CHAPTER 18Several weeks later, the king was still holding talks with the Avadierish, and had refused their more restrictive treaty in exchange for their military might. Lumina had been eavesdropping, but left them still arguing over a better treaty—one that wouldn’t allow the Land of the Phoenix to be subsumed into Avadier when they had conquered Bucansi. Lumina thought that the Avadierish were taking advantage of her father’s desperation to keep the Land of the Phoenix safe when Bucansi had a dragon on its side.
Back in her room, Lumina fell into bed and closed her eyes.
Suddenly, a roar split the air.
Lumina bolted upright and Lothaire shot out of the secret room. They both looked at each other and ran to the window, peering out.
In the sky outside was a shadowy, snake-like form, wit
