Page 228 of On Wings of Blood

Headmaster Kim glared at me. But I knew he was thinking the same thing. She’d shown more self-control than any highblood in the room would have.

“It wasn’t until Regan had no other choice that she agreed to work together,” Pendragon continued. “And even then I had a choice. I could have left her alone in that dome to die when she was overwhelmed by the...creature. But I didn’t. I helped her fight that monster. I didn’t abandon her when I had the chance. Even though I know she’d have abandoned me.”

I felt a rush of pride. What she spoke of was mercy. Not a trait typically valued at Bloodwing. Still, I wondered if Lord Pansera understood how close he’d come to losing his daughter because of her own petty selfishness.

I didn’t see a thank you forming on his lips though. He wasn’t about to stoop to thank a blightborn, no matter what she’d done for his family.

Kim was watching us carefully, his fingers steepled over his desk. “Typically, an archon strengthening a blightborn consort with his blood would not be condoned in the games. But nor would it have been necessary in the first place, for consorts are encouraged to help one another. In this case, many other rules had been broken first. Perhaps the first and foremost, the one which governs consort behavior. I’ve interviewed a number of Miss Pansera’s friends. They’ve all testified that she was absolutely determined to refuse to assist Miss Pendragon in any way.” He glanced at me. “I presume you learned of your consort’s defiance beforehand?”

“I did. I learned of it and acted to thwart it,” I said.

Kim’s eyes flared with something like approval, which surprised me. “Very well. I see no reason to punish Medra Pendragon or Blake Drakharrow for what happened in the Games. Miss Pendragon acted primarily in self-defense. She drank her archon’s blood at his command. Unlike Miss Pansera, she deferred to his instructions. She did not seek out an advantage intentionally.”

I could feel Pendragon exhale beside me.

But Regan’s fate still hung in the air. I wasn’t about to let her off the hook so easily.

“Thank you, Headmaster Kim. Your judgment is fair as always,” I said calmly. “However, that leaves Miss Pansera’s punishment to still be determined. Before you discuss that matter, let me state now, before all of you, that I refuse to accept Miss Pansera as my consort any longer. She betrayed me and my triad. I invoke the Right of Dissolution. I hereby end our betrothal.”

Regan’s face paled. Her father’s eyes darkened with fury.

“Tread carefully, boy,” Lord Pansera growled.

“Silence, Pansera.” My uncle spoke for the first time. “Theboyis within his rights.”

Part of me was shocked that Viktor wasn’t contradicting me, that he wasn’t going to try to persuade me not to cut Regan loose.

I leaned forward. “Your daughter betrayed me, Lord Pansera. She defied me.”

Lord Pansera slammed his hands down onto the back of Regan’s chair. I watched her jump. “You can’t just throw my daughter away like she’s nothing! My daughter has been loyal to you and to your family...”

“No,” I cut him off. “I beg you to say no more about loyalty. Your daughter has no loyalty to anyone but herself and I think you know that. Good luck finding her a new archon.”

Regan shot out of her chair, her face contorted with fury. “You can’t do this. You don’t understand, Blake. Everything I did, I was doing it for you. Forus! I wanted things to be like before. Don’t throw it all away. Not for that blightborn bitch!”

“I'm not,” I snapped. “I’m not throwing anything away that’s worth having. Nothing but you, Regan.”

Her lips quivered in anger.

“Miss Pansera.” Headmaster Kim’s voice was icy. “Sit back down.” He turned his head towards me. “Very well. Blake, if your uncle makes no complaint, I will accept your request.” He looked over at Viktor. My uncle gave a slight nod. “Let the betrothal between Blake Drakharrow and Regan Pansera be dissolved. My secretary will notify the Sanctum and have the records adjusted accordingly.”

Kim’s eyes shifted to Pendragon. “But we are not through with Miss Pansera’s hearing. By highblood law, the death penalty may be invoked for her actions in the Games. Miss Pendragon, as the injured party, you may invoke the Right of Retribution. Do you wish to do so?”

Every eye in the room was suddenly on Pendragon.

“I...” she started to say.

But Lord Pansera cut her off. “Absolutely not, Headmaster. Go no further with this, I warn you. What you propose is an outrage. A blightborn cannot decide the fate of a highblood. If you are determined to continue this farce, I will have to demand the establishment of a tribunal.”

We all knew what would happen then.

“No tribunal is required for a disciplinary hearing having to do with a triad when all parties attend this academy,” Headmaster Kim said coldly. “But on the chance that you later wish to question these proceedings at the highest level, allow me to alter my original question to one that I believe no tribunal would take issue with.” He looked over at me. “Blake Drakharrow, as archon of this triad until a few moments ago, the final decision will beleft with you. Do you wish to invoke the Right of Retribution for Miss Pansera’s actions against both you and your other consort in the Games?”

I stared back at him. If I said yes, Regan would be executed.

I looked down at the woman by my side. Without having to ask, I already knew what she’d want me to say.

CHAPTER 57 - MEDRA

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