Rose’s hands were covered in red scales. Her fingernails were sharp and curved. Her face was a picture of bewilderment.

If the cell door had been open, Flax would have run out into the labyrinth and done her best to get lost. (Even though it was impossible for a minch-wiggin.)

But the door was closed and locked, and there was nowhere to run.

Flax looked around for the pup, but he was hiding under the bed again.

She swallowed. ‘I – I think we should all just try to – to stay calm.’

‘I don’t feel calm,’ said Rose.

But her voice was changing. It was deep and growly, like this: ‘I DON’T FEEL CALM.’

The pup hiccuped. Flax took a step backwards. With trembling hands, she raised the cake knife.

Only now it was a teaspoon.

‘Are you mad?’ hissed the teaspoon. ‘Are you trying to get us killed?’

‘I don’t know what else to do,’ whispered Flax.

‘I suggest we hide under the bed,’ said the teaspoon.

Flax dived under the bed, next to the pup, and they both trembled.

By now, Rose’s ankles were covered in scales, too.

‘A QUEEN DOES NOT GO BAREFOOT,’ she muttered. But she kicked off her shoes, and stomped around the cell on scaly feet.

Flax heard a ripping noise.

‘OOPS,’ muttered Rose. ‘STUPID COAT.’

Something thumped against the wall above the bed.

‘OW,’ said Rose. ‘THIS CELL IS TOO SMALL.’

Something scraped against the roof.

‘AND THE CEILING’S TOO LOW!’

But then Rose fell silent.

It was not a small, comfortable silence. It was a big, puzzled silence.

Flax held her breath. So did the pup.

The silence came closer.

A long, scaly nose peered under the bed. Golden eyes blinked. A puff of steam escaped from cavernous nostrils.

‘FLAX,’ said Rose. ‘AM I A DRAGON?’

Did I know?

Of course I knew.

It is the First Great Secret.

That Felicia, our beloved Queen, is a dragon.

As was Alyss, her mother.