Page 5 of The Teacup Dragon Sanctuary

‘Is Seb still there?’ Milo bit his lower lip. ‘Is he⁠—?’

Oh, Portia thought and couldn’t help but wince, which Milo, of course, saw. His face fell even further. They tended to skirt around this subject as much as possible. For good reason.

‘He’s happy,’ she told him as gently as she could. ‘He’s running the Magical Emporium now. He took over from my uncle. It suits him. Do you – do you want me to tell him you were asking after him?’

She saw Milo think about it for a moment. They had been as thick as thieves for the short time Seb had attended the Academy. And then all that had fallen apart in the wake of the disaster, she supposed. Neither of them wanted to talk about it. Especially not to her, best friend of one and sister to the other. She had kept herself carefully out of it because of that very connection. And after everything that had happened with the accident, and Seb being sent down, and Milo… well, it was better to never mention it.

There were recriminations to be had all round.

‘No,’ Milo said quietly. ‘Best not, I suppose. I’ll go and arrange a carriage for you. If you want?’ He looked like he didn’t know what to do. Not now the moment had come. He looked as lost as she felt.

‘I’ll drive you, Professor Starling,’ Felicity offered firmly. ‘My chaise is just outside.’

Felicity’s chaise was a nippy two-person carriage, drawn by a single bay horse and she handled it expertly. They didn’t talk as they left the Academy and made their way out into the city of Tesh itself. Felicity left her at the coaching inn, with fond words and the promise to be in touch which Portia didn’t really believe. Felicity would no doubt find a new and enthusiastic mentor in no time and forget her. Or possibly remember her fondly in idle moments, if Portia was lucky. The girl was gifted.

They exchanged a tearful farewell and Portia switched to the next public coach heading west, Jade travelling in her hand because Portia didn’t want to risk trying to coax her into a carry case, even if she had owned anything suitable. The idea of the dark cramped box Virginia had kept the teacup dragons in made Portia think of prison cells and oubliettes. She didn’t have jesses, but wasn’t sure that Jade would wear them anyway. The thin looped leather straps which attached to the ankles of a dragon’s hind legs allowed a handler to control or tether them for their own safety, but Virginia hadn’t bothered with them. No, she just kept the dragons locked up or held on to them like some kind of toy. Jade was barely trained at all, not that it seemed to matter now. The dragon slept most of the time, her tail wrapped securely around Portia’s wrist. When she did wake, Portia tried to feed her pieces of chocolate, but the dragon didn’t seem interested. That was another worry, one she could focus on instead of her own spiralling thoughts.

Travelling this way meant that when Portia reached the docks at Bennin, she was left standing there with her cases and only one free hand to haul them onto a luggage trolley. She managed as best she could until a man in the uniform of the ferry company noticed and came to her aid.

‘I’m afraid we aren’t sailing until morning, ma’am, but we can arrange accommodation in the inn for⁠—’

She recognised him instantly. She’d been dreading this.

‘Portia?’ he said, clearly surprised to see her here. He was from the island. And now he knew she was there, everyone would know.

‘Hello, David. Nice to see you.’ If she kept her tone light and carefree, that would make everyone think nothing was wrong, wouldn’t it? That she was just visiting briefly. Not that she had actually done that in ages. ‘Or should I say Captain Palmer now?’

He lifted the cases onto the trolley effortlessly and summoned one of the crew to take it into the nearby inn. ‘We didn’t know you were coming back. It’s been… some time.’

She’d lived in Tesh for years now, and her visits home had dwindled to a handful of special occasions over the last few years. David Palmer had been friends with her brother, August, for as long as Portia could remember, and had worked on the ferry to Starling Island since Portia had left for the Academy herself. She remembered one of Ophelia’s letters mentioning that he had been made captain. Like most people on the island, he probably had something of a crush on her brother. Everyone loved August, men and women alike. That was part of his magic, Iris used to say. Ah but not enough to stay… He had a trail of tattered relationships behind him. August remained completely oblivious to the attraction he engendered in others, which was just as well. He would have been completely insufferable otherwise.

‘Yes, well.’ She shifted awkwardly and lifted her arm without thinking. Jade stirred, eyes opening warily. She fixed them on the captain and her wings fluttered out anxiously. The tail tightened on Portia’s wrist. She stroked the dragon’s long neck to calm her.

To her surprise, David smiled warmly. ‘She’s a pretty little thing, isn’t she? A bit under the weather, looks like. Not to worry. Your aunt will see her right in no time.’

Grateful for the change of subject, Portia forced a smile onto her face. ‘Yes. She’s been through a bit of an ordeal but I’m sure we can get her back to health soon. She’s very nervous. I should get to the inn, secure a room, and get her settled if you don’t mind.’

The passage to Starling Island was not long, but it was treacherous, and the weather frequently made it impassable. The inn at Bennin dock thrived on the fact. Portia had stayed there before on several occasions over the years. Most people did.

‘I’ll take you there now,’ he told her. For the first time Portia could remember, coming back home felt like a relief. He glanced at his manifest. ‘In fact, let me talk to Gallworthy, and get you one of the better rooms.’

‘Oh, you don’t have to⁠—’

But David just grinned and suddenly he was the boy she remembered, running around the island with August. There was devilment in that smile. ‘It’s not every day one of the Starlings comes home, is it? Don’t worry, Portia. We’ll take care of everything. If you don’t mind me saying, you look done in.’

She gave half a laugh. That was an understatement. ‘If it’s no trouble. I don’t want to put anyone out.’

David’s smile turned to something softer. ‘Anything for August’s sister, you know that. Will you dine with me tonight? It would be my honour.’

* * *

The room in the inn David arranged for her was neat, spotlessly clean, and comfortable. She nestled Jade in the shawl and tried to relax before dinner. She ought to change, she supposed, especially if she was going to the captain’s table. She hardly felt like socialising. Still, she didn’t want to show David up, or appear ungrateful. Besides, the people here knew her and knew her family. There were standards to be upheld. With a sigh she set about tidying herself up.

She finally persuaded the dragon to eat some of the chocolate, her appetite slowly returning, which was a relief. It still wasn’t enough, but Portia promised solemnly she would bring something else back for later. She made sure the windows were securely closed, turned around, and immediately saw that Jade was gone.

Her heart in her throat, Portia searched the room. The dragon couldn’t have got out, could she? There was no way. She’d only turned her back while she dressed herself and the little thing had been fast asleep, she was sure of it.

But there was no sign of her anywhere.