Page 50 of The Bond That Burns

“Not to mention teaching the dragon to demonstrate the proper submission,” Professor Hassan went on.

I didnotsee that going over well.

“You’ll prove that the beast obeys you.” Hassan’s cane struck the floor for emphasis. “Your first public evaluation has already been scheduled for next month. You’ll be expected to showcase a number of maneuvers which are of strategic importance. I suggest you start preparing immediately.”

I stared at her. “And if I can’t?”

“Can’t? You can’t afford that possibility, I assure you. Understand this, Miss Pendragon: the Tribunal spared you because you represent potential. They want to see if that potential can be harnessed for the good of the realm. If they cannot get results by using the carrot then they will turn to the stick.”

“What the hell is that supposed to mean?” I demanded.

Hassan’s smile was scathing. What a horrid woman. She was enjoying this. “Do I really need to explain it? Do you think your friends will be immune to punishment if you fail? Little Florence Shen, for example. A brilliant pupil. But do you believe she is untouchable? Do you want her to end up like your friend Naveen?”

I froze. Naveen’s face flashed in my mind. The way his entire essence had been distorted into something twisted and monstrous. The awful moment when I’d been forced to kill him during the Consort Games. My stomach churned.

“He failed and so did you,” Hassan said bluntly, dismissing my pain and Naveen’s life. “Mr. Sharma could not meet Bloodwing’s high standards. If you think the four great houses would hesitate to make another example of one of your friends, you are gravely mistaken.”

I felt dizzy. I gripped the stone bench with both hands. Florence. They wouldn’t. They couldn’t.

Professor Hassan took a step closer and leaned towards me. “Your defiance endangers everyone who associates with you.”

I couldn’t help it. I looked up at her, hoping for some measure of understanding. “But Professor, Nyxaris isn’t just some instrument to be used. He’s an intelligent creature, just like you or I. He has more wisdom and experience than any of us, including you and Lord Drakharrow.”

Hassan’s eyes flashed. “Careful, Miss Pendragon.”

“But it’s the truth,” I said, barreling on. “You’re asking me to force him into obedience—as if I even could. He’s not a weapon. He’s not our property. I’m not going to treat him like one just to make the Tribunal happy. Have you forgotten what happened to Lord Mortis?” Maybe that’s what the Tribunal needed to be reminded of.

“You insolent child,” Hassan hissed, her voice trembling with fury. “You dare to mention Lord Mortis to me? As far as I am concerned, you ought to have been executed for his death. You believe you’re above centuries of tradition? That your feelings or those of that beast’s outweigh the will of our masters? You are lucky to still be alive.”

I knew she believed every word she said. I tried to breathe slowly. “I think that we need to be patient and treat Nyxaris with respect. It’s easy to preach obedience when you’ve never had to earn it. Nyxaris isn’t a mindless creature we can order around. But then, I guess that’s something you wouldn’t understand, is it?”

The words were out of my mouth before I could stop them.

We stared at each other.

“You ungrateful little brat of a girl,” Hassan spat. Her hand was shaking on her cane. “You dare to lecture me? As if you have any idea what it means to serve. To truly sacrifice for the greater good. You think your precious dragon sets you apart, makes you special? All it makes you is dangerous. You are a loose cannon in a world that needs order!”

I flinched but didn’t reply.

“I have spent my life proving myself worthy of the highbloods’ trust,” she continued, her voice trembling. “I didn’t stumble into power. I earned what I have. Every moment, every opportunity.”

I felt a twinge of guilt. She was right that I hadn’t earned what I had. But I refused to back down. “So what you’re saying is that you’ve earned the right to let them use you.”

The words slipped out, sharp and cutting. Hassan’s eyes widened with disbelief, then narrowed with rage.

“You arrogant little whelp,” she hissed. “You think you can lecture me on loyalty? You know nothing.”

“I understand more than you think,” I shot back. “I woke up in a burned out village your precious highbloods had destroyed. I saw Naveen die because he’d done nothing worse than fail a few courses at this fucked-up school. And now you’re telling me they’d threaten Florence, an innocent girl, and that sits right with you? You think she’d deserve that? That’s cruelty, not sacrifice. Look at you, defending it.”

Hassan’s composure cracked. “The worldiscruel, Miss Pendragon. Those who survive do so by aligning themselves with those in power, not by defying them. If you insist on waging this futile little rebellion of yours, you’ll be crushed and so will everyone you care about. I’ll be happy to stand on the sidelines and watch.”

She moved towards the door. “I’ll make my first report to the Tribunal. When they decide your fate, you’ll have no one to blame but yourself.”

The door slammed shut behind her and I stood there, staring at it, my heart pounding.

I’d just burned a bridge with Professor Hassan. Was our private class over before it had even begun?

I’d made things harder for myself. Harder for Florence. For everyone I cared about.

---