Thud.
Thud.
The sounds of Kel's heart were indistinguishable from the Dragon Emperor's footsteps, both somehow deafeningly loud.
In a span shorter than double that of a man's body length, yet taking seemingly hours to cross, Calix finally stood directly in front of Kel.
The torch's light bounced off of his face, revealing deep shadows under his eyes and around his lips. Filled with the glimmer of fire, his scarlet eyes danced as they focused on the timid archer in front of him.
A single bead of sweat trickled slowly down the side of Kel's face. Whether from the flames' heat or her nerves, she couldn't tell. She tried to swallow, but her mouth had gone dry.
Slowly, the emperor began raising one of his hands. With his index finger slightly extended and the rest curled naturally below it, the gesture seemed gentle, as if he were tenderly reaching for a strand of her golden hair.
