Page 20 of The Bond That Burns

Lysander, to his credit, did not flinch under Viktor or Lord Mortis’s attacks. He simply folded his hands in his lap. He must have known his suggestions would be laughed at. But he had spoken anyway. He’d stood up for what he believed. Of course, the real question was, did the rest of House Orphos feel the same way he did or was he an outlier among them?

Lord Pansera looked a little desperate as he stood on the podium, slamming his palm down on the wood over and over as he tried to regain control of the room. “Order! This Tribunal will come to order.”

Finally, the ruckus subsided.

Part of me longed to turn and look at Blake. He had reacted so strongly to Lord Mortis’s suggestion. But how had he reacted to Lysander’s? The idea that I might belong only to myself and not to him or to his house must have seemed unthinkable to him.

Finally, I couldn’t stand it any longer. I turned and glanced back at where Blake sat beside Theo. He looked dazed. Not angry. Simply... confused, if it could be called that.

Lady Avari rose to her feet, smoothing the skirt of her robe. “If I may, Arbiter...”

Lord Pansera looked at her with something like relief. “Lady Avari, certainly. You may speak.”

I felt the crowd settle down a little more, calmed by this poised highblood woman. Her gaze swept the room, her dark eyes sharp and calculating.

“My lords and ladies,” Elaria began. “We have heard much today about claims and entitlements. Have we not? But what we have yet to discuss is the rare opportunity that lies before us.”

Her dark eyes fixed on me. “The awakening of Nyxaris is not a calamity, nor is it a mistake. It is a chance. A chance to correct certain imbalances that have persisted for far too long.”

I frowned, uncertain of what she meant.

Lady Avari paused, then gestured at Viktor. “Lord Viktor Drakharrow has, for years, consolidated power around himself and his house, to the detriment of the rest of Sangratha. The dragon’s return is a sign that such unchecked attempts at dominance must come to an end.”

Viktor was on his feet in an instant, his voice loud as a thunderclap. “This is outrageous! You overstep, Elaria—”

“Sit down, Viktor.” Lady Avari’s voice cut through his outburst like a knife. “You’ll have your turn. But first you will hear me speak.”

The room seemed to give a collective gasp as Viktor hesitated, his jaw tight, his eyes flashing crimson. Reluctantly, he sat back down, wearing the expression of a scolded schoolboy.

Lady Avari turned back to the crowd as though there had been no interruption.

“It is clear to me,” she said, her voice icy. “That Medra Pendragon’s fate was left in the wrong hands. She should neverhave been permitted to become betrothed to Blake Drakharrow. That bond was forged under duress and with no consideration for the girl’s well-being—or for the balance of power among our houses.”

It was pretty clear which one of those was more important to Elaria, but I appreciated her at least pretending to care about my well-being. It was certainly more than Viktor had ever done.

Lady Avari’s dark eyes softened slightly as she looked at me. “Consequently, I propose that Medra Pendragon be allowed to choose a new archon.”

My jaw may have actually dropped.

“Someone who will better represent her interests and those of our collective houses,” she went on.

“And you propose that archon be your grandson, Kage Tanaka, no doubt, do you, Elaria?” Lord Mortis’s voice was dry and he made no move to stand.

There were ripples of laughter through the crowd, but they seemed good-natured. Lady Avari was clearly well-liked by many of her peers.

Elaria smiled. “I do, of course, Lord Mortis. Kage would be a fine archon for the rider and he has no other consorts.”

My eyes widened. The room exploded into chaos.

I didn’t have to bother turning around to know Blake was back on his feet. But before he could raise his voice again, Viktor’s voice broke through the uproar.

“Impossible,” I heard him shout.

The clamor of the crowd continued.

“Impossible,” Viktor roared over the continuing chatter. “Absolutely impossible.”

The chamber fell silent.

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