“We’ll figure it out,” Nash mumbles. “Don’t panic, Daphne. We will figure this out.”
“Theo is injured, Calamity. Can you take care of his wounds while we brainstorm what to do next?” Hart asks. He has a bowlof water with a few cloths floating on the top. I place the sword on the table and clutch the bowl with a nod.
“Don’t leave the room. We need a few things,” Nash declares as he shoves a tube of antiseptic cream at me. Like I would ever leave Theo alone. Wait, where did they get this stuff? Are they walking around carrying a Daphne disaster kit? Makes sense.
I approach the prone dragon, whose gaze tracks me carefully. “I’m coming to clean your wounds,” I tell him, lifting the bowl for him to see inside.
He huffs, releasing a ball of steam from his nostrils, making me smile. My heavy heart beats a little easier as I studiously ignore the dead dragon behind me. My dragon is hurting, all because of me. I need to help him.
“Where are you hurt?” I ask.
His tail lifts and flops down on top of my feet. The scales have a huge gash in them, and his blood seeps onto my boots.
The genie pops into existence on top of Theo. He glances around like he’s confused about being so high up. I place the bowl of water on the floor and wave at him to get his attention.
“Down here,” I shout.
Genie’s gaze finds mine. “Do you know there’s a dead dragon behind you?”
“I do.”
“It’s not Theo?”
My lips twitch. “No, you are on top of Theo.”
Genie’s eyes widen, and he floats up to the ceiling. “What happened?”
“Their father was actually their uncle, and he was the dragon of his generation. He threatened them. I took care of it.”
Genie blinks. “My message from Gwyneth is to stay out of trouble. I feel like it’s a tempo too late.”
“We can start from this point,” I offer as I pick up a cloth and squeeze out the excess water. I squat and run it along the openwound. Theo’s tail twitches and a low warning growl rumbles in his chest. I make quick work of cleaning the blood from his scales, the water in the bowl quickly turning crimson. After slathering some cream on my fingers, I smooth it onto the gash, and Theo emits a mini roar.
My brow raises. “Stop being a big baby. It’s just the tip.” He huffs like he’s laughing at me. I rub more in, wanting to cover everywhere to avoid infection. He growls again, a little louder this time.
Genie floats next to me. “Be still and let her put it in.”
“Phrasing,” I grumble.
Malachi, Hart, and Nash rush around the corner, their faces a mixture of fear, shock, and disbelief. They skid to a halt at the sight of us.
“That is not what I expected,” Hart says.
“Thankfully,” Nash adds.
Malachi’s lips twitch. “I don’t know. I was morbidly fascinated.”
I scowl at them. “What are you talking about?”
“Nothing,” Nash snaps. “Theo, Daphne’s treated you. Return to your human form.” Theo snarls at them in reply.
“I don’t think he wants to,” I point out.
“We’ve worked out a plan, but it involves you being human,” Nash coaxes. “Hart is going to take the credit for slaying the dragon who ate the king.”
The plan is deceptively simple. The problem with simple plans is that you haven’t thought through all the consequences. A blinding light erupts, revealing a naked Theo on the floor. I lick my lips. This is a great consequence. I’ll take it.
“One problem,” Theo says as he scoops me up into his arms and cradles me against his chest. “The kingdom will expect Hart to hold Excalibur when he claims the throne, and if I’m notmistaken, that sword is still keyed to Daphne. If she deems him worthy, won’t it kill her?”
