I don’t know what to do with myself.

  The realization hits me as I wake up. It’s one of those days. The sun is shining, yet I can’t help but pull the covers over my head. After the half decent time I had at the garden, all my doubts have come crashing back.

  I manage to sit up eventually. There’s nobody here to retrieve me, and no plans as far as I’m aware. It’s the first real day where I have no idea where I’m supposed to be.

  No expectations. No responsibilities. No classes to attend. Nothing to transcribe in that tiny letter room. For once in my life, I have all the free time in the world. But that also means I have nothing to distract myself.

  After dressing in dragon clothes again, I step into the hallway. A guard is waiting on the other side, standing at attention.

  When he sees me, he bows. “Good afternoon, Prince. I’ve been instructed to be your guide today. If there is anything you need assistance with, please, ask me.”

  Afternoon? I rub my eyes. “What time is it?”

  He tilts his head a little. “Nearly sunhigh, Prince.”

  I scratch my chin, which desperately needs another shave, and think about what I should do. It would be easy to rot in my room. In fact, that sounds heavenly. But, that would not be very becoming of me. “Um, Jayle mentioned there was a spot I could exercise. A place where the guards train?”

  “You mean the East Grounds?” He leans in, rotating his ears as if trying to hear me correctly. “You want to go to the East Grounds?”

  “If that’s okay.” I hope I’m not making a mistake.

  “Very well. I will show you the way.” The guard turns around, his tail flicking behind him. I nervously follow, trying my best to keep a confident stride.

  I was so used to being taller than most everyone back home. While I’m here, I’m constantly reminded of how small I am compared to the average dragon. Even passerbys in the halls—servants, guards, nobles alike—all dwarf me. Without someone I know to hide behind, I’m even more exposed.

  I stamp down this feeling trying to worm its way into my chest. Deep breaths. Think back to the garden and how calming that was. Don’t think about that awkward exchange with The Queen. Think about leaves falling.

  After we’ve wound our way through the castle, the guard brings me to an open door that leads outside. I squint through the sunlight and take in the sight around me.

  It’s a little like the training ground back home, but much larger. The East Grounds are made up of a huge clearing of dirt and a few sparse trees. Lean-tos hold weapons and armor on the edge of the property. Guards both in dragon and human form are everywhere, training. Some are battling independently against dummies, others are lined in rows and obeying the shouted commands of a high-ranked guard. A troop of massive dragons flies in formation high above us, executing aerial dives and about-faces with impressive unison among the clouds. Interestingly, the ratio of male to female guards seems about equal. I rarely, if ever, saw female guards back home.

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  “Here we are,” my guide says. “The East Grounds. Would you like me to show you around?”

  That would be nice. But do I want the guards to think I need a babysitter? “That’s quite all right,” I say. “I’ll manage.”

  “Very well. I’ll wait here for you.” The guard salutes, then leans against the doorframe.

  “Uh-huh.” As I step away, I’m not really sure what to do. I was told I could exercise, but how, exactly? Do they have weights? Am I allowed to join in with their reps?

  Amongst the chaos, a group of guards emerge from a wide path obscured by trees, laughing and joking in Draconic. Leading the pack, I recognize Jayle. He’s patting a rather beat-up but proud looking dragon on the shoulder.

  I try to step out of their line of sight, but I stick out like a sore thumb among monsters. Jayle spots me from all the way across the grounds and waves. “Hey! You came!”

  I tentatively wave back and make my way over to him. He and the group of guards meet me halfway. “I thought you might get cold feet, little prince,” Jayle speaks over the sounds of a guard shouting nearby. “Suppose I judged you wrong.”

  Little prince? Come on. I try to stand up taller. “Well, I could use the exercise. And I’m no stranger to rowdy men.”

  “Rowdy men?” A guard behind Jayle steps up and crosses her arms. “But can you deal with rowdy women?”

  How am I supposed to answer that? “Uh…”

  “Well, he’d better if he’s planning to marry Lantana!” Jayle laughs at his own joke. I’m not sure I see it. She seems the furthest from rowdy. “Anyways, why don’t you join us for a spar?” He points to the pathway over his shoulder. “That grove there is where we beat each other up. Wanna check it out?”

  I squint at him. “I’ll pass.”

  “Oh, come on, it’ll be fun!” Jayle pats me on the shoulder. When I flinch slightly, he retracts his arm. “You’re not scared, are you?”

  A little. Well, a lot. “No, I’m just not interested.”

  “Aw, I wanna see how a human fights,” the guard next to him says.

  “Yeah!” Another one chimes in. “Doesn’t the new prince want to show us what he’s got?”

  In Draconic, one comments, “He’s so tiny, though. Do you all want him to get crushed?”

  I turn around so they don’t see the sweat forming on my forehead. “I’d better get going.”

  “What? But you just got here!” Jayle says.

  “Lots of castle to see,” I shout over my shoulder, making my way across the East Grounds. “Lots to tour.”

  “Well, all right.” He waves at me, and the other guards follow suit. “Tell Lantana I say hi!”

  I duck my head as I enter the hallway again. My guide jogs up behind me. “I see you’re acquainted with Jayle.”

  “Uh-huh.”

  “He’s a good dragon,” the guard says. “The best I know, in fact.”

  Do we have different definitions of good? Is it normal for dragons to try and fight new people on sight? Does everyone wake up and choose violence?

  “Well, where to next, little prince?”

  Great, so the nickname caught on. Fantastic. “Anywhere with food,” I say. “Please.” I’d like to get back to hiding in my room as soon as possible, but unfortunately, I have to eat.

  “Right away.”