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The dragon screamed through the night.

I dropped my shield, the metal already losing shape and useless from the intense heat. This was for her. All for her. My life meant nothing if I couldn’t live it with Helen. And I would give my last breath to save her.

“Farnkelan, I am the last of the line of Priam. Remember us. Remember the way it used to be and could be again if only you will help me.” I stayed on my knees and faced my doom, waiting for the final burst of flames. Farnkelan shot low over me before rising up and settling on top of the tower. Its snakelike green eyes considered me.

I had never seen a beast so massive. It was covered in luminous green scales that graded darker up toward its ridged back. Its great talons dwarfed the tower, making it look like more of a plaything than an actual perch. This creature belonged atop the Bloodkeep, sitting and watching over the vampire homeland from a great height.

I bowed my head, giving respect where it was due. Farnkelan bent its head to examine the vampire at its feet, the large nostrils and fangs only a short length from me as I raised my face again to the dragon. Farnkelan seemed to be looking through me, seeing into my very essence and measuring my worth. Those reptilian eyes were somehow thoughtful, considering. Farnkelan perused me for a long while, chuffing air from its nose every so often, the heat scalding my skin anew. But I did not move, just let the beast judge my mettle.

Seemingly satisfied, Farnkelan rose back to the top of the tower and bellowed out a roar that could have been heard all the way to Decanum. It was terrible and mighty, raising goosebumps along my flesh.

The dragon looked back down at me and then tapped its talons against the ruined bricks. Chunks fell to the ground below as I struggled to my feet. Was it asking me to speak?

“Farnkelan, Helen has been taken by Menelaus—”

Another roar.

“I take it you know him. He is our mutual enemy.”

The talons clicked.

“He has taken Helen. She is a proud warrior, and she is the one who ended the reign of Desmerada.”

The dragon shot flames into the air that went so high, I swore they touched the stars. The pure fury of the beast was terrifying, but I could not stop now.

“I want to get her back and exact vengeance upon the one who took her. The one who killed my father, Priam.”

Farnkelan blinked, the narrow slits of its eyes glinting in what seemed like recognition of the name.

“But I need a powerful ally. One who knows these lands and one who can aid me in crushing the demon army. I need you, Farnkelan, to help me destroy Menelaus and bring back the savior of the Bloodkeep.”

Arachne stole from the trees. Farnkelan reared back, readying to release its fire, before lowering its head and tilting it to the side.

Arachne waved. “It’s me, old friend. The king speaks true. Helen did this for me.” She twirled as Farnkelan watched, its talons clicking on the stone. “And I have a gift for you. If you agree to help the king in his destruction of the demons and rescue of Helen, I happen to know where a certain false queen waits, soon to be caught in a thorny bramble of Spinis. Of course, I can’t tell you to harm her, because you are a proud dragon that doesn’t do anyone’s bidding but your own.” Her eyes glittered that shiny obsidian. “But we will need your help first.”

Farnkelan lowered its head to Arachne. She stroked its scaly ear, a purr rising from its throat, making the ground tremble.

I crossed my arms over my chest. “You knew Farnkelan all along and let me come out here alone, without your help?”

She shrugged. “You need to prove yourself a king. This”—she scratched behind Farnkelan’s ear and its hind claw started kicking even more bricks from the tower—“was the only way to do it.”

I looked back at my soldiers in the wood. They stood, mouths agape. Arachne was right. They’d seen me gentle the dragon, and their tales would cement my reputation and secure my throne. With Arachne and Helen around, I would always be two steps behind, if not more.

“Farnkelan, will you do it? Will you help me bring her back?”

The dragon head-butted Arachne gently before dropping down from the tower. A tree fell in the Darkwood from the quake that rumbled through the ground. The dragon bent a knee and chuffed blazing steam from its nose. Assent.

I held my hands out, showing I meant no harm. “I’m going to ask my men to come out of the forest. We’ll need all the help we can get in Decanum, and they could use a ride.”