The Friday 56 is hosted by Freda’s Voice. The rules are simple – turn to page 56 in your current read (or 56% in your e-reader) and post a few non-spoilery sentences.

Today’s quote is from Inkmistress, the prequel to Of Fire and Stars by Audrey Coulthurst. Technically Inkmistress was written second, but I prefer to read things in chronological order when I can, so I’m reading it first.

I stood frozen with horror. How much of Ina was still the girl I loved, and how much was the creature she’d taken as her manifest?

I had done this. I was responsible.

I crept through the woods with my heart in my throat until I got close enough to see the rise and fall of Ina’s sides heaving. Though the dragon’s gaze was keen as ever, she hung her head in exhaustion, her white scales streaked with blood. My chest constricted. In spite of all those Ina had killed, it still wounded me to see her hurting.