Valerien has a minion!

Portia the Confekitti

"There you are!" a voice hissed. Valerien looked up from his work to see a young woman drop into the chair in front of him. "I've been looking all over for you," she continued, keeping her tone low so nobody in the library could overhear.
"What can I do for you, Portia?" he murmured, setting his pen down.
"You tricked me, Windfall. The spell isn't working."
Ah, I'm back to being Windfall. "You told me it was working two days ago."
"I copied it down and wrote it myself and nothing happened."
"Did you write it correctly?"
"Of course." She sounded offended. "I took a photo and copied it exactly."
"How about the ink?"
"What?"
"It won't work with regular ink. You need to add extra power to it."
"Extra power? Like what? What did you do?"
"I mixed in a few drops of blood."
"You what?!" The word was loud enough that a few people looked their way. She dropped her voice back down and leaned forward. "Are you out of your mind? That's dangerous!"
"It was worth it, to me. I had no time to experiment with anything else." He sighed. "I take it you're not willing to do that yourself. You want me to write it for you again?"
"Please."
"I will, on the condition you help me with a few tests."
Her expression was instantly wary. "Tests?"
"With the spell." He gestured vaguely. "There are some things I want to verify, but I need assistance. You're the only one I can ask."
"Oh, fine. Sure, I'll help you. Can you write it now?"
"Now?"
"I don't have any classes until tomorrow, so..." She was glad her skin was too dark for him to see her blush.
"We'd have to go to my room for that, and there's only..." He looked at his watch. "Thirty-two minutes left until lunch break is over."
"That's more than enough time."
"I really need to finish this essay."
"When is it due?"
"In thirty-two minutes."
"Oh, you're one of those guys." She leaned back in her seat and stared at him in disgust. "I bet you still get full marks, too. Why didn't you do it last night?"
"I was busy."
"With what? Nevermind," she said hurriedly, seeing his smile. "I already know. Fine, whatever." She rose from her chair." I'll wait for you at the entrance to your dorm."
"Sure." He turned his attention back to his unfinished essay. "I'll see you then."

Portia stared at him for a few moments, perplexed, before moving away. Spells written in blood drew upon the caster's life force rather than just their magical reserves. He was willing to risk so much to be with the one he loved, while she balked at the thought. Did that mean her desire was not as strong, not as true? . . .

She had no way of knowing that knowledge was his motivation-- knowledge, and the power it granted.