Page 174 of On Wings of Blood

I couldn’t leave. I was obligated to be here as House Leader.

And as House Leaders, Tanaka and I were also not permitted to attack one another. No matter how much I might long to break that rule, I knew I’d be in a huge pile of shit if I did. Worse than what had nearly happened to Pendragon when she attacked me.

Everywhere I looked, I saw Pendragon and Kage.

As soon as the orchestra began to play, Tanaka led her up to dance.

I had to admit, Tanaka had good taste. It was clear he’d picked out the gown for Pendragon. The neckline was certainly low enough. My colors would have suited her better, but even in black and silver she was absolutely gorgeous. Her fiery red hair gleamed against the dark fabric of the gown. The dress was striking, revealing, clinging to every curve of her body in a way that made my throat go dry.

It killed me to watch Kage lead her around the room.

I’d stalked in a circle and now I’d reached the Drakharrow group again.

Regan was talking too much, laughing too loudly. She touched my arm and tried to pull me back into the group but I yankedaway. I knew I was being an asshole, but I hadn’t asked her to the ball tonight and it pissed me off that she was acting as if I had.

I hadn’t asked anyone. I knew Pendragon would have turned me down flat. The idea of that rejection was just too much to stomach.

A slow song started and I watched as Kage put his hands on Pendragon’s waist, guiding her into the steps of the melody.

Every instinct in my body was telling me to march across the floor and rip her away from him.

The idea that Kage might actually believe that this night might end with him in Pendragon’s bed made my blood boil. There was no way I was going to let that happen.

I reminded myself that I was the only man in the room who knew what she looked like beneath all of that silk and silver. I could remember every detail. The perfection of her breasts, the curve of her hips, those long luscious legs.

I stole a glance at the dance floor, stealing a glance at the swell of her breasts as they lifted against the satin edge of the black dress.

I imagined pulling the edge of the gown down and exposing the tip of one straining nipple to the cool night air as my hot mouth landed on it.

Fuck. I had to stop torturing myself or I’d be hard all night.

Kage might think this was all just some game. A move to rile me up by flaunting Pendragon. But I knew her better than that. Didn’t I? She was stubborn, defiant, and there was no way she’d let Kage put her in his little box.

I hoped I was right.

And yet, as Kage spun her around and I watched her face light up in a smile that seemed genuine, my fists clenched at my side. She’d never smiled at me like that. She seemed happy. Like she was really having fun.

I’d known she would laugh in my face if I’d extended an invitation tonight. But now, as I watched her with Kage, I felt a sting of regret for not even trying.

I needed a drink. Something to take the edge off.

I reached the bar and ordered a glass of bloodwine. I needed something strong enough to drown out the image of Kage and Pendragon swaying in each other’s arms on the dance floor.

Just as the bartender handed me the goblet, I heard a familiar voice beside me. I turned to see Kage, ordering two drinks–one for himself and one for Pendragon.

“Bloodwine for myself and spiced wine for the lady,” Kage said smoothly.

I drained my glass and then slammed it down, feeling the stem snap. The bartender took one look at me and quickly swept it away.

I turned to face Kage. “Spiced wine? Really? How do you know what she likes to drink?”

Kage turned slowly to look at me. “It’s the little things, Drakharrow. When you spend enough time with someone, you pick up on them.”

I clenched my jaw, as he smirked. “You think spending a few hours at a dance means you know her? You don't know a damn thing about her.”

Kage wasn’t even in any of our classes. House Avari had their own Advanced Weaponry sessions. When had he spent time with her? Had they been seeing each other without my realizing it?

Kage leaned casually against the bar. “I'm getting to know her. Medra’s full of surprises, isn’t she? There’s so much more to her than meets the eye.”

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