“They like me,” I said. “I treat them with kindness, and they respect that.”
“Dragons respect this and this alone.” Will lifted his fist.
Airia and Prenton frowned but said nothing.
It was like the fortress all over again. I bit back my sigh. I wasn’t going to be here long enough to educate anyone. I might notlivelong enough to educate anyone.
Will’s gaze flicked past me, to the entrance, and I glanced in that direction, not finding anyone there.
“I’ll take care of Madrood,” I said.
Airia sucked in a breath. “Be careful. He’s mean.”
“Stay near his side and watch out,” Prenton added. “He doesn’t usually blast anyone with fire unless the king gives the command, but like a lot of dragons, he can be unpredictable.”
“I’ll work fast and get out of there as quickly as I can,” I said.
“You’re either a fool or really brave.” Will shook his head. “But if you’re willing to try, we appreciate it.” He nudged Prenton with an elbow, and his low laugh burst out. “We get to keep our heads for another day.”
“I’ll groom him and clean his stall while I’m there.”
Will’s eyes widened. “I don’t get it. You don’t have to be here, so why take on the worst assignment in the aerie?”
“I like to help.” I was willing to leave it at that.
A touch of fear slid down my spine, but I shrugged it away. I’d approach Madrood carefully. I’d watch his eyes. If he made any threatening moves, I’d leave his stall and try again later. If he killed everyone who worked with him, there wouldn’t be anyone left, and that clearly wasn’t true.
I almost looked forward to the challenge. I was no fool, though Iwasbrave. I’d had to be to survive in the fortress.
Prenton’s frown deepened. “Everything you need to work with him is in the tack room. Good luck.”
Will’s high-pitched snicker rang out as Prenton opened a stall gate and stepped inside. “We’ll clean up your remains later.”
Airia shot a glare at him but said nothing.
Will looked toward the entrance again.
Prickles raced across my skin. What was up with him?
After those fae tried to kill me yesterday, I couldn’t be too careful. Vexxion had eliminated them as a threat, but had they been working alone?
“Who claimed you, Will?” I asked casually. “I don’t believe you told me.”
“I didn’t.” He strode over and lifted the handles of the cart I’d brought inside and wheeled it down the hallway, the shovel clattering on the side as he aimed for the end of the corridor.
“Who claimed you?” I called after him.
He opened Glim’s gate and steered the cart inside, shutting it behind him.
“I’m not sure what the big secret is. Everyone knows.” Airia rolled her eyes. “Delaine claimed Will.”
My throat tightened. “Delaine?”
“You must know her. She’s High Advisor Adwarin’s daughter.”
Delaine claimed Will, huh? Wasn’t that interesting? I wasn’t sure what, if anything, I should do with the information, but I couldn’t trust him. Not that I trusted anyone here other than Vexxion, but still.
I gathered a bunch of tools inside the tack room, tossed them into a basket, and strode to Madrood’s gate. After sucking in a few deep breaths and releasing them, my spine loosened enough I dared release the latch. I cautiously creaked the gate open but remained to the side as I eased it wider. If he was in a bad mood, I’d clean a few stalls and come back after. There was no need to be blasted with fire.
