How to Kill a Dragon (Heir of Dragons Book 1)

acting so friendly? You were just sniffing around here, looking for a fight. Why should I trust you at all? For all I know, you hurt Mau and just want to lure me away so that you can kill me and start a new war between the dragons and Fae.”
Kaleb strolled around the smoky clearing. “I guess you've got me all figured out. There's just one problem with your little theory, though.”
“Oh? What's that?” she asked.
“If I'd wanted to kill you, I'd have done it already,” he replied—and the fiery sharpness of his yellow eyes made her heart skip a beat. “I told you, I'm not interested in war. Drop it.”
She still didn't believe him. With everything that'd been happening in the area—the increase in dragon sightings, the army of Wuffs, the kidnapping of her mother and other Council members—she refused to believe his appearance in Fae territory was a mere coincidence. “Stop lying. You just want access to Heilo Lake, don't you? Are you in league with the Wuffs? Did Valry put you up to this?”
“Look,” shot back Kaleb, “whether you believe me or not doesn't matter in the least. I'm not here for any trouble. I don't have anything to do with the Wuffs, and while I'm sure your special lake is lovely, I'm not interested in that, either. I was just spending some time alone. Now, do you want some help finding your friend Mau, or not?”
She was disarmed by this. Minx still couldn't find it in herself to believe him, but to all appearances he was telling the truth. “So, you're... you're not working with Valry?”
Kaleb shook his head.
“And you're... you're not interested in starting a war with the Fae?”
Again, he shook his head. “I'm no more interested in war than you are.”
I don't understand, she thought. I've always been told that dragons are monsters—that they'd stop at nothing to destroy us, and that they're never to be trusted. But he... he doesn't seem so bad. And, I mean, he's pretty cute, too. She stopped herself before furthering that last line of thought. I'm sure his good looks are just some kind of dragon spell. He's probably hideous... But he doesn't seem to be a liar. Is he really going to help me look for Mau? What's in it for him?
There was one other problem. No matter how honest or helpful Kaleb was, there was no getting around the fact that Minx still needed a dragon hide. Two of them, in fact. She'd been unable to handle him in battle, but wondered whether she'd be able to overpower him now that he'd taken on a more manageable size. Maybe, after Mau turns up, we can surprise him and take him out before he transforms again. He's big, kind of muscular, but he doesn't look so tough now...
“What were you and Mau doing out here?” chanced the dragon as if reading her thoughts. “Are you guys just really keen on enforcing your borders, or what?”
“We were, uh...” Here, she allowed herself a little smile. “We're actually in need of a Royal Dragon's hide. Two of them. The Wuffs, along with numerous Plurn and Krah, took my mother and some other members of our High Council hostage and demanded a dragon's hide in exchange for their lives. And we need one for ourselves, too, to re-cast the warding spell that protects our territory.”
He jabbed a finger at her. “You came looking for a Royal Dragon's hide? Sorry to break it to you, but I'm still pretty attached to mine. Can't help you there. But if it's any consolation, I didn't come here seeking trouble. Now, I'm going to extend this offer one more time. You want help finding your buddy Mau, or not?”
“Sure,” she said, unable to cast off her suspicions. “But... why? Why are you helping me? What's in it for you?”
The dragon rolled his eyes. “Why's there have to be something in it for me? Can't a guy just do something nice? You've got a pretty nasty opinion of my kind, I can tell. If I help you find the Faelyr, maybe you won't think all of us are warmongers. That'll be reward enough, I suppose.”
“OK, then,” she said. “Let's try and find her.” She thought to thank him for his aid, but couldn't force out the words. The closest she could come was to think to herself, Maybe, when this is over, Mau and I will find a different dragon to hunt. Kaleb here can hold onto his hide—that's thanks enough, right?
Together, the unlikely duo prepared to search for the missing Faelyr.

Chapter 6
Search and rescue missions, Minx fast discovered, tend to go a bit more smoothly with a dragon in your corner. She watched as the handsome youth took on his dragon form, the terrifying red beast once again filling the clearing with its shadow. With a few wingbeats, the creature took flight, and when he had risen well above the tops of the trees, Kaleb began to glide over the woods, scouring the ground below for signs of Mau. He mingled with the clouds, casting dark shadows over the land as he soared. She felt a bit jealous as she watched him. Dragons are the worst—treacherous and cocky. I can't stand them. But... even though I'd never admit it, that looks pretty fun. I wouldn't mind being able to fly around like that. It would be easier than walking everywhere.
While Kaleb busied himself above, Minx carefully left the glade and tried to find the earlier path she and Mau had taken from Pan. Her battle with Kaleb had left many trees uprooted and still others smoldering, and even after a few minutes of searching she struggled to light upon the earlier path. From time to time, as she paced through the forest, she called out to Mau—both mentally and vocally—though neither method produced any kind of response.
The silence in the wake of each call to Mau left her