“You probably should ask Ana to do that,” said Alison to Idris once the others had gone.
“I hate to interrupt her ‘studying’ with apparently the most desirable man in the school, but I think I will do so,” he replied. “I’ll meet you both outside in a moment.”
“What are you up to?” asked Willow, stretching. It was time for her to wake up now that it was dark outside. “What did I miss?”
“Nothing much,” said Alison. “Just a minor breakthrough in why my magic has been failing all this time and also the possible answer for keeping Leo safe until we can bring him home.”
“Oh, good,” said Willow. “I was afraid I slept through something important.”
“Do you really think poetry is the key?” asked Keir. “Do you think you could do something with poems you write yourself?”
“I’d like to try,” said Alison. “It makes sense, in a way. I started writing it for the coin, but it eventually became how my mind works. It’s sort of like a puzzle with words. I think if I can find a way to combine my poems with my magic, both of them will be better for it.”
“They’re both wonderful already,” said Keir. He kissed her on the lips, which Willow took as her cue to take off. “You know, there’s a fantasy of mine that takes place among the stacks.”
It was very cozy here on the couch now that everyone had gone.
“I’m not sure if the library would appreciate that,” said Alison regretfully. Or maybe it would, and she wasn’t sure which was worse. “But maybe we should stop at Weldan House on the way back. I recall you having an impressive library there. Come on. It’s time to decurse Idris.”
“Do what?” asked Keir, but he followed her nonetheless.
“Idris asked me if we could try the spell on him,” said Alison once they were outside. “So he can fly again, I suppose.”
Idris was waiting in the same spot in the middle of the courtyard.
“Ceri took the journal with her,” said Alison. “But I think I have it memorized. I said it so many times just now.”
“Let’s get this over with. It’s bloody freezing out here,” said Idris, pacing around to keep warm.
That seemed more like him.
“Do you think we join hands or something?” asked Keir.
“Sure, and let’s all sing it together,” said Idris. “It’ll be just like nursery school.”
“Gods, you’re insufferable,” said Keir. “I hope this works so you can fly off and leave the rest of us in peace.”
“And miss out on all of the nagging and brooding? Not a chance.”
“Will you both be quiet? I’d like to get back inside before I freeze my tits off.”
Idris laughed as Keir said, “Alison!”
“What?” said Alison, looking at Keir’s shocked face. “It’s really bloody cold.”
Alison took Keir’s hand, ignoring Idris’s childish laughter, and recited the spell exactly as she had done before.
Something was happening.
Alison couldn’t tell what, but she felt the air change.
“Are you doing that?” Keir asked Idris.
“It’s not me,” said Idris. “I can feel something. Keep going.”
Alison recited the spell two more times. Then she and Keir stood back.
Idris transformed into the red dragon with a loud crack and the smell of brimstone. He tried to flap his wing, but Alison could see it: it was still broken.
