Page 34 of On Wings of Blood

The fact that I would have to sit here for weeks on end and listen to this drivel being taught as fact was what really infuriated me. I looked over at Florence, wondering if she had grown up hearing lectures like this.

“Sadly, our time is up,” Professor Hassan announced. “My apologies to the class for the time we lost educating Miss Pendragon instead of moving onto new topics. Thank you all for your patience this morning.”

Around me, students rose to their feet, gathering satchels and supplies.

I started to pass back my unused parchment to Florence and thank her for the assistance but my words were cut short.

“Miss Pendragon.” Professor Hassan’s brusque voice cut across the room. “A moment, if you will.”

Florence brushed past me. “We’ll wait for you outside,” she whispered.

I nodded, seeing Naveen walking beside her. He smiled briefly at me, then quickly darted from the room. I supposed he was a First Year student in our dormitory, too. Or perhaps another warden.

Professor Hassan waited to speak until the room had almost emptied out.

“Tardiness is unacceptable at Bloodwing and in my class, Miss Pendragon,” she sternly informed me, glaring down from the lecture stage.

“I understand completely,” I said quickly. “Miss Pansera escorted me to class but we were both under the mistaken impression that it began...”

“Miss Pansera? Miss Regan Pansera was your guide this morning?” the professor asked sharply.

I nodded. “She’s Blake’s other consort.”

The teacher’s eyebrows rose. “I am fully aware of that. What an honor to have Miss Pansera as your escort. An honor I doubt you truly appreciate.”

“I can appreciate kindness whatever the source,” I said, trying to keep my temper.

She frowned. “Very well. I’ll be lenient with you this time, Miss Pendragon. Because of your esteemed guide. Miss Pansera had only your best interests in mind. But do not be late again. Should you be tardy a second time, there will be a penalty.”

“I understand.”

I hurried out of the lecture hall before she could change her mind.

Florence squeaked as she spotted me. “Medra! What happened this morning?”

“I guess there was an error on my timetable,” I explained with a frustrated sigh. “Regan and I thought the class didn’t begin until nine-thirty.”

“Oh, dear,” Florence said. “I hope she got to her own class all right.”

“So do I,” I replied.

“What’s next on your schedule, ladies?” Naveen Sharma sidled up beside us. He had flattened his hair down, but a few strands still stuck out on the sides. The boy was even shorter than I’d realized. He only came up to Florence’s shoulder. He was built differently, too.

He caught me staring at him and grinned as I blushed. “Never seen a dwarf before, have you?”

“A...what?”

“Naveen is blightborn but he’s also dwarven,” Florence explained. “His people live underground.”

My eyes widened. “That’s incredible.”

“The dwarves are amazing builders. They construct entire cities beneath the earth. They’re also notorious for their scouting skills,” Florence said.

“Bloodwing must be very different compared to where you’re from,” I said.

Naveen nodded. “It’s certainly brighter.” He pointed to my schedule and I remembered his original question.

“I have Restoration next,” I said, glancing at my schedule. “Then lunch, I hope.”

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