Mal lies in bed staring at the cieling. She rubs her hand on her dragon mark, the proof of her heritage, particularly when she’s thinking. She is aware that the mark is as much proof of her birthright as it is proof of her friendship with Evie and the others. Sometimes, touching it is all she needs in order to remind herself that the four of them have escaped the Isle, that they can’t be hurt by it anymore. No more having to fear their parents. And thats good, it makes her happy. But how long can that happiness last?