“There,” she said. “Now pull ac—pull source to that spot, and it should become fire. You might not be able to do it, but—”

Weysh concentrated, drawing on source, and a small flame flickered to life in his palm, without any incantation at all. “Look at that!” he cried.

“Very good!” Yenni said happily. “Many of the students in my runelore class have trouble. It must be easier for you due to your Island blood.”

“How do I stop it?”

“Just stop pulling ach’e, of course.”

“Ah-chey?”

“Ah, magic. Source.”

He stopped and the flame went away, leaving a faded rune. He wiped at it. “It’s not coming off.”

“No, the rune won’t disappear until it’s used up.”

Weysh started as a sudden thought occurred to him. “Runelore requires no spellcasting,” he said. “Theoretically, I could use runelore while in dragon.”

“I suppose so,” said Yenni.

“So why aren’t we doing this?” he said, incredulous. Imagine being able to use magic in dragon—he’d be practically unstoppable!

“Your people don’t seem to put much stock in runelore,” said Yenni.

Weysh frowned. “Well, we should,” he said.

“Weh-sheh, please show me again how to attach a magic lantern to one spot.”

“Of course. Give me your hand, lovely.”

She hesitated, but held a hand out palm up, and he cupped it in his own.

“Good. Now, you remember what I told you? Do you believe it can be done? You just saw me do it.”

She glanced at the orb, still floating beside them. “Yes.”

“Good, keep the principles fixed firmly in your mind, and repeat after me: Source to light and here remain.”

She furrowed her brow. “Source to light and here remain,” she said. A nice-sized lantern formed in her palm.

“Good, now the next spell?”

“Source’s light by source attached,” she said, glaring at the table. She slowly moved her hand, then he moved his, and the lantern stayed in place. She let out a happy gasp.

“Well done, my heart,” Weysh said, and smiled at her.

“Why did you hold my hand? Are you able to somehow pass energy to me to make it easier?”

He half smiled. “No. Consider it moral support.”

She scowled.

“My heart—” Weysh began, but she cut him off.

“You cannot continue to pursue me, Weh-sheh. You should turn your attention back to Carmenna.”

Why did she keep trying to match him with Carmenna? He scowled. “Did she tell you to say that?”

“No one tells me to say anything,” she said simply, and Weysh believed her. “I’m to be married when I return home and—”

“You WHAT?” Weysh’s loud voice echoed throughout the quiet library, and the students around them whipped their heads in his direction, startled.

“Weh-sheh!” Yenni hissed. “You’re making a scene!”

“Married? What married? You’re my Given! You’ll marry no one but me!”