Page 59 of The Teacup Dragon Sanctuary

‘You’re a…’ His words failed and Gilden’s smile broadened. His teeth showed and there was a glimmer of something on his skin, a hint of scales.

Noah closed his eyes as the magic redoubled its efforts, sweeping through him, and heard the sound of great wings, as he had so many years ago, when he was just a boy, standing on a barren heath, looking up at the dragons of Elanholm flying home overhead.

‘There,’ Gilden whispered, and the wave of magic was replaced by a wave of relief. ‘It’s gone. Not a trace remains.’

Noah’s memories flooded back. Virginia making him tell only the truth and his desperate search for ways to answer that wouldn’t give anything away. Virginia telling him to take the vial of Dewsalt, ordering him to poison the dragons from Starling Island. To betray these people who had taken him in and made him part of their family.

Of Portia coming to his rescue.

He drew in a ragged breath, a shudder running through his body, and felt Gilden withdraw.

‘I see it all,’ said the ambassador. ‘Yes, that is evidence enough. I will bear witness as well. But now we must fly. We cannot allow this woman to harm those we love. Iris, Noah? If you will, I can carry you there.’

Carry them? How…?

Oh, he realised. Carry them. Of course.

The world twisted around them, or rather around Gilden, and they were swept up in it. Iris didn’t seem to mind. She laughed like a girl, even as the great wings unfurled and spread wide, even as the huge clawed hands closed around her waist and lifted her. Noah had the impression she’d done all this before. But that shouldn’t surprise him. Not from Iris Starling.

Noah was not quite as calm. He struggled in spite of himself, his instincts screaming at him to pull free.

‘Fear not,’ the voice boomed from overhead. Not a human voice. Not any longer. It was deep and reverberated through his whole body. It was music, it was thunder and he knew he could trust it. ‘I shall not drop thee.’

The great dragon spread his golden wings and took flight.

23

Portia woke up in her own bed. Jade was curled up on her pillow next to her, and stirred when she did, purring and nuzzling at her as if seeking to comfort Portia and seeking to be comforted at the same time. At least she seemed more herself again. The familiar atmosphere of the island was all around them and Portia drew in a breath that filled her lungs and her heart. She could smell the ocean, the spray in the air, and the scent of the forest rising to the windows of the castle. All her things clustered on the shelves of her bedroom. But when she tried to move a deep ache of exhaustion stole her breath. Jade gave a trill of alarm.

‘Oh, thank Wenn,’ Ophelia exclaimed. She’d been sitting at the bedside, watching her. ‘Hang on, I’ll fetch the others. Don’t move.’

As if she could. Gradually, Portia forced herself to sit up while Jade fussed and far off shouting told her that her siblings were approaching like an army charging into battle.

August got there first of course, barrelling into the room.

‘What were you thinking? That was so dangerous. Experimental magic is not something to be toyed with, Portia. Milo says it could have killed you. You know better than that!’

Then he grabbed her and hugged her so hard she was pretty sure he was going to crush her to death anyway.

‘Ow,’ she told him.

He released her so quickly she fell back down on the pillows and Jade burst up at him, squawking indignantly, scolding him thoroughly. Her brother was unimpressed at her display of course, but shielded himself from the angry teacup dragon. ‘All right, all right,’ he said to Jade. ‘I won’t hurt her. But what on earth happened? You’re meant to be in Tesh.’

She would need to explain it to them all, that she had probably ruined all their lives yet again, but for the moment, all she could see was her family. And Milo. She hadn’t even started in on him yet. He looked ashen, but right now her problems with him were the least of her worries.

Seb took her hands, running his fingertips over her pulse points deftly, checking her magically. ‘You were very lucky,’ he said at last. ‘Your magic is all over the place, Portia. You and Jade… I don’t know what that portal spell did, but it isn’t safe to be used yet. Someone needs to talk to the students and⁠—’

‘I’ll do that when I get back,’ said Milo, and she couldn’t miss the sharp look Seb shot him. He hung back by the door and the two of them were keeping as far apart from each other as possible she noticed. Probably only willing to be in the same room as each other for her sake right now. ‘Someone clearly needs to take Maxim in hand.’

‘He reminded me of you, Seb,’ Portia said before she thought better of it.

He drew back, releasing her. ‘Well then, they’ll probably kick him out within a month. Milo can see to that. The sooner the better probably.’

So clearly that reunion was not going well. How could it?

‘Portia,’ said Ophelia sternly, her expression implacable. ‘What happened? Where is Iris?’

And to her eternal horror, Portia burst into tears.