At that, he turns and pads away, nudging the first pup toward its parent.
Within moments, the wolf pack has melted back into the trees.
But I’m not alone in this clearing for more than another few seconds.
An enormous shadow falls over me before Graviter Rex glides to the ground, making an impossibly quiet landing while his golden body catches the moonlight.
I wait for him to settle onto the ground, but I take a step back when I see a new presence floating next to him. It’s a small whisp of light that dances across the air, leaving a glowing trail behind it. Ripples of light radiate from its center as it brightens and fades, gliding in the air beside Graviter.
The dragon inclines his head toward the dancing light. “Do not be alarmed, Wolf. This creature is a Celestial Star. She and her sisters live in the ether far above us. She has seen the births of gods and titans and now watches over the Valkyrie in the End Lands. I have invited her here to witness the making of Asha’s hammer.”
My heart leaps. The way the dragon speaks about the hammer indicates he thinks it really can be made.
I take a step toward the cabin, anticipation growing within me. “I’ll wake Asha.”
“Do not.”
His soft reply startles me enough that I pause.
Graviter moves with stealth now, his focus swinging to the cabin as he speaks in a whisper, like a breeze through the air. “Asha must remain asleep.”
I suppose he can hear her regular heartbeats as well as I can.
“Do not wake her,” he says.
I’m on guard now. “Why not?”
He takes another step, and I realize that both of his front talons seem to be gripped around objects, but I can’t see what they might be.
“I have seen her memories,” Graviter says. “I have seen her risk her life and forsake her family to keep you alive because her connection with you is made of iron and her love for you is unbreakable.” He lowers his head and now, his eyes glisten with tears. “She will not allow you to make this choice.”
I search his eyes and the flicker of fire in them. “What choice?”
“The choice to give your life for hers.”
Chapter 54
Graviter Rex makes no move toward me, but he turns one of his paws over and opens his talons.
A single lump of crimson coal rests between his sharp claws.
“Do you know what this is?” he asks.
“Crimson coal,” I say.
His voice hardens. “But do you know what it really is?”
I consider him carefully, recalling the way Braddock once described the coal. “A human once told me that those rocks have a soul and that it is vengeful.”
“As it should be.” Graviter nods. “For these are the bones of dragons long buried, and they should never have been dug up without permission.” He snorts, an angry sound. “The Blacksmiths of past generations understood and respected this, but Malak did not.”
Well, that would explain its fire and volatility.
I ask carefully, “Why are you giving it to me now?”
“Because every part of Asha’s hammer must be freely given. Nothing must be taken.” His golden eyes are filled with sadness as he takes a step nearer to me. “You must hear everything I need to tell you and understand the consequences of yourchoice. I will not sway or coerce you. Your decision must be willingly and knowingly made.”
“I’m listening.”
