Page 231 of On Wings of Blood

“Lord Drakharrow senses it, too,” Kage said slowly. “Something there. On the horizon.”

“Senses what?” I demanded. “Why don’t I sense anything?”

“Maybe you do,” he said softly, looking at me intensely. “Maybe you don’t want to admit it, even to yourself.”

I looked away. The only thing I was sensing that I didn’t want to admit to Kage was feelings for Blake that went way beyond hatred.

“I don't need your warnings, Kage,” I finally said, trying to push past him.

He held up his hands, making no attempt to touch me. “Just keep in mind what I’ve said. In the spirit of friendship.”

“Right,” I muttered, walking past.

But even when I got back to the First Year tower, his words lingered, sticking in my mind longer than I wanted them to.

CHAPTER 58 - BLAKE

The door to the chamber closed with a thud. Viktor stood at the far end of the room, his back to me.

I approached him with caution, well aware that nothing good had ever come from one of our meetings.

“You’ve been busy,” Viktor said, without turning. “Do you even understand what it is you’ve just done?”

I clenched my jaw. “Getting rid of Regan was the right decision. She made us look like fools. She made us look weak.”

“She made you look weak,” my uncle countered. “She made you look like a fool.”

“She was a blight on House Drakharrow,” I said stubbornly. “She took advantage of your kindness, thinking you would allow her to defy me publicly.”

“Ah, so that is what you believe.” Viktor rubbed his chin. “Lord Pansera is furious. But it’s no matter. I have other plans that House Pansera may be worked into.”

“I have no doubt about that, Uncle. You always do,” I said coolly, determined to stroke his ego.

Viktor turned to face me. There was something else in his eyes tonight. Something dark, something hungry.

“Marcus came to me with surprising news.” He closed the distance between us, stopping inches away. “Am I to understand you’ve solidified your bond with the dragon rider?”

I forced myself to keep my expression neutral. It wouldn’t do to look too eager, too pleased with myself.

It also wouldn’t do to tell the full truth.

“I have,” I lied, my voice steady. “I’ve fed from her. As I’d already made her drink of me, our bond is now complete.”

For a moment, Viktor said nothing, his cold red eyes scanning my face as if searching for any hint of deceit.

Could he tell? Could he see? I wouldn’t have risked it if I thought it would be so obvious.

I stood tall, refusing to crack.

I met Viktor's gaze and then I saw it. Just for a moment, but it was enough. Hunger. Lust. But more than that. The fury in those red eyes.

Viktor hadn’t expected me to be able to bond with Pendragon. He’d planned for me to fail, planned for Regan to rebel against the triad, for everything to spiral out of control.

And in the ensuing chaos, Viktor would have stepped in and taken Pendragon for himself.

Just as he’d wanted to do but hadn’t dared to do that first day in the Black Keep.

He knew more about her than he was letting on. He always had.

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