With a playful smile, he yanked me down next to him. “You don’t need one. I’ll warm you up.”

Definitely more bold.

We returned to the Citadel without incident. It had taken us five days instead of four. Without Leif, neither one of us wanted to brave the plains to cut our trip by a day. Besides, we enjoyed the time together. Ulrick was full of questions, and I marveled at his changed attitude. I should thank his sister for making him realize how withdrawn he had become since discovering his limited magical abilities.

Mara greeted our arrival with mixed emotions. Glad to see us and disappointed Leif hadn’t also returned. She turned all dreamy after reading his note.

Later that day, Mara and I worked in the shop. My hands itched for a punty iron with a slug of molten glass. When we had finished, she pulled me aside. “You took my advice, didn’t you?”

“I’m not admitting to it unless you agree not to gloat about it.”

“Not gloat? No way.” She smirked. “I can tell by your expression anyway. You’re blushing.”

“Am not.”

“Are, too.”

“Am…” I stopped. It was a no-win argument. “We’re supposed to be taking inventory so I can order more supplies for the shop.”

She pouted for only a second before helping me. A few students arrived and I was glad to see Piecov. He showed me his new pieces and I made appreciative noises over them. “Look how much you improved.”

“But I have a long way to go,” Piecov said.

As he talked about his plans for his next project, I could see the avid gleam in his eyes. He was hooked.

Unfortunately, Ulrick had lost his passion for glass, and avoided the shop. When I asked him about it the next morning, he mentioned his sister.

“She’s talented, but look what she has done. My mother put so much pressure on all of us to do great things with glass, since I’ve been away I realized there are other things in life. I need a break. Besides—” he pulled me into a tight embrace “—I’m enjoying being the fetch boy.”

I wiggled away. “I think you’ve been enjoying it too much. Remember there are other things in life.”

Ulrick sobered. “I know. In time.”

Time. Enough time had passed and yet Pazia hadn’t regained her magical powers. All she could do was see the glow in my glass, but nothing else. We had been back at the Citadel for a couple of days and she finally recovered enough energy to be discharged from the infirmary.

I arrived in her room to help her carry all the items she had collected during her stay. She wasn’t happy to see me, but I was determined.

“I can’t wait to get out of here,” she said. “Then I won’t have to see Healer Hayes or you again.”

“Don’t count on it.”

The table beside her bed was heaped with books, and a variety of warped glass vases lined a shelf.

Pazia stopped near me. “I have many admirers who help at your shop. Too bad they can’t make anything decent.”

I ignored her harsh tone, and pulled the vases down, carefully wrapping them in towels. “There is a special pride in first efforts.”

Pazia stared at me in pain. “I want to…” She wrapped her arms around her body. “I need something…” Frustration choked off her words.

I opened my mouth to apologize again, but she shot me a warning look. Instead, I packed the vases into a carrying basket. My thoughts remained on her as I tried to figure out what she needed.

“Can you help at the glass shop?” I kept my voice casual. “You have an artistic flair.” I pointed to her ring. The ruby and diamond starburst design was created by her. “And we might still discover a way to reverse what I did and…” I avoided mentioning her magic.

She bustled about the room, piling books into another basket. We worked for a while in silence.

“Have you ever decorated glass with jewels?” Pazia asked as she finished folding her clothes. “I can imagine a tall and skinny white vase with a ring of sapphires around the middle. You know, where it narrows before flaring out?” She demonstrated with her hands.

It was her way of accepting the invitation. “Sounds exquisite, but very expensive.”

She shrugged. “My father’s friends would snap them up. People love to display jewels and you can only wear so many rings and necklaces.”

A handful of students arrived to help carry the baskets to her room in the apprentice wing. I recognized Piecov and a few others from the glass shop. They fawned and fretted over her. She basked in their attention.

They trooped out with Pazia in the lead, leaving me behind. Healer Hayes poked his head into the room.

“That was fast,” he said.

“I think she was anxious to go.”

“An understatement.” He moved back, but I called his name. “Yes?” He hovered in the doorway.

“I’m…” I suddenly felt silly. “I’ve been having…night mares. Bad ones and the potion Leif gave me isn’t working. Do you…?”

Stepping into the room, he said, “I’m not surprised Leif’s potion isn’t working. Those jungle recipes are effective, but lose their potency fast.” He pressed his cool hands on my forehead.

“My dear child, you’re near exhaustion. I’ll get you a sleeping draft. Unless you want me to admit you to the infirmary?”

“Admit me? I don’t feel that bad.”