Yenni shook her head. “That will not happen. It cannot happen. I must return home at the end of the school year whereas he would have me stay and tend his home. Don’t worry, I will fix this.”

Carmenna crossed her arms, skeptical. “So you’re saying you’re positive you won’t fall for Weysh?”

Yenni opened her mouth to confirm it, but the memory of her and Dragon sitting by the water’s edge, the sun setting, and the smell of wildflowers soft on the breeze halted the words in her throat, and she saw the skepticism on Carmenna’s face harden into pain.

“I’m positive,” Yenni forced out, resolute. Carmenna could be a great help to her, and she must not let this silly dragon interfere with her plans. “You have my word, Carmenna.”

11

Weysh would have laughed at the dainty white cups of hot cocoa before himself and Sylvie if he hadn’t just paid four duvvies for them. Each. He scanned the decor of the café—the lacy white curtains, pink walls, and the flimsy white tables—with open disdain. He was actually afraid to put his full weight on his spindly little chair, but it was Sylvie’s favorite café, so what could he do?

Still, he rolled his eyes as he grabbed the tiny cup handle between his thumb and two fingers. At least the cocoa smelled good—rich and chocolaty. “Byen, Sylvie, I feel like I’m back at one of your tea parties from when we were children.” He looked around. “I hope no one I know catches me in here,” he muttered.

Sylvie just laughed, her face still flushed and pretty from the tram ride. “Their cocoa is the best in the city, Weysh. They import the beans all the way from Sainte Gregine. Go on, taste it and tell me I’m wrong.”

Weysh squinted at his cup. “You’re assuming I’ll be able to taste anything. It’ll be gone before it even hits my tongue.”

“You’re supposed to sip it, Weysh, not gulp it down like a barbarian. Normal people can’t finish a hot drink in one swig, you know.”

Weysh made a mocking face at her; she mimicked him, and they both laughed. But as their laughter died a chorus of feminine giggles took its place. Weysh noticed a group of young girls standing shyly behind Sylvie. The one with blond twin-tails tapped Sylvie on the shoulder.

“Hello, Sylvie,” she said as his sister turned.

“Oh. Hello, Gabrielle,” said Sylvie cautiously.

“Who is your friend?” Gabrielle’s eyes were glued to Weysh.

“Oh, erm, this is my brother.”

The girls gasped as one. “The one who’s dragonkind?” asked Gabrielle.

“The very same,” Weysh said, and smiled cheerfully. “Hello, lovelies.”

They tittered at him and drowned him in hellos, each watching him coyly from beneath their eyelashes.