CHAPTER 8 - MEDRA
Nyxaris left me on the bridge leading to Bloodwing Academy. I walked slowly through the exterior courtyard towards the great double-doors leading into the school. When would I next stand here again? I’d only left the academy a few times in my first year as a student. Once to sneak out onto the beach for the bonfire party Theo had invited me to. That had been disastrous. Especially for Kiernan, the highblood Blake had killed.
I’d also made it all the way to the city of Veilmar. Following Blake through the secret tunnels that lay beneath the Dragon Court.
A shadow moved, stepping out of the twilight.
Blake. He’d been waiting for me.
There hadn’t been a verdict, I realized. Not before I’d left. Had the Tribunal Panel arrived at a decision?
If they were going to execute me, surely they’d have sent someone other than Blake to bring me in.
Or would they get him to do it? We both knew he was stronger than me. If he wanted to simply kill me, could he?
My heart started to pound. “What are you doing here?”
“I thought you might want to know what happened after you took off,” he drawled, shoving his hands into his trouser pockets as he came towards me.
I tried not to look as scared as I felt. “I assume they figured out a way to break our bond after all and now I’m House Avari’s. Should I move my things to Kage’s tower?”
I was joking, but the look on his face made me freeze.
“Don’t,” he warned. “Don’t even joke about that.”
I crossed my arms over my chest. “Why not? Because you hate House Avari? Or is it just Kage who bothers you so much?”
His jaw tightened. “You know why.”
I took a step closer, my voice deliberately sharp. “No, Blake, I don’t. House Avari probably wouldn’t have forced me into a bond I never wanted. They wouldn’t have treated me like some possession. At this point, I think I’d be happier there. Kage might actually show me some respect.”
It was like striking a match to dry kindling. Too easy.
In an instant, Blake was in front of me, moving with that terrifying vampire speed. Before I could even step back, his face was close to mine.
“Respect you?” he growled. “You think Kage would respect you? You think House Avari would treat you better? Grow up, Pendragon. They’d use you. Just like every other highblood house would, if they were given half a chance.”
“At least it would have been my choice,” I spat. “Don’t you dare stand there and pretend to be any better when you feed from me without my consent and claimed me without even asking.”
His jaw clenched again, but he didn’t back away. For a moment, the tension between us was unbearable. His eyes dropped to my lips then flicked back up, and for one horrifying moment, I thought he might...
“For now, you’re alive,” he said finally. “The tribunal reached a verdict. You’re staying at Bloodwing. Under House Drakharrow’s oversight.”
I let out a shaky breath, relief and frustration warring inside me. “No one listened to Lysander. What a surprise.”
“Lysander is a fool who’s going to get himself killed,” Blake said derisively.
“No one listened to Lord Mortis either,” I pointed out.
“Garrick Mortis.” Blake shook his head. “Not quite as much a fool as Lysander.” He looked at me intently. “But maybe he was right.”
“He wasn’t right. Killing me would be signing your own death sentence,” I snapped. “You need me, remember? I’m useful.”
“Useful? Don’t flatter yourself. You’re an asset for now. Everyone wants to see how this plays out.” He smirked. “After all, you claim to be able to control a dragon.”
I lifted my chin. “Doesn’t it make you want to run screaming like a little boy? The thought of all that dragon fire right at my fingertips?”
He laughed, clearly not intimidated. “It might, if I thought that anything that dragon did was done with you in mind.”
I flushed. “Good thing I have you to protect me then,” I said bitterly.
His smirk widened and I hated how my pulse sped up at the sight of his lips, his face. “You survived your first year because I allowed it. Don’t make me prove that to you now.” He suddenly pushed his chest up against mine, shoving me backwards. His breath was hot against my ear. “Why don’t you just fall in line, like a good little girl?”
My chest tightened with anger, fear, and something else I refused to give name to and I shoved him, hard. He didn’t budge, but it was still satisfying. “Fuck you, Blake. Go ahead. Show me what life would be like without you. I think it sounds too good to be true. But you won’t, will you? Because then I’ll see just how small your power really is.” I laughed, trying to make the word sound like a double-entendre and Blake reddened with anger.
His eyes narrowed. “I’ve been shielding you since the day you got here.”
“Bullshit. You wanted me to fail,” I reminded him. “You said you’d never mix your bloodline with mine, remember?”
“I...” He swallowed. “I think it’s time for a reality check. You don’t seem to understand the position you’re really in. How precarious it is. If I step aside, you won’t last a day.”
I refused to be intimidated. After all, what was the worst that could happen? He needed me alive. “I don’t need your help and I certainly don’t want it. I never did.”
He chuckled arrogantly. “I’ll enjoy watching you learn the hard way.”
“You’re such a highblood bastard,” I hissed.
“And you’re a liar,” he shot back. “You talk about breaking our bond. As if it’s even possible. And as if you’d really want that.”
I was trembling. I stared back at him, hating the cruel satisfaction in his gray eyes. But worse than the anger was the flicker of something deeper. Something that felt suspiciously like longing. I crushed it mercilessly.
“You think I’m bluffing?” I said, my voice shaking with fury. “Believe me, I’m not. I’ll find a way. And once I do, I’ll never look back.”
Something passed over his face. A crack in the mask. But it was gone in an instant, replaced by an infuriating mocking smile.
“Good luck with that,” he said, stepping away from me. “Welcome back to Bloodwing, Pendragon. I’ll be watching.”
With that, he turned and walked away, leaving me standing alone, heart pounding and resolve hardening.
I’d find a way to break free of these unbearable chains. And I’d make sure Nyxaris never bowed to House Drakharrow. Not now. Not ever.
At least what was left of the day improved from there.
A present was waiting for me in my room when I returned to Drakharrow Tower.
I stepped into the room and froze, my tension evaporating into surprise.
Sitting cross-legged on my bed reading a book and looking as if she’d been patiently waiting for hours was Florence Shen.
“Florence!” I exclaimed.
“Medra!” Florence jumped up, her long dark hair swishing as she flew into my arms for a hug. “I thought you were never coming back! They wouldn’t tell me anything except that you were still at the Tribunal.”
I thought about where I’d actually just come from and decided it could wait.
Florence tugged me over to the bed and I realized she’d made herself at home. Not only had she brought a stack of books—already studying ahead of the start of classes, no doubt—but a teapot and pair of mugs sat on my desk alongside a plate of pastries.
“I thought you could use some calming tea,” Florence explained. “Though it’s cold now. My mother made it from a family recipe.”
I smiled gratefully. “I’ll drink it cold. I don’t mind. It was very sweet of you.”
“How did the Tribunal go? I’ve been waiting and waiting here...” She trailed off and for the first time I realized how tense she was, what she must have thought as she sat all alone waiting to see if I’d ever come back.
“Everything is going to be all right,” I said quickly. It was more or less the truth, at least for now. “They’re letting me stay at Bloodwing. They’re not going to execute me, if that’s what you’re worried about.”
The joke was supposed to be lighthearted but then I saw the look on Florence’s face. “You’ve been sitting here for hours, haven’t you? Wondering if I was coming back at all. Oh, Florence. I’m so sorry.”
She bit her lip, a single tear sliding down her cheek. She brushed it away. “After last year...”
I nodded. “Naveen. I know.”
“I can’t lose anyone else,” she said, her voice thick. “Not another friend.”
We were silent for a moment. I knew we were both thinking of Naveen. We’d been as thick as thieves last year, the three of us. Now there were just us two.
Because of me. Because of what I’d done to survive.
But I wasn’t going to let my darkness infect Florence’s light.
I grabbed a sugar-dusted cookie then sat down on the bed, pasting a smile on my face. “Let’s talk about something else. How was your summer?”
But before we could exchange more news, the door swung open and a pair of violet eyes peered in.
“I thought I heard laughing. Having a party? Can I join?”
Florence and I exchanged glances, then I grinned. “Come in, Visha.”
Visha shut the door, then marched over and plopped down on the bed, running her hands through her hair. She’d let it grow out a bit over the summer, but kept one side fully shaved. I was fairly sure she could shave her head completely and still look stunning.
“So, I hear you had a sweet ride back to Bloodwing after the Tribunal today,” Visha said mischievously.
“Ride?” Florence looked back and forth between us. “What does that mean?”
I laughed nervously.
Visha’s eyes twinkled at Florence. “She didn’t tell you yet? Our girl rode a dragon.”
Florence’s eyes turned into saucers. “What? You did? Oh, Medra, that’s wonderful! You’ve bonded with Nyxaris!”
I grimaced. “Bonded is putting it strongly. He hasn’t burned me to a crisp yet.”
“Bah.” Visha waved a hand. “She’s understating it. Our little rider doesn’t like to brag. I mean, she did have him roast someone but it wasn’t her.”
I thought Florence was going to choke. “Roast someone? When? Who? By the Bloodmaiden, what did you do, Medra?”
I winced at the exclamation. “ I didn’t do anything, I assure you. It was all him .”
Visha looked at me curiously. “So it really is true?”
“What is?”
She shrugged. “Well, at least half the school thinks you had your dragon slay Lord Mortis for you because he wanted you executed.”
Florence shrieked. “What?” She glared at me accusingly. “You said they weren’t going to execute you.”
“They aren’t,” I said soothingly. “That was just... one small part of the conversation.”
Visha snorted. “I mean, I don’t think anyone is going to suggest it for a while. They’re too scared shitless now.”
“Oh, Medra,” Florence moaned. “A regent ? A House Leader? What did Catherine say?”
I shifted uncomfortably. “She didn’t look exactly pleased. But she didn’t demand we duel to the death either.”
“Catherine will be fine,” Visha said dismissively, sliding off the bed and going over to the plate of pastries. “She’s probably thrilled. She just got a huge promotion thanks to you.”
“It wasn’t me,” I reminded her. “Nyxaris did that. Honestly, he nearly scorched me in the process and if he had, I doubt he’d have cared.” I thought of Kage, flying out of nowhere to grab me. “Lord Mortis insulted Nyxaris. Apparently that’s in very bad form.”
Visha cackled. “I’d say. What an idiot.” She turned to face me, a cookie in one hand and a raspberry tart in the other. “You wouldn’t believe the things they’re saying about Mortis already. He’s a laughingstock. If Catherine wasn’t pissed at you before, she might be now.” She tilted her head thoughtfully. “But again, she is the House Mortis Leader now... I mean, within Bloodwing and outside of it. She’s a regent. So maybe she’ll be grateful.”
“Her father is dead,” Florence said, sounding shocked.
“Yeah, and he wasn’t an easy man to get along with. Now Catherine is free,” Visha pointed out.
“Is that really it? The House Leader dies and their kid just steps up? That’s how it works?” I asked curiously. “I had no idea Lysander was the leader of his house now.”
Visha nodded. “That just happened over the summer. His uncle died. Lysander was the next in line. I mean, it’s not always the eldest child who inherits the spot. The leader gets to choose their heir. But Catherine was her father’s.”
So much power consolidated among so few people.
“I can’t believe you rode a dragon and didn’t tell me as soon as you walked in that door,” Florence exclaimed. She threw up her hands. “So you’re not bonded? Then how does it work exactly?”
I sighed and lay back against one of the bedposts. “I’m not sure it does.” I eyed Visha. If I kept talking, it would mean sharing some things I hadn’t shared with anyone else. I trusted Florence completely. But Visha? Her friendship was newer.
The violet-eyed highblood caught me staring at her. “Do you want me to leave?”
“No,” I said quickly.
She shrugged. “It’s all right if you do. Just say the word. I’ll get it.”
And I knew she would. She’d just go. She wouldn’t kick and scream about it like someone else might.
I thought of all that had happened between us since we met. She’d treated me like shit at first. Then she’d saved me during the Consort Games. Of course, she’d done it because Blake had told her to. But she’d been decent about it. She’d tried her best to help. She really did seem to want bygones to be bygones. I still didn’t know her very well. But there was something about her I’d come to like. She was blunt. Direct. Even harsh in a way. But I sensed I could trust her.
I took a deep breath. “Look, if I start talking, it might make it awkward for you. Blake doesn’t know any of this. And I don’t want him to.”
Visha nodded slowly. “I get it. I’m not going to spy on you for him, if that’s what you’re worried about.”
“But he’s your House Leader,” I said.
“And he’s your archon,” she pointed out.
“For now.” I gritted my teeth. “A lot has happened since the last day of school.”
We stared at one another.
Then Visha smirked. “Don’t worry, Pendragon. I know we’re not at the sharing our deepest secrets stage of our relationship yet. We haven’t had enough sleepover parties for that. You can save all of your dragon bedtime stories for Florence.”
I frowned, worried I’d really offended her. “That’s not...”
Visha cut me off, her cocky grin widening. “Relax. I’m not going to pine away. I’m not cut out to be a tragic hero.”
Florence giggled nervously, trying to break the tension. “Speaking of relationships, how are things with your triad, Visha?”
Visha’s smile turned wolfish. She sat down near the hearth and leaned back against the stones with one knee propped up, looking like a complete rogue. “Oh, you mean the boys?” She waved a hand. “They’re fine. Honestly, it’s a miracle when they even notice I’m there.”
“Uh, do they not...?” I asked cautiously.
“Oh, they notice,” Visha reassured me, her grin growing sharp. “I’m not one to tolerate being ignored for long. We saw each other a few times over the summer. My family’s estate isn’t far from Lucian’s. Let’s just say I had a very busy time reminding them why I’m the one who holds that particular knot together.” She leaned back, putting her hands behind her head, her violet eyes gleaming with mischief. “But you know, a girl can’t survive on two boys alone.” She paused to roll her eyes. “Especially when they’re obviously smitten with each other.”
I thought of Theo and Vaughn. “So, they’re allowed to...?”
Visha laughed loudly. “We’re all allowed to. It’s only Blake’s uncle who’s such a prude. We can breed and still fuck other people. It’s not a crime.”
Florence leaned forward, her expression simultaneously shocked and interested. “So you like to... keep things interesting?”
“Of course.” Visha grinned. “Let’s see. I learned some swordplay from the brooding heir of House Adros in Veilmar.”
I snorted. “Swordplay. Sure.”
She raised a hand to her heart. “I swear, there were swords involved.”
Florence laughed and I grinned.
“To cut you loose from the bed after maybe,” I joked.
“Him, actually.” Visha’s eyes danced. “Then there was a sweet little thing on Lucian’s estate who wanted me to teach her a few lessons.”
“Always the teacher, never the student?” I teased.
“Oh, no, I go both ways,” Visha said seriously. “There was Lady Callis of House Orphos who met me at her summer house for a few trysts. She thought she could tame me. Poor thing, she’s back home with her triad now. Dull things the other two are, too.”
Florence blinked. “Well, you’ve certainly kept busy.”
“Life’s too short, Shen.” She eyed Florence up and down. “Especially for mortals like you. Might as well have fun while you can.”
Florence blushed. “You’re ridiculous.”
“Stick with me and maybe I’ll bring you along next summer. You look like you could use some excitement,” Visha observed, looking at Florence’s stack of books critically.
Florence’s blush deepened. “I think I’ll stick with my books.”
“Books?” Visha looked appalled. “Where did you say you spent your summer?”
“I... I spent it here,” Florence stuttered. She glanced at me. “At Bloodwing mostly. I helped my mother in the library. We visited some of my mother’s family for two weeks but that was the extent of my travels.” She shrugged her shoulders. “Pretty exciting stuff.”
“I can’t believe we were both trapped here and I didn’t even know it,” I said slowly.
“I tried to see you but no one was allowed in,” Florence said miserably. “Not until today.” She glanced at the door. “I may even have begged Blake.”
“Blake?” I sat up straight. “Please tell me you didn’t. He’s dangerous, Florence. I think you should stay far away from him.” I thought of something. “Please tell me you didn’t...”
There was a loud knock at the door. I turned my head as it creaked open slowly. My heart had already started to pound. If Blake dared...
But it was Theo’s face that appeared, wearing a charmingly sheepish expression.
“Room for one more in there?”
Visha raised an eyebrow. “Since when do you even ask for an invitation?”
Theo grinned and shrugged. He stepped inside and held up a small, wriggling ball of orange fur. “I brought a date.”
“Neville!” Florence exclaimed, leaping off the bed and rushing forward to take the fluffin from Theo’s arms. The little creature barked—a high-pitched, melodic sound—and wriggled even more excitedly as Florence cradled him against her chest and made cooing sounds of affection.
“He was sniffing around the hallways,” Theo said. “Clearly searching for his one true love.”
I eyed the little fluffin. Neville had grown over the summer. He was no longer the tiny kitten-sized pup I’d found on the beach last year. His fur, once a soft, reddish-orange, had deepened a little into a darker copper. The creamy white fur on his chest was fluffier than ever, making him look as if he were wearing a ruff of snow. His tail, bushy and almost as long as his entire body, swished back and forth with excitement as Florence fussed over him.
“He’s huge now,” I said, smiling. “Where has he been all summer?”
“Oh, someone’s been feeding him.” Theo eyed Florence. “And if it wasn’t Florence...”
Neville’s joyful reunion suddenly turned into chaos. With an excited yip, he wriggled free of Florence’s lap and began to tear around the room like a whirlwind. His busy tail streamed behind him as he bounded from one corner to another, jumping onto the bed, then skidding across the rug.
We all watched him with interest, even Visha.
“Is this what you’ve been dealing with all summer?” I asked, as I watched the fluffin zoom through the room and knock over a stack of books in his frenzy.
Florence laughed and shook her head. “Sometimes. My mother likes to say he’s our worst library patron. I had to escort him out a few times.”
“Your mother lets a fluffin in the library?” Theo said with interest. He held up his hands quickly. “I’m not going to tell anyone.”
“She does love Neville, but ‘let’ is putting it strongly.” Florence bent down and scooped up the fluffin as he tried to run past her. “That’s enough now, Neville.” She carried him over to the bed where the fluffin lay down, panting.
“I think he wore himself out,” I said, eying the little creature. “At least, for now.” I looked at Florence. “So he’s been living with you in the library?”
“I don’t live in the library, Medra,” Florence said, laughing. “My mother has a suite of rooms. I stayed there with her over the summer. Neville would sleep over sometimes. But I didn’t see him every day. He’d disappear sometimes. I figured he was roaming the castle.” She purposely didn’t meet my eyes. I knew we were both thinking of who Neville had probably been paying visits to.
Blake hadn’t brought the fluffin to see me over the summer. And he hadn’t snuck Florence in. Because he couldn’t or because he had chosen not to?
“I bet he’s been sneaking into the kitchens,” Visha observed. “Look at him! He’s fat enough to roll.”
“He is not,” Florence said primly. “He’s just putting on some winter weight. Like a squirrel.”
Theo laughed. “Blake was probably feeding him, too. Neville’s been sniffing around Drakharrow Tower since I got back. He’s obviously at home here already. Look at him, he’s practically glossy.”
I frowned, thinking of Blake caring for the fluffin. It didn’t square with everything else I knew about him. For a while, I’d believed Blake was capable of caring for something else beside himself or his precious house. But I’d been wrong.
Neville had worn himself out again. He collapsed in a heap at Visha’s feet. The highblood girl gingerly stretched out a hand to rub his white belly.
“He’s so soft,” she said, sounding surprised. “I’ve never pet one before.”
I smiled. Finally, we’d found something Visha hadn’t done already.
The room descended into quiet. Theo helped himself to some cold tea and passed me the other mug. Then he cleared his throat and looked at me hesitantly.
“So,” he started, his voice carefully casual. “How are things going with you and Blake?”
The air immediately turned heavy.
Visha stopped petting Neville. Florence shifted uncomfortably in her position on the bed.
I didn’t meet their eyes. “What do you mean?” I said, pretending ignorance.
Theo sighed. “I was there, Medra. At the Tribunal today.” He glanced at Visha. “You’ve probably heard?”
The highblood girl nodded.
“And Florence will get the short version eventually, I’m sure,” Theo said, looking at my other friend. “It’s all anyone’s talking about. You woke a fucking dragon. And now you’ve asked for your bond with Blake to be dissolved.”
“And everyone claims it can’t be,” I reminded him sharply. I looked around at each of them. I knew Florence was my friend. I wanted Visha to be. Theo, too. But two of them were highbloods. Their loyalties were... stretched. I weighed how much I should say. “Blake bonded with me without my consent. He gave me his blood before the Consort Games. He didn’t tell me what the real consequences of sharing blood would be. Then he drank from me, without my permission after Selection Day was over, there in the Dragon Court.”
“Is that why the dragon woke up?” Visha asked, her eyes wide.
I shook my head. “No, I don’t think so.” I didn’t feel like explaining there had been a completely different blood ritual much earlier than that.
Theo and Visha exchanged a look—one loaded with highblood understanding. I glanced at Florence. Her face was outraged. She was blightborn. She understood. Did they?
The divide in the room suddenly felt as wide as a chasm.
“That’s not unusual for a highblood,” Visha said bluntly. “I mean, we don’t usually take blightborn consorts. But archons can often do whatever they want. It’s tolerated, even...”
“Stop,” Theo interrupted. “It’s not right, Visha. And you know it. It’s not how things should be.”
I wasn’t sure if he meant the arrangement between consorts and archons or blightborn and highbloods or all of it.
Visha raised one eyebrow but said nothing.
Theo continued, “You know, before Blake’s father, things were worse for blightborn. Much worse. Now Viktor’s working to undo everything his brother stood for.”
“He was your uncle,” I said quietly. “The Peacebringer, I mean.”
Theo nodded. “Alexander Drakharrow.”
“How did he die? Professor Hassan mentioned him in class but not the details.” I’d been curious ever since.
Theo hesitated. “He basically disappeared. We were told he’d died, but I still don’t know what happened exactly. Then his wife disappeared, too. Blake’s mother, Desdemona.”
“I thought she was in the Sanctum,” I said, staring at him.
Theo shrugged. “Right. That’s what everyone says. I haven’t seen her since.”
Visha yawned. “Not unheard of. Some of these older highblood ladies. They take their bonds very seriously. Too seriously if you ask me.”
“It was a love match,” Theo said quietly. “Between Blake’s parents, I mean. They were a pair, not a triad.”
“Not unheard of,” Visha acknowledged. “But restricting yourself to just one person?” She shuddered and we all laughed. It broke the tension for a moment.
Until I raised the temperature in the room again by asking, “What about uprisings? Have there been rebellions?”
Theo frowned. “Not that I know of. Why do you ask?”
“When I first arrived... in Sangratha, I found myself in a burned-out village. Everyone else was dead.” The memory flashed through my mind. Smoke and ash. The stench of rotting bodies.
“Oh, that.” Theo looked shaken.
“What?” I said sharply. “Tell us.”
“It wasn’t an uprising,” he said reluctantly. “Not exactly. But some blightborn in that village were being... challenging.” He held up his hands as my mouth opened. “I don’t know what exactly that means either. But Viktor thought it was a big deal. He sent Marcus to handle it.”
My stomach turned. “And Blake? Was he involved?”
All of those people. There would have been children among them.
Theo quickly shook his head. “No. Blake wasn’t part of that. In fact, Marcus went too far.” He eyed me sympathetically. “I guess you know what I’m talking about.”
I felt Florence’s eyes on me. “Everyone was dead,” I said quietly, by way of explanation. “Nothing was left. The village had been completely destroyed.”
“Marcus wouldn’t even need to be ordered to do something like that,” Visha said darkly. I remembered that Marcus had been a student at Bloodwing until the year before last. “He’d do it for the sheer fun of it.”
“That’s monstrous,” Florence whispered, her face pale. “There were rumors about some blightborn murders in Veilmar. But I didn’t think highbloods were involved.”
I said nothing. My friend was still na?ve in some ways.
“Well, most people don’t,” Theo said quietly. “That’s the point. They’re not supposed to.” He gave Florence a strange look.
“Blightborn, you mean,” she said, looking ill at ease.
Theo didn’t reply. The room fell silent again. But this time it wasn’t a comfortable quiet. The weight of the conversation hung over us like a storm cloud.
I’d missed my friends. But this division between us... If we weren’t careful, it could split us in two. That was the last thing we needed.
I took a breath. “What are your schedules looking like? Do we share any classes this year?”
I hadn’t even looked at my timetable. But I’d noticed it sitting over on the desk. Now I went to fetch it and handed it to Florence who had pulled out her own.
“Oh, my goodness.” Florence clapped her hands together and looked delighted. “Look at this! We have a class together.”
I hadn’t dared to get my hopes up that that might happen. I figured Blake would do his best to keep me as far away from House Avari as possible.
“We do?” I said, sliding onto the bed beside her. “Which one?”
Florence looked even more excited. “The Alchemist’s Garden!”
I scrunched up my nose. “The what?”
“Rather poetic name for a class at Bloodwing,” Theo observed.
“Isn’t it?” Florence said happily. “It’s co-taught by Professor Rodriguez and a visiting scholar, Professor Vasanti Allenvale. My mother was gushing about it. Apparently, Professor Allenvale is very famous. Half of the class will take place in the traditional classroom with Professor Rodriguez and the other half of the time we’ll be out working in the greenhouse, learning about...”
“Plants?” Visha guessed.
Visha and Theo were staring at Florence as if she had two heads.
“Exactly,” Florence said, beaming.
“It sounds fascinating,” I said loyally. Visha looked as if she was about to snicker so I glared at her until she coughed.
Florence was continuing to scan my schedule. “You’re also in some combat classes.”
Visha perked up. “Which ones?”
“Let’s see... She has Defensive Arts and Historical Strategy, one after the other. They’re often taken together. Oh! I’m registered in the Strategy component of that class.” For a moment, Florence looked excited. “Oh, wait, no. My class is at a different time.”
“That’ll be the section for House Avari students,” Theo noted gently. “So you’re in healing and strategy classes?”
Florence looked crestfallen for a moment, then she nodded. “Yes. I’m taking some of both.”
“Plus some extra ones besides?” I guessed.
When she blushed, I knew I was right.
“Basically, Florence is a scholarly genius,” I explained to the others.
“Stop it,” she said, flushing more fiercely. “I am not. I just have no problem spending all my time studying.”
Visha was looking appalled again. But she shook her head. “What time is Medra’s Defensive Arts class?”
Florence checked the timetable. “Every second day just after lunch.”
“That’s the same section I’m in,” Visha said with a grin.
“I’m in that one, too,” Theo said, surprising me. “Blake’s not,” he quickly added.
It would be strange not to see Blake in a combat class. But it was for the best. The more I could avoid him the better.
“You have another class that looks interesting, Medra,” Florence said, still studying the piece of parchment. “Historical Perspectives: Sangratha and Dragons.”
Now it was my turn to feel eager. “That sounds interesting. Who’s it with?” I hoped it would be Rodriguez.
But Florence shook her head. “It doesn’t say.” She paused. “You’re in another scouting class with Professor Stonefist. Intermediate Combat for Blightborn.”
I was surprised I wasn’t in more classes tailored to dragon riders. But maybe they didn’t have anyone to teach them. That would make sense.
“There are some gaps in your schedule,” Florence said, scanning. “Maybe that’s when they expect you to work with Nyxaris.”
My heart sank. “Yes. Maybe.” That would be a problem, if so. Or maybe the gaps were for extra thrallguard sessions with Rodriguez. I could hope.
I glanced at Theo. The mention of the scouting class had reminded me of Naveen. But also of Vaughn Sabino. “Do you have any classes with Vaughn?”
Theo shook his head. “No, but why would I? He’s not in House Drakharrow.”
“What?” I stared at him. “Yes, he is. He was selected into it. I was there.”
“I remember that, too,” Florence commented.
Theo crossed his arms over his chest. “He’s not now. I had him moved.”
“What?” I stared. “How? You can do that?”
Theo glanced at Visha. “Not normally, no. But I talked to Blake. Vaughn didn’t want to be in Drakharrow. I knew he was hoping for Orphos. So Blake had Lysander take him.”
“That’s amazing,” Florence exclaimed. “That was so kind of you, Theo.”
Visha was staring at Theo oddly. “Very kind. Not very highblood.”
Theo rolled his eyes. “Maybe I’m not a very good highblood. Are you?”
Visha shrugged. “I’m whatever the fuck I want to be.”
“Then you’re lucky,” Theo said, almost accusingly. “I can’t be. But Vaughn...” He took a deep breath. “Vaughn can be whatever he wants. He has a right to be happy.”
I was fairly certain that Blake had requested Vaughn for House Drakharrow because he’d been hoping to make his cousin happy. I wondered how Blake felt knowing his work had been undone. But maybe he was simply relieved that Theo planned to avoid Vaughn.
“Hopefully you and Vaughn can still see each other sometimes and talk,” I said softly. “If you both want to, I mean.”
Theo frowned down at the floor. “Right. Maybe.” He looked at the door. “It’s getting late. Tomorrow’s our first day. I’d better be going.” He gave me a wistful look. “But it was good to see you, Medra. Outside the Tribunal chamber and alive and well, I mean.”
I came towards him and put my arms around his shoulders briefly. “You, too, Theo. I mean it. You’re one of the good ones.”
Someone punched me in the shoulder from behind.
“Hey, I resent that,” Visha complained.
“I wouldn’t dare call you ‘good,’” I teased.
She cocked her head at me. “Now you’re getting the hang of it.” She punched me lightly in the arm again. “See you tomorrow, Pendragon.” She nodded to Florence. “Good luck, Shen.”
“Thanks, Visha,” Florence called, from where she was still curled up on my bed. Neville had jumped up and joined her. He looked up as Visha and Theo left, then put his head down on his paws sleepily.
“This little fellow needs a nap,” Florence observed, running her hand over the fluffin’s back. “He’s still growing.”
“He’s lucky to have you as his mother,” I joked.
She smiled. “Well, I’m his mother half the time...” She trailed off and I realized the implication. That Blake was Neville’s part-time father.
I sighed. “I don’t want to talk about Blake.” Or think about him being responsible for raising a tiny, impressionable fluffin, even half the time.
“Right. What about dragons? Can we talk about that?” Florence asked hesitantly.
“I’ll give you the short version.” Briefly I filled her in on how my relationship with Nyxaris was going–and how it wasn’t.
“Well,” she said cautiously, when I was finished. “At least Nyxaris seems open to some communication. That’s fairly reasonable, for a dragon, I mean.”
“He saved my life,” I said bluntly. “And I won’t forget that. I owe him.”
“But can you keep this going over the year?” Florence asked quietly. “The charade, I mean.”
“I don’t know. I’m supposed to be a dragon rider. But I really doubt Nyxaris is going to suddenly agree to daily rides.” I told her what he’d said about not even thinking about a saddle and she winced.
“No saddle, all right. Well, maybe he’ll change his mind about a saddle and about bonding with you once you get him more information about what happened to him,” she said.
“That’s the hope.” I sighed.
“You’re tired,” she said sympathetically. She slid off the bed and scooped up the sleeping Neville. “I’ll see you in the morning. You might be in House Drakharrow but we can still eat together in the refectory, right?”
“Let them try and stop us,” I said, smiling at her. I had another thought. “Look, what Theo said about Vaughn...”
“Yes?”
“Theo was able to get Vaughn transferred to another house even though he’d been selected into Drakharrow.”
“Yes, that is unusual. Selection Day is supposed to be final.”
“But it’s not. Highbloods can do whatever they want,” I said impatiently. “We already knew that. It should be no surprise.”
Florence frowned. “So what’s the point?”
“The point is, I want you to talk to Kage for me. About having me moved to House Avari.”
Florence’s jaw dropped. “What? Are you serious?”
“Of course, I’m serious. I could be with you and I’d be away from Blake. It would be perfect.”
“But doesn’t Blake have to, you know... Feed?”
I shuddered. I hated thinking about him depending on me for blood. “Yes, but it’s just once a week. We have an arrangement.” I hoped he’d stick to it, even now. “He could come over to the Avari tower or I could come to him here. We’d figure it out.”
“I don’t think Blake would like the idea much, Medra,” Florence said nervously.
“Leave Blake to me. But you broach the subject if you see Kage before I do, all right?”
Florence nodded anxiously. “I’ll try my best. But Kage Tanaka and I... We’ve never really spoken.”
“He’s intimidating,” I agreed. “I know.” I sighed. “If you see him, mention it. If not, I’ll try to find him tomorrow or later this week.”
“You’re so bold, Medra,” Florence said, her eyes wide. “I’m not sure I’d be if I were in your shoes.”
“Thank the Bloodmaiden you aren’t in my shoes,” I joked.
“I do,” she said seriously. She bounced the sleeping fluffin in her arms a little and I heard Neville start to purr. “All right, I’m leaving now. Sleep well.”
“You, too,” I said, walking her towards the door.
She leaned towards me, brushing her lips against my cheek. “I missed you over the summer.”
“I missed you, too,” I said, my heart suddenly aching. I’d been so lonely. I hadn’t even realized just how lonely I’d been until I’d seen her. “Thank you so much for sneaking into the Drakharrow tower. That was very brave.”
She looked proud of herself. “It was, wasn’t it?”
“I love you, Florence,” I said before I could stop myself. I blushed. “You’re a dear friend.”
She looked surprised for a moment. “I love you, too, Medra. You know that. You’re my best friend.”
I felt like my heart would explode. “No one’s ever called me that before,” I confessed.
“No?” Florence lifted her chin. “Well, then they missed out. You’re an amazing friend.” She grinned at me. “See you tomorrow.”
The door clicked softly shut behind her.
I stood there a moment, staring at it, the silence of my tower room encroaching around me once more.
Florence’s parting words still lingered. I’d never had a friend like her before.
The words she used had settled in my chest like a glowing ember, warming places I hadn’t even realized were frozen.
I’d lost so much when I’d arrived in Sangratha. I’d lost so much simply by virtue of being me . Back in Camelot, I’d been repeatedly told that my Aunt Morgan and Uncle Draven had loved me. But they’d been away for most of my childhood.
There had been Crescent. But he’d never warmed to me. He’d tried to show me affection but deep down, I’d always known he saw me as too different to love.
A lump formed in my throat. Then there was Odessa. She’d loved me. I knew that now, even though she hadn’t been the kind to speak about her feelings very often. She’d died so I could live.
Ever since I’d been born, people had been throwing their lives away so I’d survive. First my mother, then Odessa, then my aunt and uncle had nearly lost theirs.
But I didn’t need to be saved. I needed to be loved. Florence had taught me that. She’d already taught me so much.
I turned back to my room and went over to the edge of my bed. The sky was dark. Moonlight streamed through the windows, illuminating the dagger that lay on my bedside table.
I’d only spoken to my mother sparingly over the summer. There had been... changes in her. Some disturbed me.
But I needed her now.
I picked up the blade, its weight familiar yet strange as always.
Are you awake? I whispered.
A faint hum rose in my mind. Our connection was very different from the rumbling imposing presence that was Nyxaris.
Then her voice came, soft and knowing. Always for you, dear one.
I exhaled slowly, sitting back down on the bed and holding the dagger in both hands. I don’t even know where to start.
The beginning is always a good place , she suggested. Or begin with what’s weighing on you the most.
I gave a tired laugh. I just got back from the Tribunal. I rode a dragon.
I went through the events of the day, explaining in more detail than I’d given to Florence. I knew I’d tell my friend more tomorrow. But today, I hadn’t wanted to overwhelm her—or add to her own burdens.
The dragon frightens you , my mother suggested. He killed a man before your eyes.
Yes. No. Yes, but not because I think he’ll hurt me. At least, not intentionally , I amended. It’s... everything he represents. I don’t know if I can be what he needs .
We are both new to this world. But despite that, it’s clear the bond between dragon and rider was never meant to be easy. He needs you as much as you need him. Even if neither of you wants to admit it.
I frowned. Maybe. But this isn’t like the bonds of old. There’s no one else. No one to train me. Nyxaris doesn’t want me as his rider. And he’s so lost. So angry.
There was a pause. And what about you? Are you so very different? Are you not angry? Are you not lost?
I winced. She was right, of course. I was drowning in fear and frustration. I felt trapped. So did Nyxaris. I felt alone. But how much more alone must he feel?
At least I know why I’m angry and who I’m angry at , I said. He doesn’t even seem to remember what happened to him. Or to the other dragons. I can’t give him answers. I’m as in the dark as he is.
Then find them, my mother said.
I groaned. It’s not that simple and you know it.
It is if you make it so . I could hear her growing impatient. With my limitations or with her own? You have more resources than you realize. The dragon has memories. Even if he thinks he’s forgotten, they could be locked within him even now. And as you’ve already guessed, the highbloods are hiding truths they don’t want you or any other blightborn to find. So search out those truths. Look everywhere.
Her words hit me like a slap. You think I haven’t tried? The books Rodriguez gave me last year were worthless. He’s as bad as a highblood, keeping his own confidence and not letting me in.
Then make him tell you. Force the truth from him if you have to.
My grip on the dagger tightened. And how exactly am I supposed to do that? He’s my professor, Mother.
You have a dragon, Medra, she reminded me. Then her voice softened. You are stronger than you know. You have already survived what no one else could have. You are not alone .
I stared down at the blade. Her words were meant to be comforting. But they only reminded me of how much was at stake—not just for me but for everyone around me.
Nyxaris asked me if I’d want to bring the other dragons back, I murmured. But I didn’t know how to answer that. Would it even be right to try? What if the highbloods just enslaved them again?
How did they do that in the first place? You need to find out . She paused. Do you trust him?
I don’t know, I said honestly. I want to.
Then start there . Her voice faded. She was gone.
I set the dagger down on the bedside table and lay back on my bed, staring up at the ceiling. Instead of stars, there was a red canopy over the bed, always reminding me of where I was.
This had started to happen more and more often. Orcades would be there one moment, gone the next. She was...less reliable. Her emotions swung sharply.
She’d put me off when I’d suggested we plan a way of setting her free. Now that we knew of what had happened the first time thanks to the ritual, I think she was afraid for my sake to have me try again. But I couldn’t stop thinking about it. She was fading. Changing. It was my fault. Just like Naveen. Both were my burden, my responsibility.
And so was Nyxaris.
Tomorrow I would start looking for answers. I wasn’t a prisoner anymore.
I was a student again.