Page 32 of The Bond That Burns

My chest tightened with anger, fear, and something else I refused to give name to and I shoved him, hard. He didn’t budge, but it was still satisfying. “Fuck you, Blake. Go ahead. Show me what life would be like without you. I think it sounds too good to be true. But you won’t, will you? Because then I’ll see just how small yourpowerreally is.” I laughed, trying to make the word sound like a double-entendre and Blake reddened with anger.

His eyes narrowed. “I’ve been shielding you since the day you got here.”

“Bullshit. You wanted me to fail,” I reminded him. “You said you’d never mix your bloodline with mine, remember?”

“I...” He swallowed. “I think it’s time for a reality check. You don’t seem to understand the position you’re really in. How precarious it is. If I step aside, you won’t last a day.”

I refused to be intimidated. After all, what was the worst that could happen? He needed me alive. “I don’t need your help and I certainly don’t want it. I never did.”

He chuckled arrogantly. “I’ll enjoy watching you learn the hard way.”

“You’re such a highblood bastard,” I hissed.

“And you’re a liar,” he shot back. “You talk about breaking our bond. As if it’s even possible. And as if you’d really want that.”

I was trembling. I stared back at him, hating the cruel satisfaction in his gray eyes. But worse than the anger was the flicker of something deeper. Something that felt suspiciously like longing. I crushed it mercilessly.

“You think I’m bluffing?” I said, my voice shaking with fury. “Believe me, I’m not. I’ll find a way. And once I do, I’ll never look back.”

Something passed over his face. A crack in the mask. But it was gone in an instant, replaced by an infuriating mocking smile.

“Good luck with that,” he said, stepping away from me. “Welcome back to Bloodwing, Pendragon. I’ll be watching.”

With that, he turned and walked away, leaving me standing alone, heart pounding and resolve hardening.

I’d find a way to break free of these unbearable chains. And I’d make sure Nyxaris never bowed to House Drakharrow. Not now. Not ever.

At least what was left of the day improved from there.

A present was waiting for me in my room when I returned to Drakharrow Tower.

I stepped into the room and froze, my tension evaporating into surprise.

Sitting cross-legged on my bed reading a book and looking as if she’d been patiently waiting for hours was Florence Shen.

“Florence!” I exclaimed.

“Medra!” Florence jumped up, her long dark hair swishing as she flew into my arms for a hug. “I thought you were never coming back! They wouldn’t tell me anything except that you were still at the Tribunal.”

I thought about where I’d actually just come from and decided it could wait.

Florence tugged me over to the bed and I realized she’d made herself at home. Not only had she brought a stack of books—already studying ahead of the start of classes, no doubt—but a teapot and pair of mugs sat on my desk alongside a plate of pastries.

“I thought you could use some calming tea,” Florence explained. “Though it’s cold now. My mother made it from a family recipe.”

I smiled gratefully. “I’ll drink it cold. I don’t mind. It was very sweet of you.”

“How did the Tribunal go? I’ve been waiting and waiting here...” She trailed off and for the first time I realized how tense she was, what she must have thought as she sat all alone waiting to see if I’d ever come back.

“Everything is going to be all right,” I said quickly. It was more or less the truth, at least for now. “They’re letting me stay at Bloodwing. They’re not going to execute me, if that’s what you’re worried about.”

The joke was supposed to be lighthearted but then I saw the look on Florence’s face. “You’ve been sitting here for hours, haven’t you? Wondering if I was coming back at all. Oh, Florence. I’m so sorry.”

She bit her lip, a single tear sliding down her cheek. She brushed it away. “After last year...”

I nodded. “Naveen. I know.”

“I can’t lose anyone else,” she said, her voice thick. “Not another friend.”

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