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The dragonling let out a pleased huff and dropped back to the bed with a whoosh.

"Holy hells," I breathed. "You don't know how excited I am to see you!"

Dropping to the bed, I tugged the little dragon into my arms.

She craned her neck to snuggle against my shoulder, and my eyes prickled as I leaned into her warmth.

"Thank the gods you're okay."

She let out a soft little trill and pulled back her head.

I smiled and released her, lifting a hand to scratch just behind her jaw.

She tilted her head to give me better access and let out a huff of approval as I moved to match her.

Chuckling, I inspected the little troublemaker.

She had a few small horns poking from the top of her head, and her snout was longer, and — was that a fresh scar along her shoulder?!

"What are you doing here?" I asked, dropping my hand. "Liam said he got all the dragons out —"

She just nudged me with her snout as if asking for more scratches.

I rolled my eyes and resumed the scratching.

Slumping atop me, she pulled in her wings and rolled to the side so I could scratch her belly.

I exhaled a soft chuckle, lips curling despite myself.

"Wait — how'd you say my name?" I asked, staring down at her. "Did you get new tricks while I was gone?"

"No," said an oddly familiar voice. "That was me."

I jumped, moving to protect Serali by tucking her behind me.

What in the —

The vines around the window twisted as I watched, forming themselves into the shape of a small green man as tall as my hand.

My jaw dropped.

"It has been fairly safe for her," the creature said. "And she refuses to leave Stryek. He's alive in the room next to me, but the Reaper has turned him to stone."

I — I —Wait. Stryek was still here, too?! Did Liam know?

"Don't worry," the little green man said. "She's rarely seen and is very hard to catch."

Something about his voice almost felt familiar. And the way he spoke — it was as if we already knew each other …

"And who are you?" I said, tugging Serali closer to me.

The green man's brow furrowed. "I am Rien, of course. From the Grove?"

"Ah —" I stumbled for words, as blood rushed in my ears.

Rien? This … was Rien?!

"Do I not look as I did before?" he asked, looking down at his little green body.