“The head of . . . not . . . Professor Mainard?” Yenni asked hesitantly.

“The very same.”

Yenni sighed, slumping her shoulders. “For whatever reason, he’s not fond of me. I doubt he would be willing to grant me any favors.”

“But that can’t be right. What could he possibly have against you, en?”

“I’m not sure, but I assure you, he is not a fan of me.”

Devon waved a hand dismissively. “Then we’ll give him a demonstration of runelore the likes of which he’s never seen. Whatever it takes. I don’t want to lose you, Yenni.”

Weysh cleared his throat. “Yes, Yenni Ajani certainly is something special, isn’t she?”

“Yenni Ajani is my preferred name,” she told Devon. “And thank you for your advocacy Professor Devon. I’ll do my best.”

“Ah, I do apologize, Yenni Ajani.” His eyes flicked between her and Weysh. “If I may ask, how are the two of you acquainted?”

“Weh-sheh is a friend of mine.” She turned to Weysh. “Isn’t that right?”

He gave her a rueful smile. “That I am.”

“I see. Well then, I’ll need to go finalize the paperwork. Yenni Ajani, put on your most impressive runes and meet me outside the administrative building by next chime.”

“Yes, Professor, I’ll see you there.”

“Then I’m off!” He dipped his head in a shallow nod to Weysh. “Messer Nolan,” he said, and hurried down the whitestone path.

Weysh shoved his hands into the pockets of his pants. “Well, I can’t say I care one ass boil for that professor.”

“Weh-sheh!”

“I only speak the truth, lovely.”

“But why? He’s helping me stay.”

“I have my reasons. But, and it’s like searing my own skin to say this, he can help you where I failed you, so I suppose that’s that, en?”

There was real shame in his eyes. Dragon’s eyes. Against her better judgment Yenni touched him on the arm. “Thank you for trying, Weh-sheh. And thank you for coming to my aid last night.”

He stared at her hand on his bicep, and then his eyes slid slowly to hers, full of that same intensity from the first time they’d met. She let her fingers fall away.

“You act like I had a choice,” he said. “When I caught your scent laced with terror as it was, and your blood.” He shook his head. “I’ve never wanted to kill—rip and tear and kill—someone the way I did last night.” His face was anguished. “But I couldn’t find the man who stole from you. All I found was your empty bag. I’m sorry.”

“There’s no need to apologize,” said Yenni. “It was my own lack of foresight that got me into this mess. And Professor Devon said I can earn a stipend as a teaching assistant. Furthermore, my tuition and lodging are already paid. I will be fine.”