Page 126 of Under Restless Skies

“Are you sleepy? Tired?” Cold dread pools in my stomach. “Sick?”

Ava snuggles closer, and I bring them with me as I lie down on the usual straw pile, then close my eyes, feeling the warmth of the little dragons on my side.

The staff comes to mind.

Burning, burning, burning—and I don’t know what to do.

The little dragons wake up in a much better mood, and Ava even climbs on my shoulder, like usual. Vos is still a little cranky, but that’s his usual self. They seem fine, and relief washes over me. Still, I tell myself to take their well-being more seriously and research how to help them.

After I kiss each little dragon’s head, I return to my dorm, where I wash, change, then find Celine and Nelly right as they’re heading to breakfast.

“Had a nice night?” Celine asks.

“No,” I grumble, still worried about the baby dragons, but then I realize what they’re asking about and smile. “I mean, yes, obviously. Just a little tired.”

“You don’t have any class,” Nelly says. “Why don’t you rest?”

“I want to have breakfast with my friends. And I have things to do.”

We get down to the refectory and fill our trays, and I’m glad they make no comments about the small bruises on my neck.

For some reason, I’m starving, and I get three loaves of bread, three apples, and an orange.

Nelly glances at my tray and smirks. “Oooh, your betrothed really gave you some exercise.”

I smile, even if I have no idea why I’m eating so much. “The most amazing and lovely exercise!”

When we sit, Celine eyes my tray and lowers her voice. “So everything’s good now?” Between you two?”

“Yes.” I almost ask her why things wouldn’t be, and realize there are quite a few reasons, so I say, “Now that we’re officially betrothed, things are different.”

“That’s good to hear.”

My thoughts turn to the little dragons. “There’s something I need to ask you.”

“Yes?” Celine looks surprised.

“I need to talk to Instructor Katrine. Ask her some questions. Since you know her…”

“I don’t know her that well,” Celine says as she spreads butter on her bread. “I went to her office once, to ask to retake the class.”

“Can you show me where it is?” I ask. “Her office?”

“Yes, but… she doesn’t like to be bothered.”

“I’ll have to try.”

Celine pauses, thinking, then nods. “I have a flying lesson today, but we can go there in the afternoon. Would that work?”

“Yes. Are you flying from the Outer Hill?”

A loud groan leaves her lips. “Yes.”

“I’ll come and watch you!” I suggest, trying to cheer her up.

“Nobody’s going to watch me?” Nelly asks, her tone playful.

I recall the class she’s having. “Hand-to-hand combat, right?”