Estelle squinted at him. “So you’re telling us you just… frolicked?”
“All night long.” Buck was perfectly poker faced. “Frolicked until we were all frolicked out. We frolickedhard.”
Honey kicked him under the table.
“I told you so,” Archie muttered out of the corner of his mouth to the other kids. “They definitely—”
“Frolicked,” Finley interrupted loudly. “A lot.”
Beth shot the other kids adrop it right nowdeath glare. “Where’s Ignatius, Buck? Isn’t he joining us for breakfast?”
“He’s not feeling well,” Buck replied. “Didn’t get much sleep last night.”
“Sounds like he wasn’t the only one,” Estelle said in a stage-whisper to the other girls.
“I think Ignatius will need to rest today, Buck,” Honey said, ignoring the giggles rising from the other end of the table. “Why don’t you take the other kids out for the morning hike? I’ll stay in camp with Ignatius.”
“Hmm.” Buck sipped his coffee, regarding her over the rim of the mug. “I’ve got a better idea.”
Honey kicked him again, harder.
His mouth quirked. “Not that kind of idea. Kids, you promise not to give Honey any trouble if she takes you out into the woods on her own?”
Honey blinked at him as the kids all chorused solemn promises to be on their best behavior.
“Buck, what are you up to?” she muttered.
“Just taking your advice.” Buck drained his mug, setting it down. “I think it’s time me and Ignatius had a little chat.”
* * *
A dragonis never surprised,his uncle was fond of telling him.No matter what happens, a dragon always maintains his dignity. Never let anyone catch you unprepared.
Ignatius had thought he was prepared for this conversation. He’d spent a lot of time working out strategies to cover every possibility.
These had not included Buck turning up at his door with an ax.
“Let’s go, kid.” Buck jerked his head as Ignatius stared up, tongue-tied, at the huge steel blade. “Time for a private lesson.”
Without waiting for a reply, he strode off. Ignatius briefly considered using this opportunity to bolt back into his room, but a dragon never retreated from danger. Besides, he had no doubt that Buck wouldn’t hesitate to chop his way through the door. Or the wall.
Buck led the way, not looking back. Ignatius had no choice but to follow. He couldn’t help but notice that they were heading deep into the woods, and not down one of the familiar hiking trails.
This did not seem like a good omen.
“I know what you’re doing,” he said, trying to project more confidence than he felt. “You’re not going to use that thing. You’re just trying to intimidate me.”
Buck grunted, shifting the broad, double-bladed weapon to his other shoulder. “You think I’d carry unnecessary weight on a hike?”
Ignatius swallowed. He rubbed his thumb against his signet ring—the ring his uncle had given him, that marked his status as heir to the clan—trying to draw comfort from the smooth gold.
A dragonnever shows fear,he reminded himself.And anyway, he’s notactuallygoing to chop my head off.
He’d only broken a few stupid rules, after all. Sure, he’d snuck out of the dorm after curfew. And left the camp grounds without permission, and apparently trespassed into the territory held by a very grumpy unicorn. And okay, hehadtried to spy on… Buck’s… mate…
…I don’tthinkhe’s going to chop my head off.
“Here we go,” Buck said as they emerged into a small clearing. He nodded at a big stump in the center. “You see that?”
