I crinkle my nose in disgust, which he, of course, can’t see. Still, I don’t let go. “What about the Destiny?”

He snorts. “Why do you think I always shapeshift when we’ve been on the road a few hours? It’s a huge waste of energy, but at least I can stretch my wings out. This is worse. Even your cursed wagon has windows.”

How dare he? “Hey! The Destiny is the finest enchanted wagon this side of the Dragon Lands. You’re lucky to travel in such luxury.”

“Of course,” he says and chuckles. “My mistake.”

Several more minutes pass in silence, except for our steps and whispered swears every time we smash into a wall or protruding boulder.

“So,” Raze says eventually. “What are you going to do with the money?”

“I—” I stop. I don’t owe him any explanation. I thought I had an answer to that, but Isolde turned everything upside down. “What are you going to do with the firedrake?”

“I asked first,” he says. “Humor me. Give me something to think about besides the imminent rockslide that will cave in this entire thing and lead to our untimely demise.”

“You’re so dramatic,” I complain, stepping carefully as the path declines.

We’re never going to see each other again once the whole firedrake thing is sorted. What can it hurt? I sigh.

“I’m going home,” I say softly. It stings to admit it: I’m going home. Not we’re. “Our parents...they live in a village on the northeast banks of the Harrow. I haven’t seen them in three years.” My free hand strays to the vial, but it’s no longer there.

“Why now?”

I bite my lip, but the story comes spilling out anyway. “We kind of got...chased out of town. After everyone found out about me.” I tell him about Cassius Redbrook, about the potions and charms, about my raised voice and my broken wrist and the flames. About listening to the sound of a man’s dying breath. About everything.

I’ve never told anyone that before, I think, surprising myself with each new detail I unravel. Isolde already knew, of course. There wasn’t anyone else I’d ever let close enough to wonder where I came from.

He keeps catching me with my guard down, and it feels dangerous. I just have to make it a little while longer. Then we’ll never have to see each other again.

Exactly how I want it. How I’ve always wanted it.

A smudge of gray ahead catches my eye. “We’re almost there,” I say, squeezing Raze’s hand.

There isn’t a bright white light at the end of the tunnel this time. He doesn’t let go until it’s light enough to see the outline of our surroundings by the blue moonlight, and his shoulders relax with a sigh of relief. We’re close enough to the outside world now that a breeze stirs, wrapping me in its cold fingers.

I’m ready to sit down for a moment. To see my sister again, show off the firedrake egg, and joke back and forth with her and Raze and Olani. For all of us to put our heads together and figure out what our next move is, and then go home.