“That was kind of you,” said Thisbe, trying not to let her words drip with the sarcasm she felt. “It might have been nice to know.”

“I couldn’t let you think I had a soft heart,” said the Revinir, and then she laughed. “Because I don’t. I just needed you.”

“I’m well aware of that,” said Thisbe icily. “But as I said before, this partnership will be equal, or else I’m not participating. I fear that will be hard for you after the way you’ve treated me. And that’s why I wanted a few extra days to see how you handle it.”

“I’m treating you fine!” the Revinir said, growing indignant. “What more do you want?”

“I want it to continue,” said Thisbe, lifting her chin.

The Revinir averted her eyes. “It will.”

Thisbe noticed. She crossed her arms. “You didn’t answer my question. What do you expect will change if we join together?”

“You said ‘when’ before! Not ‘if.’ ”

Thisbe hid a smirk. This was all going too well. Could it possibly continue? “When, then,” said Thisbe amicably. “How do you envision it will all go down? I haven’t heard the rules or history behind this type of rulership before.”

“We just have to go together to publicly announce that we have agreed to co-lead the land of the dragons and restore the world to the way it was before the king and his people took over. One dragon and one black-eyed ruler. Then the ghost dragons will move on to their next lives, and the current dragons will be in power with me leading them.”

“And the black-eyed rulers also leading,” Thisbe said.

“Right. Obviously.”

“Which means you’ll stop enslaving them.”

“Sure. I’ll enslave other people instead.”

“Um, no you won’t.”

“Whatever,” said the Revinir impatiently. “I see no harm in putting the king’s army to work. They never supported me.”

“Us, you mean.”

“Of course, us!” Fire shot from the Revinir’s mouth, and Thisbe had to duck to avoid being singed.

“Watch it!” Thisbe warned, feeling her eyes spark and heat build in her throat.

“I’m sorry!” said the Revinir, not sounding sorry. She turned and went back into the ballroom, stomping as she went, which made the floor shake.

Thisbe touched the obliterate component box through her vest. It was so tempting. But if she used it now, she’d definitely die right along with the Revinir—either from the blast or from the balcony crumbling and a big chunk of the castle being obliterated with her.

“Let’s take a walk outside,” Thisbe suggested.

The Revinir frowned. “Why?”

Thisbe shrugged. “Because it’s beautiful out there.”

“Go take a walk with Zel. I don’t like to be exposed. I prefer walls. To be honest, I miss being in the catacombs.”