Page 125 of On Wings of Blood

“I was putting her in her place,” I said. “She disrespected me and I dealt with it.”

Viktor's expression twisted with anger. “You dealt with it? You made it worse. Knocking her around in private would have been one thing.” Of course it would have. That was the norm in our family. At least, ever since Viktor had become its head. “NowthatI could have condoned. But you fought her in public. The entire school thinks you can't control your own betrothed. A blightborn woman no less.” He spat the word as if it were toxic. I knew he valued Pendragon’s blood. That didn’t mean he didn’t simultaneously despise her.

My fists tightened at my sides. I knew what Viktor wanted to hear me say–that I’d failed. That I was sorry.

I couldn’t bring myself to do it.

“She could have been expelled for that fight,” Viktor continued, his fury plainly growing. “The Drakharrows have given buckets of gold to that fucking school. But Kim still runs it the way he sees fit. He could have had her executed. And I wouldn’t have been able to prevent it. I wouldn’t have learned of it in time.”

“But she wasn't,” I snapped. “He would have had to consult the board for something like that. Besides, I told Kim it was my fault. She’s fine.” I couldn’t help adding sullenly, “I didn’t ask for this, you know. I didn't ask forher.”

Viktor backhanded me without a word.

He patiently waited while I wiped the blood off my face before he spoke again.

“I’ve held back today. You must be wondering why,” he said. “The only reason I’m not beating you into the ground right now is because of what I heard about a certain blightborn boy walking around with some severe injuries.” There was a gleam of satisfaction in Viktor’s eyes. “I told you to put your cousin in his place. You did the next best thing. I hear you did quite a number on the boy.”

I froze, my stomach twisting. I hadn’t touched Vaughn Sabino. Coregon had been the one responsible. But Coregon was dead now. If he’d had been telling the truth, Marcus was the one who’d actually instructed Coregon to attack Vaughn. But evidently Marcus had gone behind my uncle’s back when he’d talked to Coregon. Anything to make me look weak.

“Yeah,” I muttered. “I told you I’d take care of it.”

Viktor nodded, pleased. “Good. I won’t have your cousin shaming this family. You did Theo a favor. The only thing I don’t understand is why you didn’t include him in your punishment. Or why you let the mortal boy live.”

I shrugged. “Sabino’s disfigured now. He might even lose the use of his arm. I thought he could be a warning to anyone else Theo might try to...entice,” I lied, feeling sick inside.

Viktor nodded. “Fine. We’ll try it your way. But another wrong move and Theo will find himself before me. You’re welcome to tell him so.”

I balled my hands into fists so tightly the nails bit into my palms. I hated how casually Viktor spoke about Theo and Vaughn, as if they were disposable. But I couldn’t let my real emotions show. Not now. Theo was my responsibility and I had to protect him.

“Of course, then there’s the matter of Kiernan O’Rourke,” my uncle said. His face darkened once more and I knew I was in for it.

“Kiernan? What the fuck was wrong with what I did to Kiernan?” I asked in disbelief. “I thought you'd be happy about that.”

“Happy?” Viktor roared. “His father was a valuable ally. Now you’ve destroyed that relationship with your hotheadedness.”

I stared at him. “But the O’Rourkes are with House Avari...”

“Allegiances can change,” Viktor snapped. In other words, Lord O’Rourke was a spy for Viktor. Or had been. “You have no idea the relationships I’ve been cultivating. The bonds I’ve been forging. All to strengthen this house, all to protect this family.”

To strengthenhimself. To gain more power forhimself. Viktor Drakharrow only cared about one man and one man only. He was nothing like my father. And yet his power rested on my father’s legacy.

He probably had spies in each of the other three houses. I wondered how many he had in Bloodwing, all scurrying back to tell tales about me to him.

“Kiernan was threatening to drink Pendragon. He disrespected me. I had to act,” I said, meeting Viktor's gaze and refusing to back down.

The truth was, I’d lost control that night. When he’d touched Pendragon’s blood, I’d seen red. Kiernan was doomed from that moment forward.

Kage Tanaka had understood that. Which was why he hadn’t intervened. Kiernan had been an embarrassment to House Avari.

Or, the thought occurred to me, perhaps the Avaris had learned about the O’Rourkes’ disloyalty. Had I punished Kiernan so Kage didn’t have to? That would put a twist on things. I scowled.

“Did you?” Viktor sneered. “Or did you just want to throw your weight around like a fool? Now I have to clean up your mess. You don’t think, Blake. You act without considering the consequences. You should be thankful I gave you the dragon rider bitch in the first place. Anyone else would have been grateful. Do you know the strength that lies in that blood of hers?”

Something in Viktor's voice made me pause. Something was off here but I couldn’t put my finger on it.

Then I recognized it for what it was.Hunger.

My uncle was hungry for Pendragon. He was jealous. Jealous of me. That...was not a good thing.

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