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"Twenty."

"I hate you."

"Useful." We reset.

On the final attempt, my knees nearly give. Someone catches my elbow. I already know who before I look.

Rhyven. Of course. He wasn't here two minutes ago.

I straighten. "I'm fine."

"I didn't ask."

"You were going to."

"No." Liar.

Professor Vayne looks between us. Then toward the clock. "Done."

I blink. "What?"

"You're fatigued."

"I have another attempt."

"No."

"I can get twenty."

"Tomorrow." I open my mouth.

"He's right." Rhyven says.

I turn. "Nobody asked you."

"No."

"Why are you even here?"

"Meeting." He points toward the command room behind Vayne. Right. Of course.

"Then go." He doesn't. Not immediately. His eyes move over my face. Checking. I recognize it now. I wish I didn't. "I'm fine." I say again. This time softer.

His gaze stays on mine.

Then— "Good." And he leaves. That's it. No argument. He believed me. Or chose to. Important difference.

Nyra and I eat dinner in our room. Not because we're hiding. Because neither of us wants to hear another person discuss whether Theryn is alive. The question has become everywhere. Maybe. Maybe not. Could dragons survive magical displacement? Where would she go? Can the bond cross dimensions? Is there another side of the wards? Nobody knows. Everyone has theories. None help Eddy.

Nyra sits cross-legged on her bed. I lie on mine.

For a while, we talk about nothing. Exam scores. Cassian's new roommate apparently snores. Nyra's plant dislikes the window. Then— "You realize he's across the hall."

I close my eyes. "There it is."

"I waited hours."

"Very restrained."