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But it was cold outside, and Hanna’s thin hands were stretched out in front of the fire as if she were enjoying the warmth. So I turned back and studied the door, forming the sealing spell beneath my breath.
It would slow the guards down, not stop them, if they were dedicated to breaking down the door with axes. If they came to Arndt’s rescue at all. I wasn’t sure they’d be so foolish.
Arndt was still fixed on Lynx, and hadn’t noticed. But I could feel Lynx’s attention shift my way, then back to Arndt. He knew. My twin and I usually had a sixth sense for what the other was up to, even without being able to speak through the dragon bond.
“I’m sure you won’t mind proving you’re telling us the truth.” Lynx held out a potion bottle to Arndt.
Arndt’s lips parted. “Why? If you wanted Caldren dead all along…” His gaze flickered nervously between Lynx and me.
“We just like to be thorough,” Lynx’s voice was soothing.
But Arndt wasn’t soothed. He lunged for the door, which didn’t open for him. He tried the doorknob wildly, then threw his shoulder into it, trying to force it open. I stifled a yawn. Hanna was watching him, wide-eyed.
Arndt finally turned back to us, his eyes crazed.
“Take it,” Lynx said, softly, smoothly.
“How do I know it’s not poisoned?”
“I wouldn’t poison someone if I wanted them dead, Arndt. I’m a dragon.” Lynx’s voice was full of humor that Arndt did not seem to appreciate. “I have more direct means.”
Arndt held out a shaking hand for the potion.
Lynx put it in his palm. “That’s it. Good man.”
Arndt turned and flung it against the wall, where it smashed open. The pink potion painted the wall.
Lynx sighed. “Do you have to be tiresome?”
Arndt made a frantic move for the windows—a poor choice, given how many stories up the mountainside we were—but as long as he wanted to go out, Lynx was happy to oblige. Lynx was already transforming, his wings and tail unfurling, suddenly taking up all the space in the room.
I grabbed Hanna and the two of us ducked as Lynx’s wing passed over our heads. Then Lynx—and a screaming Arndt, tucked safely into Lynx’s talons even if he didn’t feel that way—went flying out the window.
“I hope you don’t mind that I made myself into your sister,” Hanna said, sounding nervous for the first time, even though she’d been fearless.
“Not one bit,” I said. “As long as you don’t mind having me for a brother. Lynx claims it’s a rather poor experience.”
Her smile lit her eyes, and I couldn’t help but smile in return.
“You have six brothers now, if you want us.” I felt confident I could speak for Caldren too.
Her answering grin warmed my heart. “Does that mean you’re going to marry my sister and make yourself officially into my brother-in-law?”
“Let’s not rush ahead.”
“I’ll help plan the wedding,” she said cheerfully. The guards slammed into the door, but she seemed oblivious. I put my arm around her shoulders, ready to jump out the window with her. “I have a lot of ideas.”
“I have no doubt,” I said dryly, steering her toward the broken wall. The wind howled through it, carrying flakes of snow; the fire in the fireplace leapt up in response. “Jump, Hanna. I’ll catch you.”
The door crashed open behind us.
“I know,” she said.
And without hesitation, she jumped.
* * *
Honor
