The creature burned ahead of him, but it still flew. Shrieking, it turned toward the two dragons. Its jaws swung open, and it blasted out more acid. Dorvin and Maev scattered, and the jet fell through the sky. Dorvin darted forward, slashed his claws, and cut deep into the creature's face. Its blood spilled. He leaned in, prepared to bite out its neck.

Something grabbed his tail.

He yowled.

Maev was tugging him backward, away from the dying demon. He thrashed, freed himself, and spun in the sky. By the time he righted himself and flew toward the demon again, Maev had bit out its throat. The creature tumbled down, dead before it hit the ground.

Hovering, his wings scattering smoke, Dorvin turned to stare at Maev.

The green dragon gave him a crooked smile. "I win again."

Dorvin took a deep breath. He spoke in a strained, low voice. "That one was mine. I burned him. I cut him. I was going to finish the job when you—"

"When I won." Maev nodded, her smile widening. "As always."

Something snapped inside Dorvin—something that had been taut and painful since leaving Requiem. He roared. He barreled into Maev, knocking her back in the sky.

They tumbled down in a ball of lashing claws, snapping teeth, and blasts of fire.

"Let go of me!" she roared.

Dorvin refused to, only tightening his grip. Their wings beat against one another. They kept falling. The ground rushed up toward them. The rage flowed over Dorvin. He had spent too many days listening to her taunts, seeing that damn raised chin of hers, letting her strong body, crooked smile, and winking eyes fill his dreams. She was intoxicating, infuriating, impossible, and he didn't release her until they crashed through a tree, tumbled between snapping branches, and fell to the ground. The blow knocked the air out of Dorvin, banged his teeth together, and tugged his magic from him.

He lay on the ground in human form, moaning. Smoke wafted into his eyes. He sat up, wincing and blinking, hoping no bones were broken. When the world came back into focus, he saw Maev back in human form too, struggling to rise. Scratches covered her, and a branch had ripped her tunic.

Dorvin struggled to his feet, stumbled toward her, and swung his fist.

Fast as field mouse—creatures just as horrible—Maev dodged the blow. She leaped up, and her own fist connected with Dorvin's cheek. He crumpled, falling back onto the grass. Before he could rise again, Maev jumped onto him, fists flying. Her knee drove into his belly, and he grunted and couldn't even scream.

"Get off me!" he whispered hoarsely, holding up his arms to protect his face.

She snarled above him, her face rabid. The dragon tattoos on her arms danced as she pummeled him. "I've had enough of your rubbish, Dung Beetle. I—"