I felt as if I won a major battle. Finding the sketchbook was heartbreaking and eye opening. Bastian's pain was so incredibly deep, and I would do anything to ease it. He needed to trust that I knew what was best. Stubbornness was the way of men and it didn't matter if they were human or dragon.

We ate lunch in the library and I realized something else was wrong. He wouldn't look at me when he finally spoke.

"I am going away with Laryn. We will be gone a few days and ...