Page 47 of The Bond That Burns

Shadowroot was very different. The plant had dark, almost black leaves with a faint bluish sheen to them.

“This one doesn’t exactly scream healing,” I observed, half-expecting them to tell me I was wrong.

Florence grinned. “You’re right. It’s a tricky one. Shadowroot can be toxic in large doses, but it’s a critical ingredient in remedies for frostbite.”

I studiously wrote down what she’d said.

“It’s said to grow best under a new moon,” Lunaya added suddenly. “My house sometimes uses it in dreamweaving potions.”

I stared at the highblood girl. Was she supposed to be telling us this?

Florence looked fascinated. “That’s right. You’re in Year Two now, too, aren’t you, Lunaya? And since you’re a highblood, you’ll be taking House-related magic courses.”

Lunaya nodded slowly.

“What’s your magic course called?” I asked, curious.

“The Veil and the Mirror,” Lunaya replied, soft-spoken as always. I couldn’t imagine this girl ever bellowing. I wondered what Blake would make of her. “It involves exploring the meaning of our dreams and searching for portents in the world around us.”

“Your house motto is ‘Blood of Dreamers,’ right?” I remembered.

Lunaya nodded.

“But what does it mean exactly?” Florence asked, looking as curious as I was. “Can you really control what you dream?”

“Many of us learn to do so. That part is quite simple,” Lunaya replied. “It’s stepping into the dreams of others that’s more of a challenge. That and conjuring dreams of the future.”

“Dreams of the future?” I said sharply. “Can you really do that?”

“I’m not sure if I have a true calling,” Lunaya said, reverting back to her dreamy attitude. “But my professor says I have a knack for deciphering portents. I suppose we’ll see in time.”

I thought of the other three houses. I knew House Drakharrow specialized in blood magic. As I’d already managed to do some blood magic of my own last year with my mother’s help, I wasn’t too impressed with the concept. It was unpredictable, powerful, and dangerous as far as I was concerned. But still, I wondered what the blood magic courses entailed exactly.

“House Avari specializes in magic to do with shadows, illusions, and other kinds of manipulations,” Florence observed. “Of course, since I’m not a highblood I won’t be able to take those courses.” She sounded almost disappointed.

“And House Mortis?” I lowered my voice. “Are they really... necromancers?”

“They learn to manipulate the dead, yes,” Lunaya said complacently. “But most of these magical courses are irrelevant.”

“Irrelevant?” Florence sounded almost offended. “Is any knowledge really irrelevant?”

“Most of our houses specialized in battle magic that could be used against one another, and which was amplified by our house dragons,” Lunaya continued as if she hadn’t heard Florence. “Sangratha is at peace, so the magic is mostly theoretical. Some of it hasn’t been actively used in centuries. I’m not sure my professor can even practice half of what he talks about. But the theory is fascinating to be sure.”

“I can only imagine,” Florence said enviously. She sighed. “Well, shall we move on? This plant isn’t going to talk about itself.”

“Emberfern,” Lunaya said, reaching out a hand to brush a leaf. “Careful. The sap can burn you if you’re not protected.”

“Good to know,” I muttered, keeping my own hands away from the plant.

“Though you’ve ridden a dragon,” Lunaya said, looking at me with a small smile. “So I suppose you’re not afraid of fire.”

“It’s used in tinctures to treat hypothermia,” Florence said. She cleared her throat and I remembered I was supposed to be writing this down. I scribbled quickly. “And in salves to stimulate circulation. But it can be volatile, so it’s often paired with mirthleaf to stabilize it.”

“House Drakharrow would use it on their dragon riders,” Lunaya said suddenly. “When prepared correctly, it was said to be able to amplify courage and strength.”

I thought about what Blake had told me about the Inferni dragons. How their flames were the fiercest but they were prone to volatility, making them dangerous to handle. Is that why House Drakharrow riders needed such a concoction?

As I finished writing down what Lunaya had said, she turned to me.

---