Page 177 of On Wings of Blood

But this wasn’t over. Not by a long shot.

My eyes followed Pendragon as she disappeared into the crowd, clearly heading towards the doors. My heart thudded painfully.

I wanted her. Needed her in a way that was starting to be a problem.

If she wasn’t going to come willingly, I’d take a different approach.

I walked off the dance floor and back over to the bar where I tossed back another glass of bloodwine. The liquor mixed with blood went straight to my head. Just like I wanted it to.

I felt calmer as the warm haze filled me up. Everything would be fine. There was still time. I’d gain the upper hand, get back in control. I’d make her see that she belonged with me, one way or another.

The night was far from over.

CHAPTER 41 - MEDRA

I was shaking as I left the room, quivering with rage.

Blake Drakharrow could go straight to hell.

I swiped at my face, feeling the wetness on my hand. I wiped it away savagely. My emotions were a tangled mess. A knot of anger, hurt, and something else I didn’t want to even try to name.

I found a bench along the corridor outside the refectory and sank down onto it, leaning back against the cold stone wall.

I could still feel the press of Blake’s hands, lingering on my waist, and I hated it.

Students were beginning to trickle out of the ballroom, their laughter and chatter spilling into the hall.

I saw some couples sink into the shadows, their arms wrapped around one another. Some ran past me, giggling, hand in hand. Apparently the Dance of the Longest Night was also a great night for getting someone into your bed.

I hadn’t even said goodnight to Kage. Part of me didn’t want to. Who knew what he was expecting, what he might feel he was entitled to. But I had to give him credit. He’d been a perfect gentleman all evening, which was more than I could say for Blake.

I pressed myself further back on the bench, part of me just wanting to disappear. But then I saw Florence emerge from the ballroom.

“Medra, are you all right?” Florence asked, as she came over. “You rushed out so fast...”

I tried to smile. “I’m fine. Just needed some air.”

“Blake was being an asshole again?” she asked sympathetically.

I nodded. It was easier than telling her exactly what had happened. “How did your night go? Where’s Naveen?”

Florence glanced back. “He’s still inside, helping the ensemble pack up.”

With a pang of guilt, I realized I hadn’t even paid attention to Naveen’s solo. I’d been too absorbed in my own problems, first distracted by Kage, then by Blake. Naveen must have performed it while I was dancing with Blake.

I hadn’t heard a single note.

“I didn’t even really hear his solo,” I admitted. “I feel terrible.”

“He’ll understand,” Florence reassured me. “He probably won't even ask you about it. It went really well though. He played beautifully. Not a single wrong note. He looked so happy. Don’t worry, Medra. He had a good evening. This was everything he wanted.”

I studied her face. “Really? Everything? Did he...say anything to you?”

Her nose scrunched. “Like what?”

I sighed. That was a “no” then. “Never mind. I’ll tell you later.”

“Come on, walk back to the First Year tower with me. We can sit in the Common Room and listen to everyone gossip about theirnight,” Florence suggested. She winked. “And you can tell me all about Kage Tanaka and Blake Drakharrow fighting over you.”

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