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“I flew over the top to the center.”

Paige’s shoulders drooped, and she offered an unimpressed stare. “So, you cheated. I’m surprised he let you get away with that.”

“Get away with it? How is that cheating?”

“I had to pick my way through that maze inch by inch. I hit so many dead ends and then a really mean door that trapped me with a wolf. And the wolf betrayed me and left me behind.”

Dewey shrugged. “Nobody said you had to walk through the maze. And anyway, it’s a good thing I didn’t. You were in the center almost ready to be sliced in half!”

“That’s what happened in mine, too. I had to make a choice between you and the tree bark.”

Dewey stared at her for a moment, eyeing her pocket. “So, do you have the bark?”

“No! I picked you. Duh.”

A slight smile passed over his teal lips. “Oh, good.”

“How else do you think I got out? If I would have picked the tree bark, I assume I’d be stuck in that dark forest for all eternity or something.”

Dewey shrugged, the corners of his mouth tugging down. “How should I know what you picked?”

Paige narrowed her eyes at the dragon. “Seriously? Do you seriously think I’d let you get killed?”

“I guess I believe you’d save me.”

Paige flicked her gaze at the bright-blue sky above them, shaking her head. “What was your choice?”

“Huh?”

“What did you have to give up to save me?”

“Growth potion.”

“You mean…to make you a big boy dragon?”

Dewey nodded and buzzed past her. “Anyway, let’s not dwell on it. We survived and I, for one, would like to get out of here and on to the next obstacle.”

Paige continued down the path through the forest, jogging a few steps to catch up to him. “That’s really nice, Dewey.”

“What is?”

“That you chose me over being a big dragon. I know how much you want to be bigger.”

Dewey shrugged, refusing to meet her gaze. “No biggie. I figured if I didn’t, I’d be stuck there, so…”

“Sure you did,” Paige said with a coy smile.

“It has nothing to do with the fact that we are friends. Nothing. I am not sentimental.”

“Uh-huh,” Paige said, the grin remaining on her lips.

“Also, please no more candy from this forest. I’ve had enough.”

Paige chuckled as she glanced around at the cotton-candy trees lining the path. “You and me both. I just want to get out of here and get this stupid water and be done.”

“And then get back to the dumb palace and trade for the bark.”

“Yes, and get out of this book, use it to cure my issue, and then work on all the other problems we have.”