Hazel paced Gaelyn’s chamber. Four paces, turn, four paces turn. “It’s been four days. She promised to return in three. Doesn’t she know she has to come back? Is she all right? I don’t trust Summer Queen and definitely not Winter. Do I need to go to Elm Court and bring her back?” She faced Great and Mighty who sat as close as she could get to one wall.

When Hazel was anxious, she sometimes felt herself getting bigger. Like now. Gaelyn’s chamber was beginning to feel uncomfortably tight. “Maybe we should wait for her in my chamber?” she asked Great and Mighty Wizard.

“Sounds good,” Great and Mighty said, and began to slide along the wall headed for the door.

“Wait!” Hazel said. “I hear something.”

Great and Mighty held still, her head cocked to one side. At first her face was blank, and then she smiled. “You’re right. I hear the hum when one crosses the planes! She’s coming.”

Hazel turned to the windows, then to the door, then to the window-slit again. “Which way?”

“Here,” Gaelyn said. A smile broadened her face. “You missed me?”

Cocking her head to one side, Hazel did her best not to sound too elated at Gaelyn’s return. “You’re here. Good.” She took a breath deciding she needed to calm down before she approached the latest problem. “How is everything in Elm Court?”

“Very good. Though I’m sure you won’t be insulted to know the Summer and Winter Queens do not miss you.” She laughed.

“They’re still hanging around?” Hazel frowned.

“Just Summer. Oddly or not so oddly, Summer shows a real interest in her son. Visits almost every day.”

“Be careful. She’s up to something,” Hazel warned.

“Oh, don’t worry. I know. How is everything here?” She glanced over at Great and Mighty. “What’s wrong?” She pointed at Great and Mighty’s clamped together lips and big-eyed look.

“Okay. No lies. No stalling. I’ll tell you,” Hazel said. “Bad news. The Dr’gon Clans met, and they have demanded that you return permanently from Elm Court. They’re concerned about the Fang’s power. Unless you and I are in the same place and ready to control it, they don’t think it’s safe.”

“Ah.” Gaelyn pursed her lips, closed her eyes, and put her hands together her thumbs and pointer fingers making a circle. “Let me think.”

Hazel said, “Well, think fast. They want an answer in two days.”

“Or?” Gaelyn asked.

“Well, they didn’t quite say,” Hazel admitted.

“Shouldn’t we find out what the ‘or’ is?” Gaelyn asked

“You really sound like an Elm Queen!” Hazel said. “I just got—”

“Upset,” Gaelyn and Great and Mighty said together.

“Can I meet with the Dr’gon Clans? There has to be a compromise. I can’t leave Elm Court for good.” Gaelyn said.

From Gaelyn’s doorway, Cl’rnce cleared his throat. “That’s a good idea. As Co-Primus, Great and Mighty and I can demand such a meeting.”

Great and Mighty said, “We can circumvent the Dr’gon prohibition of no one but Dr’gons at such a meeting. Right?”

Gaelyn and Hazel looked at each other, both smiling. Hazel’s heart was full. Her little brother and his Wizard Partner sounded like a real Co-Primus. “Of course, you can.”

Cl’rnce added. “You should bring the Fang. And one more thing. Before the meeting, figure out a way to convince the Dr’gons that you two do not need to be always on the same plane to keep the Fang safe or even to use it when necessary.”

“Right,” Hazel said in awe of her suddenly grown up brother.

“And we’ll need snacks. Lots of snacks. Jeschen can provide those. But I’ll carry them in. And taste them first,” Cl’rnce added.

Gaelyn and Hazel laughed. Cl’rnce was still Cl’rnce, just like Gaelyn was still Gaelyn even though she was a Fae Queen. Sometimes things changed but stayed a little the same. Hazel knew down through her Dr’gon scales to her Dr’gon Fire that this time it was all good. Complicated, but good.

“Okay. Any ideas on how to convince the Dr’gon Clans?” she asked her Wizard Partner.

“If I’m not mistaken, the Heart Oath we took should be enough. Do the Clans know?” Gaelyn asked. Her face went pale. “Do you feel that?”

Hazel swallowed and looked around. “It’s Winter isn’t it? She’s found a way across the Dr’gon planes, and she’s marching on Wiz-Tech. Cl’rnce and Great and Mighty, gather the Clans. Gaelyn …”

“I know. We go get the Fang.”