“You want so much,” he said, sad again. As though all his temper had burned out. “I’m afraid for you. ’Til the day he died, Pa filled you full of fire. And whenever Mama tried to tell you be careful, fire burns, he hushed her.”

“So I’m Pa and you’re Mama, is that it?”

“Perhaps.” He laughed, the sound despairing, not amused. “She always was the practical one.”

The one who’d died of a broken heart, scant weeks after their father succumbed to a Feenish fever. How she’d surprised them. How she’d left them bereft.

“Nonsense,” she said. “I’m very practical. And wanting more for myself isn’t impractical. It’s not foolish or greedy or selfish, either. I’m not asking you to live my life, Remmie. All I’m asking is that you let me live mine.”

A cool breeze sprang up, scented with late-blooming innis. The evening was so quiet they could hear a distant owl, hooting. Winking through the weeping grobe trees, glimlamps in their closest neighbour’s window.

“I know,” Remmie said, still sad. “But it’s not in me to watch you run pell-mell for a cliff and not try to stop you from tumbling over the edge.”

She felt another sting of tears. “I thought you had more faith in me than that.”

“It’s not faith in you I’m lacking. You are as great a mage as you dream. That’s why I’m afraid, Barl. The mages you look to for recognition won’t welcome your brilliance. Do you think those haughty First Families will be pleased to find themselves cast in the shade by some unranked nobody from the Eleventh district?”

“I’m well used to jealousy,” she said slowly. “It’s everywhere, Remmie. Even in the artisanry. But the College of Mages is dedicated to learning and great achievements in magework. You’re a teacher. Do you resent a gifted student?”

“You know full well I don’t,” he said. “But then I’m a nobody too, aren’t I? The College of Mages is revered throughout Dorana. Name me one First Family that would welcome a son or daughter being shown up by the likes of us.”

“Remmie—” She slapped her palms to his chest, exasperated. “I’m not talking about First Families, I’m talking about the College tutors!”

“Who are First Family members,” he retorted. “You can’t be so clod-headed as to think it’s not the same thing!”

Uncertain, she stared at him. “You want me to believe the honour and integrity of both College and Council are so paltry they’d risk Dorana’s future out of spite?”

“I thought you already believed it!”

“I believe they’re selfish and short-sighted. I believe they’ve been allowed to have their own way for too long. But that’s not the same as thinking they’d rather see ignorance trump knowledge than reconsider my request!”