The Hidden Kingdom (Wings of Fire, #3)

by Tui T. Sutherland

“So you really don’t eat meat?” Starflight asked, giving Glory a sideways glance. “You’re all vegetarians? Vegetarian dragons?” Jambu waved his front talons airily. “We’re not strict about it. We eat what we feel like eating. Bananas are easier to catch and peel than monkeys are, that’s all.”

“I was stolen from the RainWings by this dragon six years ago, when I was still an egg.” Glory pointed at Webs. “Oh, my,” said the queen. “That is rude. Well, I’m glad he finally brought you back, dear.” “He did nothing of the sort!” Glory flared. “I brought myself back! He was going to let me die!” “Glory,” Tsunami interrupted with a frown. “What are you doing?” I don’t know, Glory thought. Maybe I just want someone to be punished for everything I’ve been through . . . and the fact that nobody here even noticed I was gone. She took a deep breath and forced all the dark rolling red and billowing orange out of her scales until she was a calm white, like the blossoms around the queen’s neck. “Nothing,” she said to Tsunami. “Whatever. I just figured Magnificent would want to know what happened to me. But she doesn’t, and who really cares, anyway.” Glory bowed to the queen and stepped over to the door. “You all go see the healers. I’m going to start looking for the missing dragons.” She pushed through the yellow flower curtain. Because someone should care when a dragon disappears.

With their big eyes and strange arms wound around each other, the two scavengers looked like overgrown, less cute sloths.

Some kind of insect was desperately announcing the end of the world in a shrill whine from the top of their tree. If Glory had been able to see it, she would have eaten it in a heartbeat, just to shut it up.