Page 109 of The Bond That Burns

Viktor sneered. “Bold words, rider.”

I wished he’d have kept his mouth shut.

Nyxaris roared, a sound that seemed to shake the very cliffs. I hoped the ground beneath us was more solid than it felt. The Tribunal members froze, as Nyxaris reared up again, his chest expanding as fire swirled in his throat.

And then, with a deafening sound, he unleashed a new blast of flames towards the row of carriages that stood on the dirt road. The fire roared. Black smoke billowed into the sky as wood and metal melted. Some highbloods who had retreated to the carriages when Nyxaris had first trapped the Tribunal now moved to escape but it was too late. Their screams were brief, drowned out by the crackling inferno.

I glanced at Blake, suddenly immensely grateful he hadn’t attempted to take Florence and Aenia back to the carriages. His face was pale as he held his ground.

Tell them that was their last warning,Nyxaris’s voice echoed in my mind.

I turned back to the stunned faces of the Tribunal. “He says...this is your last warning. The next time, he’ll burn down the Black Keep. Then find you each, one by one.”

I could see the fear on their faces. I understood their confusion. I saw hatred there, too–on Viktor’s face, on Catherine’s. They weren’t used to dragons not listening. Dragons who didn’t remember their place in the old world order. They expected Nyxaris to behave, to fall in line, to be a weapon they could wield.The only thing they’d expected to have to fight about was who would get to wield him.

But everything had changed.

Behind me, Nyxaris’s massive wings began to spread, stirring the smoky air around us.

Wait,I said to him softly.One more thing.

Yet another favor?But his fury seemed to be dissipating.

Can you please tell them to leave my friends alone?I begged him.That girl over there, the one with black hair and glasses, standing beside Blake. They brought her here to use her against me. If you didn’t do what they wanted, they were going to...hurt her.

She matters to you?

My throat felt choked.She does. The little girl beside Blake. That’s his sister. They brought her here to use against him, too. In case he encouraged us not to comply.

Nyxaris turned his head towards the platform with interest.They fear the highblood boy possesses a rebel heart, do they?He spoke of Blake with more respect than he ever had before.

Viktor controls Blake. I took a deep breath.I think he hurts him to get him to do what he wants. And threatens his family.

Nyxaris gave a rumbling laugh.The highbloods are not kind masters. Not even to their own kin. Nothing about them will ever surprise me.

I was worried I’d gone too far.Yes. But Florence, my friend...

Very well,he cut me off.You have my word. They are included in my protection.

“One last thing,” I called out to the Tribunal. “Nyxaris says my companions are under his protection, too. If any harm comes to my friends, he says his wrath will not be contained to your carriages. Your castles and keeps will crumble to ash and you will burn.”

I was making enemies here today. Enemies of all the Tribunal members. I glanced desperately at Lysander, praying he’d understand why I was doing this. He met my gaze calmly. I couldn’t interpret the look in his eyes.

That is enough. You will reach out to me if they do not obey,Nyxaris said imperiously. I was sure he couldn’t wait to get away from all of us.

Yes, I said quickly.I will. Thank you, Nyxaris.

He rose into the air and for once, I didn’t watch him go. I was too busy sprinting across the field, through the scattered crowd, towards Florence where she sat frozen on the edge of the platform, with Blake and Aenia. Blake’s arm was draped protectively around his sister, who clung to him, her small face pale.

“Florence!”

She practically launched herself into my arms.

“You’re all right,” she sobbed, gripping me tightly. “I was so scared, Medra.”

Then Jia was there, her arms around her daughter, tears flowing freely down her face. I slipped out of Florence’s embrace asmother and daughter turned to comfort each other. I looked over at Blake.

“Please,” I begged. “Let’s get them out of here.”

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