Page 43 of The Bond That Burns

Pendragon glanced down the stairs. For a second, her eyes widened in surprise. Then I watched as she took in the scene around me—with thralls scattered throughout the room and highbloods in mid-feed. Her lips tightened.

“Good of you to join us,” I continued. “We wouldn’t want you to be late for your first day of class.” I saw her flush slightly. The dig had hit home. Not that I’d be stooping to any of Regan’s petty tricks. No. My methods were going to be more...direct. “I wasjust explaining to everyone how impressive your dragon truly is.”

She met my gaze. “Really? How surprising. Must have been a short conversation since you know nothing about him.”

Nervous laughter rippled through the room and I scowled.

“Don’t sell yourself short,” I said smoothly. “After all, it takes a very talented rider to drive a dragon away so quickly. What was it? One ride and he decided he’d had enough of you? Not that I can really blame him.”

Laughter erupted. Laurent snickered obnoxiously. I made a mental note to keep an eye on him. He was trying too hard. Probably a spy for my uncle.

Pendragon didn’t stop walking down the stairs but her jaw tightened and I saw a flame spring to life in her eyes.

“I see you’ve trained them well, Blake. They laugh even when you’re not funny,” she said, as she took another step.

“Careful, Pendragon. That attitude won’t serve you well here this year. Not in House Drakharrow. Not with me.” I gestured around the room at all the highblood students. “You see, I’ve been generous so far. Feeding from you nicely. Asking politely. But that can change. Perhaps we should have our breakfast with the rest of the group from now on.” I lowered my voice a little as she reached the bottom step and shot her a nasty grin. “Tell me the truth now. You’d like that, wouldn’t you? Got a little taste of voyeurism and liked it, didn’t you?”

Pendragon paled. She knew exactly what I was referring to. Only a bastard would mention it. But so be it. I’d be that bastard.

She didn’t stop walking, heading for the door that led to the hall and to the rest of the academy.

“Oh, don’t rush off.” I moved swiftly to block her path. “We haven’t even gone over the new rules yet. For instance, if you want to stay in my house, you need to start showing the proper respect. Kiss the ring, Pendragon.” I held out my hand and showed her the Drakharrow ring I was wearing—a gold dragon eating its own tail. “Come on now, it’s tradition.”

She stepped up to me, her chin lifting. “Respect? What a strange word coming from someone who thinks humiliation is an effective leadership tactic.”

I leaned in slightly. “You have no idea what being under my command really means. But I’d be happy to teach you.”

“Thanks, but I’ll pass,” she said coolly.

The tension between us was as hot as a flame. I could feel the others’ eyes on us. They were eating this up.

But this next part wasn’t for their ears.

“Out,” I barked abruptly, my voice echoing through the large room.

Around us students stopped feeding and leaped to their feet, grabbing books and bags. Laurent hesitated, but I glared at him and he hastily headed for the door.

The thralls were last to go, but they soon scurried out, heading back to their quarters in the tower. When the door shut behind the last of them, I turned back to Pendragon.

“You know, I’ve been patient,” I said. “More patient than you deserve.”

She crossed her arms. “And here I thought you were just biding your time and trying to find a new way to ruin my life.”

I ignored the jab and stepped closer. “Here’s how this is going to work. You’ll stay away from Kage Tanaka. In fact, you’ll stay away from anyone belonging to House Avari entirely.”

She laughed—a short, bitter sound. “You’re serious? What are you going to do if I don’t?”

I growled. “Don’t push me. We have a balance going on right now. But that can all change.”

“Balance? You mean when you take my blood? Right. That’s really balanced. Completely normal. Just your average relationship.” She shook her head angrily. “How about this? I’ll talk to whoever I want to and I’ll go wherever I want to and you’ll stay the fuck away from me except when its little doggy’s feeding time.”

I bristled with rage. “You think this is a fucking joke?”

She sobered. “I don’t think any of this is actually funny, no, if that’s what you’re asking.” She tilted her head. “Have you ever stopped to think about it, Blake? About what this so-called bond is doing to us? Look at you. Trying to control me when you don’t evenlikeme.”

I opened my mouth then closed it again.

“And being forced to feed from me. Why does it have to be like this? Why do we both have to be miserable?”

---