Page 66 of The Bond That Burns

Around me the highblood students had gone still. I glanced at Theo and Visha. Their eyes were wide, their nervousness palpable.

I grimaced. Nyxaris was like Blake in some ways. He didn’t just enter a space. He dominated it.

What are you doing here?I demanded, reaching for the dragon’s mind.Why haven’t you been answering me?

Nyxaris snorted and a bunch of students yelped and backed further away.Why would I waste my time responding to your every petty whim?

I ground my teeth. So, the dragon was not in a good mood then.I wasn’t being petty. I’ve been trying to...

Were you skirmishing? What did this highblood do to provoke you?Nyxaris interrupted.

I glanced over at Laurent. The tall highblood boy looked as if he might topple over. Evidently this was his first time seeing the dragon up close.

Nothing. We were sparring. This is one of my combat classes.

And were you winning your match with the little highblood whelp?Nyxaris asked with only mild interest.

I was handling it,I said, my irritation flaring.I would probably have won if you hadn’t arrived and distracted everyone with your dazzling beauty.

Nyxaris’s rumbling laugh filled my mind, dark and amused.We could still win. Shall I dispatch your opponent for you? I have not yet eaten today.

That won’t be necessary,I responded hastily.We’re sparring, not trying to kill each other.Laurent was an ass, but I wanted to beat him fair and square–not by cheating and having my dragon eat him.

Nyxaris tilted his head, the light catching on his onyx scales. His eyes moved to Blake, who was standing stiffly at the edge of the ring, looking back at the dragon.And is this your instructor?

You know who he is, I snapped grouchily.He’s my... archon.

Ah, yes. Your mate. He is unworthy of you.I wondered how exactly Nyxaris had come to that conclusion. I knew he didn’t have a great opinion of highbloods in general, but he seemed to take personal offense to Blake.

He’s not my mate, I hissed, my cheeks burning.We’re bonded. That’s all.

Mm,Nyxaris said noncommittally.I fail to see the difference. He is a highblood. He drinks from you, does he not? The highbloods could never resist rider blood.

I bit the inside of my cheek.Yes,I admitted, feeling as if I were sharing something too personal.He has to or else he’d die.

Was I actually defending Blake? No, that was an explanation. Nothing more.

Nyxaris let out a huff that sent pebbles skittering beneath him.I already tire of him. He glares at me as if I’ve wronged him in some way. Is he jealous?He snorted.Now that would amuse me.

I glanced at Blake, who was still staring up at the dragon. He looked furious—yet there was something uneasy about his expression.

He’s looking at you because you’re looking at him,I said, rolling my eyes.It’s not exactly commonplace to interact with a dragon these days, you know. He’s not jealous. Though with Blake, who could really say?Why are you here anyways?

Perhaps I simply came to see how well you hold up under pressure, the dragon replied, languidly stretching his wings.

There was something brooding about Nyxaris today. I almost had the impression he was depressed. Well, more depressed than the last time.

Clearly, you have much to learn,he continued.Your stance was sloppy. Your focus wavered. And that boy landed a blow before I intervened.

You didn’t intervene, I replied hotly.Youlanded. I was doing fine before you showed up.

Nyxaris gave a low chuckle.Stubborn child. So be it.

I sighed.I know you love scaring everyone, but why are you really here?

He didn’t respond right away. Instead, he flicked his tail as if irritated.I grow impatient. Have you found something useful for me yet?

My heart sank.I’m working on it but it’s only been a few days.

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