She skidded to a stop and turned to see Professor Devon jogging up to her, his robe fluttering around him.

“Professor!” she cried, and very nearly hugged him out of relief. “Praise the Mothers and Fathers!”

“Where on Byen’s hallowed soil have you been? I’ve been trying to find you for the last two days! I promised myself I would camp here all day until you showed up. Did you get my message?”

“Just now,” Yenni said breathlessly. “Is there really a way I can stay?”

“Yes, but we have to act quickly. We can register you as my teaching assistant. Due to the increased workload you’re permitted one failed exam in each class without being expelled. With all the help you’ve been giving in my runelore lessons, you’re practically my assistant anyway. Not to mention there’s a nice little stipend that comes with the position as well.”

Yenni grinned wide and let out a whoop of sheer joy. And then, unable to help herself, she threw her arms around him.

“Thank you!” she cried. She pulled away, and at the sight of the strange, embarrassed half smile on Devon’s crimson face she felt her own cheeks start to burn as well.

“Please excuse me, Professor, but I’m just so relieved!”

“Quite all right,” he said and cleared his throat. “Completely understandable. I’m happy to help. Now, there is one thing—”

He cut off as a high screech split the air. Yenni whipped her head up.

Dragon!

Her traitorous heart went light and happy at the sight of him, sleek and beautiful against the blue sky. He arced in toward them, and Yenni reached out to him, longing to feel the smooth, warm scales of his face against her fingers. But before he’d even hit the ground he changed, hitting the ground at a jog in that way he did. He hurried up to her.

“Yenni Ajani,” he said, slightly breathless. “I think I may have a way you can stay at Prevan!”

“Oh? I was just discussing the matter with Professor Devon here.”

Weysh turned to Professor Devon. “Weysh Nolan,” he said and held out his hand.

Devon clasped his arm firmly. “Professor Emmanuel Devon,” he replied, and it may have been Yenni’s imagination, but his voice seemed deeper than before.

“Weh-sheh, Professor Devon is my runelore professor. He says that if I become his teaching assistant I can stay at the academy!”

Weysh’s eyebrows rose. “Carmenna told me just the same. Is it true?” he asked Devon.

“Absolutely,” Devon confirmed, and turned to Yenni. “But we have to act now. I need to make a case to the head of the magical department. We’ll need him to sign off on this even though you weren’t officially my assistant at the time of exams. But I’ll emphasize all the help you’ve given in class. I’m sure it will be fine.”