Aideen set down the plastic crown on her desk. Ansel now knew the truth, that she was his sworn enemy, a dragon princess. It had been so nice, while it had lasted. So short, yet so sweet. She flopped onto her bed, not bothering to unzip the old prom dress she'd used. 

It had been a change to feel normal, to be Elaine, the Girl from the Bookshop.

And now she would never be Elaine, the Girl from the Bookshop again.

Introspection had never been a specialty of Aideen's because of her strict schedule. But because of the more flexibility she was forcing, the more she made the hours and minutes stretch, the more she was beginning to realize she felt.

It was like waking up. Her world had been filled with color, and she couldn't bear to see it all fade away again. 

"I thought this was supposed to be a safe party!" Seth cried, outraged, as he helped Kira into the car. 

"I did, too," Kira agreed.

"What were you thinking—"

"I was hoping they'd prove me wrong and not be violent," Kira said. "Sue me for trying diplomacy. If I'm supposed to be some dragon queen, I ought to be a good diplomat."

Abner looked to Galileo. "So you know, now?"

Galileo nodded, looking solemn. "I promise I'll keep her secrets."

"Thank you for making sure she got back safe." Seth hugged the boy. "I think you're the only one good enough for my daughter."

"That's because he's the only one I've been seriously interested in." Kira rolled her eyes. "Not to be a brat, but I'd really like to make sure Aideen didn't forget to heal my liver or kidney, or whatever else that Diana chick got."

"Right." Seth looked back to the car.

"Do you need us to walk you home?" Abner asked.

"No, I'm right next door." Galileo jerked his thumb over his shoulder. "I'll come back to check in on her tomorrow— assuming that she's not coming to school."

Seth laughed. "No."

Elodie took a deep breath as a boy wearing the Oakley Tournament T-shirt called for the Congress chamber to commence. In the two days since the party, she and Brad hadn't spoken. There were so many questions about what Diana had revealed. 

The Birthday Drink was supposed to take her powers away.

Jinn knew.

Brad should have been the Pendragon. 

Jinn tried to rob them of their futures.

Jinn was— or used to be— a dragon herself. 

But neither of them had the heart to say anything to Jinn, Arman, or even Nani.

And now she knew how far the Paladins would go. It didn't surprise her, but it did almost make her regret her choice to not take sanctuary.

But she would be alright, she decided as she picked up her Hello Kitty briefcase. She was a dragon queen. And she would learn to breathe fire into her words, so no one would ever dare to hurt her or her friends again. 

As she entered the auditorium where they held Congressional Debate, her eyes turned gold.