Page 172 of On Wings of Blood

His gaze locked onto mine and the world seemed to pause.

I watched his jaw tighten and his eyes grow dark and stormy. A shiver went down my spine.

He was displeased. It was the reaction I’d anticipated, the reaction I’d wanted. I glanced at Kage. He was smiling slightly, his eyes also on Blake.

I lifted my chin, determined to ignore everyone from House Drakharrow and focus on the man standing by my side.

Kage led me to a table full of students in House Avari colors. None of them were familiar to me, but they smiled in a surprisingly friendly way. One boy stood up and offered me his seat.

I took it gratefully as the girl beside me leaned over. “I’m Evie. Is this your first Frostfire Festival at Bloodwing?”

I nodded. “Yes. Pleased to meet you.”

Kage took the seat beside me, his gaze sweeping over the room before returning to me. “Forgive me for saying it again,” he murmured against my ear, his voice low and husky. “But you look ravishing tonight. You’re the most beautiful woman in the room.”

I felt a flush creep up my neck, but tried to mask it with a polite nod. “That’s very kind of you. Thank you.”

Next to smooth-talking Kage, I felt slightly awkward and out of place but I was determined not to show it.

Evie leaned over again, a mischievous smile on her lips. “Just so you know, Kage has never brought a date to one of these things before.”

I glanced at Kage, raising my eyebrow.

He shrugged casually.

I was about to respond when I caught a flash of red and white. Turning, I saw Catherine Mortis making her way towards us. The House Leader always had a bored, prideful air about her, but tonight, it seemed even more pronounced.

To my surprise, she was without her blightborn companions. Instead, she was flanked by two highbloods, one male and one female. They stood behind her, looking beautiful and similarly bored.

Catherine’s gaze, I belatedly realized, was focused on me.

“I like your dress,” she said, as she neared the table. Her tone was approving, but her eyes still held their customary superiority. “Black and silver.” She glanced at Kage. “Good choice.”

I wasn’t sure if that last part was directed to me or to Kage.

“Thank you,” I said, feeling slightly uneasy under the scrutiny.

Catherine Mortis lingered a moment longer, looking down at Evie. “Save me a dance later, won’t you?” she said, waving a slender hand.

Evie flushed with pleasure and nodded.

Then, with a small nod to Kage, Catherine moved on, her two companions trailing behind her.

Once she was gone, I turned to Kage, my curiosity piqued. “Were those her consorts?”

He nodded. “They’re not official yet. But her father has approved them. They’ll be in the Games with you.”

I remembered what I’d heard about Catherine. She preferred women. But she’d chosen one male consort. For breeding, I assumed. What a decision to have to make. But I supposed noble highbloods were used to those kinds of compromises.

“Where areyourconsorts?” I blurted out, before I could stop myself. “I’m sorry. Is that in poor taste?”

Kage smiled and shook his head. “I don’t have any yet. In House Avari, archons make their own choices. We’re at Bloodwing for years. I still have plenty of time to decide.” His gaze slid over me, with the hint of a suggestion.

I felt a mixture of intrigue and discomfort at the implication but before I could reply, Kage stood up.

“The orchestra is playing.”

I glanced over at the stage and saw that he was right. The Bloodwing Ensemble had begun to play and I’d been so distracted I hadn’t even noticed. There was Naveen in the front row.

---