“For two hundred years, I have been working with Grald and Maristara, developing our plans in secret. We hoped—at least I hoped—that we would never be forced to use such drastic measures. I hoped that the human inventions would fail and that they would grow weary of pursuing them. I underestimated the human desire for conquest and power. As for the nature of our plans, I cannot reveal them to you.”

The dragons muttered at this. Tails snapped in irritation, wings rustled, claws scraped.

“By law, Prime Minister,” said Malfiesto, “you are required to tell us.”

“I have broken so many laws, old friend, that one more will not matter,” Anora replied. “And I am no longer your Prime Minster. I resign from that post. Who will side with me?”

Dragons spit and snarled, snapped and roared. Heads swooped down in fighting stance, wings lifted, tails thrashed. Malfiesto bellowed, actually using his voice, something unheard of, to try to make the other dragons see reason. Three of the young males, incensed, flew off. Two of the females left with them. Others remained behind to argue and debate.

“There’s nothing more you can do here,” said Draconas, and Lysira, thankfully, left.

Once outside, she lifted her wings and soared into a night spattered with stars. She breathed deeply of the fresh air and felt better.

“Where are you, Draconas?” she asked, free, at last, to speak openly with him.

“I am here,” he said. “In your mind. Whenever you want me, this is where you will find me.”

“I mean, physically, where are you?” Lysira persisted.

“It is better that you do not know,” Draconas replied. “Not that I do not trust you, Lysira, but two members of your family have already died by violence. I do not want to risk a third death, especially of someone I care about.”

Lysira’s colors shimmered, dazzling her with their brilliance.

“I can use your help, however,” Draconas continued. “I need eyes to see and ears to hear. But only if you are willing.”

“You mean, only if I agree with your side of things,” said Lysira slowly. “I’m not sure I do agree, Draconas. What Anora said frightens me.”

“Anora has been blinded by fear, Lysira. She is able to see only one path—a path that leads to doom. Many paths exist, and some are bright with sunlight.”

Lysira did not immediately reply. She watched the ground skim beneath her. Humans were small as ants in her sight, and they could not see her at all. She realized, suddenly, that she’d never seen a human except from this vast distance.

“I will be your eyes, Draconas,” Lysira agreed. “It is time that I looked at the world. But I want you to know beforehand that I will never do anything to betray our people. Even if that means going against someone I care about. What do you need me to do?”