Page 59 of The Bond That Burns

Blake ignored him completely, his gray eyes fixed on me. “Funny,” he said, his voice dripping with mockery. “I could have sworn this was a House Drakharrow table.” He swept a hand upwards towards the banner hanging over us. “Yep. Red and black. House colors.”

Theo frowned. “It is. We’re...”

“And yet,” Blake cut in smoothly, his gaze sliding to where Florence huddled beside me. “I see an outsider. Strange. I wasn’t aware we were running a charity for outcast Avari.”

“She’s not an outcast,” I said sharply. “She’s my guest. There’s no rule against it, is there?”

Blake smiled nastily down at me. “Oh, but there is. House Drakharrow tables are for House Drakharrow students. Not for outsiders.” His eyes gleamed with malice as he leaned in slightly. “And certainly not for traitors.”

“Traitors?” I shot back. “What the hell are you talking about, Blake?”

He crossed his arms. “Let’s start with your behavior as my consort. You’ve done nothing but undermine me since day one. Or what about the way you fraternize with Avari students instead of supporting your own housemates?” He looked at the Drakharrow students standing on either side of him. “Tell me, everyone, do you feel supported by our dragon rider?”

Almost in unison they shouted out, “No!” The skinny boy beside Blake looked especially gleeful.

I grit my teeth. “This is bullshit. Maybe I should be questioningyourloyalty, Blake. You’re the one who’s done nothing but humiliate me at every turn.”

The refectory had gone silent. Every eye seemed to be on our table.

Beside me, Florence seemed to have shrunk in on herself. Miserably, she twisted her hands in her lap under the table.

Theo looked thunderous, holding himself very still. Even Visha, usually unflappable, was looking distinctly uneasy.

Blake let out a low laugh. “Oh, Pendragon. Humiliation implies you don’t deserve everything I dish out to you. But let’s be honest. You’ve brought this on yourself. Sitting here, parading your little rebellion with your Avari friend.”

I couldn’t take it anymore. I slammed my hands down on the table and stood up. Florence winced and jumped.

“Florence is my friend. That’s not going to change no matter what house she’s in and you know that. If you think for one second I’m going to let you bully her...”

“Bully?” Blake interrupted, putting a hand on his heart. “I’m simply enforcing the school rules, Pendragon. Something you’d understand if you had even an ounce of house pride. Or, you know, school spirit.”

“Enough, Blake,” Theo said suddenly, his normally easygoing voice steely. “This is ridiculous. Florence isn’t hurting anyone by sitting here. And Medra...”

But Blake’s hand shot up, silencing his cousin with a glare. “Ah, Theo. Always eager to defend the helpless blightborn, aren’t you? Disloyalty deserves consequences. But if you’re so concerned, why don’t you get up and join them? That goes for you too, Visha. Pick your side and stick with it. Either you’re with her or you’re with me.”

Theo looked stunned. My heart hurt looking at the betrayal on his face. “You’re asking us to leave? Because we’d dare to defend a friend?”

Blake’s face was cold. “I’m not asking. If you can’t respect your House Leader, you can find another table. Easy enough.”

Visha stood abruptly, fixing Blake with a disdainful glare. “Gladly. If you’re going to make an ass of yourself and our entire house, I’d rather not be associated with you.”

For a second, Blake looked furious. Then his face turned hard.

Theo hesitated for a moment, then stood up slowly. He cast one last look at Blake, imploringly, but his cousin’s expression didn’t soften.

“Come on, Florence,” I said softly, touching her shoulder. “Let’s go.”

Florence didn’t have to be asked twice. She stood up with a choked sob, grabbing her tray.

I swore to myself then and there that I would make Blake Drakharrow pay for humiliating my dearest friend.

Florence didn’t even wait for me, just started moving down the main aisle, her head down.

I started to follow her.

“You’re welcome at my table.”

The voice was calm and firm.

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