Snowfall considered finding this irritating enough to yell at him. She could do that now that she was the queen, and he wouldn’t be able to argue back at her or run away, the way he sometimes did when they were dragonets.
She missed her chance, though, because while she was thinking, that awful NightWing landed and sucked up all the air around Winter’s head.
“Moon,” he said in a quiet, wondering voice.
“Hey, Winter,” Moon said nervously. She batted one of her wings at him without actually touching him. “We really miss you at Jade Mountain.”
“I miss you, too,” he said. “All of you, I mean, everything, I miss — I miss everyone.”
“So why aren’t you still there?” Lynx asked.
For some reason, they all looked at Snowfall. She waited a beat to see if that was a mistake, and then, when everyone kept looking at her, she said, “What?”
“You’re the one who said he couldn’t go back to the academy,” Moon offered.
“I did?” Snowfall considered this news for a moment. She couldn’t remember making a royal decree like that, or even thinking about it at all. She knew two new IceWing dragonets had been chosen to go to the academy, and now that she thought about it, those were probably replacing Icicle and Winter. But she had no recollection of anyone asking her whether Winter could keep being a student there or not. She had decided he was still banished from the Ice Kingdom, but she didn’t particularly care what he did outside the Ice Kingdom.
“I don’t actually care,” she informed Winter. “You can go ahead and study hugs and whatever nonsense happens at that school if you want to. I have much more important things to deal with, like these homeless dragons and all the ones they left behind.” She waved her wings at the tribes that were still landing around them. The meadow was starting to get a bit crowded. Riptide was starting to look slightly panic-stricken.
“The ones they left behind?” Lynx echoed, giving her almost the exact same puzzled look Hazel had given her earlier.
As if it was SO WEIRD for Snowfall to feel even a HINT of concern for all the SilkWings still trapped with the creepy evil thing over there!
“I’m not saying they should come here!” Snowfall snapped at her. “But I don’t expect these dragons to just give up on them.”
One of the LeafWings by the stream looked up and gave her a fierce, intense stare. Snowfall recognized her from the day before — she was the one who might be a threat to Hazel’s crown. Sun-something. The one who was always frowning and glaring and looking ready for a fight.
“WHAT?” Snowfall demanded.
“We’re not giving up on them!” the LeafWing said with a hiss. “We won’t abandon them!”
The LeafWing beside her brushed her wing gently. “No one is saying we will,” she said.
“This pile of icicles just did!” snapped the first LeafWing.
“No, love,” the second one said calmly. “Actually, if you were listening, Queen Snowfall is saying exactly what you’ve been saying for the last three days. That we need to make a plan to go back and save everyone.”
Yes. Exactly. That is what I meant, Snowfall thought. Not because I care about any of those dragons over there. Just because I want all of these ones to be able to go away again.
“I’m Willow,” the second LeafWing said to Winter. “And this is Sundew. We’re very worried about the dragons who are still stuck back on Pantala.”
“We should go back now, right away,” Sundew said. “Even if it’s just you and me and Cricket. We should take them by surprise, before the breath of evil gets any stronger.”
Moon shuddered and Winter turned to her quickly. “No, not a vision,” she said before he could ask. “Just those words … breath of evil. They scare me every time.”
“Imagine how you’d feel if you were stuck on the same continent with it,” Snowfall said. And then half of them gave her the weird look AGAIN. Maybe the ring was also turning her horns bright pink or something; otherwise it made no sense that everyone kept reacting as though she’d vomited miniature caribou each time she spoke.
Fortunately Tsunami and Riptide and Hazel arrived to create a distraction.
“Riptide has plenty of room here,” Tsunami announced briskly. “Everyone can stay.”
“That’s not what I said!” Riptide objected. “I said, I don’t know where we can possibly put them all, but they can stay for a few nights while we figure this out.”
“Ha!” Snowfall flicked her tail at Tsunami. “See? Even your precious friend and his heartwarming togetherness project don’t want all these sad-snouts! I’m NOT the bad guy! My reaction is the normal one! No offense,” she added to Hazel.
Tsunami shot a glare at Riptide and he backpedaled quickly. “Of course I want them!” he said. “We can make this work. I mean, this more than quadruples the number of dragons living here, but — but, um, I just have to — and maybe if we — but then the — I mean, yes, yes, of course they can stay.”
“Great!” Tsunami said, now beaming at him. “I knew we could count on you.”
“We can help,” Hazel promised. “LeafWings prefer to build our homes in the trees anyway, so we won’t take up any extra ground space. And the SilkWings can make their own webs. Maybe their silk could be useful.” Snowfall could tell that Hazel was trying really hard not to glance pointedly at some of the more ramshackle buildings around them.
“Besides, we’re not staying long,” Sundew cut in. “We’re going back to Pantala just as soon as we figure out how to defeat the breath of evil.”
Hazel and Willow exchanged a glance that made even Snowfall feel all bristly; she wasn’t surprised when Sundew let out a hiss and stalked off toward the lake.
“Queen Snowfall,” Hazel said. “Would you be able to stay with us a few more days?”
“Me?” Snowfall said, fluffing out her wings. “Here? Why?”
“So we can summon the other queens, of course,” Tsunami said. “For a big old queen summit. Not because we want you around, don’t worry.”
“Don’t be rude to my queen,” Lynx said sharply.
“I’d really appreciate it, Your Majesty,” Hazel interjected, her eyes wide. “You’re the only one I know. I’d feel so much better if I had a friend among the queens.”
Three moons, Snowfall, tell me you are not melting into a puddle just because this strange green dragon called you a friend. She doesn’t know you at all, and vice versa! Why would I even WANT a friend from another tribe? What good can she possibly do for the IceWings? It’s not like an alliance with her would make us stronger.
But there are other perfectly logical, queenly reasons to stay. I mean, I don’t want all the other queens meeting without me! Who KNOWS what they would say about me if I wasn’t here! They might plot! And scheme! And make smug faces!
Staying is the right thing to do for the IceWing tribe. I need to know what everyone is up to anyway.
“Very well,” Snowfall said, trying to sound bored. “We can stay until the other queens arrive. But tell them to make it snappy. I can’t be gone from my palace for too long.”
“Let’s go choose the messengers,” Riptide said to Tsunami, tugging her away before she could say whatever snarky thing was building up inside her snout.
“Show me around?” Lynx said to Winter. “I want to see everything!”
“Of course,” he said, and then, after a moment of hesitation, added, “Moon, do you want to come, too?”
The NightWing nodded a little vaguely. She had a kind of distracted air about her most of the time, as though invisible dragons were whispering in her ears while everyone was talking.
Oh, Snowfall realized. Because she’s listening to our thoughts. I KNOW YOU CAN HEAR MY THOUGHTS, NIGHTWING! HERE’S ONE FOR YOU: I THINK YOUR ENTIRE TRIBE IS A BUNCH OF MALEVOLENT FIRE-SNORTING TOADS!
Moon jumped slightly, gave Snowfall a wounded look, and followed Winter and Lynx off into the meadow. Hazel and Willow stood around for a moment, as though they weren’t sure th
at Snowfall was done with them, and then finally went off in the same direction Sundew had gone.
Snowfall waded into the stream, which was brilliantly cold, like melted snow. She stood there, letting her scales cool down, as she studied the dragons scattered across Sanctuary. From where she stood, she could see dragons from almost every tribe: SandWings, SkyWings, SeaWings, MudWings, even a couple of RainWings, although at first glance she mistook them for SilkWings.
But no IceWings, as far as she could see. She was about to think, Well, ha, that makes sense, because our kingdom is so amazing, why would anyone want to leave it? But then she had to admit she didn’t see any NightWings either, which sort of undercut her theory. And Winter said there were other IceWings here. So where were they? Why hadn’t they come out to see the giant throng of new visitors?
The Sanctuary dragons seemed curious rather than afraid of the strange tribes. Snowfall wondered if that was because some of them were so odd-looking themselves, or because they were used to living with other kinds of dragons already. She watched the little brown dragon with phosphorescent blue scales dart up to a SilkWing, circle his talons slowly, and then sit down to gawp up at his four indigo-and-orange wings.
And then another flicker of white caught her gaze. Moving through the trees on the other side of the meadow — that was definitely an IceWing!
Snowfall bounded out of the water and charged across the grass, scattering clumsy dragonets in her wake. In the shadows of the trees, there was a whirl of white wings as the IceWing turned and fled.
Fled! From HER, Queen Snowfall! The indignity!
Snowfall doubled her pace as she plunged into the trees. Pine needles slipped under her talons and the smell of damp leaves filled her snout. Squirrels shouted angry chirpy things at her as she raced past, dodging tree trunks. Ahead, she could see her prey’s white tail flickering. A shady forest at twilight wasn’t exactly the best place for an IceWing to hide.
The best place is the ICE KINGDOM, Snowfall thought irritably. Why would any sensible dragon ever leave it?
Because of me, her brain offered with an awful jolt. Because they think I’m a terrible queen. Just like all the dragons in that NightWing battle. Maybe IceWings are sneaking out of the kingdom in droves because they’re afraid I’m going to ruin the whole tribe or do something dreadful.
She shook her head fiercely. It was unlikely she’d catch this dragon with speed, since she was tired from flying all day. She could try throwing a spear or a knife, although that would be kind of a violent way to find out who it was. But wait … she had magic!
Snowfall skidded to a stop and banged the wristbands of stealth together, imagining herself invisible. And then she was. She couldn’t even see her own talons. The bushes behind her seemed to shiver in a nonexistent breeze as she flicked them with her tail.
She carried on after the fleeing IceWing, but now she moved more slowly, trying to sneak up on whoever it was. It was hard to be quiet in such a noisy, crackly, yippy place, but soon she heard someone gasping for air up ahead. The IceWing thought Snowfall had lost its trail. It had stopped, panting, next to a giant boulder half covered in poison ivy.
Snowfall crept toward it, one talon, then the next, keeping her eyes fixed on the shimmering white scales beyond the foliage. And then … she POUNCED!
Debris flew up in all directions as she slammed into the IceWing, tumbling talons over wings until they both crashed into the bare side of the boulder. Snowfall recovered first. She shook out her wings and leaped to pin down the other dragon.
“Ack!” her captive shrieked. “I’m sorry! I’m sorry!”
Snowfall blinked down at the pale blue eyes, the long graceful neck, and the unmistakable face of her missing sister.
“Crystal?” Snowfall blurted. She sat up and used the bracelets to turn herself visible again. Her sister’s eyes widened as Snowfall shimmered into view. “Did you follow me here?”
“Follow you?” Crystal said indignantly. “You’re the one who chased me through the woods!”
“Because you were lurking! Suspiciously!” Snowfall cried. “How long have you been watching me?”
“I have not been watching you,” Crystal objected. “I don’t have any desire to watch you. I’ve been staying far away from you. You’re the one who came to my nice quiet place. What are you doing here?” She pushed ineffectively at Snowfall’s talons. “Also, can you please get off already?”
“Wait,” Snowfall said, backing up so Crystal could climb to her feet. “You mean — you’ve been here? In Sanctuary, this whole time?” She was having about eighty thousand emotions at once and it was VERY OVERWHELMING. Did this mean Crystal hadn’t been skulking around the Ice Palace at any point? But what about her nefarious plots? And why would she come here? Was Snowfall in danger? Was this all a trap?
Admittedly even she couldn’t quite imagine how Crystal could have engineered an invasion of mystery dragons just to get Snowfall to visit Sanctuary. But her pounding heart and shaking claws were having some trouble coming up with any other explanation for this. Crystal! Here! Lying in wait!
Crystal glanced around as though she hadn’t ever thought about where she was. “I mean, I suppose I’ve been here since Mother died, more or less,” she said.
“Doing what?” Snowfall demanded. “Plotting? Gathering an army? Hiring assassins?”
Her sister looked faintly amused. “If I wanted to hire an assassin, I wouldn’t start in a community of scavenger-huggers like this. I’d go straight to the Scorpion Den.”
“So you have thought about it!” Snowfall said accusingly.
A sudden crashing in the undergrowth warned Snowfall just in time. She spun as a dragon threw himself out of the trees at her head. He flew past, clipping her on the nose with his wings, and ricocheted off the boulder. She ducked again as he lunged back toward her, but this time he was able to pivot and slam her into a tree.
I knew it! I knew Crystal was planning to kill me!
Crystal was shouting something, but Snowfall couldn’t hear the words over the grunts and snarls of her opponent as she kicked him in the chest. He had brown scales and a flat, square head and heavy talons — a MudWing. Crystal had formed an alliance with the MudWings! Did she have Queen Moorhen on her side? Snowfall had always found Moorhen the least annoying of the other queens, but maybe her quiet demeanor was all an act while she conspired with Crystal!
With a hiss of rage, Snowfall summoned the strength magic. She sank her talons into the MudWing and threw him off into the forest.
He hurtled out of sight, smashing a path through the branches. A moment later, there was a resounding thud in the distance.
Crystal shrieked and pelted after him, and Snowfall chased her into the trees.
“That’s what happens!” she shouted at her sister. “I’m not as easy to kill as you think!”
Crystal didn’t even look back. She ran full tilt along the path of destruction until she found the MudWing lying flat on his back at the other end, wings flung out to either side.
“Gharial!” she cried, crouching beside him. “Gharial, are you all right?”
“Saving … you …” he wheezed.
“Not very well, you great hippo,” Crystal scolded. “She wasn’t even attacking me!”
“But … dangerous,” he managed to gasp.
Crystal looked over her shoulder at Snowfall, who had paused at the edge of the glade, puzzled by the tableau. Crystal was clutching the MudWing’s front talons in her own, and he had this bonkers moony expression on his face as he gazed up at her. He must have hit his head really hard to be making that face, especially at Crystal, of all dragons.
“Are you here to kill me?” Crystal asked Snowfall.
“No!” Snowfall said. “I mean, not unless you’re planning something. Should I?”
“Kill me? No, thank you,” Crystal said. “Snowfall, how could I possibly be plotting against you or trying to kill you? We swore an oath to our mother, remember? I promised not
to try to take the throne from you.”
“Yes,” Snowfall said, “but — you — but still, what if you …” She trailed off. Somehow it had never occurred to her that Crystal would take that oath so seriously. “I mean, if you’re not plotting something, why did you disappear?” she demanded.
“Well,” Crystal said, “to be honest, I was pretty sure you were going to kill me. The oath said not to fight for the throne. It didn’t say anything about keeping your sisters and possible threats alive.”
“Pffft,” Snowfall snorted. “I’m not the kind of queen who kills all her heirs just to feel safe! That’s pure stupidity.”
“I also … I had somewhere else I wanted to be,” Crystal said, looking down at the MudWing again. “Or rather, someone else I wanted to be with.”
Snowfall tilted her head at them. This still made no sense to her. Where else would anyone want to be besides the Ice Kingdom? Here, in this noisy fluttery forest full of dragons from other tribes? Why?
“Snowfall, this is Gharial,” Crystal said. “We met during the war, when his troop joined our army to fight Blister. Once I was home again, I couldn’t stop thinking about him.”
“Oh,” Snowfall said. “Ohhh.” Now Crystal was making the same schmoopy face as he had, and she didn’t have a head injury as an excuse. Crystal was in love with this MudWing! Of ALL THE ABSURD BRAINMELT.
This is the secret Lynx guessed she had.
“I think — I think Mother knew, actually,” Crystal said. “Or guessed, at least. I think that might be partly why she didn’t give me the crown.”
“Because she was so horrified?” Snowfall supplied.
Crystal whipped her head up and frowned at her. “No! Because she knew it would tear me apart if I had to choose between the IceWing throne and the dragon I love. He could never come to the Ice Palace. If I were queen, there’d be no future for us.”
This was the silliest thing Snowfall had ever heard. Choosing a romance over being queen of an entire kingdom? A romance with a MUDWING, no less?
For the first time since the battle with the NightWings, Snowfall felt a brief shining moment of You know what — my mother did pick the right dragon to be queen.
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