Page 29 of The Bond That Burns (Bloodwing Academy #2)

Warmth wrapped me in a cocoon as I blinked awake. The soft rustle of fabric and high narrow windows told me where I was: The infirmary in Drakharrow Tower back at Bloodwing. The faint scent of herbs and soap tinged the air, reassuring and familiar. This was my third time in the infirmary since coming to the academy. It was getting to be a regular little habit.

I flexed my hands, then shifted experimentally in the bed. To my surprise, I felt almost normal. No sharp pain. Just a faint, dull ache in my side where I’d been stabbed.

“So, you’re awake,” a female voice said. A short, dark-skinned woman stepped into view, her brown curls pulled back into a loose bun. “I’m Healer Ailith. I’ve been following your progress. We weren’t sure if you’d wake so soon. But you’ve been making a remarkable recovery.”

“What day is it? What time is it?” I asked, wondering how much time I’d lost.

“It’s nearly noon. You were brought in early yesterday evening.”

I raised my eyebrows. I’d expected her to say it had been longer. “I feel good.” Better than I had any right to, really. I felt almost ready to jump out of the bed, but wasn’t sure the healer would let me. Still, I wasn’t planning on spending another night in the infirmary if I could help it.

“That’s thanks to the spellcraft we used,” Ailith explained. “We were able to close your wound and accelerate your healing. Apparently dragon rider bodies are a little more resilient than blightborn ones.”

“What do you mean?” I asked, surprised.

“Your blood seems to make you easier to heal,” she repeated patiently. “Blightborn don’t respond nearly as well to restorative spells as you did.”

I turned my head and froze. Theo was lying in a bed not far from mine. His eyes were closed and his face was drawn and pale.

“Theo! How is he?” I struggled to sit up.

Ailith’s smile faded. “He’s stable for now, but his injuries are much more serious than yours. He was almost completely drained.” She hesitated, then looked at me, her tone turning cautious. “How exactly did it happen?”

The scene in the carriage came rushing back. Aenia, hunched over Theo, her fangs sunk deep in his neck, his blood dripping from her chin.

“I...” I hesitated. “Who brought Theo here?”

“Blake Drakharrow and Visha Vaidya brought both of you in.”

“And they didn’t tell you anything?” Alarm bells were going off. I needed to be careful.

Ailith’s expression sharpened. “Tell us what?”

I bit my lip. Blake hadn’t explained. He’d left Theo without telling the healers that his sister had fed on another highblood.

Ailith was looking at me suspiciously. “We were told nothing. The House Leader left you both and couldn’t seem to get away quickly enough. But he didn’t have to tell us. The signs clearly indicate this young man was fed from. For a highblood to feed from another—” She shook her head. “It’s a very serious crime. There will have to be a report. If the House Leader knows who did this to his cousin...”

“No.” My voice came out sharper than I’d intended. “If he’d known who it was, don’t you think he would have told you? Does Blake know you’re planning to report it?”

The healer’s brow furrowed. “We have no choice but to inform the Headmaster. This isn’t something that can be ignored, no matter who was involved.”

This was bad. Worse than bad. If the Tribunal caught word of this... If Viktor found out... I clenched my fists against the blanket then made my decision.

“I wouldn’t recommend that, Ailith,” I said, making my voice purposely cool and throwing in a little of Blake’s haughtiness. “I’d suggest you speak to the House Leader before you do anything. For everyone’s sake. He is ultimately in charge, after all.”

Ailith stared at me, then frowned. “Very well.”

She was beginning to look as if she couldn’t wait to get away from me. But I wasn’t finished. “Will he recover?” I asked, my voice tight as I looked at Theo, his chest rising and falling faintly with each breath.

Ailith pursed her lips. “He has a chance. But he’s very weak. Many of our techniques don’t apply to highbloods. When injured, their greatest resource is themselves. They’re usually quick to heal. The best way for him to recover would be to feed. But...” She shrugged. “He’s unconscious. He can’t take blood in this state. We’ll have to hope he wakes up soon.”

The implication was clear. Otherwise... I felt my heart tighten painfully in my chest. Blake was protecting Aenia, even though she’d done this to Theo—his own cousin. I wasn’t sure what that said about him. Something good or something terrible. Was he taking family loyalty too far? Or not far enough?

All of this was stirring up my own memories. Back in Camelot, my aunt and uncle had been ready to sacrifice themselves to save me and our people. Other good people had lost their lives protecting me.

For a while I’d been something of a wild, feral child. A little like Aenia. I’d never really hurt anyone though. At least, not intentionally. Still, the guilt of Odessa’s death would stay with me all my life. I’d made a foolish, childish mistake. And she’d paid the price.

The door to the infirmary suddenly opened and a tall, dark-skinned boy slipped inside. Vaughn Sabino. He wore a gold and purple armband that marked him as clearly belonging to House Orphos.

“I beg your pardon. What are you doing here?” Ailith snapped, marching straight towards him. “You seem to be lost, young man. I suggest you turn around and walk straight back to your own quarters...”

“Wait,” I interrupted, my voice hoarse. I cleared my throat. “He’s one of my friends. Vaughn is with me.”

The healer turned to me with a frown. “He’s not a member of House Drakharrow. You can’t receive visits from...”

“Look, you know who I am,” I said, forcing my voice to stay steady. “I’m Blake Drakharrow’s consort. I’m saying Vaughn stays. If you have a problem with it, I suggest you take it up with Blake. But I can assure you, he’ll side with me.”

Ailith’s mouth thinned, but after a moment, she nodded curtly and walked away, muttering something under her breath. Probably about how the dragon rider was as ungrateful and entitled as a highblood. I honestly wouldn’t have blamed her.

I leaned back against my pillows with a sigh and watched as Vaughn moved hesitantly towards Theo’s bedside, pulling out a chair and sitting down.

“What are you doing here?” I asked, my voice low. “How did you know Theo was even here?”

He looked over at me, his face troubled. “A note.”

I blinked. A note? My first thought was that it must have been from Florence. Though why wouldn’t she have just gone to Vaughn directly? Perhaps she was too exhausted. Or too afraid.

“From Florence?”

“No.” Vaughn shifted in his seat slightly. “From Blake.”

“Blake?” My head spun. “He sent you a note?”

Vaughn nodded. “He said Theo had been hurt.”

My heart sped up. “Did he tell you how?”

Vaughn shook his head. “Only that he’d been nearly drained and was in rough shape.” He hesitated. “Blake mentioned the healers had discovered Theo hadn’t been feeding himself properly.”

My eyes widened. “What do you mean?”

Vaughn lowered his voice a little more. “Blake said Theo’s been starving himself. Apparently he hasn’t been using the house thralls unless it was absolutely necessary.”

I stared at him, trying to process this. “But why? And why ask you to come here?”

Vaughn’s face tightened. “I don’t know why, Medra. Unlike most highbloods, Theo seems to actually possess a conscience. We already knew that though, didn’t we?” He looked sad. Was he feeling regret for not giving Theo another chance? “But as for why Blake asked me to come here... If I had to guess, he probably hoped I’d be willing to try to feed Theo.”

The statement knocked the breath out of me. Blake had reached out to Vaughn. Blake Drakharrow, who hated to show any weakness or vulnerability. Blake had admitted he needed help. He’d not only admitted it, but it sounded as if he’d practically begged Vaughn to come. And yet the idea of asking Vaughn, of all people, who’d already been through so much, for a favor this immense... I swore under my breath.

Vaughn’s gaze had returned to Theo. Now his voice was soft as he spoke again. “I thought Blake was exaggerating. That it couldn’t be as bad as he’d made it sound. After all, I’ve never heard of something like this happening to a highblood.” The implication being that it happened to blightborn all the time. I thought of the begging children I’d seen in Veilmar and felt sick inside. “I thought I’d misunderstood. But now, looking at him...” He shook his head. “I don’t know if he’s strong enough to even wake up on his own.”

“What will you do if he does?” I asked quietly. “It’s a big request, Vaughn. I’m not sure Theo would even want that.”

“I know.” The tall boy was quiet for a moment. “I’m not sure yet. I guess... talk to him? See if I can convince him to feed?” He frowned and looked over at me. “I won’t let him die.”

I nodded slowly. But before I could say anything in reply, the door opened again. Kage Tanaka walked in.

If Vaughn had seemed a little hesitant when he’d stepped into the infirmary, Kage looked the opposite. He appeared perfectly at home in his rival’s tower, even though he was obviously an invader.

Ailith swept in from the wings as if she’d been waiting for another opportunity to defend her territory.

“By the Bloodmaiden,” she exclaimed, shooting a pointed look in my direction. “I’m not sure what’s going on here today. But, out you go, Mr. Tanaka!”

The petite healer looked as if she were about to bodily try to heave Kage out of the infirmary. I eyed the Avari leader’s tall frame up and down. I didn’t think that would go well.

Kage raised an eyebrow. He looked completely unbothered. As if he owned the place.

I hid a smile. “Kage. It’s good to see you. But what are you doing here?”

“He’s leaving,” Ailith announced, moving to stand in his path. “That’s what he’s doing. Right now.”

I sighed. Ailith was not going to think fondly of me after today. Not when I was basically channeling Regan Pansera. Suppressing a groan of guilt, I raised my voice, “No, he’s not.”

My voice carried enough authority that the healer paused. She turned to look at me, shooting daggers with her eyes. “Miss Pendragon, you can’t simply make unilateral decisions...”

“Look, I said Kage can stay so he can stay.” I hated playing the consort card, but if Kage was here I knew it must be for a good reason. He wasn’t the type to make a get-well-soon visit. “You know what, I’ll make your life easier, Ailith. I’m checking myself out of this place. Kage will leave. But Vaughn can stay–for as long as he needs to. Do you understand?”

Ailith looked between Kage and Vaughn and I, clearly weighing her options. Finally, she threw up her hands, obviously fuming. “Fine. But I’ll be including all of this in my notes.”

I gritted my teeth, already swinging my legs over the edge of my bed and ignoring the dull flare of pain in my side. Kage was there in a heartbeat, taking my arm and gently helping me rise.

“Theo is the one who needs your attention,” I said to Ailith. “Please watch over him carefully. I know Blake would want that.” I glanced at Vaughn. “I’ll be back soon. To check on Theo—and you.”

Vaughn nodded. “Don’t worry about me. I’ll stay as long as I can. You can tell Blake that.” He glanced between Kage and I as if slightly confused. “And you can tell Blake I’ll make the offer.”

I knew what he meant. I nodded gratefully. “Thank you, Vaughn. Truly.” I turned to Kage. “Shall we?”

Once we were in the hall, Kage fell into step beside me, purposely keeping his pace unhurried as if concerned he might tire me out. “You’re surprisingly spry for someone who just came from a sick bed.”

“I wasn’t sick. Just...injured.”

“Yes, I understand there was an attack on your carriage while you were on your way back to Bloodwing,” he said coolly. “What happened?”

I glanced at him, wondering if he’d already gotten the story from Florence. My throat tightened. Had she tried to visit me in the infirmary? Had Ailith turned her away while I’d been sleeping? Or had she even bothered? If Florence and her mother never wanted to see me again, I couldn’t really blame them at this point.

“I don’t really want to talk about it,” I said finally, realizing Kage was waiting for me to reply.

He nodded politely. “In that case, I’ll get straight to the point. I came to tell you I’ve received some news.”

“News? What kind of news?” I asked warily.

“You’ve been granted permission to transfer to House Avari.”

I stopped walking. “What?”

Kage paused, slipping his hands into the pockets of his trousers and turning to face me. “My family has decided they’ll permit you to enter House Avari. Headmaster Kim received permission from Viktor Drakharrow this morning.”

My head spun. “Viktor is allowing this? Why?”

Kage smiled slightly. “Isn’t this what you wanted, Medra?”

“Yes,” I said with confusion, looking into his dark eyes. “I mean, I think so.”

I remembered what I’d announced to the entire Tribunal that day. That I wanted to break my bond with Blake. If I moved into House Avari, I’d be one step closer to doing that. He’d still have to feed from me. But we’d be separate.

The problem was... We’d muddied the waters. Something had changed between us. I’d let him get closer to me. Closer than I’d ever thought I’d allow. I’d fucked up. Confused myself and him.

I thought of Florence–cowering in the corner of the carriage. My heart squeezed with remorse. Whatever was happening between Blake and I–it had to end.

“To answer your question,” Kage was saying. “I have no idea why Lord Drakharrow approved the transfer. My grandmother didn’t expect him to. Perhaps this is the first step towards him giving up his house’s claim to Nyxaris.”

But the wry look on Kage’s face told me he didn’t think that was likely—and I didn’t either.

No, Viktor didn’t do anything without a self-centered reason behind it. And his reasons were never, ever good ones. If he was letting me go, it was because he thought he had something to gain—or something to hide.

The thought suddenly struck me. Was moving to House Avari the right move? Or would I be trading one prison for another? What did I really know about Elaria Avari anyhow? She played the kindly matriarch well. But that could all be an act.

I glanced at Kage. Tall, dark, and handsome. More reserved, more contained than Blake ever was. He’d treated me with respect. He deferred to my wishes. He was...almost courtly. Yet could that be an act, too?

I suddenly felt exhausted. Damn these highbloods and their intrigue and their lies and their games. Here I was, caught in the middle, trying to figure out who the hell I could trust. And it wasn’t easy.

There was only one person I knew for certain was good in all of this. And now I’d failed to protect her and her family.

I’d failed my friends once before. I couldn’t do it again. Moving to House Avari would mean being closer to Florence. Could I really throw that opportunity away?

“The look on your face tells me this isn’t the answer you were hoping for,” Kage observed.

I tried to smile. “No, it is. I just...”

“Very well. You may have a day.”

“A day?”

“One day to consider what you really want. No longer.” He studied my face. “House Avari will not use compulsion on you, Medra. We want you only if you want us.”

I opened my mouth, but he cut me off again. “There’s more.”

“More?” I repeated.

He shot me a rueful grin. “But based on your reaction to my first piece of news, I’m not sure you’ll like this one any better.”

“What is it? Tell me.” My voice was sharp. I tried to soften it. “Please. I really do appreciate everything you’ve tried to do for me, Kage. Really.”

He nodded. “Very well. I’ve found a way—potentially—for you to break the bond between you and Blake.”

My heart froze. “You’ve what?”

Kage’s calm expression didn’t waver. “But I don’t think you’re going to like what it entails. There’s also absolutely no guarantee it would work.”

“Tell me,” I said quickly, stepping closer. “I need to know.”

“There’s an ancient ritual...”

Laughter broke from me. “Yes, isn’t there always?”

He gave me a strange look and I remembered he didn’t know about the first ritual I’d done.

“I’m sorry,” I said, clearing my throat and trying to be as calm as he was. “Go ahead. I’m ready.”

He started speaking. This time I let him continue, uninterrupted.