In return for agreeing to go to Underhill Towers, Jeanette had insisted that Inger and her dragon pal let her get a few hours’ sleep first, because it was nearly 3am and she’d barely slept last night either.  If they’d argued against this, Jeanette would probably have given in- tired or not, she wasn’t going to pass up the chance to visit a town full of dragons- but they’d agreed straight away.  So, for the first time in two days that felt more like two months, Jeanette opened the door to her bedroom.

It was as she remembered it, with the big gothic window and the clothes and books piled up on the nearest chair.  At least this time she didn’t have to get changed in the same room as her sisters.  But before she could close the door behind her, Jeanette saw a fluttery movement out of the corner of her eye.

He’d landed at about shoulder-height on the wall of the hallway outside.  Jeanette crouched down a little to get a proper look at him, and he seemed to be healing up well.  “Hm.  I was wondering where you’d got to.”

Kai poked his head up.  “I’ve been around.”

“You managed to get the Kindling Grove guy on your side.”  Jeanette had almost been impressed when he’d made his grand speech back there, but only almost.  He had locked her up in a dungeon.

“Ehhh…”  Kai waved a front leg.  “I helped him out a bit after your dad roughed him up.  I think he thinks he owes me.”

There was a pause.  It was on the tip of Jeanette’s tongue to tell him that, moth or not, he wasn’t allowed to sneak into her room, but then she thought better of it.  He didn’t seem to be in a jokey mood.

“Why didn’t you come out and yell at the Iridescences when he did?” she asked.

Kai made some ruminative noises.  “I panicked.  Too soon to be around them again, I think.”

Jeanette nodded.  “I think whats-his-name, dragon guy’s going to be holding them under house arrest until Colwyn gets back.”  She frowned.  “Or until the Finerys grow a spine.  Whichever’s sooner.”

“Well…”  His wings moved in a little shrug.  “I’m sure I’ll get over myself eventually.”

“Or you could come up to Underhill Towers with me and Inger tomorrow,” said Jeanette, “That’d give you a break from them.”

The same noises as before, but Jeanette thought they sounded a bit more cheerful this time.  “Mm.  I might do.”  He twitched his wings again.  “Goodnight.”

“Goodnight, Kai.”  And she shut the door.

(To be continued)