When Weysh first took off he flew aimlessly, with no goal other than to let the wind and open sky cleanse the images of his mother’s frightened gaze, Genie’s shock, and Sylvie’s tear-stained face from his mind. Eventually he ended up circling the streets of West Castle West, where all the jewelers and goldsmiths took up shop. Notwithstanding that morning’s disaster, he would eventually have to face Yenni Ajani and tell her he’d failed her. Not once, but twice. He’d let the thief who’d wronged her get away, and he’d let his temper get the best of him, dashing any hope of help from Montpierre. For once, he was not eager to see his Given.

He swooped in and changed before touching down on the white cobbled streets of West Castle West. There was Beaumont’s Fine Timepieces, with its large gold-plated gear clock ticking over the door, the iconic sky-blue awning of Olivier’s Appraisers, and the slim white mannequins bedecked in glittering gems in the window of Dame Dubois. Across the street, a large, tacky ring with a giant diamond made of glass marked Nicolas & Nicolas. Weysh had never been inside. It was known that while their prices were cheaper, so were their wares, with gems that were cloudy and cuts that were basic.

Weysh crossed his arms and nodded to himself.

Presents.

They wouldn’t make everything right, or erase what he’d said and done, and failed to do, but that had always been his instinct. Dragons were known for their penchant for giving presents—the shinier the better. In fact, the streets of West Castle West were just as wide as those in Sir Lamontanya, in anticipation of all the dragon traffic.

It wouldn’t fix everything, but jewelry was something tangible, something concrete to demonstrate his remorse. Byen, this was turning out to be an expensive year. Nothing less than Dame Dubois would do. He started for the shop, already eying an ivystone necklace dripping from the neck of one of the mannequins. Perhaps Yenni Ajani would like that one. The glittering veins of green in the pearly stone would suit her, and match her uniform besides. He could get earrings for Maman, some charms for Sylvie’s bracelets, perhaps a bejeweled comb for Genie, and a box of dried pig shit for Montpierre.

He ducked in and perused the impressive displays. His pockets, as well as his credit balance with the bank, were much heavier once he set the door tinkling with his exit. As he stepped into the street again, someone called his name.

“Weysh?”

Carmenna stood across the street, right outside Nicolas & Nicolas, with one hand covering her mouth, as if she’d spoken without thinking, and the other hand wrapped around the arm of Luiz Noriago.