Qibli Quotes

What is with you and faces?” Qibli said. “You should try threatening someone’s elbows or ankles once in a while, just for a change of pace.

Winter disliked it intensely when Qibli made clever observations like that, and it happened about forty times a day.

The NightWings are going to set their heads on fire,” Qibli agreed. “No, wait. They’re going to set the closest IceWing’s head on fire. Winter, I hope your skull is as thick as it looks.

Terribly undignified,” Qibli said in a haughty voice, tipping his snout at the racing dragons. “We would never allow such higgledy-piggledy shenanigans in the Ice Kingdom.” “Was that supposed to be me?” Winter asked him. “Terribly unimpressive, if so. I haven’t once said ‘higgledy-piggledy’ in my entire life. We would never allow such linguistic imprecision in the Ice Kingdom.” Qibli barked a delighted laugh and did a loop in the air.

I’m Qibli, and that’s Moon and Kinkajou. Guys, this is Riptide and Serious.

Just this one bowl,” Qibli said grumpily. “Because it’s the stupidest bowl in Pyrrhia.” Peril edged a little closer and peered at it. “Huh,” she said. “Looks like a norm — nope!” she interrupted herself, seeing the look on his face. “You’re right! Stupidest bowl I’ve ever seen! Can I join in? HEY, BOWL, YOUR SHAPE IS INANE! FOOD PROBABLY FALLS OUT OF YOU ALL THE TIME! I BET YOU DON’T EVEN STACK WELL IN CABINETS! YEAH, THAT’S RIGHT, YOU’RE THE WORST! Ooh, this is great. Let’s do it every day! I feel much better.

You’re right,” Qibli said to her. “Underneath the brainwashing genocidal murderer is a very lonely brainwashing genocidal murderer

If you have too much of a plan, it’ll show up in Darkstalker’s view of the future,” Anemone observed. “See, so it’s actually better to wing it,” said Qibli. “Ha ha, dragon pun, wing it. I’m hilarious.” He did a little flip in the air.

But he found himself picturing Qibli standing here, under this tree with Moon,

disliked it intensely when Qibli made clever observations like that, and it happened about forty times a day.

Make bananas,” Qibli filled in. “Absolutely terrifying. Run for your life.

That might apply if these dragons were my friends,” Winter objected, “but they’re actually strangers who happened to get thrown into a group with me. They’re not even IceWings. Why should they care what happens to Hailstorm?” “They care what happens to you,” Glory said. “For some reason,” added Deathbringer. “Entertainment value,” offered Qibli.

Was it our fault?” Qibli asked immediately. “She must be furious about us escaping with Hailstorm.

The mountains only eat IceWings,” Qibli explained with a straight face.

Who would say no to their secret dream come true? Why would I ever say no? Say yes to the magic. Say yes to the bright future. Say yes. Qibli looked up into Darkstalker’s eyes and said, “No.

Or because he couldn’t stand the idea of Moon and Qibli searching Pyrrhia, alone, together?

Qibli was expecting Turtle to do something, and Turtle had a bad feeling that “something” wasn’t “Turtle flying all the way back to the Kingdom of the Sea, finding a deep trench, and staying there forever.

Sunny?” he said. “Qibli!” she cried. “Um … yes?” he said. “QIBLI!” she cried again, leaping to her feet. Her wings flared open in a glittering whirl. “A gigantic all-powerful possibly evil dragon just rose out of the ground and flew away with six of my students! SIX OF MY STUDENTS!” “I know,” he said. “Uh, don’t panic?” “Too late,” Peril said, watching with bewildered amusement.

Well, Onyx told me that Queen Thorn had sent her a message asking for us, and I thought, whoa, that’s kind of awesome, but guess what, that turned out to be a LIE, Qibli! She was LYING to me! Why would she DO that?” Ostrich shot Onyx a resentful look. “And we were halfway to the palace when suddenly THIS guy showed up with, like, EIGHTY creepy dragons in hoods and they bossed us all here instead, although I was pretty sure Thorn wouldn’t be here, and I was right, and then they said I couldn’t leave, and finally I realized Onyx was actually WORKING with them, and then I was, like, ARRRGH NOOO, I’m a stupid HOSTAGE again, aren’t I?

Qibli was right. Again. There was nothing MORE INFURIATING IN THE ENTIRE WORLD.

Qibli had never seen a dragon look more ridiculous. He glanced sideways at Winter, whose expression suggested that his eyes might never recover.

Darkstalker spread his wings and paused. He leaned over to Vulture, tapped his head, and whispered something. Qibli’s grandfather vanished again, as suddenly as he’d appeared.

I can be a little worried about superstrength,” Winter growled. “And whatever that other one can do.” “Make bananas,” Qibli filled in. “Absolutely terrifying. Run for your life.

Another dragon tried to take to the air to see the storm, but the wind immediately caught him and whirled him away into the clouds, screaming. Qibli stared after him, stricken with horror.

Winter? Everything all right?” “I can’t go there,” Winter said. “Why not?” Qibli asked, startled. “It’s cursed.” Winter waved a talon at the sharp-edged shapes of the mountains. “No IceWing has ever returned from those mountains alive. They’re a legend as old as Darkstalker in our tribe.” “With a poetically ominous-sounding name, I bet,” said Qibli. “Peaks of Doom? Mountain Range of Certain Death?” Winter frowned at him. “We call them Darkstalker’s Teeth,” he said with immense dignity. “Seriously?” Qibli cried. “SERIOUSLY? A mountain range called Darkstalker’s Teeth, and you never thought maybe the old Night Kingdom was on the other side?” “It’s not like I think about it very often!” Winter objected. “And no, honestly, we all assumed he went around cursing random parts of Pyrrhia as traps for IceWings to fall into.” “What are we waiting for?” Anemone demanded, flying back to them. “Winter thinks the mountains are going to eat him,” Qibli answered. “I DO NOT,” Winter protested. “But I do think they’re going to kill me, yes.” “Um, a whole horde of dragons just flew over them a few days ago.” Anemone flicked her tail at the evening sky, dimming to purple. “And they’re all fine.” “Because they’re not IceWings,” Winter pointed out. “The mountains only eat IceWings,” Qibli explained with a straight face. “STOP THAT,” Winter hissed at him. “It’s a REAL CURSE.” “If it’s real, then it’s not a curse, it’s a spell,” Qibli said practically. “And if it’s a spell, then Darkstalker cast it, in which case the earring will protect you.” Winter touched his ear doubtfully. One piece of jewelry against centuries of nightmare stories … Qibli could practically see Winter’s courage trying to stamp out his childhood fears. “You’ll make it through,” he said. “Remember, Moon is on the other side.” He knew that would work, because it was working for him. Winter gave him a puzzled look, as though he would never understand Qibli. “Yes,” he said. “All right. Let’s fly.” “Fiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiinally,” Anemone grouched, wheeling about in the sky. As

Qibli slipped the bracelets around his wrists; they looked like bands of fire against his pale yellow scales. These were not like Turtle’s quiet, sidling, don’t-look-at-me spell things. These bracelets shouted POWER POWER POWER and I DO AMAZING THINGS and ADORE ME and DID YOU NOTICE THE AMAZING THINGS I CAN DO? and STAND BACK WHILE I BRING THE LIGHTNING and P.S. YES I SAID LIGHTNING! COWER BEFORE ME, BORING NORMAL DRAGONS!

We’re going to inflict Qibli’s terrible fashion sense on this whole continent?” Winter asked, joking awkwardly. “I’m afraid we have no choice,” said Queen Thorn. “I think you mean ‘wow, what a lot of lucky, soon-to-be-stylish dragons,

Eight dragons in one small cave, all thinking at the same time. How was she going to get through this? “Let’s go around and introduce ourselves,” Tsunami said. “I mean, maybe it’s unnecessary, but that’s what Sunny said to do. And then she said I probably wouldn’t listen to her anyway, so I am proving her wrong, so there. I’m Tsunami, if anyone didn’t know. I was going to give myself a title like Commander of Recruitment, but then for some reason everyone voted that I would be terrible at recruiting, whatever that is all about, so they made me Head of School instead. So I’m pretty much the boss. And I’m running your first small group-discussion class, which was Glory’s big idea, so I figure we’ll figure it out together. Any questions?” “Yeah,” said Carnelian. “Are we stuck with this group?” “That’s not quite how I would put it,” said Tsunami. “But yes.” “What if we would prefer to be in a group with other IceWings?” Winter asked. “Such as my sister?” “That’s not how the winglets are set up,” Tsunami said. “But you’ll be in some bigger group classes with her and have plenty of time to make other friends as well.” “I love our winglet,” Kinkajou volunteered. “When do we eat?” Umber asked. “Just kidding. Pretending to be Clay.” He grinned, then shot a look at Qibli. Did he think that was funny? I hope that was funny. Did I sound like an idiot?

It used to be bigger,” Anemone said with a shrug. “Earthquakes, avalanches, tidal waves, something something blah blah blah. Darkstalker was a little melodramatic about it, to be honest, like Roar where did my kingdom goooooooo, but like, what did he expect? I mean, he’s been gone for thousands of years. Of course it’s different. Anyway, the tribe is small enough to live there just fine for now, and he was already muttering about pulling rocks out of the sea and rebuilding the whole place with his magic.” She made a grumpy huffing sound with her nose. “I was supposed to help him, but I’m CERTAINLY NOT GOING TO NOW.” Qibli

Qibli, I don’t like being a hostage. Can we stab all these dragons in the face so no one will ever think I’d make a good hostage, like, ever again? And then maybe I need to eat all the camels in Pyrrhia to get really huge; I bet that would help, too. Super-Huge Ostrich: Worst Hostage Ever. That is the look I would like to go for, please.

Last one,” Winter said, pointing to the mirror. “Try Tsunami.” “She’s probably back at the academy,” Qibli said with a sigh. Most likely she’d arrived at the rainforest after everyone had left, and they were too far ahead for her to figure out where they’d gone. But he whispered her name to the mirror and breathed out smoke. It seemed to take a moment, coiling back and forth and around before settling into a blue spiral in the center, which immediately started yelling. “I SAID WHO ARE YOU?” shouted Tsunami’s voice. “You coward! Show yourself! What do you want with me?” She took a deep breath, as if listening for a response, then roared again. “LET ME OUT OF HERE! My friends are heroes, you know! YOU’LL BE SORRY FOR THIS!” Thorn’s eyes met Qibli’s, both of them shocked into silence. Tsunami wasn’t safely back at Jade Mountain after all. The great warrior of the Five Dragonets, one of the best and most ferocious dragons Qibli knew, was somebody’s prisoner.

What are we waiting for?” Anemone demanded, flying back to them. “Winter thinks the mountains are going to eat him,” Qibli answered. “I DO NOT,” Winter protested. “But I do think they’re going to kill me, yes.” “Um, a whole horde of dragons just flew over them a few days ago.” Anemone flicked her tail at the evening sky, dimming to purple. “And they’re all fine.” “Because they’re not IceWings,” Winter pointed out. “The mountains only eat IceWings,” Qibli explained with a straight face.

scales scattered under her wings and two teardrop silver scales in the corners of her eyes. A startled jolt ran through Luna, waking her up like a bolt of lightning. This dragon looked like Clearsight. Or at least, the way Clearsight always looked in pictures. Luna sat up as the two of them came closer, with Jerboa behind them. “Oh wow,” said the one with the earring, noticing Luna. “What —” said the Clearsight-looking dragon. “How — ?” “I believe this is our first visitor from the lost continent,” Jerboa said. “She blew in with the storm.” The little black dragon sat down and tipped her head as though she was listening to something far away. “I’m Moon,” she said, “and this is Qibli. Are you really from across the sea?” “I guess so,” Luna said. “It was kind of an accident, coming here. I’m Luna.” “Hi, Luna,” said Qibli. “This must be pretty weird for you, too. You have so many wings! I mean, that’s cool. Is it hard to fly with all those wings? That’s a silly question. I can’t believe we’re meeting a dragon from another continent! This is amazing!” “Are you like Clearsight?” Luna asked Moon. “Can you see the future?” Moon’s eyebrows shot up. “You know about Clearsight?” “I know some things about her,” Luna said, thinking darkly of the Book and the lies Queen Wasp had told about it. “I know she came from here, and she had scales like yours. I always wondered if there were other dragons over here who could see the future, too.

(Qibli suspected he could spend hours tracking the emotions on Peril’s face and never get bored.)

Winter’s burns were sending fiery bolts of pain along all the nerves in his body, but he staggered forward to help Qibli.

And whatever that other one can do.” “Make bananas,” Qibli filled in. “Absolutely terrifying. Run for your life.

No,” Winter grumbled. “Thank you,” Qibli said, entirely too sincerely for Winter. “Well,” Winter said, “I would have done the same thing for anyone, you know.” “I know,” Qibli said. “I like that about you.

How are we supposed to rescue him?” Qibli cried, flinging his front claws in the air. “When we can’t even find him? Why hasn’t he sent me a message in three days? Just ‘hey, off to the Night Kingdom, toodles!’ and then ‘OH NO ACK I’M TRAPPED IN THE NIGHT KINGDOM’ and nothing in between!

What did I say about staying put?” Glory asked. “You’re a great queen, I hear, but with all due respect, you’re not my queen,” Qibli said, setting his jaw. “I go where they go. Besides, Winter wants me along, he just can’t admit it.” “I don’t,” Winter said. “You can send him back to the Kingdom of Sand for all I care.” “He adores me,” Qibli said.

Qibli!

You would get eaten alive in the Ice Kingdom,” Winter pointed out. Qibli shrugged. “Maybe not. I survived the Scorpion Den,” he said. “And my family. They would not have saved me in this situation, if you’re curious. More likely they’d have grabbed the spear and stabbed me themselves.” “Mine would have waited to see if I could save myself, and then stood there shaking their heads in grave disappointment when I didn’t,” Winter said. “Taking notes on all the things I did wrong. ‘Stood in the wrong place. Allowed spear to penetrate scales. Bleeding too much.’ And so forth.” Qibli laughed. “They sound great.

The bigger SkyWing had red scales, smoke rising from her ears, and a bad-tempered expression. There was something about the way she glared at them that made Winter’s spine prickle. He followed her gaze and realized that her hostility was directed at Qibli; she almost looked as though she wanted to rip the barb right off his tail. Does she know him, or does she have a problem with SandWings in general? Well, if she does know him, that would explain why she wants to kill him. Ha ha.

I know,” he said, looking down his nose at the SandWing. “Obviously I figured that out. That’s the only reason I’m agreeing to this.” “Oh,” Qibli said with a rakish grin. “I thought perhaps it was because I’m so charming and convincing.

I’m Qibli, and that’s Moon and Kinkajou. Guys, this is Riptide and Serious.” “CIRRUS,” the IceWing snarled. “That’s what I said.

Qibli,” he said, “please order that scroll to roll itself up.” Qibli laughed. “Don’t you think I’ve spent my whole life hoping magic would suddenly pop out of my claws?

What is with you and faces?” Qibli said. “You should try threatening someone’s elbows or ankles once in a while, just for a change of pace.” Kinkajou landed on the branch beside the angry RainWing, angling herself between the furious dragon and Winter.

about superstrength,” Winter growled. “And whatever that other one can do.” “Make bananas,” Qibli filled in. “Absolutely terrifying. Run for your life.

But he found himself picturing Qibli standing here, under this tree with Moon, and it made him feel hollowed out, like an ice cave.

Sunny and I thought perhaps an entire cave full of sharp objects might not be the best idea. We thought maybe, hey, something that locks instead.” “So to defend this entire school,” Qibli said, “you’ve got … three knives, one sword, and a big stick. In a locked box.” “Hey, that stick is very heavy,

We’ll probably end up married one day,” Qibli said. The only reply Winter made to this was a snort so vigorous he nearly knocked himself over.

Friend!” Qibli cried with delight. “You called me your friend! You DO adore me! Life goals: accomplished.” “I’m just saving syllables,” Winter snapped. “‘Friend’ is faster to say than ‘annoying clawmate.

The RainWing bounded into the water with a splash that drenched Winter’s nose and tail. A fat orange toad burst out of the river and made a clumsy dash for the reeds, trying to get away from the dragons. Moon tilted her head at it, then flared her wings at Qibli as he sat up from the middle of the river. “Don’t eat it,” she warned him. “Seriously, one of those gave me hiccups for days. Also some really weird dreams. I thought for a while I was having visions of a possible future where newts and anteaters took over the world.

WHAT KIND OF JERK leaves scrolls lying around in the HALLWAY where ANYONE COULD SET THEM ON FIRE?” Peril demanded. “Someone is TRYING to pick a fight with me, is that it?” “Um … that was my homework,” mumbled a RainWing nervously from the nearest doorway. “Oh,” Peril said. She drew her wings back in, eyeing the hapless dragonet, who was half her size and a nervous fizzy green color. “Um.” She shot a glance at Turtle, of the “there’s a right thing to say here, isn’t there?” variety. “Well, next time, keep your mess in your own cave, all right?” she said, with what Turtle knew was about as much gentleness as she could muster. “S-s-sorry,” stammered the RainWing. Turtle cleared his throat. “I’m sure Peril is sorry, too,” he offered. She tilted her head at him. “For burning up this dragon’s homework. Which he probably worked very hard on.” Turtle tipped his head at the dragonet. “Ah, okay, sure,” Peril said, nodding vigorously. “I’m sorry your scroll got under my claws and met a fiery end,” she said to the RainWing. “On the plus side, at least it was a scroll and not, say, your tail.” He turned an even paler shade of green and vanished into his cave. “Good idea!” she called after him. “You shouldn’t leave tails lying around the hallways either!” “That’s our Peril,” Turtle said to Qibli. “Spreading a little terror before bedtime.

No,” Winter said in a bored voice. “He has a dragon-skull tattoo for every dragon he’s ever killed,” said Qibli. “He’s covered in them.” “Sounds a bit obvious.” Winter yawned. “Why not just tattoo ‘I’M TOTALLY MENACING’ on his forehead.

course I didn’t!” Darkstalker protested, and, “No! He didn’t!” cried Winter at the same time. “Darkstalker,” Moon said. “You have to promise me — you cannot put spells on my friends.” “I’m really offended by this,” Winter said haughtily. “I’m such an open-minded dragon.” Peril and Qibli snorted in unison.

That’s true, because I would have ripped off your tail and beaten you with it first,” Winter said. “Nice,” Qibli said from the shore. “Not the face this time. Very creative.

Right before Qibli came to get us, she was telling me about a spell she tried to restore Tamarin’s sight.

She was pretty sure he would like Qibli. She could imagine them annoying HiveWing guards together.

to give Qibli a puzzled look. “Eh?” he said. “Yeah, that’s what I’m talking about,” Qibli said. “That nonstop yip-yapping, Bullfrog. They’re going to hear you coming from miles away.” Sky snorted a laugh that nearly knocked Wren off his back. Bullfrog considered Qibli for a moment. “Don’t think so,” he said after a while. “I know it’s going to be tough,” Qibli said. “But I’m afraid you’ll have to be way quieter.” Bullfrog turned his furrowed brow toward the others. “I’m confused.” “Qibli is being ridiculous,” Moon explained. “He’s trying to find someone to argue with him, since Winter’s not here to do it.” “Do I talk too much?” Bullfrog asked Pineapple, who was flying beside him. “Do … I talk too much?” “I think that was the most words I’ve ever heard you say,” Pineapple admitted. “I’m sorry, Bullfrog,” Qibli said, nudging his wing. “I’m just kidding. You’re the stealthiest dragon we have. I think you’re awesome.” “Really?” Bullfrog said, looking confused all over again. Qibli was not very much like Blue in most ways, but sometimes Luna saw little things in the SandWing that reminded her of her brother. They both wanted to be liked so badly. They both wanted everyone they met to feel warm and comfortable and happy around them. Qibli did it with jokes and banter, while Blue let other dragons push him around in order to keep the peace. That was something she loved about Blue that also drove her up a wall. Luna did not care two honey drops whether any HiveWings liked her. So what? They were mostly all terrible! The worst!

Does Moon think only one earring looks silly? QIBLI, FOCUS.

The last vestiges of your soul trying to cough up a reason to let me go?” Qibli suggested.

kidding,” Qibli said quickly. “Forget I said that. Um, Turtle

He didn’t even seem to particularly like Pyrite; he barely glanced at her when she spoke. He certainly didn’t look at her the way … … the way I look at Moon. Winter glanced across the clearing and finally admitted something to himself. Or the way Qibli looks at Moon. Did Moon look at either of them that way? He couldn’t tell. It didn’t matter — neither of them could be with her anyway. Not if they wanted to remain loyal to their queens and tribes. Stop thinking about this and focus on getting Hailstorm back.

No,” Winter huffed. “Because now I feel like an idiot. A friend-freezing, enchanted-moony-eyed idiot.” “Friend!” Qibli cried with delight. “You called me your friend! You DO adore me! Life goals: accomplished.

I’m sorry your scroll got under my claws and met a fiery end,” she said to the RainWing. “On the plus side, at least it was a scroll and not, say, your tail.” He turned an even paler shade of green and vanished into his cave. “Good idea!” she called after him. “You shouldn’t leave tails lying around the hallways either!” “That’s our Peril,” Turtle said to Qibli. “Spreading a little terror before bedtime.” “Was I?” she said. “Hrmph. I thought that was a very nice apology myself.

Would anyone else like to make a dramatic confession?” Qibli asked. “Who else is hiding magic powers? Winter, anything we should know? A secret IceWing ability to kill dragons with a sneer?

don’t give us the scroll,” said Qibli, “and get another face full of flames and frostbreath. Wow, try saying that five times fast.

Just this one bowl,” Qibli said grumpily. “Because it’s the stupidest bowl in Pyrrhia.” Peril edged a little closer and peered at it. “Huh,” she said. “Looks like a norm — nope!” she interrupted herself, seeing the look on his face. “You’re right! Stupidest bowl I’ve ever seen! Can I join in? HEY, BOWL, YOUR SHAPE IS INANE! FOOD PROBABLY FALLS OUT OF YOU ALL THE TIME! I BET YOU DON’T EVEN STACK WELL IN CABINETS! YEAH, THAT’S RIGHT, YOU’RE THE WORST! Ooh, this is great. Let’s do it every day! I feel much better.” “I don’t,” said Qibli (although honestly he did a little bit).

So what is Darkstalker up to?” Qibli said thoughtfully. “What does he want? “Seems obvious to those of us whose brains work,” Winter snapped at him.

Be more useful!” he shouted at the bowl. “Are you yelling at dishware?” Peril asked, poking her head into the room. “Just this one bowl,” Qibli said grumpily. “Because it’s the stupidest bowl in Pyrrhia.” Peril edged a little closer and peered at it. “Huh,” she said. “Looks like a norm — nope!” she interrupted herself, seeing the look on his face. “You’re right! Stupidest bowl I’ve ever seen! Can I join in? HEY, BOWL, YOUR SHAPE IS INANE! FOOD PROBABLY FALLS OUT OF YOU ALL THE TIME! I BET YOU DON’T EVEN STACK WELL IN CABINETS! YEAH, THAT’S RIGHT, YOU’RE THE WORST! Ooh, this is great. Let’s do it every day! I feel much better.” “I don’t,” said Qibli (although honestly he did a little bit).

Yes, but,” said Qibli, “if you’re going to send out a cry for help, shouldn’t it be a USEFUL cry for help? With ANY information in it? Such as maybe for instance WHERE THE MOONSBLASTED CAMEL-LICKING NIGHT KINGDOM IS???

No, he was -- he was picking strawberries." Moon said. Qibli stared at her for a moment. "Evil strawberries?" he asked finally.

Qibli to see the heartbreaking look that swept across her face. She glanced down at her talons and

Aha, Qibli thought. That explains some things. She doesn’t have the same beaten-down yet insufferably smug aura of the other NightWings. Does she miss the rainforest? Or is she happy to finally be with other dragons? Was she lonely? Must have been alone a lot. Maybe she prefers it. Or maybe she’s not used to making friends. I could be her friend. Careful, Qibli. Figure her out first.

He can’t tell him about me, though,” said Turtle. “Or if he does, Darkstalker won’t hear it. My enchantment hides me completely from him.” I hope. I hope I hope I hope. If I did it right. Which seems unlikely, knowing me. Ack. “That’s clever,” said Qibli. “How did you think of that?” “I used this brainstorming method called pure terror,” Turtle admitted. “It wasn’t so much clever as deeply cowardly.

You’re right,” Qibli said to her. “Underneath the brainwashing genocidal murderer is a very lonely brainwashing genocidal murderer.

Qibli hurried through it as fast as he could — the slate with the messages from Turtle, his trip to the Kingdom of Sand and what he’d discovered about Vulture, Typhoon, and the news about the IceWings. Anemone told her part, about the fight with Turtle and the scene in Darkstalker’s throne room, and finally Kinkajou told them the end — about how Darkstalker had decided to put Turtle in his dungeon and then enchanted Kinkajou to forget everything she’d seen in the throne room. “Except of course it didn’t work,” she concluded, “because brave noble handsome Turtle protected me. And if I sound a little strange about it, that’s because this SEA VIPER over here put a LOVE SPELL ON ME.” She bared her teeth at Anemone. “Oh, you know about that?” Anemone said. “I can’t believe he told you! Turtle is such a doofus.” “He’s a HERO! With a REALLY KIND HEART! And I CAN’T EVEN TELL IF I REALLY THINK THAT because of YOU. I am so mad at you I could drown you in venom!

Qibli slipped the bracelets around his wrists; they looked like bands of fire against his pale yellow scales. These were not like Turtle’s quiet, sidling, don’t-look-at-me spell things. These bracelets shouted POWER POWER POWER and I DO AMAZING THINGS and ADORE ME and DID YOU NOTICE THE AMAZING THINGS I CAN DO? and STAND BACK WHILE I BRING THE LIGHTNING and P.S. YES I SAID LIGHTNING! COWER BEFORE ME, BORING NORMAL DRAGONS! Real magic.

Entertainment value,” offered Qibli.

a maybe-prophecy?” Qibli went on. “I don’t think they’ll do that. Besides, Winter’s problem is urgent. We have to find his brother before Scarlet kills him, so I vote we do that now and deal with the impending apocalypse afterward.” “Me too,” Moon said. What in the world made these dragons think his problem was their problem? Finding Hailstorm was urgent to Winter, but it made no sense for any NOT-IceWings to get involved at all. Winter narrowed his eyes at Turtle, dripping forlornly into the puddles around his claws. It was easy to forget that the SeaWing was a royal prince as well — the son of Queen Coral. He never acted like royalty. Instead Turtle behaved as though he didn’t want to be noticed at all — mumbly, sticking to the background, agreeing to anything. Was he afraid of something? Or just boring? If an IceWing acted the way Turtle does, he’d be stuck in the Seventh Circle forever. Which meant Winter could get rid of him by applying the right pressure. “You should go back,” he said, making Turtle jump. “You don’t want to tramp around Pyrrhia looking for my deadly sister, who will kill you on sight, or my brother, who might do the same because, by the way, killing SeaWings was a specialty of his. Go keep an eye on Jade Mountain instead.” Turtle’s glow-in-the-dark scales flickered, illuminating his anxious face with pale greenish light. “But what if the mountain falls on me? Is it dangerous?” “Not as dangerous as following me,” Winter hissed. “It’s not going to fall on you, because we’re going to stop it,” Kinkajou said. “But don’t you want to stay with us?” “I can’t decide what sounds worse,” Turtle admitted.

Summary: Winter has been a disappointment to his royal IceWing family, unlike his sister Icicle, who has been raised to challenge the IceWing queen — but now that Icicle has broken the truce and escaped from Jade Mountain Academy, Winter, accompanied by his new clawmates, Moon, Qibli, and Kinkajou, embarks on his own quest to free his brother from the clutches of Queen Scarlet, and win the respect of his family. ISBN

Qibli

That’s … complicated and devious,” Qibli said. “Congratulations, you’ve just summed up NightWings,” Winter said to him.