Page 27 of The Bond That Burns (Bloodwing Academy #2)

The winds tore across the cliffs, carrying the salt spray of the sea as waves crashed on the jagged rocks below. In the distance, I could make out the dark spires of the city of Veilmar.

An open field had been adapted for the Tribunal’s evaluation. Now spectators gathered along the edge of the cliffs waiting for the event to begin—as if it were some sort of entertainment and not a day of judgement. Most of them were here for the spectacle. They didn’t care what the stakes were. I hated them for that.

Pendragon and I had gone about our business separately the past week. I didn’t think she was avoiding me. Just distracted. We’d met the night before, just for a brief feeding. And by feeding, I meant we’d fucked and then she’d let me feed. I think it calmed her down. She’d fallen asleep in my bed before I’d even stopped drinking from her. I’d pulled out my fangs, tucked her in, even pulled a pair of my socks onto her feet because they felt too cold.

When I woke up in the morning, she was already gone.

I looked around me at the highbloods who had come from all over the region. There seemed to be even more there today then had been at the Tribunal hearing. Their rich clothing was a contrast to that of the simpler garb of the few blightborn who were scattered among them.

I stood at the edge of the crowd with my hands shoved into the pockets of the long black coat I wore. I’d ridden over here half an hour ago, tethering my horse far enough away that it wouldn’t be spooked when Nyxaris arrived.

Now I gazed around. An elevated platform had been erected in the center of the field. Rows of wooden chairs had been placed on it, along with tall banners that whipped in the wind and bore the sigils of the four great houses.

I scanned the gathering, finding some familiar faces. Professor Rodriguez stood to one side of the platform, his gray cloak billowing as he and Professor Sankara spoke to a petite blightborn woman who looked vaguely familiar. Then I realized who she must be. Jia Shen. Florence’s mother. She had the same dark hair and dark eyes as her daughter. I knew Jia worked as a librarian at the school, but I’d never spoken to her that I could recall. Now I watched as Rodriguez leaned down, his expression calm as he spoke over the wind. I knew he must be offering words of encouragement—I’d told him privately what role Florence would be playing here today. But despite Rodriguez and Sankara’s solid presences, Jia still looked fucking terrified. And no wonder, the poor woman.

I heard footsteps and turned to see Theo and Visha approaching, their expressions grim. Visha was rubbing her arms. She’d only worn a light jacket and looked as if she were freezing.

“Where’s Medra?” Theo asked, looking around. He seemed to have mostly forgiven me for the display I’d put on in the refectory that day. Though I realized with a pang that I hadn’t actually apologized. Maybe Pendragon had talked to him. I suddenly wondered if she’d told any of her friends—or our mutual ones—that we were screwing.

Though as the word crossed my mind, I suddenly realized it wasn’t one I liked. Fucking. Screwing. Those words weren’t enough to describe what was happening between us.

I shrugged, forcing myself to sound casual. “Probably already off with Nyxaris. Maybe the dragon wants to make a grand entrance.”

Theo nodded, but still looked nervous. “Well, I’m sure she’ll show up when they’re ready.”

I looked at my cousin, suddenly really seeing him for the first time in a long while. He looked thinner, paler. What had happened to the loud, jesting charmer I knew? He’d somehow vanished in the span of a year. Ever since our uncle had Vaughn Sabino beaten and nearly killed. I hadn’t exactly been helping the situation. I’d made Theo feel even less secure in the place he should have felt most at home at Bloodwing–House Drakharrow.

As if on cue, the sound of wheels creaking made us turn. A row of black and silver covered carriages were rolling to a halt along the rough, unpaved dirt road that ran alongside the field. I assumed the regents and the rest of the Tribunal Panel were inside. Liveried attendants hopped down and quickly marched forward to open the doors.

Catherine Mortis stepped out of the first carriage, her head topped with a crown of woven silver braids, her expression cold and imperious. She turned back to speak with someone still inside and a moment later, Florence Shen emerged, looking frightened but composed. My stomach twisted as I watched Catherine lead Florence over to the platform and direct her to a chair.

My gaze drifted back to Jia Shen. Florence’s mother’s face had paled. She was gripping the edges of her coat tightly. Rodriguez murmured something to her, while Sankara stood with his hand resting lightly on Jia’s arm as if to steady her. The woman’s fear was tangible and I couldn’t blame her. Florence might be holding herself together well, but she was still a lamb in a den of wolves.

I knew I should be over there, probably talking to her myself. But what would I say? “I’m sorry my family is so fucked up and evil and involved your daughter in this highblood mess?”

Lysander Orphos was helping Elaria Avari out of one of the other carriages. I thought about what Lysander had proposed that day in the Tribunal hearing. I’d thought about it a lot since then, actually.

Then my breath caught in my throat. My uncle was emerging from another carriage. And there, stepping out after him, clutching onto his sleeve as if it was her lifeline, was Aenia.

My vision tunneled as cold fury swept through me. My little sister shouldn’t have been there. I’d made sure of it. Aenia was supposed to be guarded. Kept away from the public. Kept safe. Yet here she was, looking up at Viktor with wide, uncertain eyes, her tiny frame swamped by a too-large crimson cloak someone had draped around her.

At first glance, she looked like any highblood child. Delicate, pale, and strikingly pretty with her porcelain skin. But I knew better. Her mind was fractured.

Her eyes darted nervously over the crowd. Bringing her here was sheer folly. Not only for her sake but for the sake of the blightborn around her. For now, she was lucid, thank the Bloodmaid. But that could change in a heartbeat.

She didn’t belong here. She didn’t belong anywhere near my brother, who’d slaughtered her whole fucking family, or near my uncle, who clearly thought he could use her as his pawn.

I moved forward swiftly, stepping directly into Viktor’s path. “We need to talk. Now.”

My uncle raised a single brow. “I don’t have time for your theatrics, Blake. Step aside.”

“You think this is me being dramatic? You’ll see real theatrics if you don’t get Aenia back where she belongs right now.”

Viktor narrowed his blood-colored eyes. “Funny, Blake, to me that sounded very much like a threat. Are you threatening me?”

I growled. “Do I have to? After everything I’ve done for you and our family, why would you bring her here?”

“Perhaps your little sister—” He stressed the last word and I stiffened. “–Simply wished to see a dragon in the flesh. Perhaps she asked for us to bring here today as a treat. She is a child, after all.” He smiled slowly.

He knew Aenia was no real child. Her mind was fading in and out. Because of me. Because of my pathetic attempt to “save” her. Some savior I’d turned out to be. Part of me knew she’d have been better off dead than what I’d turned her into.

“Is there a problem here, Uncle?” Marcus stood behind Viktor, his hand tight on Aenia’s shoulder.

“Not at all. Take Aenia to her seat. I’ll be right behind you.”

My lips twisted as Marucs led Aenia away. The little girl glanced back at me once. But she showed no emotion. She reacted to me less and less.

I’d consulted a healer once, secretly. The woman confessed that she believed soon Aenia wouldn’t even recognize me. She’d simply want to feed.

The moment they were out of earshot, I turned back to Viktor. “She’s not a bargaining chip. You’re putting her at risk. You know what she’s capable of. Please. Don’t do this. I’m asking you as your family.”

Viktor’s smile was cold. “You should be asking yourself why I’ve brought her here.”

My fists clenched. “Fine. Why?”

“To ensure your compliance,” Viktor said smoothly.

“You think I’d rebel against you?” I said, barely controlling my rage. “I’ve done everything you asked.”

“Ah, but it’s not just you,” Viktor replied, his tone as detached as if we were discussing the weather. “Your little consort. I can’t risk the rider trying anything foolish today.”

“She won’t,” I snarled. “And that’s why the blightborn girl is here, isn’t it? Why do you need them both?”

“I need all three of you,” Viktor said.

So I was leverage here today, too. Strangely, I hadn’t seen that coming.

“Pendragon won’t care if you kill me,” I said flatly. “So leave Aenia out of it. She’s a child. She’s our blood.”

Viktor’s face twisted into a sneer. “Do not associate that foulblood animal with our family name. She is not of my blood and never will be. She is your great mistake.”

“My mother accepted Aenia like her own daughter,” I said tightly. “And my father...”

“Enough.” Viktor shook his head in revulsion. “You say it as if it’s a good thing. After all I’ve taught you, Blake. You should know better.”

“I care about the girl,” I said, my voice thick. “If she comes to harm, you’ll have lost more than her life.”

“You threaten to withdraw your loyalty? From me? You dare?” He started to walk away.

“Wait,” I called, my voice sharp enough to make him pause. “If she’s here, I’m staying with her. On the platform.”

Viktor turned back slowly. “I don’t recall that being part of the arrangement today, Blake. I’m afraid there aren’t enough seats.”

“I wasn’t asking,” I growled, stepping closer to the old man. My voice was unyielding. “Marcus can give me his. If Aenia’s up there, if Florence is up there, then I’m up there. Or do you want to explain to the Tribunal why your little piece of leverage suddenly went feral and attacked them all? Because I promise you, Viktor, she will if she feels unsafe. And you know damn well I’m the only one she really listens to.”

Viktor scowled. “You’re testing my patience, boy.”

I held my ground, my pulse pounding my ears. I could see he wanted to hit me. If he wanted to, he could end me, here, now, in front of all these people. It would be a bit of a scandal, sure. But Viktor Drakharrow could get away with it if anyone could.

“And you’re testing my limits,” I said, my voice sharp as a shard of glass. “You can use me. You can push me to my breaking point. But I will not leave them unprotected. Not the blightborn girl. And not Aenia.”

The wind whipped around us, stirring Viktor’s long black cloak as he studied me. For a long moment, neither of us moved.

Then Viktor gave a dismissive wave of his hand. “Fine. If you’re so determined to play the protector, go ahead. But remember, your presence there changes nothing. If you or the rider or that dragon step out of line today, someone will pay for it. And the Tribunal will not be on your side if you challenge me.”

I nodded, but didn’t rise to the bait. I stalked past Viktor and marched towards the platform. I took in Aenia, her tiny frame perched on a wooden chair beside Marcus’s hulking one. Her eyes met mine and for a fleeting moment I thought I saw gladness in them.

“Blake,” she exclaimed, jumping up. “Sit with me.”

My heart clenched. She could sound so much like a regular child still at times.

I tried to smile at her. “Of course I will.” I glared at my brother. “Uncle wants you. You’re giving me your seat.”

Marcus stared at me, then he shrugged and stood up. “Fine by me.”

He stomped off the platform and I nudged Aenia over, taking a seat in between her and Florence.

“No one will touch either of you,” I muttered to the blightborn girl, my voice low but steady.

Beside me Florence sat so still I didn’t think she’d heard me. Then she nodded stiffly. “Thank you,” she whispered. “Where’s Medra?”

And then we both heard it. The sound of beating wings.