Page 30 of The Bond That Burns

My throat tightened.I’ll keep my promise.I hesitated.And I want to thank you. You have my eternal gratitude for what you did today.

Nyxaris’s laugh was different from his usual rumble this time. There was something bitter to it.You awakened me to serve your own needs.

That’s not true, I protested.I didn’t mean to awaken you at all. And I certainly wouldn’t be bothering you if my life wasn’t on the line.

For a moment, he was silent. The wind whipped around us.You make promises so easily, little earth walker. But words are fleeting. Tell me, then—what of the ritual? Even if it was an accident, can it bring back the others?

I hesitated, the weight of his question hitting me like a hammer.I don’t know. I don’t even fully understand how it worked. It wasn’t planned.

Convenient,the black dragon muttered.You meddle with power beyond your comprehension. Yet now you think you can find answers for me.

My frustration bubbled to the surface.I will try. I swear that. But you need to ask yourself something. If it was even possible to bring back the others, is that something you’d truly want?

I felt his wings falter for a fraction of a second.Would I want it?he echoed.To see my kin again? To hear their roars? Yes, I think I would.Then his voice darkened.But would they be free? Or would this cursed world of highbloods snatch them away as it always did, chaining us to their wars and their greed?

I still didn’t see how the dragons had ever been brought under highblood control. But I assumed that had to do with the rider bonds. Something Nyxaris had already firmly insisted he would not be allowing again.

Did you fight in the Dragon Wars?I asked tentatively.Were you there?

His silence was heavy.

I do not remember.His tone was stiff, almost pained.I fought in many wars. They blend together in my mind.

I sensed his growing frustration.

It’s all right,I said soothingly.We’ll find answers together.

He let out a low, guttural growl.Something of me was taken when I was turned to stone. You spoke of revenge. Payment is required. A heavy loss has been incurred.

I could sense his fury, his pain.Once you struck fear into highblood hearts. They needed you, yes, but they must have hated you, too.

That is true,he admitted.

You can strike fear into their hearts once more. If we act together. Would you rather be hunted and pitied? Or admired and feared?

Nyxaris snorted.Such simplistic thinking.

But it’s true, isn’t it?I insisted.If we work together, we can make them believe they control you–when you and I will know it’s the other way around. I will help you,I promised.We’ll find out who did this to you. It doesn’t matter how long ago itwas. Someone still alive must know something. We’ll find your missing pieces, too.

He didn’t reply. I took that as an answer.

And in that moment, I realized my relationship with Nyxaris was just like mine and Blake’s.

Neither of us really wanted to be in it. We were trapped together.

So here I was, begging Nyxaris for small pieces of himself. Just like Blake had to do with my blood.

Except, I told myself, Blake never begged.

What sort of person could turn a dragon to stone? What sort of person wouldwantto?

The sun began to drop as we flew on in silence.

BOOK 2

CHAPTER 8 - MEDRA

Nyxaris left me on the bridge leading to Bloodwing Academy. I walked slowly through the exterior courtyard towards the great double-doors leading into the school. When would I next stand here again? I’d only left the academy a few times in my first year as a student. Once to sneak out onto the beach for the bonfire party Theo had invited me to. That had been disastrous. Especially for Kiernan, the highblood Blake had killed.

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