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He went by many names. Thorin might have been one of them. He was Queen Malvolia’s mage,he said with no inflection. Mage to the most powerful, the most evil witch who’s ever lived.
“What?” My world tilted on its axis as I struggled to draw breath.No.“But he is no longer?”
He sat back on his haunches, picking blood from nails as long and sharp as daggers.He left her service decades ago.
“Why?”
How should I know, girl?His top lip pulled back in a snarl.You ask too many questions.
“Do you blame me? I want to know who I am. I want to find my real family.”
How did you escape your father?Pinning his wings behind him, he sniffed the charred stag before biting off his head, horns and all.
My gaze darted toward that spirit still hovering at the edge of the forest, kicking up invisible dirt while watching the dragon eat his remains.
I did my best to block out the sound of those horns crunching between the dragon’s teeth, focusing on feeding Demon as he nudged me for more flowers. “As soon as they went to sleep, I ran, and I’ve been running ever since.” But stupid me had run right into the Werewood Forest instead of going around it. I wanted to put more distance between myself and my father—no, not my father—Thorin. I thought I could run fast enough to avoid whatever demons lurked within.
And where do you plan to go?
“I haven’t thought that far ahead.” A thought struck me as I chewed on my lip. “After I heal your rider, will you carry me away from here?”
He blinked at me.Do I look like your personal carriage?
“I’ll be too tired after I heal him.” I tried hard to keep the note of panic from my voice. “I’ll be vulnerable.” Why hadn’t I thought of this before?
The dragon rattled his wings like a bird ruffling his feathers.Not my problem.
I eyed him coolly. “Then I will have to heal him in slower increments.” I paused, nodding toward my sleeping patient. “Conserve my energy.”
I swallowed back my fear when the monster crouched down on all fours, his long neck snaking toward me, my wide-eyed reflections staring back at me in his big, glassy orbs. My knees weakened when he blew my hair off my neck with a puff of smoke.
I will carry you out of this forest, but that is as far as I’ll take you.
Not far enough. Thorin could easily find me there. Turning up my chin, I summoned a courage I didn’t feel. “You will take me across the Caldarian border, away from the human lands. Do this, and I swear to you, I will heal your rider as fast as I can.”
He blew more smoke on me, so much that I had to scoot back, taking Demon with me. My poor rabbit’s tremors shook my bag.
“Do we have a deal, dragon?” I added, never taking my gaze from him, from that one antler sticking out of his teeth when his lips pulled back in a snarl.
He sat up, picking out the antler.Radnor.
I blinked for a moment. “That’s your name?”
It is.His low, deep chuckle caused my spine to stiffen.Now let’s make this deal, witch. I will take you across the Caldarian border if you heal my rider.
“Don’t you want to knowmyname?”
I don’t care,he said with a flick of his tail, stirring up crackling, dry leaves in the process.
“It’s Anya.” I frowned, rubbing my chin. “At least, I think it is.”
A dull name.
I was a fool for talking to this dragon as if he was a friend, as if he’d have any ounce of compassion in his shriveled up, lizard heart. I cocked my head, glaring. “Are all dragons as rude as you?”
He snorted.Are all witches as foolish as you?
I stood, brushing dust and leaves off my skirts. “Do we have a deal, Radnor the Rude, or not?”
