I should pull away, she thought. I must put a stop to this.

But she didn’t.

“What’s your family like?” asked Weysh at last, breaking the silence. “Do you get along?”

“Yes,” said Yenni, not wanting to go into more detail.

“That’s good,” he said, still looking out over the plane. “Family is important.”

“Yes,” she said again, and then to her horror tears formed in her eyes. It was as if at that moment some dam within her had finally burst, and all the worry of the last week came pouring free.

“En? What is it?” Weysh took her gently by the shoulders, his face alarmed. “Byen, what did I do now?” He cringed. “Your father.”

“I worry for him,” Yenni admitted.

He ran his thumbs in soothing circles over her shoulders. “I’m sorry,” he said, and looked away, troubled. “I suppose this is what it’s been like for Sylvie.”

Yenni wiped her tears. “Who?”

“My sister. Her papa is sick too.”

“What do you mean ‘her papa’? Is he not your father as well?”

Weysh dropped his hands. “No,” he said, and didn’t go into further detail than that. “But I’m truly sorry to hear about your father. Montpierre—my stepfather—is also sick. A mysterious illness called the wither-rot. It’s nasty business.”

Yenni leaned back and stared at him. She would have laughed if she wasn’t already crying. All this time, these moonturns past, Weysh of all people was her connection to the illness killing her father? Somewhere in the realm of the Sha, Father Esh sat cackling at her, she was sure.

“But this is the same illness that could be affecting my father! How is your stepfather treating it? Please, Weh-sheh, anything you can tell me will help.”

“Fresh air, incense, and plenty of rest, for all the good it does. Forgive me, Yenni Ajani. I can’t say I know much about the wither-rot, no one does. But the moment I learn anything, you’ll be the first to know.”

“I see.” So many frustrating false trails and only the barest hints of direction. It was a sobering reminder that she had much more work to do. The Sha were not appeased yet.

“Please take me back to the academy now,” she told Weysh. She saw the disappointment cross his face but he only nodded.

“Very well.”

The night seemed more vibrant than usual.

Weysh reveled in the warm air currents gliding across his wings. Yenni was perched firmly on his back, her presence a comforting heaviness. The clean, sweet, spice of her teased his nostrils from time to time. In that moment his dragon heart was swollen with contentment. As long as Yenni was near, he was happy.