Time flew by. Soon a month had passed and they prepared to hear news from Arion’s mother. The connection had been brief - she knew that the amulet was a seal of some sort, but it was very advanced magic so she had no idea what it sealed. She did caution them to make sure that Renna was not parted from it under any circumstance. And at that she had been pointedly looking at Arion. Arion had felt that he got the hint as to what circumstance in particular.

Their closeness had only increased and their exploration trips resumed with new vigor when the weather got warmer. The spring equinox was fast approaching and … he was getting scared, whereas she seemed to have lost the last of her fears. One night he had been sitting in his armchair by the fire when she had stomped in upset and curled up in his lap. Apparently she did not like the ending of the book she had just read. He had held her quietly in his arms and felt… much like his dragon had already many months ago - in love. He had kissed her then and she had kissed him back.

Renna had actually given up resisting him at the solstice. Tom’s words had a deep truth in them. She was bound by her heart to both beast and man. Simple as that. The rest just… happened. Somehow. But as days grew warmer and longer, he seemed to grow colder somehow. Trying to avoid being around her. Trying … to run away? Renna was confused. She wanted to ask… but then he went to his sleep and the beast had no answers for her. The beast still wanted her company. Still needed her near.

When Arion shifted back he felt the heat rising… and panicked. “Goddess, please not yet”, he pleaded with someone who was not really listening. He could still resist it. He could fight it. He would need to get her safe… and the only way to do that was to get as far away from her as possible. But the beast was not having it. He was refusing to come forth.

Renna came to look for her, but he screamed at her to stay away. To go and hide and hope he does not find her. Renna was startled and hid in her room. But she could not stay there. The bracelet on her arm constricted painfully. Soon a constant pulsing pain was emanating from it. She needed to go find her mate. She looked out of her door.

The big parlor room was empty. She crossed it for the great hall entrance and peeked out. The great hall doors were open and she could see him standing on the ledge still naked debating something with himself. There was a red haze around him.

She approached.

“Please stay away…”, he pleaded.

“Remember when I told you that I may not always be safe for you?” He whispered.

“Yes.” She replied.

“This time is now. Dragons' heat is not something I can control.” He said with nearly a whimper.

“I…” she started…

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“Please… Go… I can’t lose you too…”

“Is this what happened to the other girls?” She asked surprised.

“Yes. Talk to Margarite. Now, please - go in and close the doors! Bolt them! Do not let me in!” He screamed.

Renna left trying to make sense of it. Heat did make sense to a degree. Spring was mating season for beasts… it could have been so for him too. But Margarite… The other girls were gone, weren’t they?

She was bolting the heavy doors in panic when the memory that had stirred when she had looked at the fire ladies in the kitchen came up to say hello. There were 6 of them. And the most solid one looked like Margarite!

As soon as the door closed, pain in her arm returned. She did her best to ignore it and rushed towards the kitchen. Margarite was here, busy as usual.

“Margarite!,” she called out to her.

The callee looked up sharply and came to her.

“Margarite, please tell me what is going on?”, she pleaded.

“Why are you here, and not with him?” Margarite demanded.

“He doesn't want me near him,” she sobbed. “He told me to lock him out and not let him in no matter what…”

“He will die then…” Margarite whispered, “and our sacrifice would be wasted!”

“Don’t you love him?” She demanded with her fire filled voice.

Renna was taken aback by the question. Of course she did…

“He is dying?” She asked.

“Yes. Dragons' heat is a terrible thing. Unless he mates with someone soon, he will die. And the only person around for that right now is you.” Margarite said.

She knew this to be the truth. The pain emanating from her bracelet told her so. It was growing worse by the minute.

Renna wiped away her tears. She knew her choices now. Either to let him die or to submit to the heat and become like them - only a bit more substantial than a ghost. A memory of who she was. It wasn’t that hard of a choice. She had let go of her life already in midsummer.

She got up and unbolted the small door. He was still standing at the edge of the cliff. When she emerged he turned around and faced her. His face was grave.

“Did you talk to Margarite?” He asked.

“Yes,” she said simply. “I know what my options are.”

“I can’t let this happen to you…” he said.

“And I can’t let you die…” she responded.

“Then I will give you no choice.” And he jumped off the ledge.

The beast could not let him crash and so he transformed and flew to the nearest peak screaming in anger and agony at the man who would not let him go to Renna. Renna could not bear to watch his pain. She reached for him. And slipped. The world fell away.

Suddenly a claw closed around her waist pulling her up so suddenly that she found herself unable to breathe for a moment. Then… she was placed gently in front of their door and the beast shrank to a shivering man now totally engulfed in flames.

She walked up to him and said, “I choose to walk into fire” She took his hand and led him inside.