Dragons of Winter Noght by Weis, Margaret

Then Alhana was ripped from his arms by the shrieking mob, whose booted feet trampled all that lived. Sturm flung himself into the crowd, shoving and bashing with his armored arms and body, and caught Alhana’s wrists. Deathly pale, she was shaking with fright. She hung onto his hands with all her strength, and finally he was able to pull her close. A shadow swept over them. A dragon, screaming cruelly, bore down upon the street that heaved and surged with men, women, and children. Sturm ducked into a doorway; dragging Alhana with him, and shielded her with his body as the dragon swooped low overhead. Flame filled the street; the screams of the dying were heart-rending.

“Don’t look!” Sturm whispered to Alhana, pressing her against him, tears streaming dawn his own face. The dragon passed, and suddenly the streets were horrible, unbearably still. Nothing moved.

“Let’s go, while we can.” Sturm said, his voice shaking. Clinging to each other, the two stumbled out of the doorway, their senses numbed, moving only by instinct. Finally, sickened and dizzy from the smell of charred flesh and smoke, they were forced to seek shelter in another doorway.

For a moment, they could do nothing but hold onto -each other, thankful for the brief respite, yet haunted by the knowledge that in seconds they must return to the deadly streets.

Alhana rested her head against Sturm’s chest. The ancient, old-fashioned armor felt cool against her skin. Its hard metal surface was reassuring, and beneath it she could feel his heart beat, rapid, steady, and soothing, The arms that held her were strong, hard, well-muscled. His hand stroked her black hair.

Alhana, chaste maiden of a stern and rigid people, had long known when, where, and whom she would marry. He was an elflord, and it was a mark of their understanding that-in all the years since this had been arranged-they had never touched. He had stayed behind, with the people, while Alhana returned to find her father. She had strayed into this world of humans, and her senses reeled from the shock. She detested them, yet was fascinated by them. They were so powerful, their emotions raw and untamed and just when she thought she would hate and despise them forever, one stepped apart from the others.

Alhana looked up into Sturm’s grieved face and saw etched there pride, nobility, strict inflexible discipline constant striving for perfection-perfection unattainable. And thus the deep sorrow in his eyes. Alhana felt herself drain to this man — this human. Yielding to his strength, comforted by his presence, she felt a sweet, searing warmth. Steal, over her, and suddenly she realized she was in more danger from this fire than from the fire of a thousand dragons.

“We better go,” Sturm whispered gently, but to his amazement Alhana pushed herself away from him.

“Here we part.” she said, her voice cold as the night wind. “I must return to my lodging. Thank you for escorting me.”

“What?” Sturm said. “Go by yourself? That’s madness.” He reached out and gripped her arm. “I cannot allow-” The wrong thing to do, he realized, feeling her stiffen. She did not move but simply stared at him imperiously until he released her.

“I have friends of my own;” she said, “as you do. Your loyalty is to them. My loyalty is to mine. We must go our separate ways.” Her voice faltered at the look of intense pain on Sturm’s face, still wet with tears. For a moment Alhana could not bear it and wondered if she would have the strength to continue. Then she thought of her people-depending on her. She found the strength. “I thank you for your kindness and your help, but now I must go, while the streets are empty.”

Sturm stared at her, hurt and puzzled. Then his face hardened. “I was happy to be of service, Lady Alhana. But you are still in danger. Allow me to take you to your lodgings, then I will trouble you no more.”

“That is quite impossible.” Alhana said, gritting her teeth to keep her jaw set firmly. “My lodgings are not far, and my friends wait for me. We have a way out of the city. Forgive me far not taking you, but I am never certain about trusting humans.”