Blaze lit a small fire with his breath, spreading his damp wings out behind him. It had been raining, and this was the closest convenient shelter for his traveling companion and him. They kept each others secrets: he was a half-dragon, she a runaway princess. By fate, they'd wound up together, and it seemed to be for the better. Blaze reflected on everything: killing the Lurker, hearing about Avellei's arranged marriage, her brothers.

"I'm not hungry," he lied. It would be the third straight day they only had squirrel to eat.