“What are you doing here, Dragon?” she demanded. He rose, then sank into a respectful bow and her scent changed, the eggy wariness fading to something mild and sweet, like toffee. It wasn’t his imagination: she was definitely more receptive to him in dragon. His chest went warm inside and a low purr escaped him at the thought of how she’d stroked his face and kissed him the last time they’d met.

I missed you.

“What?” she said, uncertain. “Change to a man.”

Weysh switched. “Hello, Yenni Ajani. It’s been too long.”

“What are you doing here?” she asked again, and the smelly wariness began creeping into her scent again.

“I simply came to get in some melee training,” Weysh said quickly. “How have your first couple of weeks been at Prevan?”

“I have been very busy,” she said.

“No doubt. First year is usually the most demanding. How go your magic classes?”

She sighed, and he caught a quick, metallic hint of frustration. “Difficult, to be honest. I need to speak with Professor Mainard about something, but he refuses to meet with me until I can produce a perfect magic lantern.”

“Well, that’s not right,” Weysh said, sensing an opening. “It sounds like you could use some help. You have an hour or two free now, en? I usually did around this time as a first year.”

“Yes,” she said slowly.

“Then let’s head to the library. You can practice with me.”

He could see the wheels turning in her head.

“It’s true that Carmenna could not meet with me today,” she said, more to herself than him. Weysh wasn’t thrilled about Carmenna being her tutor at all, but he couldn’t very well forbid Yenni to see her. He knew exactly how that would turn out, so he pressed his lips firmly shut and awaited her decision.

“All right, Dragon. You will show me what you know about creating a magic lantern.”

“Excellent,” he said. He put out his arm, intending to escort her, but she sighed, shook her head, and went on ahead of him.

Magus Helene Duvictoire Memorial Library was a masterpiece of architectural achievement. Domed ceilings painted with famous scenes from Creshen history reigned over tall stained-glass windows, which spilled colorful patches of light on the bowed heads of students and the cold, marbled stone of the tables below. But most notably, here and there white trees curved up and out, spreading branches of green leaves overhead and giving the place the feel of a forest. It was mostly quiet, except for the steady hushed whispers of the other students.

“Now, what’s giving you trouble?” asked Weysh. He sat across from Yenni at a small, marbled table.

“I have a practical exam tomorrow in Foundations of Magical Theory. I know that Mainard will call on me to create and house a magic lantern, but I still haven’t mastered it.”