Page 58 of The Bond That Burns

She laughed again. “You could do worse than Blake. I mean that.”

“He’s controlling and possessive and vicious,” I said. “He doesn’t ask permission. He just takes what he wants.”

Visha rolled her eyes. “Do you know how many girls here want a highblood exactly like what you’ve just described? Blake is what he’s been trained to be. If anything, he’s less vicious than he should be. He’s gotten a little soft lately, to be honest.” She looked at me consideringly. “And I think you’re to blame.”

“Me?” I glared at her. “Soft? Trust me. He’s not soft. If anything, he...”

“Good morning!” Florence chirped, sliding into the seat beside me. Her dark hair was pulled into a neat braid. She set a tray down that she’d already filled at the buffet and eyed my untouched porridge. “You’re not eating, Medra? What’s wrong?”

“I’m eating,” I lied, picking up my spoon. I wrinkled my nose. The food was cold. But I shoveled it in, determined not to make Florence worry or stuff her satchel with snacks on my behalf.

Theo dropped onto the bench beside Visha and tossed an apple up in the air. “You two look cozy,” he remarked, glancing between Visha and I. “So, what are we talking about?”

“Blake’s love life,” Visha said, with a wicked grin. “Without Medra.”

Florence’s eyes widened. “Oh!”

“It’s not a topic,” I said firmly. “We’re not discussing it.”

“That’s right,” Visha said perkily. “Because Medra’s not jealous.”

Theo looked at me and grinned. “Oh, I see how it is.”

Florence looked confused. “You do?”

Theo nodded. “Medra’s not jealous.”

Florence looked more confused.

“That’s right,” I snapped. “I’m not. And we’re not talking about this anymore.”

“That’s right,” Visha said innocently. “We’re not talking about the girl who Blake was tongue-fucking in the common room last night.”

Florence’s eyes became wide as saucers.

“Visha!” I exclaimed. “That’s... inappropriate.”

Theo snickered. “You mean, in front of the children?”

Florence looked offended. “I’m not a child, Medra. You can speak about whatever you want in front of me.” She colored. “I might not be the most experienced one in the bunch, but...”

“Oh, we’ll change that, don’t you worry,” Visha said smoothly, causing Florence to color even more deeply.

“Yes, well,” Florence said, flustered. “I have a lot of work to get through this year. I’m not sure I’ll have time for any romantic entanglements.”

“Entanglements don’t have to take very long, Florence,” Visha said sweetly.

Theo laughed. “Leave the poor girl alone, you vulture.”

Florence changed the subject, much to my relief. “Medra, have you seen the assignment Rodriguez posted for Alchemy? We’re supposed to...”

But she was cut off mid-sentence by a loud, drawling voice.

“Well, well, what do we have here?”

I froze. Blake stood at the end of our table, a smug smirk on his face. A cluster of House Drakharrow students flanked him, including a tall skinny boy who looked thrilled at the prospect of whatever havoc Blake was about to cause.

Theo straightened up beside me. “Morning, cuz.”

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