Renna woke up sore. All over sore. Somehow she had not expected soreness to be part of fire elementals existence. She opened her eyes and lifted a hand in front of her face. It was still a boring old hand. The bracelet was still in place too. But something had definitely changed. She felt strange, as if some wall deep in her had crumbled.

She felt hot… Some cool air would be nice.

She got up and walked quietly outside. The cool breeze on her bare skin was wonderful. Something surfaced from deep within her to enjoy it too… There was a sound, like an egg cracking and a beast from the depths of her mind stepped forth onto the spring air. For a moment there was pain… and then she looked at the world through the multifaceted eyes of a dragon. Dark blue gigantic dragon.

She panicked and rushed to push the creature back… it yielded crumbling - she had only just experienced the world in person and now she was taking it back already. “Later, more”, she promised to her in her mind. The beast calmed down.

Suddenly a pain radiated from her bracelet.

She rushed back in to find Arion hugging her pillow and crying in despair. She slid back in bed next to him and hugged him.

“Shh… I'm still here, see?” She called out to him.

He stopped even breathing for a moment. Then slowly opened his eyes.

“I've lost my mind, haven’t I?” He asked her.

“If you think that now, you won’t believe what I have to show for you,” she laughed.

“If I’m crazy, I might as well enjoy my delusions” he mused and started kissing her passionately.

Renna relaxed into his passion willingly this time and let him lead. Getting eaten by a dragon wasn't that bad after all.

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Bit later Arion was scanning her flushed face trying to commit it to memory when he noticed something.

“Renna, your amulet has broken!” He exclaimed.

Renna lifted it to her eyes. Indeed, the ivory egg had cracked open. It was still beautiful in a way… but it was no longer magical. She could feel it. It was just an ornament.

She wondered if the beast emerging in her mind had something to do with the egg. In the back of her mind the beast's emotions told her that it was indeed the case. But she had no words to explain. She would need to find the truth herself.

This reminded her - time to show Arion. She took his hand, told him to not bother with clothes and dragged him outside. He left him standing at the door and backed up as far as she dared to go. He seemed quite worried that she might fall again. That was no longer a concern. She called forth the beast.

She was big. She did not know it, but among dragon kind the females were usually bigger than males. His mouth was open.

Then he closed it and said “Oh… Hello!”.

She could not hold in a snort. There was a small burst of fire that landed uncomfortably close to his toes. He jumped back in alarm and wagged his finger at her. She quickly transformed back and rushed to apologize.

“Alright, alright,” he said, “just watch it okay!”

Then he pondered a bit. “Has she eaten?” he asked.

“No,” said Renna. “She just awakened this morning.”

“You should not try to fly with her until she is well fed and rested and you have been taught how.” He cautioned. “She does not have the energy for it. And you lack the skills.”

“But how am I supposed to feed her, if I can’t fly to hunt!” She pouted.

“That’s what you have a mate for silly!” He said kissing her. “Let's first eat human breakfast and then see what we can do for that beast of yours.”

They went back in.

Afterwards Arion flew away to hunt for her. His mind was a buzz. First things first but then they would need to talk to mother… and her father. He had to know what was going on. His beast had other concerns. His mate was beautifully huge… and never fed. One pig would not do it for her. He had to focus on his hunt and bring her plenty of nourishment today to win her affection.