Still he doesn’t move a muscle. He just stares at me as if he hates my guts and is really angry that his brother’s got Rose on his back while he’s stuck with me and Win.

“Arthur, are you sure you know what you’re doing?” asks Win.

I nod. “I’ve just got to show him who’s boss,” I say, then I clear my throat, sit up a little taller, and shout, “Robise! ROBISE!” Vlad’s rumble has reached a crescendo and my body is vibrating so much my teeth are chattering. His jaws creep open and I see fire glowing in his throat. Desperately I add, “Plobease!”

With a flick of his head Vlad decides to obey. He stands, huffs out some smoke, then starts to jog after his brother.

Win and I slam up and down on his hot scales. Ahead of us Pickle jumps and takes off, flying low to the ground. I squeeze my knees around Vlad and hold on tight to the spike. It’s almost impossible to believe that this huge, heavy creature could ever lift up in the air, but after a few more steps, he leaps forward, stretches his wings . . . and we’re off!

“We are flying a dragon!” shouts Win, followed by a loud “WAHOOO!”

Chapter 14

Vlad beats his wings and we climb higher into the sky.

We’re following Pickle, and as the ground drops away beneath us I fight the temptation to shut my eyes. I used to be terrified of heights—and right now we’re very high indeed—but I’m flying a dragon, and it’s so amazing that I don’t want to miss a single second.

I lean forward, pressing myself close to Vlad, and I only loosen my grip when the two dragons level out. It’s like that moment on an airplane when the seat belt light pings off, and suddenly everything feels much safer. Only now do I look down at the ground.

And what I see is incredible.

Roar is spread out beneath us: the islands of the Archie Playgo, the swaying trees of the Tangled Forest, and, up ahead, the rocky mountains in the Bad Side. My shoulders relax. We’re flying away from the message and Crowky, and Vlad feels steady and strong. Right now, even though I’m high in the air, I feel safe.

When we reach the Bottomless Ocean we follow the line of the coast. My face is frozen by the cold air, while my body burns from the fire raging inside Vlad’s belly. He growls. Quietly at first, but it gets louder and louder until fire explodes from his mouth and flames roll past me with a sulfurous whiff.

A smile spreads across my face. This has got to be the best feeling in the world!