Page 164 of The Bond That Burns

“This isn’t happening.” All the while I’d been struggling against Kage, trying to work my arm free.

His grip on my arms tightened painfully. “Medra, stop. Please. You’re only making this harder.”

I kicked him in the shins as hard as I could. “Go fuck yourself, Tanaka.”

But Kage didn’t even flinch. He was strong. As strong as Blake. This wasn’t like going up against Regan or Quinn. Just like Blake, he was built differently—impressively, almost terrifyingly so.

“Nyxaris is a threat to the blightborn, Pendragon,” Rodriguez snapped. “If he remains alive, the fragile balance we’ve had for a century will collapse. Do you know what will happen then? War. Chaos. The loss of lives will be immense. You don’t want me to do this? But what’s the alternative? Let a highblood soul-bond with you? Is that what you want?”

“No,” I gasped, still writhing in Kage’s grip. “But not this. What you’re proposing is evil, Rodriguez. I thought you were a good man.”

His face hardened. “A good man protects his people, no matter the toll it takes on his soul.”

My mother’s voice had been chanting in my head all this time, whispering words of bloodshed. Now I twisted and for just a second, Kage’s grip on my right arm loosened slightly.

My fingers fumbled between the folds of my cloak, finding the hilt of the blade I’d strapped to my thigh in my room in the Avari tower before coming back down to the courtyard. I yanked it free and shoved hard against Kage’s grasp. Then thrusting my wrist backwards, I drove the blade as hard as I could into what I hoped was his side.

Blade met flesh.

Kage howled. The sound was raw, primal, furious. Hardly human. The hairs on my arms stood up.

Still, I wasn’t going to stop. I wouldneverstop.

Rodriguez was shouting. Kage was growling. I ignored them both.

Again, Daughter, again,my mother encouraged me.Do not stop until he is bleeding on the ground. Fight now, for your life, for the dragon.

My fingers fumbled backwards for the dagger again, clutching its hilt and jerking it free.

Then I wound my arm up as best I could and drove my elbow into Kage’s stomach with as much force as I could muster. He grunted, his breath hot against my neck, but he didn’t let go.

The hilt of the dagger was wet in my grasp. I twisted my wrist as Kage felt for my arm, trying to pin me against him again. Witha feral snarl of my own, I slashed backwards but his reflexes were faster. His hand caught my wrist mid-swing, the dagger trembling in my hand.

“Enough,” he growled, his voice low and guttural.

He’s in pain, my mother murmured, sounding satisfied.Good. I never liked him. Always thought there was something strange about a man who could stay so calm.

I didn’t have time to roll my eyes. I was too busy trying to break free, pulling against the confines of my own bones, muscles, body. Every ounce of my strength pushed against Kage’s, but it was no use. He wrenched the dagger from my grip. The blade clattered to the stones, the sound ringing out like a death knell.

Panic surged in my veins.

You fight with a warrior’s spirit,Nyxaris rumbled weakly in my mind.But I would not have them break you here today, little wingless one.

“Don’t you dare give up,” I screamed aloud. “Burn them! Burn them both! Nyxaris, do it. Just do it, dammit.” I was sobbing. “Don’t let them turn you to stone. Nyxaris, please.”

Kage’s arms tightened around me, locking me in place. His breath was heavy in my ear. All I wanted was to be far away from him. I never wanted to see his face or Rodriguez’s ever again. “Medra, please. Just stop.”

“Never,” I roared, my voice cracking as my tears burned hot against my frozen cheeks. “Let me go. Now!”

My scream was raw, torn from deep within me as Kage’s iron grip held fast.

The dragon’s golden eyes flickered. They were dimmer than before. His wings dropped, the strength to lift them drained.

Their poison,he spat.Weakens me. I cannot summon flame. I am...sorry.

Don’t you dare apologize,I hissed back.Don’t you dare fucking give up either. You’re stronger than this. You’re stronger than all of us put together. Burn them, Nyxaris. I know you can do it.

Nyxaris let out a low rumble but it was hollow. Devoid of his usual power. His head dipped slightly.

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