When Millie spotted them, they were talking to King Limelyn, and she noticed that they’d brought Ralf’s grandfather Gargle Snort, the king of the fire-breathing dragons. Millie was about to go greet them when Zoë and her family landed at the edge of the moat where everyone had gathered. No one se...
We joined Grassina at the window to watch the trunk skim the tops of the waves. "That spell should put a crimp in his style, shouldn't it?" said Eadric. "I hope so," said Grassina. She carried a black and green bottle to the window, where direct sunlight made it look disea...
Unlike some of the islands they’d passed, there were no beaches or sloping shorelines, and the footing was treacherous, especially for a six-year-old boy, even one who was half goblin. It wasn’t until his uncle, Targin, had helped him climb the jumbled rocks that Jak knew it was the island that h...
It had been more than two weeks since she’d seen them, and although she had started writing to her parents and sisters more than once to tell them that she was alive and well, she never got beyond the first few sentences. She wanted to tell them that she’d be home soon, but she had no idea how lo...
Tall towers rose above the weathered gray stones, while green banners fluttered from the spires. The drawbridge was open across the moat, where water lilies bloomed and small fish darted just below the clear water’s surface. It was so much like the castle at home that a lump formed in Annie’s thr...
Doreen’s information about the fairy king had disturbed Jak more than he would have admitted. Although he had been worried about Tamisin before, he was worried in a different way now. What did Oberon want with her? And what did Doreen mean when she said that the fairy king changed how people look...
Ordinarily she would have been surprised and delighted to be summoned to her mother’s rooms, but this time she knew why her mother wanted her, and it wasn’t to thank Annie for finding the witch. Annie almost never entered her mother’s rooms. It wasn’t by choice, however. I...
Liam told Annie as she tidied her hair. She felt much better after her nap and was glad Snow White had persuaded Liam to wait. “Was my old room in such terrible shape?” she asked. “Yes, it was. Plus Maitland and I didn’t want you where the crows could find you again. Your new room is smaller, and...
I no longer felt like a wind was whisking me along, but more like something was forcing me through a thick and lumpy, sour-smelling pudding. I could still feel Eadric's arms around me, just as they'd been when he'd pulled me away from the shadow beast. I was frightened, but not nearly as much as ...
She had celebrated with Garrid and his relatives all night, but she usually stayed up until dawn, so I knew she wasn't acting that way because she was extra tired. When Garrid offered to accompany us after hearing about our mission, she looked more upset than pleased. The ...
Mumbling her apologies, Li'l flew to the first tree she could find. When we reached the tree, Fang pointed out her darker shape amidst the leafy shade. "Li'l," he hissed loudly, "we are here." "Go on without me," called back a tired voice. "I'll catch up later. I need to sleep a little longer." "...
After that, she wrapped herself in her blanket and curled up on the window ledge to gaze at the night sky. She didn’t know what to do. The life she’d always known was over; nothing would ever be the same again now that her father was gone. Chartreuse would probably become queen soon since she wan...
While waiting for Mary Mary to arrive, Cory washed the breakfast dishes, stood outside waiting for Noodles to finish snuffling around the yard, then went inside to tidy the main room. Noodles was asleep in the kitchen when Mary Mary arrived. Although Cory had no idea what her visitor looked like,...
“But I thought he didn’t want to see me again,” said Audun, rubbing sleep from his eyes. “A king can change his mind, just like everyone else,” the big dragon replied. “But be careful what you say. He seemed mighty worked up about something.” “I hop...
After climbing stairs that were so steep and shallow that the toes of her shoes barely fit on the step, she was glad to be on a level floor again. She almost tripped over Liam when he stopped suddenly and bent down to lift a stone out of the floor, revealing a hole as big as his fist. “What is th...