Page 121 of Lost in the Dark

I placed my hand under her chin and pressed my lips to hers.

“I love you, Iris,” I whispered against the chapped skin of her lips.

“I love you too, Sel.”

We both smiled and laughed as we cried like love drunk fools.

“Does this mean that we can go home now?”

Home.

She was calling the cavern under the mountain home.

“Soon, but not just yet,” I said.

She wiped her nose with the fur and gave me a puzzled look.

“First we need to get you some shoes, and perhaps a proper coat.”

She laughed and nuzzled against my chest as I rose to my feet and carried her down through the valley.

The sun began to set just as we approached the town and Elric waved us over from his doorway.

But this time it would be different.

We’d get the supplies we needed and retire back to the mountain for a while.

Maybe one day we’d set off on another adventure, but for now I was content.

I’d be content as long as I had her.

Me and my flower.

The Demon of Dalwick and his fallen angel.

Me and my Iris.

Iris and Selvyn returned to the caves, but after some time they grew weary of being underground. Iris missed the sunlight and Selvyn missed the way it made her flourish.

It’s said that on a stormy night much like the one when he was born, Selvyn returned to the town and scared the villagers—proclaiming that there would be no more sacrifices to the Demon of Dalwick.

The townsfolk, scared out of their wits, made good on their promise.

Together, Iris and Selvyn lived out the rest of their lives in the neighboring town.

Legend has it that if you stand at the opening of the caves and listen carefully, you can still hear the hum of that familiar song.