch her scales, unnecessarily displaying their form in the roughest manner, suitable for a warrior on a battlefield not a normal girl.

She has great legs if she can say so herself, and the mathematical pattern she developed allowed to emphasize their beauty. The way she placed her paws allowed a perfect view on her legs for anyone behind her, he undoubtedly seen their alluring feminine figure, the delicate tone of muscles. A sight to admire, a sight that wakes up hunger for touch.

Cynder, what the hell are you thinking about?

She shook her head, her mind raced back to reality, whatever stupid thoughts circled inside her skull evaporated. She unconsciously sought comfort, distraction from the feeling of anxiety and confusing excitement. This stairs were never so slippery before, her steps were never THIS heavy, as if her legs would be made of lead instead of bone.

Despite the misgiving she carried onward, thudding like a statue, up the unfortunately quickly ending staircase. Her breath wavered when her paws landed on the entresol, with her gaze aimed at the ground she began to turn around, slowly, as if feeling the hungry glare of some monster on her. From which she ran and had the unfortunate bad luck to make the wrong turn and bump into it. Instinctively knowing that this is the end of her.

However her eyes found no monster, but the form of a wooden step. She began to trace its features by directing her emerald eyes up. The form of a second step appeared.

Her heart skipped a beat.

She continued to raise her gaze. Third step came into view.

She felt air being sucked from her lungs.

She kept on going, not really knowing why but just couldn't help herself.

Fourth step.

The temperature shot drastically higher all of a sudden, she began to sweat and the world danced in front of her eyes as if she was having a heat stroke.

Her blurry vision kept on raising.

The last fifth step.

Her heart popped like a balloon.

"Are you okay Cynder?"

She squeaked in horror at the sound of the voice, the shock forced her to prance against the wall. A painting started to sway above, put into motion by tremors running along the wall.

"Are you alright?" Spyro jumped towards his friend with a worried shout

Cynder threw the painting above a fleeting glance, just to present an idiotic smile soon after.

"Do you like my legs?

He furrowed his brows "What?"

She rubbed her forehead with a wince "Never mind"

"What's going on? Did you..." his eyes widened in alarm, he turned around swiftly, aiming his eyes on the corridor above, tail frozen in place, in the typical fighting posture

"Did you see anything?" he whispered anxiously, his eyes never leaving the staircase

"No"

"Do you SEE anything?"

Her eyes impulsively shifted in the direction of the corridor. She gulped.

It was empty.

"No..."

He looked behind his shoulder with a surprised frown, his body still tensed.

"Then what is it?"

"It's stupid"

"Oh no! Not this again! The last time I heard you say that you fainted in my paws, so you'll excuse me if I don't believe in stupid anymore"

Cynder craned her neck forward, her eyes locked on the corridor. She swallowed audibly.

"I think it's up there"

Spyro shivered when the cold finger of fright touched his spine, no different than the shudders he experienced already as a fighter.

"In your room?"

"Everywhere. My room, corridor, walls, even the freaking staircase"

The dragon's eyes dropped on the first wooden step.

"Perfect. I'll never look at stairs the same way again"

"Maybe I'm just-"

A thump echoed from above.

Both dragons looked at each other, their eyes big as saucers.

The sound of stamping increased, adopting a steady rhythm.

The young drakes immediately adopted defensive postures, magical energy started to circulate in their veins.

The thumping sounds gained on strength even further, there was no place for assumptions now. Something or someone was coming their way.

A steadily growing shadow appeared on the illuminated by torches wall ahead.

Both young dragons swallowed hard at the sight, their minds still didn't recover from recent events, everything related to darkness made their hearts race, no matter how ordinary it was. Like shadows cast by torches for example.

The shadow stopped growing.

The drakes shuffled nervously.

It meant that whatever is out there is just around the corner.

They held their breaths.

As if sensing something the shadow stopped not only growing but also increasing in length. It froze, just like them. The seconds seemed to stretch to unimaginable lengths ,the confrontation so close at hand and yet so annoyingly far. Both friends believed that this is a very perfected plan, it could feel their fear, their nervousness, it knew that every second of hanging on that thread of uncertainty makes room for recklessness. It leaves you to face your own rattling thoughts that second by second lead you more and more towards panic.

The shadow moved again.

Both dragons almost jumped at the sight, yet they still maintained the learnt cold calculation of seasoned warriors.

It was near.

Magic vibrated in the air.

Wanting to tear through their bodies.

And then Amela appeared at the top of the staircase, fondling her left ear.

The drakes below let out deep breaths of relief, the ability to inhale air again left them dizzy and swaying on their legs.

Amela looked at them surprised "You two look like you've seen a ghost" her arms impulsively started to drop, when her hands moved away from her left ear something flickered under the torch light

She yelped and ungracefully threw her hands forward as if during a death spasm. She clapped her hands together and unclenched her fists soon after.

"There you are" the cheetah pressed her forefinger and thumb together, lifted her arm and presented a dangling earring

"Serves me right for playing with it so much" she looked at the jewelry fondly "Yet I'm attached to it, to think I almost lost it on the stairs, one quick turn and it would be gone forever"

Spyro and Cynder looked at each other, their eyes glimmered with amusement and embarrassment.

"So..." the healer pocketed the earring "...what's going on with you two?"

The first wooden step of the staircase creaked gently under the cheetah's weight.

Four draconic eyes darted in the direction of the sound, eyeing the wooden step like expecting it to swallow the healer's legs.

"In the modern world..." her feet landed on another step

The drakes winced.

"...people answer questions"

Third step.

The dragons swallowed.

"Because that's how..."

Fourth step.

The young friends made a step back.

"...conversations work"

Fifth step.

They closed their eyes.

Amela stopped in front of them with her head cocked to the side, she looked behind her shoulder and examined the stairs from top to bottom.

"You expected me to step on a trap?"

The dragons exchanged meaningful looks once more.

The cheetah put her hands on her hips "Well?"

"Of...of course not!" Cynder protested

"So what is it?"

"Nothing serious" Spyro chimed in "All that talking about Dark and stuff really got over our heads"

"You're afraid to go upstairs Sweetheart?" the cheetah looked the girl over kindly

Cynder smiled reassuringly "Not anymore"

"If it helps you through it I can tell you that the road to Flare's room is safe. I can assure you that the whole hall is safe, not even Dark Master himself would be able to withstand Flare's loud snoring"

The healer smiled lovingly "The poor thing protested, was practically angry at me that I suggested him some fresh look on the matters after some rest. Eventually he crashed onto the bed and went out like a candle, it's like his body is trying to make up for who knows how many sleepless nights"

She clapped her hands "But I digress. Seriously now, you two going to be fine?"

"Yes, don't worry" Cynder comforted the healer

Amela nodded "No matter how scary your next foe might be, remember that you two have each other. The bond you share is stronger than anything" she moved forward with a kind smile, gently patting the two dragons heads as she moved past them

"You know where to find me. Goodnight" she lifted her arm and waved, while being concentrated on the steps she was descending

"Goodnight" the drakes replied in unison

The moment the cheetah vanished Cynder's gaze returned towards the staircase and its five magical steps.

"You heard the boss, it's safe"

"No surprise there, that dragon isn't after her"

"Thanks" she snapped indignantly "Just when I started to see my existence in brighter colors you had to ruin it"

Spyro cringed "Sorry"

"Relax, I'm screwing with you. I still feel it up there"

He threw his head up in alarm "But you said-"

"That I'm not afraid anymore, I know" she cut him off "I lied because I either have an unnatural intuition or I'm going paranoid. Both options don't look good from a medical point of view. Amela has enough problems as it is"

Spyro shook his head sadly "You should stop trying to solve problems on your own. You have friends now Cynder, willing to help you"

"Don't you get it?!" she snapped back at him with a muffled angry voice "I'm doing this to protect her! I've seen that thing probably eating a guy, I don't want more people on my conscience! She would insisted on coming with us and if that thing would...would..."

He nuzzled her affectionately, caressing her cheek with his nose "You did the right thing I'm sorry to question you. I see how much you care about her"

Cynder purred quietly while sliding her cheek gently across his own until she rested her jaw delicately on the top of his neck. Her eyes were closed the moment he touched her, she needed comfort, desperately, comfort that closeness of his body provided.

"I can't lose her" she whispered blissfully "She's important to me"

Spyro moved his head back, following the invisible trail of her warmth, until his mouth stopped inches from the mix of black and magenta scales on her neck.

"I know" he cooed

Cynder arched her head up with a moan, feeling his warm breath and the brush of his lips on her tender scales. The air he exhaled touched the most sensitive part, the scales underneath the choker were brushed by invisible tendrils of his breath. Sending a delicate pulse of ecstasy through her whole body.

Whatever was happening between the two didn't no longer matter to their minds, their brains were blocked by their hearts. And they didn't seek reason, or rational explanation, this flame between the hearts was just as natural to them as air is for lungs.

He pushed back, opening his eyes as he turned his head at the staircase again.

"If we go up, there will be no turning back"

Her eyelids rose up, revealing a pair of meticulously shimmering eyes.

"Yes"

"We can still turn around"

She smiled sardonically "And miss all those near death experiences? Where's the fun in that" she turned her attention towards the stairs, nothing remained of her smile

"Will you go first?"

Spyro took the lead without hesitation.

"Don't go too fast, stay close to me"

If there was really something up there, and he had no doubts that there was, it had enough satisfaction from their uncertainty. There are two of them, no matter how powerful and evil this thing is, it's time to show it that it provoked the wrong dragons.

He put his paw on the first step confidently, it creaked under his weight. Even if he was determined to continue, he still shivered. Cynder's misgiving and her story about Dark sat at the back of his mind, no matter how hard he tried to pretend that this isn't the case.

Second, third, fourth and fifth.

He wanted to shout victoriously, but whatever scream he was preparing got stuck within his throat when he heard a low rumble echoing through the hall. Cynder heard it too, she swiftly appeared next to her friend, just when another peculiar roar was heard.

And then another one bounced off the walls.

Cynder giggled unexpectedly "By the Ancestors, you can hear him from here!"

Spyro frowned, at first not understanding from where came Cynder's enthusiasm, but then he heard the noise again and instantly connected it with Amela's words.

It was the sound of snoring.

"Maybe it won't be so bad" Spyro hinted

"Hope so" she took the lead, confidently walking down the hall, whatever danger she sensed was gone for now

Another snore.

She stifled an explosion of laughter.

"It's sounds like a bear's roar!"

He followed her with a smile, happy that Flare managed, even if unconsciously, take her mind away from troubles. Maybe he isn't so bad after all.

Another snore, she had to stop and cover her mouth to quench the sound of the powerful laugh that burst from her throat, otherwise she would wake up every sleeping guest.

Spyro's smile widened, there was something about the way she laughed, it was addictive. The sight of her beaming with joy was one of the most beautiful pictures he seen in his life. He didn't want it to end, for his and hers sake, he can worry for both of them. She deserves her moment of respite.

She pranced towards Flare's room, giggling all the way and pressed her head to the door.

Another snore.

She snorted in amusement "Like an earthquake! The whole door shook"

She examined the wooden structure from top to bottom "We gotta tell someone to install some soundproofing door here"

Snore.

She giggled "Seriously"

Spyro nodded, enjoying the picture of his happy friend, a sight that made all words pale in comparison.

Cynder pushed from the door and approached the entrance to her own room. She touched the wooden surface of the door.

"You'll think we'll hear Flare from the inside?"

"I don't know, maybe. Even if we wouldn't it's not a big loss. I hear his snoring rumbling inside my skull as we speak" he smiled ironically

"Oh but it is! Who will hear our screams when that monster will try to eat us?"

Spyro shook his head indolently.

"I know you're kidding, but nevertheless you shouldn't be saying things like that"

She offered him a weak knowing smile and focused on the door anew, running her paw up and down its wooden surface almost reverently.

"The lion's den"

Cynder narrowed her gaze, clenching the handle painfully and pushed the door open, obviously deciding if something will happen it might be on her terms. The door flung open fiercely, its frame bouncing off the opposite wall with rumbling smacking sound of screaming wood.

They began to fly back, but were stopped by a purple paw.

"What are you doing?" Spyro hissed through clenched teeth "You're going to wake up everyone around!"

Her eyes remained locked on the blackness of her room.

"Listen"

He frowned and did as he was told.

Snore...

...and nothing else.

It was eerie quiet.

"It won't allow anyone to interrupt its plan" Cynder continued after she was certain that the awkward, unchanged atmosphere crept behind his scales

Spyro swallowed "How can you be so sure of that?

Her tail swung back and forth, making tiny infinite loop in the air, like a cat ready to pounce at its prey.

"Because it's here"

His heart skipped a beat, no matter how experienced you might be, fright of the unknown remains the same. Staring into the blackness of the room sent shivers along his spine, not even the moon was brave enough to peek through the balcony window somewhere ahead.

He looked around, also the light from the corridor didn't reach inside the room, the torches were placed in suc a way that they only managed to illuminate the doorstep. For a moment he wondered if they always been like that.

"If you know it's there than why we are willingly walking into a trap?"

"I never said it's a trap. I mentioned a plan, there's a difference"

"What if its plan is to lure you inside and eat you?!" he snapped back irritated

Cynder smirked "I see what you did there" seeing that her little tease only intensified the angry wrinkles on his snout she quickly dropped the playful and poorly timed attitude.

"Just think. If it wanted me for a snack then why bother with visions, nightmares, hallucinations...or whatever you want to call it. I mean if it likes its prey a little sweaty it had many occasions to grab a bite"

"You can't be sure of that! I've seen your eyes Cynder when you fainted, you had the same lifeless stare back then like you had when I chased you through the forest! I swear, you were so terrified that I thought you'll drop dead from a heart attack"

She impulsively rubbed her chest, wave of uncertainty washed over her, with whatever resolve she approached this situation was sucked by the thick darkness of her room.

"Maybe it was too early...maybe I wasn't prepared...maybe..."

"Exactly!" he cut her off fiercely "Maybe!" he spat out the word with a combination of fear and disgust.

"I say we wake up Flare and everyone around, if it thinks it can manipulate us then it's wrong. Let's see if it's as scary as it makes itself to be when we are going to play on our rules"

"Tempting, but I'm afraid we can't do that"

She heard him inhaling air for another shout of protest, she swiftly spun around and placed her paw on his cheek. His eyes sparkled, every angry grimace on his snout softened instantly. She started to rub his cheek warmly.

"By revolting we might piss it off, it was preparing foundation for something" she muttered charmingly, watching his amethyst eyes shimmer as she caressed his scales "This is the final countdown, if we fight back who knows what it would do. We can't endanger more people Spyro do you understand? It's important"

He sighed both with understanding and exasperation and turned his head, burying his nose into the bottom side of her paw.

"Ok"

She smiled feeling his warm breath on her scales, she withdrew her paw along his nose, making sure to scratch his jaw playfully.

"Now we only need just to find out if this place was cleaned, with all the stuff on its right place"

"I can illuminate this room with a tiny flame"

"And what if they forgot to move something? You might accidentally set something on fire" she shook her head "There should be a candle to your right"

Spyro swallowed, feeling that something was staring at him from the depth of the darkness, licking its mouth hungrily. With his breath held back he extended his paw, it wavered in the air just at the border of the last ray of light. He wriggled his shoulders nervously and plunged his foreleg into the darkness with one swift motion.

A wavering breath of disgust escaped his throat, he had a feeling he was sliding his paw across something fleshy and wet...like the palate of a maw.

He winced, putting all the blame on his scared imagination. It helped a bit, at least gave him enough courage to continue his search.

Such candles are in every room, small and close enough to the doorstep, so you could grab it without entering a pitch black room, sparing your toes the agony as a result. It should be close and yet he couldn't find it.

Biting his lip almost to blood he reached farther to the right, he jerked his head back slightly when his claw brushed against something that couldn't be anything else than wax. Determined he extended his leg even farther.

Then suddenly his paw touched something.

It was meaty to the touch and covered with something sticky.

Saliva.

Ancestors that's...

...that's...

...a...

...TONGUE!

He withdrew his paw back with a squeaky spooked scream.

"What happened?!" Cynder shouted, startled

With a racing heart he pushed his paw back into the darkness, exactly where he felt the candle. His every move was full of aghast swiftness. Not feeling anything strange anymore, or perhaps somehow unconsciously turning off his sense of touch for this particular moment, he wrapped his claws around the candle firmly, almost ruining it. He jerked his paw back, only instinctively knowing that the candle is in his grasp. He pulled the mangled wax into the light and immediately lit it up. With the burning candle in paw he pushed his paw into the veil, the fiery light dispersing darkness in its wake, only to reveal the only possible thing that could touch his paw.

Spyro's eyes widened "A wardrobe?!" he blurt out, turning his fear into irritation "What a wardrobe is doing in a dragon's room?! We don't wear clothes!"

Cynder leaned closer "Are you alright?" she asked softly

He let out a deep breath "Yeah"

She didn't buy it, but didn't want to pry, she knows exactly what images a scared mind can create.

"There should be a lamp there , come on"

They both entered the room.

"There!" she pointed at the gently revealed silhouette of the lamp.

Seconds later the room was filled with light, every black spot driven out. They both started to immediately look around.

Besides the two of them, there was no one here.

Cynder rubbed her forehead, confounded "Well I shouldn't be surprised. Either that thing bailed or I'm paranoid"

"Do you feel anything?"

She gave the room another look- over, there was absolutely nothing strange about it.

"Nope"

She opened her wings and made a spin in place, as if trying to wrap the interior in her membranes. Wanting to change the topic as soon and as bluntly as possible.

"What do you think? Cozy, isn't it?"

"It's nice" he replied, out of politeness really, since this room looked almost like the one he was staying in. And it was just a room"

Cynder shudder "Uh-oh , such enthusiasm! I have to watch out, I turn my tail around and you'll snatch it from me"

Spyro smiled with a shrug "You got me, the room doesn't interest me"

She gasped in fake shock "Really? So what does interest you?"

"Not what but who" he looked her straight into the eyes "You"

She coughed nervously, only now her mind registering the literal meaning of his words, blocking out all the rest. It was confusing, usually her heart danced to a completely different song than the mind. It was different this time, his words could be understood in many ways and yet only one was accepted. He meant her like a person, not like a friend, no, this was different. She could feel it now, it was intuition, she felt some magical knot tying two ropes that represented their lives into one.

Ancestors.

Does he love me?

Cynder scratched her choker fervently "You should try to find a different hobby" she cackled apprehensively

Maybe this is only simple wishful thinking.

I beg you.

Let it be true.

He smiled and gave the room another brief glance "I guess we'll be keeping the lights on"

"Do I hear disappointment? A hero woke up in you when you saw an empty room?" she teased with a smirk

"Shhhhh don't spread it around" Spyro whispered "I want to keep my free drinks"

Cynder giggled and hopped on the bed, the force of the jump made her bounce slightly on the sheets and then she dropped onto the bed. Belly first.

She moaned blissfully, feeling the comfortable sheets below her scales.

"Whenever we spend nights in Warfang, this here is the best part of every day"

"I hope today won't be any different"

"You and me both"

They kept staring at each other.

Awkward silence befallen on the room.

Spyro averted his gaze and scratched the back of his head "So...we're staying in the same room today?

Cynder smiled seductively "Do you really have to ask?"

He chuckled nervously "I shouldn't have...I mean It was my idea after all"

"Bingo"

The dragon started to look around the room.

Cynder frowned "What are you looking for?"

"For anything that would turn my night into the best part of the day"

She patted the bed several times "Come here"

His heart started to race, he could barely breath thanks to the sudden wave of heat washing over him.

"Up...there?"

"Mhm"

"In your...bed?"

"Yes"

"With y-you?"

"Stay close means stay close. I know I'm not the best nose treat, but I believe you'll manage, you have it in you" she patted the bed once more "Come on, don't leave me hanging"

He swallowed, it all came back at him, they haven't been acting like friends lately, there are some boundaries even between friends, even the best ones. Or perhaps they are acting like long term friends, in such relationships lines of personal space fade away.

Before it was simple, he wasn't thinking, didn't have control of his actions. It just happened, like the most natural thing in the world. Now it's different, he controls everything.

Curse my obliviousness and naivety.

He wasn't so nervous in his whole life, even the fright he felt earlier was nowhere as strong as this. He moved like he would gain on weight, not a couple of kilograms but a whole tone. His legs were extremely heavy, he had to sweat like a mining mole to actually manage to lift them.

As he moved forward he desperately tried to look elsewhere, but no matter how hard he tried he always ended up looking at her emerald orbs, or hungrily eying her beautiful figure. She didn't drop on the bed flatly, she laid her body in such a way that only a dragon could admire.

Her tail was seductively flung on the opposite side of her figure, the part he couldn't see. The half of her body that he could see was fully presented to him.

First was her thigh, exposed in such a way that an alluring trail of muscles was visible underneath her ebony scales. Her thigh was firm, round and slender, she was graceful to begin with, the months spent on traveling and fighting shaped her body to this beautiful form he sees now. Her thigh was slightly sliding back and forth, as if flying on the sheets. Every such move reveled once more then less of her body, the thigh moved in one steady rhythm, that together with the sight of her heaving chest almost made his nose bleed.

Then his eyes landed on her chest. Her back was straight, her belly flat, beautifully shaped like the rest. The stretch she was maintaining exposed every delicate tension on her body, combination of this image with her puffing chest, made his imagination run wild.

Finally his eyes landed on the base of her neck, he began to trail its slender form. She had her head arched slightly up, making her neck more visible. His eyes landed on the choker, he had to fight back a strong impulse that demanded that he rips it off and reveals the most enthralling secret below.

However how he found out soon, her figure was only a foretaste to what's truly enticing.

It were her snout.

A pair of glimmering emerald eyes were watching him alluringly from the top of the bed. Her head was slightly turned to the side, a delicate line of red shone above her nose. A smile, presenting rows of white sharp teeth was sending the same signal as the eyes were. They were bewitching, innocent, shy but also arrogant at the same time. If they could talk they would be saying only one thing.

I bet you like what you see.

She was luring him, he wasn't sure if she was aware of what she is doing, or fallen under the influence of some kind of feminine instinct. There was also a chance that she always looked like that and he is the one that sees her in different colors. Whatever the case may be, it was working.

He got up on the bed, momentarily he began to sense her closeness, feel her warmth and smelled her scent, yet as intoxicating as all those things were, this wasn't what caused his heart to speed up its already fast pounding, this wasn't what caused his stomach to make a flip, this wasn't what caused that itching energy flow through his heart. The admiration of her figure, the desire for her was secondary to this.

It was love.

It pushed everything else into the background, how she looked was no longer important.

He started to remember the smallest and stupidest things from their friendship, starting from the very beginning till now.

He remembered her indignation when it was him who took the reins of leadership after they were chained together.

He remembered the teases she constantly bombarded Sparx with and occasionally him also. He remembered how she smiled after when she thought nobody is looking.

He remembered her joyful jumps.

He remembered her laughter, the sarcastic, the honest, the sad. Every tone of her voice as it changed during those explosions of joy, be it sad or happy.

He remembered her sarcasm.

He remembered trust, both on the battlefield where he knew she won't abandon him, or outside it. Especially the moments he was jealous about Flare, how short those moments were because he knew she won't betray him.

He remembered the arguments about the smallest of things, how they never lasted long and never ended with one of them being mad on the other. They just couldn't be angry on each other.

He remembered the secrets, how she hid things from him to protect him.

He remembered hurt whenever she got injured, just like it would be his own flesh.

He remembered fear every time they got into a fight or she found herself in some other dangerous situation.

All those things, and many more were only pieces of a puzzle, that puzzle was the core for his feelings for her.

He remembered friendship.

He awkwardly approached her, comically bouncing on the sheets. His eyes were constantly locked onto hers, her orbs were shaking, it was difficult to tell what they were showing. Only one thing he recognized, it was hope. Her eyes were like that of a dreamy child that just met its hero, unsure how to proceed from here, unsure if what it sees is real.

He moved past her, their eyes constantly following one another, he stepped over her tail, the tip of which was tapping at the sheets like the tail of a happy dog.

Spyro dropped on the bed next to her, threw her tail up with his nose so he could slide a little bit closer to her flank. Her tail was sprawled on his back while he himself draped his paw across her back, his claws gently touching the membranes of her farther wing. He didn't forget about his own, using one of his wings he covered his paw and her body underneath the scaly, brown draconic sheet.

She had her head turned, observing him over her shoulder. He never lowered his gaze, he had his eyes fixed on her emerald gems all the time he was cuddling her, unconsciously begging for permission and hoping she won't throw him away.

She never did.

Her eyes sparkled with affection from the moment he jumped onto the bed. The moment he wrapped his paw around her they seemed to flare up emotionally. As if trapped between utter joy and fear of it being just a delusion. She smiled lovingly when his wing covered her with its warmth.

"Roll on your back" she whispered cravingly, her eyes burning with a passion of an artist who received a flow of inspiration and want to make the best of it

Spyro raised his head surprised.

"Come on" she nudged his flank with her nose pleadingly "Do it"

He wouldn't be able to say no even if he wanted to.

Cynder smiled gratefully when he listened to her plea. She got up, turned around in place and dropped on the bed again, this time her head was directly aimed in his direction. She wrapped her tail around Spyro's and crawled forward, eventually placing both her front paws and her cheek onto his golden chest.

He smiled playfully "You should have told me that you wanted to make a pillow out of me"

"It's not that" he felt her cheek putting more pressure on his scales, as if she wanted to bury it into his chest

"I just..." she paused

He watched her head moving up and down with his breathing chest, seconds passed in complete silence. Each of those quickly fleeting seconds made her eyelids lower inch by inch, until her emerald eyes were covered by the black curtain

"...love the sound of your heart" she whispered moonily

His eyes widened.

His mother caressed his chest "This is your gift" she listened to its every beat blissfully as her palm bounced to the rhythm it created "Can you hear it?"

"Not really"

His mother laughed and planted a kiss on his forehead "If you ever hear that somebody likes to listen to the sound of your heart, you will know that you are deeply loved by that someone"

Maybe she was wrong, maybe this all is just a stupid joke. What if...

"My parents always told me to fight for the things you are interested in, even if you might get burned in the end" with that Hope reached for something on his right side, as she did so, she brushed his snout with her arm and gave him a saucy look

"Seize the day"

Spyro slid his claw under her jaw and delicately urged her to raise her head.

"Cynder...?"

"Mhm?" she uttered as she slowly started to open her eyes

They stared at each other for a while.

And then Spyro pressed his lips to hers.