Chapter 20
FLORENCE
A feeling of wonderful contentment filled me as I reached the greenhouse.
I shoved my shoulder against the cool iron door, pushing it open and letting the humid air from inside roll over me like a warm blanket.
The great glass house, covered with its arched cage of greenblack iron, always felt like a world away from the castle’s clanging bells and intense school politics.
Here, surrounded by raised beds of dirt overflowing with fragrant herbs and colorful flowers, I could just be.
I moved to a wooden table in the last row, dropping the heavy stack of books in my arms with relief.
I’d come a little early, but Professor Allenvale didn’t usually mind.
I glanced around and peered at the back of the greenhouse.
In fact, she didn’t seem to be here yet.
I quickly went back up to the desk at the front to sign in—a new step that I was trying to get myself used to.
I wrote down my name, my house, and the time I’d arrived.
Then I went over to the supply cabinet and grabbed the materials I needed for my experiments, carefully logging every item I took from the cabinet in another new book that had been placed there.
Some items—deemed too unsafe for blightborn students—were kept in a separate, locked cupboard.
Fortunately, the things I needed hadn’t been deemed prohibited or unsafe … yet.
I returned to my seat, arranging everything carefully in front of me, just the way I liked.
Just as I finished, the door to the greenhouse swung open, and Professor Allenvale marched inside, her purpleand greenstreaked braid swinging behind her purple House Orphos robes.
To my surprise, Professor Rodriguez was with her.
He didn’t usually visit the greenhouse. His portions of the class were always taught in his usual lecture hall inside the castle.
I raised a timid hand to wave, but neither of them noticed. They were deep in conversation and seemed to be arguing.
Professor Allenvale dropped the papers she was carrying onto her desk at the front of the greenhouse—I assumed she’d marked our essays over the weekend and would be handing them out today. I chewed my lower lip and leaned forward as if by doing so I’d somehow be able to see the mark I’d received.
“… cannot believe you’d have the audacity—” Allenvale’s voice floated back to me “—no, the stupidity to act this way. You’re jeopardizing…”
Blushing a little at overhearing my two favorite teachers arguing, I eyed Rodriguez.
He did look rather awful—collar askew, eyes bloodshot.
The sharp tang of cheap brandy drifted through the sweetness of the herbs lining the sides of the greenhouse.
But I decided it was none of my business.
I tried my best to ignore them as they continued to raise their voices, opening one of my books and hunching over it.
I scanned the page, doublechecking a few details, then opened my notebook, carefully labeled The Synergistic Applications of Emberfern and Mirthleaf, and scribbled some quick notes.
Next, I pulled on a pair of gloves and reached for a pair of tongs.
Carefully, I pinched a frond of emberfern from the plant in front of me.
The fern’s edges glowed orange, and a single drop of sap hissed as it struck the hard metal surface of the worktable.
I pulled my hand back quickly. Emberfern was volatile.
Lunaya Orphos had warned us about this months ago—in fact, she was the reason my interest in the plant had been piqued.
I could still remember her voice softly describing the herb’s potential.
She’d mentioned how emberfern was often paired with mirthleaf to stabilize it.
But when I’d gone to look up more about emberfern later, I had to question her use of the word often.
There was very little literature in the Bloodwing library about emberfern or its use in conjunction with mirthleaf.
Not for the first time, I wished Lunaya was still with us.
I could ask her about the plant, perhaps even share my ideas for my endof-term project with her.
I swallowed the lump in my throat and tried to focus.
I’d been far luckier that night. I’d had friends there to protect me.
I knew they’d tried to save Lunaya as well. But, well, that had been impossible.
A sharp crash yanked me out of my reverie, and I dropped the tongs. Rodriguez had knocked a tray of glass flasks off Professor Allenvale’s desk. He stood there looking sheepish as she exclaimed loudly and reached for a broom.
“We’ll discuss this more after your class, Vasanti,” I heard him mutter as he rubbed his temples and headed towards the door.
Students slowly drifted in. A few gave Rodriguez strange looks as they passed him.
Allenvale looked around the greenhouse as students began to take their seats.
“All right, class, we’ll spend today as we previously discussed.
All of you should have some idea of your topic for the endof-term project by now.
If you don’t, this is your last chance to run any ideas by me or ask for my help in choosing one.
Please approach my desk if you’re struggling.
I’m happy to help.” She looked down at the stack of parchment in front of her.
“Professor Rodriguez and I have also marked your exams from Wintermark.You may come and receive your marks at the end of today’s class. ”
I’m not sure little fireheart can wait that long.
I scowled. Don’t be ridiculous. I’m perfectly capable of waiting—I checked the clock on the wall—fiftynine minutes. I stared at the second hand as it ticked slowly.
Nyxaris yawned. How interminable the hour will be.
Less than an hour, I said automatically. Fifty-eight minutes.
The dragon laughed, a great, rich rumbling sound that echoed in my mind.
I’m so glad I amuse you. But my voice had no real ire.
Amuse, yes, but also frustrate. To waste an hour in the greenhouse when you could be practicing your riding …
Now who’s impatient? I’ll meet you as soon as my class is done, just as we arranged.
Fooling around with plants and herbs. A pause. Do you truly find such things interesting?
I do. It’s peaceful here. And the work I do could be important someday. Much more important than helping highbloods to some far-off military victory. Alchemy and healing arts could save lives—blightborn lives. I’d recently decided that was a far nobler calling than becoming a strategist.
As important as learning how to guard your mind? He sounded peevish. You are already far behind where I would like you to be in your thrallguard lessons.
I need to pass my classes, Nyxaris, I reminded him. Emberfern is a very important plant. In fact, it’s been sadly understudied. Actually, I’m surprised you haven’t …
“Miss Shen.”
I nearly jumped out of my skin. Coloring, I looked up at Professor Allenvale.
“You seemed half a world away from here.” She touched my shoulder gently.
“Are you worried about your paper?” She glanced around, then lowered her voice.
“You needn’t worry, Florence. It’s a very fine mark.
You continue to impress me. In fact, would you ever consider a scholarship semester in the Sable Isles? ”
I stared at her. “A semester?”
She nodded. “I’ll be returning to my own school at the end of Springrise.”
My face fell. “I’m sorry to hear that.”
“Well, you knew I wouldn’t be able to stay here forever. But perhaps you might join me for the Summerfell session? I take on a few students every summer for an intensive research retreat.”
“Me?” I squeaked.
Nyxaris snorted. Yes, you, little scholar. You cannot tell me you are surprised by this.
“You’re a brilliant student, Florence. I can’t help but feel, however, that you do not belong at Bloodwing.”
I stared at her. “What do you mean?”
Allenvale leaned down. “This school is a battlefield. It’s meant to prepare you all for potential war.”
War between houses was the only kind of war there had ever been—at least, for the past five centuries. Which was why I’d always thought it rather ironic that all of us were trained at the same school. I supposed it meant that no one house could claim a large advantage over another militaristically.
“To defend the highblood houses, yes. Isn’t that what your school is like?”
She shook her head. “The Somnaria Institute isn’t a war college, not like Bloodwing. It’s primarily a research academy. No combat classes, just gardens, laboratories, and libraries that never close.” She smiled as my eyes widened. “Yes, I thought you’d like that last bit.”
“But your school does exist to serve House Orphos,” I said carefully. “Doesn’t it?”
“The knowledge we discover at Somnaria supports House Orphos, and the school receives grants from the Orphos family, yes. But that doesn’t mean we don’t also do work that is beneficial to blightborn.”
But that wasn’t their main focus. It never was.
I picked up my pair of tongs and fiddled with them. “I’m House Avari, though, not House Orphos. I’m not sure how it would work,” I said regretfully.
She shrugged. “Sangratha is at peace. There’s nothing in our school charter that precludes an Avari student from visiting or even enrolling. Apply for the summer scholarship. Spend one term in the Isles. Who knows? Maybe you’ll decide that’s where you really belong.”
My heart pounded with excitement, but I knew what she suggested would never be possible. Not now that I was betrothed to Kage and bonded to Sangratha’s only dragon. I nibbled my bottom lip, not sure how to respond.
You wish to go to this place? To spend your summer studying instead of spending your days in leisure like other students?
I’d like nothing better than to study under Professor Allenvale all summer. It would be a dream come true. But you know it’s not possible. Lady Avari would never let me go—or you, for that matter.