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I push myself upright and reach for my coat draped over the nearby chair. I fish around in the fabric before pulling out the scroll we took from the king’s office. My heart begins to race as I set it on the bed alongside the vial of mysterious powder.
Micah picks up the vial, turning it over in his nimble fingers as he examines the blue substance inside.
“Wonder what this is.”
He uncorks it. Before I can stop him, he brings it beneath his nose and takes a cautious sniff. His brow furrows.
Maple suddenly lifts her head. Her copper eyes lock onto the vial, her tongue slipping between her teeth. Her tail begins thumping against the mattress.
“Well,” Micah says, glancing down at her. “That answers that question.”
“What?”
He sniffs the vial again. “It smells like bacon.”
My stomach drops. “You think…”
I trail off, shaking my head.
It can’t be.
“They’re spores,” Micah concludes, carefully resealing the vial. “Icecap mushroom spores, specifically.”
He quickly grabs the scroll. Untying the ribbon, he unrolls the parchment. His eyes race across the page, and his mouth falls open in shock.
“And look!” He waves the paper in the air. “This is a plan for building a resort on top of the mountain.”
I take the scroll from him, scanning the intricate lines of ink.
The drawing depicts Mount Embercrest from above, its jagged peaks and winding slopes carefully mapped out. Several sections are marked in red ink, with measurements and notes scribbled in the margins.
At the summit, a sprawling structure has been sketched across the plateau—a luxurious resort complete with ski slopes and restaurants.
My jaw tightens.
Micah leans closer, his shoulder brushing mine as he studies the plans. “They’re planning to build it here,” he murmurs. “On the very top of the mountain.”
My eyes follow the lines of the proposed buildings, my stomach twisting.
“The ancient treaty granted the dragons reign over Mount Embercrest centuries ago.” Micah swallows hard. “He knew he couldn’t legally overthrow them. So he found another way.”
I nod slowly. “This was carefully orchestrated.”
“He bought the spores from Amanita. He planted on the mountain. He knew the dragons would eat them because they’re irresistible to them. And when the dragons started getting sick…” His voice catches. “He let it happen.”
I clench my fists. “I fear you’re right. He couldn’t have gotten away with a bloody massacre. People would notice. They’d demand answers.”
Micah’s eyes glisten with tears. “Aye. But wiping out their population one generation at a time?” He shakes his head. “No one would know what was happening until it was too late.”
A small whimper comes from beside us.
Maple crawls across the blankets and climbs into Micah’s lap. He immediately wraps his arms around her. She curls against his chest, her tiny wings folding neatly against her back as he strokes a gentle hand over her head.
His eyes shine with unshed tears. “She never deserved this,” he whispers.
My chest aches.
None of them did.
