Page 31 of The Bond That Burns (Bloodwing Academy #2)

The House Avari tower was on the opposite side of Bloodwing.

I hesitated at the threshold to the Avari Common Room, two canvas bags slung over my shoulder. My chest felt heavy as I stared at the door. I’d made my decision. I wanted to see Florence. But it wasn’t as if leaving House Drakharrow had been easy. In fact, it was harder than I’d expected. Not only was there Blake, but I was also leaving Theo and Visha. How would they see my departure? Would they think I’d turned my back on them?

Before I could raise my hand to knock, the door opened and a smiling girl stepped out.

I recognized her from the night of the ball last winter. “Evie?”

She smiled. Her hair was cropped short with points over her ears. Gold baubles hung from each ear and she had a ring in her nose. “That’s me. Welcome to House Avari. I’m one of the Wardens here. Kage asked me to show you to your room.”

Even though I remembered her warmth at the ball last winter, I was still caught off guard by her friendliness. I hadn’t known what to expect—or if I’d even be welcomed. I hadn’t thought that far ahead.

“Thanks,” I said, stepping inside and trying to smile back. The air was warmer inside the common room, with the faint scents of cinnamon and chocolate. I glanced around and saw some students sitting by the fire. One was pouring something from a kettle into a couple of mugs.

“Lucas is always hungry,” Evie explained, watching where I was gazing. “You can almost always scrounge up snacks or tea or hot chocolate if you come down here at night. Amazing we don’t have mice, now that I think about it. But I suppose the servants clean up after all of us when we don’t notice.”

The Avari common room was different from House Drakharrow’s and reminded me more of the First Year’s space. The large room was lined with windows and filled with dark wood furniture, softened by cozy throw blankets and soft pillows. The Avari colors—black and silver—were everywhere. Woven into intricate patterns on the blankets or striping some of the couches. I saw half-moon motifs carved into some of the wooden furniture. A large tapestry hung over the hearth depicting a pack of wolves chasing a stag through a moonlit forest.

“Your common room is lovely,” I blurted out. I blushed. “House Drakharrow’s is very nice, too.”

“I’m sure it is,” Evie said with interest. “I’ve never seen it.”

“Yes, there’s not much visiting between houses,” I said lamely. “Which is too bad.”

She shot me a look I couldn’t interpret but didn’t reply, just smiled pleasantly at me. I followed her up a winding staircase much like the one in Drakharrow Tower. Evie stopped in front of a door on the third landing.

“Well, here we are. If you need anything, just come and find me. I’ll be in the common room all evening studying for a test.” Her smile finally dropped and she rolled her eyes. “Professor Hassan.”

“Ah,” I said with sympathy. “In that case, good luck. You’ll need it. And thank you, Evie. You’ve been so kind.”

“Of course.” She winked at me. “Kage wouldn’t want it any other way. Welcome to Avari, Medra.”

As she disappeared down the stairs again, I pushed open the door to the room then blinked in surprise.

“Florence!”

The room was about the same size as my room in Drakharrow Tower, but this one had two beds, neatly made up with black quilts covered with silver flowers. Florence was already sitting on one of the beds, her legs tucked underneath her.

Her glasses slipped down her nose as she looked up at me, startled. Then her face lit up. “Medra!”

Another figure stepped out from the shadow of one of the windows. Kage.

“Welcome,” he said, with a faint smile. “So you decided to come.”

I nodded. “You said I had a day, but...” I took a deep breath. “I thought I’d better get it over with.”

If he was insulted by the way I’d phrased things, he didn’t show it. But his lips quirked slightly. “I thought you and Florence might appreciate some familiar company, so I asked her to move here. There aren’t many double rooms in Avari.”

I glanced at Florence. Her usual cheer seemed dimmed. I could see faint shadows under her eyes, as if she hadn’t been sleeping properly. My chest tightened.

“Thank you,” I said softly.

Kage nodded. “Florence and I were just discussing her mother.”

“Jia?” I said instantly. “What about her? Is she all right?”

Kage hesitated, then glanced at Florence before answering. “I’ve had the best healers visit her. Physically, they say she’s fine. But she obviously went through something very traumatic...”

I saw Florence twist her hands in the bed covers and winced. Jia wasn’t the only one.

“...And it’s taking a toll,” Kage finished. “She’s taking some time away from her usual duties in the library to rest and recover.”

“But...” Florence burst out, her face worried.

Kage looked over at her. “It’s all right. I’ve spoken with your mother’s supervisors, and she’ll be given all the time she needs.” He looked back at me. “I’ve arranged for healers to continue to check on her regularly. With time and care, they’re hopeful she’ll heal fully.”

“I see.” I studied his face, searching for any sign of an ulterior motive. But he looked sincere. “That’s very kind of you.”

He nodded. “Of course. Librarian Shen is a remarkable woman, as is her daughter. House Avari cares for its own.”

I glanced at Florence. She wasn’t blushing like she usually would have. She just seemed...despondent.

Kage was moving across the room towards the door. “I’ll leave you to settle in. If you need anything, let me know.” He paused. “Medra, one last thing. Your timetable hasn’t changed. You’ll be expected to attend the same classes. Perhaps in the new year...”

I nodded quickly. “I understand.”

Part of me was oddly relieved.

When he left, I dumped my bags on the free bed and moved to sit next to Florence on hers. She was staring down at her hands.

“How are you holding up?” I asked gently.

She shrugged, but her lower lip trembled.

“Florence,” I said softly. “It’s going to be okay. You’re not alone.”

She looked up at me slowly, her eyes shining with tears. And then, all at once, she broke. Her face crumpled as she buried it in her hands.

I didn’t hesitate. I slid forward, wrapping my arms around her. “I’ve got you. We’ll get through this. Together.” I paused, then added, “I’m so sorry. So, so terribly sorry. It’s all my fault.”

“It’s not your fault,” she sniffled.

“It certainly is my fault,” I insisted. “They used you as a fucking hostage, Florence. Your mother must have been absolutely terrified. And then, in the carriage...” I shook my head mutely.

“I was so scared,” she whispered. “I wanted to help Theo, but I didn’t even know what to do. I just...froze.”

“It’s all right,” I assured her. “You’re still here. That’s what matters. Theo is going to be okay.” I hoped that was true.

“No,” she said firmly. She pulled a handkerchief out of her skirt pocket and blew her nose. “No, Medra. You don’t understand. It’s not okay.”

“What do you mean?” I asked softly. “Tell me, Florence.”

She lifted her chin stubbornly. “I’m tired of being like this. I want you to teach me how to fight. How to defend myself. Next time, I need to be able to help.” She clutched her skirt, gripping it with her hands. “I can’t stand just sitting there again. Being so helpless. By the Bloodmaiden, I couldn’t even protect my own mother.”

I shook my head. “I should never have left you two. It’s all my fault.”

“You were trying to defend us. You didn’t expect Aenia to overpower Theo. She was just so... so strong, Medra. Unnaturally strong. She’s only a little girl, but...” She stared at me, then bit her lip.

“What is it?” But I already suspected what she was thinking. She was smart, my Florence.

“She was the one who hurt the blightborn child last winter, wasn’t she? Blake’s sister?”

I nodded slowly. I wasn’t going to lie to her. “Yes. Blake loves her, despite everything. He’s determined to protect her.” The word sounded strange on my lips. Blake and the word “love” didn’t seem to go together. Except when it came to Theo and Aenia.

“I understand. She’s his family.”

“She’s gone now,” I promised. “Blake’s had her taken away. Somewhere she’ll be safe and...won’t have a chance to hurt anyone else.” I sure hoped it was true.

“Good,” Florence said. “But that doesn’t change anything. I want you to show me how to be more like you. I want to learn, Medra. I need to be able to spill blood. When it’s necessary.”

I stared at her, my heart sinking. What was happening to my gentle, sweet friend?

The little scholar , a voice suddenly growled inside my head. How does she fare?

Florence? I didn’t think Nyxaris would even remember who she was. How did you know I was with her?

I can sense these things. He gave a deep rumbling yawn. Usually I do not bother. Your life is dull. No thrill of the hunt.

I was rather relieved to hear him say I was too boring to spy on. Yes, well, sorry about that. I paused. As for Florence... she wants me to teach her how to kill people.

Admirable , Nyxaris declared immediately. A brilliant mind paired with a brave heart.

She has the bravest heart of anyone I know , I admitted. She says she doesn’t want to be helpless anymore. But...

But what? You would not leave a little bird without wings, would you?

I suppose not, I said reluctantly. But she’s so gentle. Some people just don’t seem made for fighting, Nyxaris. It seems wrong to teach her.

She’s asked you to instruct her, he pointed out with surprising softness. You would do her a disservice not to respect her wishes. The scholar may be a soldier yet.

I don’t want her to be a soldier, I said wistfully. I want her to stay exactly the way she is. She’s perfect already.

Evidently she does not agree. Trust her. Teach her. She may lose interest, for all you know.

That’s true, I agreed, a little relieved. I’ll teach her the basics at least. I suppose everyone should know how to defend themselves .

I waited for Nyxaris to respond. But he was gone. Apparently I’d become too dull again.

Florence was looking at me.

“Nyxaris was speaking to me,” I explained. “He wanted to know how you were.”

Her eyes widened. “He wanted to know about me ?” The words came out as a squeak.

I nodded, then looked around. “Do you mind sharing a room with me by the way? I didn’t expect Kage to make you move. If you were happier where you were...”

“No,” she said quickly. “I think it’ll be nice. I mean, if you think so?”

I smiled. “I like the idea.” Maybe I could finally figure out what the hell a thesis statement was now. With Florence as my roommate, I’d have no excuse.

Bunking with Florence meant less opportunities for alone time with Blake. I supposed I’d have to go to him for feedings.

The thought of his mouth on my neck suddenly sent a tingle of anticipation running over my skin. I wasn’t sure if I could go back to the way we’d done things in the past. Maybe we could find a middle ground where we’d both stay clothed, but he could feed more freely—and less painfully for me.

“Of course,” Florence was saying with a doubtful expression. “Neville can be a handful as a roommate.”

I laughed. “Neville. Of course. How could I have forgotten about that unruly little creature? Just tell me our third roommate won’t wake us up every night.”

“Well, he’s with Blake almost half the time. But he does tend to get rambunctious some nights.” She giggled. “He likes to jump on me in my sleep. I’ve screamed more than once. But then he snuggles in and usually falls asleep. Like an extra pillow made of fur.”

I grinned and lay back against the headboard, thinking of my two new roommates.

Florence...and a fluffin.