Page 167 of On Wings of Blood

Was I really considering going to the ball with a highblood? What would Naveen and Florence say?

I knew there was more to this. Kage wasn’t just being nice. He wanted to use me as leverage against Blake. But did it really matter? When that was exactly what I’d be using him for, too?

“Can consorts even attend with someone other than their archon?” I asked carefully.

Kage shrugged. “It’s not specifically forbidden, but it’s rare. I have no problem with us being the exception. I’m not one to play by the rules.” He took a step towards me. “You're impossible to ignore, Medra. There’s something unique about you and it’s not just your rider blood. You deserve to be treated with respect. Not as some obligation.”

The way he said my name, the way he held my eyes with his... Kage’s charm was undeniable, yes, but I wasn’t naive enough to fall for it completely. He probably didn’t mean a single word he said.

But if I could use him right back... Salvage something of the ball. I imagined what Blake would think when he saw me standing beside the school House Leader. His rival.

Kage was right about one thing. I didn’t belong to Blake. Maybe this would be a way to prove that once and for all.

“By the way, there’s something Drakharrow probably never thought it worthwhile to tell you about a triad union,” Kage said, his dark eyes gleaming with a challenge. “If you refuse to accept the bond, they may not be able to hold you to it.”

My heart started to pound. “What do you mean? Are you saying there’s a way out of this?”

“Not yet. But if things go on the way they have been between you two then Blake may never be able to feed from your blood. Not properly, anyhow. He won’t be able to draw power from your blood if you don’t give your consent. Consorts are supposed to strengthen their archon but you’d be a hindrance. You’d be free of him in the one way that really mattered.”

Excitement sped through me, but I tried to tamp it down, still suspicious of Kage’s motives. “But if we did bond fully?”

I wasn’t sure I wanted to know the answer.

But Kage just smirked. “Consorts take lovers all the time. It’s accepted. Highbloods are rarely satisfied with just one or even two partners. Blake won't be able to stop you from enjoying the pleasures of life.”

I wasn’t so sure about that. How much freedom would I really have when I finally left Bloodwing Academy? I suspected the Drakharrows planned to keep me somewhere on their own terms and that I wouldn’t be given much fresh air. That is, if I didn’t get away from them somehow first.

Making Kage my ally might not be such a terrible idea.

“Fine. I’ll think about it.”

Kage’s dark eyes sparkled with amusement. He straightened and stepped away from the wall. “Don’t take too long.”

He gave me one last lingering look before disappearing down the hall.

CHAPTER 38 - MEDRA

The Frostfire Festival had officially begun.

As night fell on the first day of the festival, a grand procession of students, professors, and house leaders set off from Bloodwing Castle. First and Second Years were bundled into carriages with Bloodwing’s faculty, six or eight at a time, while some of the older students and the house leaders led the way on horseback.

This was the Night of Silent Offerings, in which we would make our way to the Bloodmaid’s Sanctum and be expected to give up some of our blood in a fucked up highblood tradition.

My nerves were on edge as I found myself seated between Florence and Naveen in one of the carriages. They were talking about the festival, but even though I tried to keep up, my mind was elsewhere.

Last night I’d sent an acceptance note to Kage Tanaka. I had no idea if I’d made the right choice but I was committed now.

The carriage rocked slightly from the strong winter wind coming off the sea as we crossed the long, iron bridge leading towards Veilmar. Once we reached the mainland, we turned east and passed over another bridge, this one leading to the island that housed the Sanctum.

As our procession neared, the temple came into view.

Perched like a white nest on a dark cliff, the Sanctum was striking in the winter’s twilight. Built from luminous white stones, it gleamed like a pearl against the stormy sea, soaring into the sky, its center dominated by narrow spires that rose injagged symmetry. The closer we came, the more the building’s sheer size became evident.

I exchanged a glance with Florence, who gave me a small, reassuring smile. I’d told her about Kage’s invitation. She’d been shocked but supportive.

Naveen was staring out the carriage window, wide-eyed. I knew he had been to temples before, but this was his first time visiting the Sanctum. Normally it was reserved solely for highbloods. There were other temples in Veilmar where blightborn were welcome to worship.

When the carriages halted, we were escorted out, faculty and house leaders guiding us through the outer gates.

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