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He paused as if calculating how exactly to explain and I wondered, too, if he was calculating how much to refrain from sharing. “Remember how I told you an eternal song was in a very hard to reach place?” he asked. “Well, Rasil wants me to retrieve it for us.”

“The last thing the world needs is Rasil wielding a weapon like that,” I said tightly. “Look what his grandfather did with that power.”

“Agreed.”

The speed with which he said that surprised me. He didn’t seem particularly fond of Rasil, but to be willing to go against the orders of the head of your pack—sect—whatever they called it, that was bold.

“Though as much as I don’t want Rasil to possess such a song,” I continued, “I don’t know how I feel about it being in your possession, either.”

“I don’t plan on keeping it,” he said. “It’s too dangerous.”

I stole a quick glance at Navin as he studied the dragon. “So what are you thinking?”

“I go to retrieve the eternal song under the guise of bringing it back to Rasil, and then we run and take it to Calla in Olmdere, hide it somewhere safe where no human nor Wolf is tempted to use it.”

I scrutinized him. “How do I know you’re not just saying this to convince me to help you?”

“You don’t,” he said plainly. “But I know you would stop me if you thought I wasn’t keeping up my end of the deal.”

“I would.” I folded my arms across my chest. “So this song is what’s in Rikesh? In King Luo’s possession?”

Navin nodded. “It’s carved on an ancient vase. The King believes it to be one of his many pretty relics and nothing more.”

“This vase is what Rasil wants you to trade me to Prince Tadei for?” The look in Navin’s eyes told me everything. “Me in exchange for a song powerful enough to destroy the world. Wonderful.”

“It will only be for show,” Navin pleaded. “I wouldn’t actually leave you there.”

“Oh no,” I said sarcastically. “I can’t think of any way this half-baked plan could go awry.”

“Trust me—”

“But Idon’ttrust you!” I erupted, taking a giant step away from him. Where was that kitchen knife when I needed it? “I don’t trust you one whit and you shouldn’t trust me, either. I’m still debating ripping out your throat with my teeth.”

His gaze darkened. “Is killing me the only way you’ll forgive me?”

That only enraged me further. “Perhaps.”

“Shift then.”

“What?”

“Shift,” he said.

I glared at him in disbelief for a second before finally realizing he was serious. I huffed a bitter laugh. Fine. If he wanted to play with fire, then I’d happily burn him to ash.

In a blink, my body started morphing, bones twisting and sinews snapping, fur sprouting and teeth elongating. The light fabric of my dress easily shredded around me, and I shook off the remnants, keeping my lupine eyes fixed on the human in front of me.

A low growl rumbled through my barrel chest, and I sniffedthe air, taking in his scent of ink and resin-coated bowstrings. I would tear into him until he only smelled of the copper tang of blood.

My lips lifted, baring my teeth, and I stalked forward, hoping he’d run.

Instead, Navin yanked off his tunic, baring his vulnerable skin to me and dropping to his knees. “You are so beautiful,” he whispered more to himself. “And powerful and terrifying and completely and utterly hypnotic. If anyone were to fell me, let it be you.”

I paused, one paw hovering above the tile floor as Navin spread his arms wide in surrender. The action felt so familiar, like a Wolf displaying their belly to their pack leader, his way of showing me that despite everything, I was still in control. It relieved me and irked me in equal measure. I thought he’d have more fight.

Foolish, foolish human.

I stalked closer, watching his neck pulsing with every beat of his racing heart. I bet even his blood tasted sweet, still laced with juice and bhavi rolls. I got close enough it would take nothing to reach out and lick off the sweat beading across his chest, his limbs shaking in fear. How easily I could snap his neck.