‘I used to sit there too,’ Milla said, gesturing at the wall. ‘Best view in the city. Shall we?’

They climbed back up and sat side by side. There was a shadowy full moon giving way to the rising sun, and the air was still cold.

‘Happy birthday, Joe. This is for you.’ Milla passed him a small leather pouch. 8

‘Thank you,’ he said, opening its drawstring. He tipped it carefully, and something small and shiny fell into his cupped palm. It looked like a coin and a mass of silver chain.

‘It matches mine,’ Milla said, tapping the medal she always wore round her neck.

Joe lifted up the silver disc. It had a device beaten into it: a circle to represent the full moon, and a dragon in flight beneath it. It was the symbol of their family, the ancient dragonriders of Arcosi. ‘Oh, Milla.’ He struggled for the right words. ‘It’s perfect. I’m going to wear it today, for luck.’

‘Let me help you with that clasp.’ Milla fastened it behind his neck, brushing his wavy black hair aside. ‘There! Just as it’s meant to be.’

He patted it, feeling the cold metal settling into place at his throat. ‘And here’s something for you: breakfast!’ Joe passed her a roll and started ripping his own into shreds.

‘Ooh, hot from the oven. Matteo’s cinnamon rolls are as good as Josi’s,’ she said, nodding her thanks.

‘You better not tell her that.’ Joe grinned at her. Joe’s mother’s temper was as legendary as her cooking. Josi belonged to the island’s highest society these days, recognised as a descendant of the ancient royal family of Arcosi, but when Milla was young, Josi had been the household cook, hiding her true identity.

‘So,’ Milla said next, drawing out the syllable. ‘The big day?’

‘Uh-huh,’ Joe mumbled, mouth full of bread.

‘Ready?’ she asked.

‘I feel ready.’ He hesitated, and he was aware of his heart 9beating faster, as he chose to tell her. ‘This morning, I was dreaming of a dragon. A purple one. Did that happen for you, with Iggie …?’

She smiled, remembering. ‘Yes, a few times. I couldn’t see him, not exactly. But I knew he was blue, and I knew we would fly together.’

‘Yes!’ Joe said, relieved. ‘That’s what it felt like for me.’ And with a rush of eagerness, he begged her, ‘Is there a purple egg? How many are there? You’ve seen them, haven’t you? Tell me, Milla, please!’

‘You know I can’t tell you.’ Milla’s brown eyes held his, sparkling with life and humour.

He took that as a yes. There was a purple egg! He knew it.

Milla yawned widely, and Joe noticed the shadows under her eyes for the first time. ‘Are you all right?’ he asked.

‘Didn’t sleep much last night,’ she said. ‘Trouble in the lower town. Tarya had to send a few dragonriders to back up her troops.’

‘Trouble from the Brotherhood?’ Joe guessed.

‘Who else?’ Milla grimaced.