“I respect that.” Kage's dark eyes lingered on my face, appraising me with a slow, deliberate gaze that made my stomach flip. “Maybe it’s the hair. Like the fire of a dragon, you’re impossible to tame.”

What exactly was happening here? Was Kage Tanaka really paying me compliments?

“Well, thank you,” I said slowly. “But that doesn't answer my question. What do you want?”

Kage leaned against the wall, his black eyes watching me carefully. “I want you to come with me to the Dance of the Longest Night.”

I blinked, unsure I’d heard him correctly. “I beg your pardon?”

“I want you to be my date for the ball.” His tone was matter-of-fact, as if it were the most natural request in the world. “That is, unless you already have one.”

I didn’t. He knew I didn’t. Somehow.

“Why me?” I asked, my voice coming out sharper than I’d intended. “You could ask anyone. You’re a House Leader.”

“Because you don’t belong at Drakharrow’s side. He doesn’t deserve you. And you know it.” His voice dipped, becoming more intense. “You’re not a girl who belongs at the feet of someone like Blake. I know you wish you had never been shackled to him by his uncle. Why not show him you’ll never belong to him?”

“You think I'm going to go with you just to spite Blake?”

“Let me show you that you don’t have to be just a pawn in the Drakharrows’ game.” He gave me a slow grin. “If you accept, I can promise you one thing, Medra. I’ll make sure to give you the night you really deserve.”

I swallowed, unsure of how to respond to that. It was an invitation, in more ways than one.

Was I really considering going to the ball with a highblood? What would Naveen and Florence say?

I knew there was more to this. Kage wasn’t just being nice. He wanted to use me as leverage against Blake. But did it really matter? When that was exactly what I’d be using him for, too?

“Can consorts even attend with someone other than their archon?” I asked carefully.

Kage shrugged. “It’s not specifically forbidden, but it’s rare. I have no problem with us being the exception. I’m not one to play by the rules.” He took a step towards me. “You're impossible to ignore, Medra. There’s something unique about you and it’s not just your rider blood. You deserve to be treated with respect. Not as some obligation.”

The way he said my name, the way he held my eyes with his... Kage’s charm was undeniable, yes, but I wasn’t naive enough to fall for it completely. He probably didn’t mean a single word he said.

But if I could use him right back... Salvage something of the ball. I imagined what Blake would think when he saw me standing beside the school House Leader. His rival.

Kage was right about one thing. I didn’t belong to Blake. Maybe this would be a way to prove that once and for all.

“By the way, there’s something Drakharrow probably never thought it worthwhile to tell you about a triad union,” Kage said, his dark eyes gleaming with a challenge. “If you refuse to accept the bond, they may not be able to hold you to it.”

My heart started to pound. “What do you mean? Are you saying there’s a way out of this?”

“Not yet. But if things go on the way they have been between you two then Blake may never be able to feed from your blood. Not properly, anyhow. He won’t be able to draw power from your blood if you don’t give your consent. Consorts are supposed to strengthen their archon but you’d be a hindrance. You’d be free of him in the one way that really mattered.”

Excitement sped through me, but I tried to tamp it down, still suspicious of Kage’s motives. “But if we did bond fully?”

I wasn’t sure I wanted to know the answer.

But Kage just smirked. “Consorts take lovers all the time. It’s accepted. Highbloods are rarely satisfied with just one or even two partners. Blake won't be able to stop you from enjoying the pleasures of life.”

I wasn’t so sure about that. How much freedom would I really have when I finally left Bloodwing Academy? I suspected the Drakharrows planned to keep me somewhere on their own terms and that I wouldn’t be given much fresh air. That is, if I didn’t get away from them somehow first.

Making Kage my ally might not be such a terrible idea.

“Fine. I’ll think about it.”

Kage’s dark eyes sparkled with amusement. He straightened and stepped away from the wall. “Don’t take too long.”

He gave me one last lingering look before disappearing down the hall.

OceanofPDF.com

CHAPTER 38 - MEDRA

The Frostfire Festival had officially begun.

As night fell on the first day of the festival, a grand procession of students, professors, and house leaders set off from Bloodwing Castle. First and Second Years were bundled into carriages with Bloodwing’s faculty, six or eight at a time, while some of the older students and the house leaders led the way on horseback.

This was the Night of Silent Offerings, in which we would make our way to the Bloodmaid’s Sanctum and be expected to give up some of our blood in a fucked up highblood tradition.

My nerves were on edge as I found myself seated between Florence and Naveen in one of the carriages. They were talking about the festival, but even though I tried to keep up, my mind was elsewhere.

Last night I’d sent an acceptance note to Kage Tanaka. I had no idea if I’d made the right choice but I was committed now.

The carriage rocked slightly from the strong winter wind coming off the sea as we crossed the long, iron bridge leading towards Veilmar. Once we reached the mainland, we turned east and passed over another bridge, this one leading to the island that housed the Sanctum.

As our procession neared, the temple came into view.

Perched like a white nest on a dark cliff, the Sanctum was striking in the winter’s twilight. Built from luminous white stones, it gleamed like a pearl against the stormy sea, soaring into the sky, its center dominated by narrow spires that rose in jagged symmetry. The closer we came, the more the building’s sheer size became evident.

I exchanged a glance with Florence, who gave me a small, reassuring smile. I’d told her about Kage’s invitation. She’d been shocked but supportive.

Naveen was staring out the carriage window, wide-eyed. I knew he had been to temples before, but this was his first time visiting the Sanctum. Normally it was reserved solely for highbloods. There were other temples in Veilmar where blightborn were welcome to worship.

When the carriages halted, we were escorted out, faculty and house leaders guiding us through the outer gates.

I looked over at the grand doors of the Sanctum. An image of the Bloodmaiden had been carved into the white stone lintel. Her expression was serene, her hands cupped, as though she held her own lifeblood in them. I shivered.

As we made our way closer, lanterns lit the path, illuminating the towering white walls ahead of us.

The House Leaders and the faculty moved among us, talking quietly amongst themselves. They had all done this before. Tonight was nothing new for any of them, even the blightborn Professor Rodriguez or the halfborn Professor Wispwood.

Blake walked among the rows of students. His black cloak caught the breeze and it billowed out around him, as he swaggered about as if he owned the place.

We had been instructed to remain silent once we reached the Sanctum and already a hush had fallen over the students.

Two doorways marked the entrance as we approached. One for blightborn, the other for highbloods. It was pretty clear which was which.

Around the blightborn archway were carved symbols of cupped hands dripping blood.

By contrast, the highblood door was more ornate, with shining brass inlays in which reliefs had been etched of vampires standing tall and proud, their hands raised as they reached up to cup the Bloodmaid’s chalice.