Page 25 of On Wings of Blood

Sanguine Vinciti.

She followed my gaze and touched a finger to the embroidery with a look of pride. “Bound by blood. The motto of House Drakharrow.”

I nodded and stepped out into the hallway. She led the way and I followed her in silence, unsure of the right thing to say.

But I didn’t need to worry. When we reached the outer corridor, she spoke up again.

“I think we got off on the wrong foot yesterday,” Regan said, glancing at me as we walked side by side. “I hope we can start fresh. After all, we’re both betrothed to the same man. We’re to be fellow consorts. That’s practically like sisters.”

I choked on the air I’d just breathed. Now, I decided, was not the best time to tell Regan she was welcome to keep Blake Drakharrow all to herself.

I forced a smile. “I’d like that. To start again, I mean. I hope you know that I mean you no harm.”

“Of course, you don’t,” she said soothingly. “What harm could you do to a vampire, anyhow? I wasn’t threatened by you. Not in the least. To tell you the truth, I was worried for Blake. His uncle can be so hard on him at times. I wasn’t sure if Viktor was going to be happy Blake had brought you back or furious. I’m so glad everything worked out.”

I stole a curious glance at her. She really did seem different this morning. Much more serene and happy. Was Blake right and she’d simply accepted the new order of things? I watched as she tucked a gleaming lock of hair behind her ear.

“So,” I said, not really wanting to keep talking about Blake but also secretly dying to ask. “Is it common for men to have two wives around here?”

“Not always. There are many couples, especially among blightborn. Among vampires, especially highbloods, triads are considered the strongest formation for family alliances.” She looked at me and smiled slightly. “I knew Blake and I would likely be joined by another consort. I just didn’t think we’d be assigned one so soon. Or in such a very unexpected and public fashion.”

Well, that I could understand and even empathize with.

“Yes, it was... quite a shock to me as well,” I said, as tactfully as I could. Then I thought of something. “Are the consorts always women? Two women and a man, I mean?”

Regan shook her head. “Oh, no. There are all sorts of trios. Sometimes two men and a woman. Sometimes three men. It depends on the leader of the triad. Their tastes and preferences. At least,” she corrected herself. “It usually does.” She bit her lip. “Oh, I’m so sorry. I didn’t mean...”

I shook my head. “That’s all right. I understand.”

So, I wasn’t to Blake’s taste or preference, was I?

I debated feeling sorry for the bastard and then went with decidedly not. So he didn’t get to select his second consort himself and was stuck with me, who he already clearly despised. Cry me a river. At least he wouldn’t be stuck with me for very long.

I considered asking Regan more questions about the intimate workings of these triads, then decided I didn’t want to know. Itwas totally irrelevant. I wouldn’t be getting intimate with either of them. Especially not Blake. At this point, Regan was honestly looking more appealing–if my tastes had swung to women, which as far as I knew, they didn’t.

The hallways were bustling this morning. Regan was waving and greeting students as we passed. I saw many look at her in awe, then sneak a covert glance at me. She seemed to be deflecting attention away from me, which was a welcome benefit of being her new friend.

After pausing to briefly embrace a tall girl dressed all in black named Gretchen, Regan continued speaking. “So, we’ll head into the refectory and get you some breakfast. I’ll introduce you to everyone in our group. And then I’ll get you to your first class. Speaking of which, here’s a copy of your schedule.”

She passed me a scroll covered with neat black script and I scanned it.

9:30 - History of Sangratha

10:30 - Restoration

12:00 - Lunch

1:00 - Advanced Weaponry

2:00 - Introduction to Bloodwing Libraries

4:00 - Commencement Address

Regan peered over my shoulder. “Oooh, History of Sangratha. All First Years have to take it. Restoration should be interesting, too. Professor Rodriguez teaches that. Make sure to ask him about the history of healing dragons. Fascinating stuff.”

I eyed Regan in surprise. I hadn’t taken her for a history buff.

She tossed her hair over her shoulder and smiled. “I make sure to excel in all of my classes. It’s our duty to House Drakharrow.”

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