“Do you hear yourself? Why would I do such a thing?”
“It is the only conclusion that makes sense.”
“Doesn’t it make sense that you placed more value on our friendship than that skeleton?”
I hoped that would shut him up. It didn’t.
“You gave me your word. I escorted you to the tombs at great risk to my own life.”
“I know. And I appreciate your efforts.”
“We must return to Earth Kingdom.”
“That’s out of the question.”
“Why?” he asked.
The rain slowed. Droplets fell from the mushroom’s edge and plopped into puddles. I watched the rippling water. Anger boiled inside me. I crossed my arms, wishing my stepfather would show up soon.
What had I ever seen in Kull, anyway? He was a spoiled Wult prince who loved money and violence more than anything else. I realized what I’d seen in him earlier had all been a delusion. I saw what I’d wanted and not what was truly there.
“Do you refuse to go back?” he asked.
“Yes,” I answered after a pause.
“You will not fulfill your bargain?”
“I won’t.”
He peered ahead, his jaw flexed. He didn’t give me a reply. He stood and walked away, leaving me alone.
I should have been more upset. I wasn’t. After the sun broke through the clouds, I walked to the edge of the cliff. Damp grass squished underfoot. I found a rock to perch on.
Kull never returned. I didn’t expect him to. After half an hour, I assumed he must’ve found his own way back to Lauressa.
I thought about how gentle he’d seemed when he’d kissed me. I debated on apologizing for not getting his stupid skeleton but decided against it. I’d done nothing wrong.
The last time, I reminded myself. I would never take him to Earth again. He could retrieve his own dead dinosaurs from now on.
Sitting alone, I realized I should have been weepy and depressed and feeling sorry for myself. Instead, I felt relieved. I should have parted ways with Kull a long time ago.
Albert spoke up and told me I was not dealing with my feelings in an appropriate manner. Sooner or later, I would crack. That gaping hole in the pit of my stomach was proof.
Blue sky peeked through the clouds. The beating of giant wings sounded in the distance. Only one creature could make that much noise.
The sky king loomed overhead, his golden scales glittering in the stray sunbeams. He landed with a thump and shook his head, spraying me with raindrops.
“You’re worse than a dog,” I said as I stood.
“Flying in the rain is an uncomfortable business, young one.”
I walked toward his massive head rimmed in a crown of sharp horns. With his spiked tail and clawed feet, the sky king should have struck fear into me. Instead, I went to him and hugged his neck as tight as I could.
“I’m glad you’re still here,” I said, trying to keep him from hearing my voice crack. He was the only creature left who cared. Everyone else was gone.
A claw gently stroked my back. “I could not leave for the outer islands just yet. Are you upset about something?”
I pulled away. “About silly things, mostly. Can you fly me to the elven capitol?”
“For what reason?”
“I need to speak with my father. I found a dream catcher in the Wult tombs. It was tainted with dark magic. When I performed the spellcasting, I found its creator. My father.”
Fan’twar didn’t answer for a moment. “I see.”
I almost heard the gears in his head clicking. “Then I will fly you to Lauressa. This news is troubling. I will confront him immediately.”
“No.” I’d already thought of this. I couldn’t let him get me out of this one.
He eyed me.
“If you kill him, the elves will see it as an act of war. They are already on the brink of war as it is. You will lose their good graces should you confront my father.”
“You do not see this as I do, young one. It is my place to confront him.”
“Not anymore.”
His eyes narrowed. “You wish to challenge him alone?”
“If he kills me, the elves won’t care. If I kill him, they’ll be mad at me, not at you. I know this is the best way. Please, let me confront him alone.”
The sky king seemed to mull it over. “His powers are far stronger than yours. I do not think this is wise.”
“But it’s the only way.”
He knew I was right. He knew I had to do this alone. The existence of peace in Faythander depended on it. “I will allow you to confront him,” he conceded. “But do not forget that peace is always preferable to war. Do not forget what I have taught you.”
“Don’t worry. I won’t.”
I grabbed one of his spines, then climbed onto his back and scooted in between two colossal spikes. Fan’twar beat his wings several times. Leaves spiraled into the air as he dove off the cliff. My knuckles turned white as I clenched his spike. The world spun.
The sunlight invigorated me. Rolling green hills spread before us. Fan’twar flapped his massive wings until he gained altitude. We soared into the clouds.
I glanced back at the dragon’s forest, wondering if Kull had found his way out. I pushed my worries aside. He was a big boy. He could handle himself.
The landscape changed. Jagged mountains replaced rolling hills. Snow capped the peaks. Wind whooshed through my ears. Inhaling the fresh air, I realized I could stay up here forever. It was so far away from Earth, or any kingdom for that matter. So far away from politics or people who wished to kill me. Or people that I wished to avoid.
We arrived at the elf kingdom much sooner than I wanted, though we’d spent half the day flying. Lauressa’s giant spires rose into the sky. Fan’twar circled the city several times. He settled on a landing spot near the fortress’ outskirts.
I recognized my father’s chambers. Tall, arched pillars surrounded a
