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A fter a quiet—and unusual—breakfast in bed the next morning, Elowen and Ash stared at themselves in the mirror. His feathers shone more golden than ever after a bath. She wore a simple pink dress, her sleep-mussed hair smoothed under the maid’s ministrations and tucked behind her ears.

“I’ve never worn pink.”

“It suits you.”

“I want my trousers back.”

“Believe it or not, Elowen, you would get more stares around here in trousers than you will in that dress.”

“Perhaps,” she said with a sigh. “But it would be a different kind of stare.”

Ash huffed but didn’t argue the point.

Now that Mari had gone to help with preparations for the ball, Elowen told Ash everything that had happened at dinner the night before. “I’m sorry you weren’t included.”

“Being companions doesn’t mean we have to share everything. ” He walked away from the mirror, forcing her to turn away from her reflection. “If I could, though, I’d fly off with you right now to rescue Cedar. I’ll do it tonight, if you want.”

“Thank you.” She put her hands over her stomach, where she’d tied the freshly-washed linen band with the golden coin and Ash’s birch bark token. “I think we should wait to see what Vale’s plan is. Besides that, I don’t think the king would take too kindly to us disappearing.”

“It’s not like he could do much. I’m the only dragon in the area—at night, anyway—so we wouldn’t have any aerial pursuit.”

“I’ll keep that in mind.” She grinned, relieved to have at least one option, which meant she wasn’t completely at the mercy of powerful strangers.

Mari had suggested a walk in the gardens while they waited for Vale. He’d promised Elowen that he would see her early, but Briony apparently had other plans for him. Elowen let Ash set the pace outside. A guard followed at a distance, but she was unsure whether it was for her sake or for the safety of the golden goose.

Ash helped himself to an occasional snail or stray weed, but he politely refrained from nibbling the flowers. “I’ll be glad to get my real legs under me again tonight.”

They walked beside a trellis wall that bisected a wide stone path, dividing traffic into two directions. Those strolling on the other side were almost invisible behind broad-leafed vines with white flowers just beginning to bloom. Movement on the other side caught Elowen’s eye. She thought it might be one of the colorful birds, but it was two women wearing red and purple. Ash didn’t seem to notice them as he pecked at another snail.

“And so quickly without warning,” one of the ladies said, her whining voice clearly audible through the vines. “If I’d known the decree included the prince, I would have tried to make the princess laugh myself.”

“It’s not fair.” The second lady’s voice echoed the first in its whining, but it had an annoying childish undertone. “That farm girl isn’t suited for such a position.”

“She’s not suited for the prince ,” said the first voice.

Ash grumbled as the women’s voices faded along the path. “She said farm girl like it’s a dirty word.”

Elowen snorted. “Well, being a farm girl is dirty work.”

He glared at her.

“What? It is.” She couldn’t deny the sting of hearing such a thing from someone who probably didn’t know eggs came from a chicken, but she hadn’t asked to be in such a position. She stopped to smell a flower, and wrinkled her nose. Its scent was nothing compared to its beauty. Thinking more of the ladies than the flowers, she said, “So many useless plants in this garden.”

“Their opinions don’t matter,” Ash said, clearly not speaking of the flowers.

“I know,” she responded, grateful for his understanding. “I would rather sit in the dirt and catalogue these flowers in my sketchbook than attend a royal ball. I’d gladly let either one of those ladies take my place.”

“You would do that to your prince?” Ash said, feigning shock.

She chuckled. “No, I suppose I wouldn’t. And he’s not my prince, you goose.”

He huffed in amusement and padded after a beetle.

They continued to wander, until Elowen began to question whether the castle gardens were truly so vast or if they were going in circles.

“I’m sick of eating bugs,” Ash finally said. “Can we go have lunch?”

“You’ve been eating since breakfast.”

“I can’t help it. It takes more effort to waddle around in this body than to fly in a thunderstorm.”

VALE ARRIVED AT THEIR room after lunch.

“Sorry I’m late,” he said. “I’ve come to fetch you for dancing practice.”

Alarmed, Elowen stared at him. She hadn’t considered that she would be required to dance.

Ash let out a loud honk-laugh. “Do you even know how to dance?”

“Of course, I do!” she said. “Well, country dances. Nothing fancy enough for a ballroom, I’m sure.”

“I can work with that,” Vale said. He turned to Ash. “Can you accompany us? I have things to discuss with you both.”

Elowen picked up Ash to save him the energy of walking and followed Vale to an empty room large enough to hold her house twice over.

“How big is this castle?” Elowen said.

Vale grinned as if apologizing for the size of his home. “This is just a room to practice dancing, swordplay, or any number of things when the weather turns ... foul.”

Ash returned Vale’s look of amusement with a sigh. “Stop looking at me whenever someone uses that word.”

The room wasn’t as empty as Elowen had first thought. Four curtainless windows illuminated a trio of musicians in the far corner. Otherwise, they were alone.

“Is the instructor late?” Elowen asked, nervous about submitting herself to someone who would critique her clumsiness.

“He’s right on time.” Vale bowed low. “I know this is overwhelming for you. The castle, the people, the circumstances. You’re not even in your own kingdom anymore. I thought I’d come to your rescue and teach you myself.”

She raised an eyebrow and looked him over head to toe.

He laughed. “Hey! It’s one of the few things I’m really good at. And besides, I’m the one you’ll be dancing with tonight.”

She chuckled. His laugh was infectious.

Ash said, “I doubt you’re only good at a few things, especially considering the resources at your disposal.”

Elowen agreed silently. Vale seemed like the type of person who could easily learn whatever he wanted.

“A compliment from the golden one,” Vale said. “I’m honored.”

Ash huffed and walked away mumbling, “You just wanted to spend more time with your fiancée. ” He sat over by the wall, well out of their way.

“I’ll teach you the waltz,” Vale said and held out his hand. “We’ll be asked to dance at least once as a couple, and it’s not so difficult to learn.”

She placed her fingers in his.

He moved until they stood face to face and guided her left hand to his shoulder. He lowered his hand and placed it high on her waist. He clasped her right hand in his left. “Ready?”

Of course not, but nonetheless she nodded.

“Do your best to follow my lead.” Vale gave a signal for the musicians to begin playing softly. He murmured instructions as he moved them slowly around the room. “Right foot back, push up with your toes and left foot slide out. Right foot join.”

This was far from any country dance Elowen had learned, less athletic and more intimate.

“You’re doing well,” Vale continued. “Now, left foot forward, push up on your toes and right foot slide out. Left foot join.”

How could he look into her eyes and dance at the same time? She stumbled as soon as she realized she was also looking into his eyes, but his hands steadied her. She lowered her gaze to his chin so she could concentrate on his words.

Although Vale spoke encouragingly, they were terrible at first.

Ash chuckled several times when their feet became entangled. The fourth time it happened, he said, “I’m glad dragons don’t dance.”

After at least an hour, they managed to move more smoothly, but they were still out of rhythm with the music. Vale sent her off to rest beside Ash and went to speak to the musicians.

“Has he said anything about a plan?” Ash asked.

She stretched her back and arms. “He hasn’t had a chance, what with trying to keep me on my feet and off his. I’m not meant for this style of dancing. This is pointless.”

“At least you get to spend time with Prince Vale.”

“You can wipe that smirk off your goosey little face,” she said, trying to wipe the grin off hers. “I don’t belong in a castle.”

“You and me both.”

Vale joined them and spoke to Ash. “So, you two have been flying together, have you?”

Ash puffed out his chest. “Yes, several times.”

“Without a saddle?”

“I didn’t have one handy when the need arose,” he said.

“I can help you with that.”

Elowen and Ash exchanged a look. Vale really meant for them to leave.

“I’m having someone dig out a saddle from storage,” Vale said. “Ash can go for a fitting soon.”

Elowen hugged herself in excitement. They would be able to continue their search, and Cedar would have a proper saddle to sit on for the journey home. What would he think of Ash?

Vale continued. “I’ve never flown, but I’ve seen dragons land on the tower and have met a few mining dragons. There’s a dragon who works with a barley farmer to the west of here, and I once saw a dragon fly over the castle carrying three passengers. I suppose most dragons couldn’t do that, though.”

“You would be surprised,” Ash said. “There’s a bit of magic involved when it comes to flying, you know. Instinctive magic, like breathing.”

Vale led Elowen back onto the dance floor and led her in the steps again, until they finally danced along in time to the music. It helped that Vale had asked the musicians to play slower.

“So, about the ball,” he said.

“Yes?” She stubbed her toe on his foot.

“Focus on your steps and listen as I talk.” He guided them back into rhythm. “Briony is trying to convince Father to change his mind about rescuing your brother. She feels confident that she can at least get him to ask for volunteers. We want you and Ash to be prepared to leave at a moment’s notice.”

She stopped dancing and took a step back. “So, you are going to let us leave?”

He seemed reluctant to release his hold on her. “I don’t care what Father says about the trolls. They’re not excessively cruel by nature, but they are greedy and vain. You need to get your brother back before they’ve had too long to think of him as their own.”

He stepped forward to guide her back into the dance. “I’ve got someone getting supplies ready, so—”

Briony burst into the room, and the musicians’ instruments fell silent. She strode up to her brother, all business. “Mother wants you right away.”

With a small sigh, Vale bowed to Elowen and kissed her hand. “I’ll see you tonight.”

Briony watched him closely as he walked to the door with several backward glances at Elowen. After dismissing the musicians, she asked, “Are you all set for this evening?”

“I think so,” Elowen said.

Briony nodded. She glanced at the empty doorway, back to Elowen, and then once again at the door. “Interesting.”

Had it been Vale who said this, Elowen would have asked him what he meant by it, but Briony already seemed to have her thoughts elsewhere.

“I’ll take Ash for his saddle fitting,” Briony said. “It’s not long until sundown.”

Elowen’s maid—or rather, Briony’s—waited in the hallway.

“I’ll see you at the ball,” Briony said. “Don’t worry about anything. My ladies will look after you there.” She walked off with Ash waddling at her side, chatting as if he were an old friend. A pair of guards trailed behind them.

Mari walked down the hall in the opposite direction. Elowen turned to follow, but a glint of something shiny on the floor caught her eye. Had the princess dropped something? The guards hadn’t noticed, and they had all disappeared around the corner already. Elowen scooped up the object quickly and rushed to catch up with Mari. Once she was a few steps behind, she inspected the item.

A feather. One of Ash’s feathers ... and it was made of solid gold.