The crowd quieted as Headmaster Kim stepped up to the podium at the other side of the Dragon Court.

His sharp gaze swept across the gathering of students.

“Welcome to Selection Day. Today, we honor those of you who have made it through your first year at Bloodwing. Today, you discover where you truly belong.”

All eyes were on the headmaster.

Beside me, Florence fidgeted slightly, playing with her hair as though to calm herself.

Visha stood up straight, her arms crossed over her chest. The highblood girl had no reason to be anxious. She was an official consort in House Drakharrow. As was I, I realized. Was this really only a formality where I was concerned? As far as I knew, no one had ever been assigned to a house other than the one their archon was in.

A large stone table had been set up beside the podium. Atop it rested the Selection Stone. The weathered stone orb was enchanted every year and imbued with the names of all First Year students as well as their placement assignments. Once a First Year placed their hand upon the stone, it would glow the color of the house to which they’d been assigned. Red for Drakharrow, silver for Avari, purple for Orphos, and white for Mortis.

Headmaster Kim gestured to the stone. “You will come forward when I call your name, one at a time. Place your hand on the stone. Once you have received your house assignment, go and stand next to the dragon for your house. Once we are through, your House Leader will take you to see your new dormitories so that you know where to go at the beginning of the new term. Let us proceed.”

I glanced around and saw that sure enough, the four house leaders had arrived. Blake stood at the base of the Inferni dragon statue.

But he wasn’t alone.

I squinted slightly as I noticed something small and furry dart around his legs.

I had to suppress a laugh as I realized what was going on.

Neville had somehow managed to follow Blake all the way to the Dragon Court. Now the pup was skittering around Blake’s boots, his fluffy tail wagging as if this was the most exciting day of his little life.

Blake’s expression had swiftly gone from amused to horrified. He glanced around, his face flushing as he scanned the courtyard, clearly hoping no one had noticed. Then he quickly bent down and scooped up the pup.

I bit my lip, trying to hold back my laughter as Blake, looking guilty as a child caught stealing from a candy store, stuffed the fluffin into the canvas duffel bag he had slung over his shoulder. The pup’s head stuck out from the top of the bag, his pointed ears twitching as he surveyed the courtyard, evidently unbothered by his confinement.

Blake’s face was still slightly red. I put a hand to my mouth to stop myself from laughing out loud. I didn’t think I’d ever seen him this flustered.

His eyes met mine as he scanned the crowd. I caught the faintest hint of a smile tugging at his lips before he turned away again.

Meanwhile, Headmaster Kim was reading through the list of First Year names. He’d already gotten all the way through the Cs.

I shifted back and forth on my feet restlessly, waiting with Florence and Vaughn for our names to be called.

Around us, one by one, students stepped forward to face their future.

Again and again the stone lit up in various colors.

Finally it was my turn.

“Medra Pendragon.”

I took a deep breath as the sound of my name rang out around the courtyard. Heads turned toward me.

I approached the Selection Stone, my hand trembling slightly as I raised it over the orb. I lowered it, touching the stone. It pulsed faintly beneath my fingers. I pressed my palm firmly against it, trying not to think of the last time I’d touched a magical object. The Crown of Bone.

The stone glowed. Vibrant red flared to life beneath my palm.

House Drakharrow.

I pulled my hand away and started walking towards the red dragon.

This had always been my fate. Right from the start. I was bound to House Drakharrow. Always had been.

So why did an uneasy feeling stir inside my chest?

The other students made way as I moved to stand beside Blake.

“I wasn’t aware that animals were allowed to attend Selection Day,” I whispered, tilting my head up to his ear.

He flushed. “Neville wasn’t aware there was a rule against it. If one exists, he believes it should be rewritten.”

“Neville can’t decide who he loves better, you or Florence. I think he thinks you’re both his pets and not the other way around,” I said with delight. “Or is it that you’re cheating? Have you been luring him away from Florence and the First Year Tower with treats?”

Blake shook his head, his lips twitching. “Soon Neville won’t have to make such hard decisions about where his home lies. Watch.”

Headmaster Kim had reached the surnames beginning with S. He called Vaughn’s name.

The orb glowed red the moment Vaughn placed his hand upon it.

“One down,” I murmured, bouncing up and down on the heels of my feet. Then I thought of something. I glanced up at Blake. “Did you...?”

He looked down at me. “Hmm?”

“Hmm indeed,” I said archly, as Vaughn walked up to us, wearing a disappointed expression.

I patted him on the back. “It won’t be that bad,” I whispered. “We’ll stick together.”

He nodded, but I knew this wasn’t what he’d wanted.

Had Blake selected Vaughn to try to appease Theo? Or for me?

Florence’s name was being called.

She walked slowly up to the orb looking extremely nervous.

She touched her hand to the stone.

Blake’s hand slipped into mine. “Don't worry,” he whispered.

My heart sped up. I hoped that meant what I thought it did.

Florence’s palm met the stone.

The orb glowed silver.

House Avari.

My heart sank.

“What the fuck,” Blake muttered.

I glanced at where Kage Tanaka stood by the black stone dragon. He didn’t look our way.

Florence’s face had fallen the moment she saw the silver glow. I could tell she was trying hard to keep it together as she walked slowly to join the First Years standing around Kage.

“I swear, I didn’t know,” Blake said in a low voice. “She was on our list. I’ll find out how this happened.”

“It’s all right,” I assured him half-heartedly. “There’s nothing you can do now.”

I was happy to hear he’d tried to select Florence for House Drakharrow for my sake. It would have been nice to be together.

I glanced at Visha standing a little ways away. Then Vaughn.

At least I knew people in House Drakharrow. But Florence was going to be all alone. I knew she was familiar with all of the other First Years. She’d helped most of them over this past year in her role as a warden. But Naveen and Vaughn and I had been her closest friends. In some ways, she’d be starting from scratch.

“There’s nothing to say you can’t be friends with students in other houses,” Blake whispered in my ear.

“There isn’t?” I was kind of surprised. “Glad to hear it.”

Because my friendship with Florence wasn’t going anywhere.

Blake shook his head. “It’s just... not common.” He was quiet for a moment, then, “We need to meet. Just you and I. Tonight. Find me here, at the Dragon Court, at midnight.”

“A clandestine meeting with my new House Leader?” I murmured. “Now that has to be against the rules.”

He shot me a boyish grin. “Not as far as I’m aware. The strangest things should be, but aren’t.”

I looked up at his profile, at the lines of his lips, and felt myself blushing slightly as I remembered our interrupted kiss from the day before.

I knew I’d be there to meet him that night. Rules or no rules.

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CHAPTER 60 - MEDRA

The Dragon Court was quiet under the silver glow of the moon. Long shadows stretched from the towering statues of the four dragons, their stone scales gleaming in the faint light.