“Randall suggested it.”
“He what? He hates me. Why would he want me to have something this precious when I haven’t earned it?”
Morgan shrugged. “I didn’t question it. If Randall wanted you to have it, he has his reasons. It could be something as simple as the distance you’re traveling is great and it’s better for you to have a lifeline.”
“Nothing with Randall is ever simple,” I reminded him. “You know that as well as I do. He’s plotting something.”
“Probably. I’m sure you’ll find out soon enough.”
“And he knows I’ll be delayed?”
“Yes. He’s aware. He’s using his own resources to help track the Prince. For now, head north to Meridian City. There are rumors the dragon was spotted near a village on the outskirts of the city called Old Clearing.”
“I’ve been through there,” I said. “Once. It’s all sheep and farming.”
“Food source,” Morgan said. “Three people have disappeared from the village in the last month alone and scorch marks were found on the ground.”
“It has to be getting desperate if it’s eating people,” I said. “The other dragons don’t do that.”
“That we’re aware of,” Morgan said. “Randall can speak for the mated pair in the north, but the desert dragon isn’t as closely monitored. The Great White Dragon hasn’t been seen in years, but I never heard of it eating any humans either.”
“You realize that I’ll have to go through the Dark Woods.”
Morgan stiffened as his eyes flashed. “You’ll do no such thing,” he said. “Take the Old Road.”
“Around?” I said incredulously. “That’ll take weeks!”
“I don’t care, Sam. You have had enough dealings with the Darks to last a lifetime. The last thing we need is for you to stumble on more of them.”
“I could do that anywhere,” I said. “They use the Old Road like everyone else.”
“I’m aware,” he snapped at me. “But it’s one thing to stumble upon them there as opposed to finding them where they live. You mind me on this, Sam. Stay out of the Dark Woods.”
“But—”
“You have a job to do. Assist Knight Commander Foxheart in rescuing the Prince. They’ll return to the castle. You’ll go to Randall. You’ll learn from him that which I cannot teach you, and then you will come home. That is all you need to be concerned with. Do you understand?”
“Morgan—”
“Do you understand?”
I narrowed my eyes. “Yes. But I swear to the gods that if you’re holding back from me and I find out what it is, I am going to rescind that awesome hug I just gave you and there will be none to follow for a very long time.”
“The world weeps at such a thought.” But his lips quirked up, the anger fading from his eyes.
“It should. I give great hugs.”
“No Dark Woods,” Morgan said.
“Fine,” I sighed. “No Dark Woods.”
FUCK THAT. We were totally going through the Dark Woods.
THE NEXT morning, we met in the lobby of the throne room before sunrise.
Mom cried and told me I needed to think about her every day. I told her then that nothing would change because I did that already.
Dad was gruff, but I could see the way his hands shook, and he told me that he would hold down the fort until I got home. I told him I expected nothing less and had to blink the burn away when he placed a rough kiss on my cheek.