I considered this. “Well, we definitely don’t want him to run away again.”
“Naturally.”
“But it feels mean to keep him cooped up, too.”
She sighed. “I thought the same thing. I can let him roam the shop, but that's not much.”
“Do you think we can… train him?”
She examined the dragon, adjusting her grip to get a better look. “That’s actually not a bad idea. It wouldn’t hurt to try.” The dragon exhaled again, this time letting the steaming air drift past Kizzi’s exposed fingers. She flinched. “Maybe I should make us some fireproof gear.”
“Yes. Let’s do that. And food. What do dragons eat?”
“We should’ve prepared for this.”
Redd snorted out a laugh. “Probably. Let’s see if we can track down any more books on dragon lore. In the meantime, we’ll just give him some options and see what he likes.”
“And some pastries for us, too,” I added. “I’m starving.”
“You’re always starving,” Kizzi muttered, at the same time Redd said, “Of course, love.”
“Has Ember just been in here for hours, then?” I asked. “Tell me everything.”
“He’s been sleeping. Hex helped me get him back here, and then they both curled up and passed out. I blew some sleeping dust into his face to be sure he stayed asleep. He didn’t start to wake up until you got here.”
“Try setting him down. What’s the worst that could happen?”
“Well,” Redd started. “He could burn the place down, or shred us all to pieces?—”
“I didn’t actually want answers. Just do it. You’ll have to let him free eventually.”
Kizzi donned a worried expression. “I wish Tandor was here, so we would have four folk. Four against one, those are better odds. Plus Hex. And the sprites. I think we can handle him.”
Kizzi was interrupted by the door swinging open. “Talking about me, little witch?” the green orc said with a bright grin. The room felt more crowded when he entered, his brawn taking up a lot of space.
The tension in the witch’s muscles loosened. “Your timing is impressive.” She glanced pointedly at the squirming bundle in her arms. “We got him. And now we’re going to let him go and see what happens.”
Tandor, to his credit, kept his composure. He merely pushed the door shut, turned the lock, and planted his feet, looking more like a bodyguard than a pub orc. “Sure, Kiz. I’m ready.”
“Let’s do this!” I shouted. Nerves and anticipation fluttered in my stomach.
Redd drifted to my side, looking like he might throw his body in front of mine if he had to. He nodded in Kizzi’s direction. “We’ll be fine,” he assured.
Kizzi held her breath for a moment before letting it out in a rush. “Okay. Okay. We’re doing this.”
“We’re doing this,” I agreed.
“I’m going to let the baby dragon go. Even though he was extremely hard to catch.”
“You are,” I urged.
“And it’s going to be fine.”
“Set the dragon down, Kiz. Quit stalling.”
She smiled bashfully. “You’re right. Okay. Three, two…” She crouched, setting Ember on the floor and gently unwrapping the cloth from around the dragon’s body.
Adrenaline tightened my muscles, sped my pulse, brought my senses into sharp focus. I was ready for anything.
