Page 18 of The Bond That Burns

For the first time I wondered about the whole “prince” thing. If Blake was a prince, did that mean Theo was, too? Was Catherine Mortis considered a “princess” of her house? I remembered what Professor Hassan had said last year about the Era of Pretenders, where each of the four houses had tried to set up their own royal courts. Perhaps that was where the tradition of giving royal titles stemmed from.

I forced myself to focus on what Vikor was saying.

“By extension, whatever action Miss Pendragon should happen to take, whether intentional or not, reflects upon House Drakharrow.”

He let the words hang for a moment and I heard murmurs of agreement.

He turned his crimson gaze towards me, his expression inscrutable. “Miss Pendragon’s bloodline is clearly that of a rider. The last known rider to exist in our realm. What an incredible thing, is it not?”

Again, the murmurs of agreement. Was he actually trying to get these people on my side?

“This rare and precious lineage binds her to the traditions of dragonkind. And as she is bound to my nephew, Blake, her actions are inseparable from House Drakharrow’s interests.”

I clenched my jaw. Where exactly was Viktor going with this?

Viktor paused, letting his words sink in. “Therefore, it is House Drakharrow’s claim that Nyxaris awakenedonlybecause of Miss Pendragon’s bond to Blake. A bond forged by blood and by tradition. Without the existence of that bond, there would have been no awakening.”

I couldn’t help it. I gasped aloud. Of course he’d take this route. I should have expected it.

Viktor smiled down at me. To anyone else, that smile might even have seemed paternal.

“House Drakharrow’s influence clearly extends to this remarkable event. And therefore, the dragon is ours by all rights, for so is its rider,” Viktor concluded.

My body was trembling with fury. How dare he? How darethey? For surely Blake was a part of this. The dragon hadn’t awakened because of Blake. If anything, it had awoken in spite of him.

My mind raced as I fought to keep myself in check.

Lord Pansera turned to the assembly of highbloods as Viktor resumed his seat. “We have heard the claims of House Avari and House Drakharrow. We will now hear propositions for a resolution to this matter. Lord Mortis, the floor is yours.”

The room fell silent as Catherine’s father rose. He towered over the Tribunal Panel, his scarred face and heavy frame wafting pure highblood power.

“Lords and ladies,” he began, his voice deep and gruff. “Honored members of the Tribunal. House Mortis has always valued pragmatism above all else. For centuries, we have relied on reason to guide our decisions, ensuring our survival and prosperity. It is only after great deliberation that I present the position of my house.”

He had been away when Nyxaris had awakened, making a tour of his estates. It sounded as if House Mortis had a great many properties. Had Catherine been with him? I wondered if Lord Mortis had consulted with his daughter before speaking today.

Garrick Mortis looked over at me and I sat a little straighter. “When this woman first appeared, I suggested she be executed or mated with a highblood to secure her allegiance and ensure her bloodline remained within our control. I believed it was the simplest solution and so I did not disagree with Lord Drakharrow when he proposed betrothing her to his nephew.”

My stomach twisted. They spoke of me as if I weren’t even a person. Simply a bloodline to be used and preserved. I wondered when exactly the talk of breeding would start. I had to admit I was somewhat surprised it hadn’t already. Now there was a lovely thought. Bearing Blake’s children. Children who Viktor would no doubt try to use and manipulate for his own purposes.

Over my dead body. They were in for a rude awakening if they thought I’d ever allow it.

Lord Mortis paused. His scarred face tightened as if the next words were difficult to admit. “But I was wrong.”

I froze.

“The truth is,” he continued. “The dragons should never have been brought back. The power they represent is far too great for any one house to yield. For over a century, we have maintained a delicate truce.”

I remembered what I had learned about the Dragon Wars and shivered. House Mortis had once allied with House Avari. Was Lord Mortis turning his back on his ally now?

“Add to that the risk of rebellion...” Lord Mortis cut himself off sharply, as if he had said too much.

Rebellion? I shifted in my seat, trying not to look eager at having heard the word.

But Lord Mortis was moving on. He gestured to me with a blunt motion of one hand. “The solution is clear. This girl must be destroyed. The dragon should be hunted down and destroyed with her. That is the only way to ensure such a vast power does not fall into the wrong hands.”

The tribunal chamber erupted.

Death? My chest tightened, my breath catching in my throat. Was that really going to be today’s outcome?

---