On Wings of Blood

He kissed me as if I were air and he couldn’t get enough. He kissed me like wildfire, consuming everything in its path. He kissed me as though I were the last drop of blood in the world, the only thing that could ever sate his hunger.

It's not protection, little dragon. It's a claim." His gray eyes darkened as they flicked down to my exposed neck, an unspoken reminder hanging between us. "You're mine. No one touches what belongs to me.

In my dreams, she wanted me just as much as I wanted her.

She'd attacked me with murder in her heart. And yet, idiot that I was, it was her I couldn't take my eyes off.

She stood up to me, which no one else dared to do, and by the Bloodmaiden, it was annoying. But at the same time, it was...impressive. And infuriatingly attractive. Fine. It was fucking hot.

Fucking shirtless again. Of course he was. Cocky, egotistical asshole.

You could never hate me as much as you want me.

Let it be known that this bond is unbreakable, as enduring as the strength of our realm. By my will and the power of our ancient rites, Blake Drakharrow and Medra Pendragon are now bound together in fate and duty, forever unyielding, irrevocably united. As the dragon flies and the blood endures, so shall your destinies be intertwined. Your bond is forged. Through fire and shadows, you shall be one. What is spoken is unbroken. What is bound cannot be unbound.

You think I’m like him?” he growled. “You think I want this? You think I want to be tied to some mortal? To a blightborn who despises me?” I glared at him, my chest tightening. “But you’re right about one thing, Pendragon. Why should I fight so hard to leash the monster inside when you’re so determined to bring him out?

He leaned back against the table, then gestured to all of the books in front of me. “What are you reading about, anyhow?” “Just researching ways to kill you,” I said sweetly. “Vampire Murder Methodology 101.

His fangs brushed against my lower lip. My breath caught as I slid my tongue over those sharp points, feeling their edge. He was dangerous. But instead of fear, that knowledge was only fueling the tempest inside of me.

Florence was staring at me. I wanted to look away from those soft, gentle eyes but I didn’t. “Medra,” she said. “Sometimes the problem is that we don’t see ourselves the way others do.

No excuse,” I said bluntly. “We all have a sob story. It doesn’t mean we should treat other people like shit.

She was mine and she always would be. My heart might have been black, my deeds as dark as night, but she was mine to protect, mine to keep safe,

If I accepted that this was real, then it meant I was alive. I was betrothed. I was a hostage of vampires. And I was a student. I gave a snort of laughter. I wasn’t sure which one of those things was more ridiculous.

I’m always inclined to think the worst of people, not the best.

Part of me feared his desire. It was as dark and as deep as a void. If I let him, Blake Drakharrow might just swallow me whole. Devour me like a dragon.

That I’d do anything for you,” he said simply. “Hurt anyone. Kill anyone.

felt his heat against my skin.

sometimes the problem is that we don’t see ourselves the way others do.

I cursed inwardly as my gaze lingered on the ink sprawled over his skin. Blake Drakharrow was beautiful in a way I didn’t want to admit. In a way that made my blood simmer and my mind spin with confusion. How could someone so vile be so compelling?

You were just elevated beyond the mundane.” I snorted with laughter. “Is that what you’d call it?” His eyes narrowed. “Do you have any idea how many blightborn women would literally kill to be in your place right now? I found you on a pile of corpses.” He sniffed the air with his hawkish nose, and his aristocratic features twisted in disgust. “You still reek of them.” I crossed my arms self-consciously. He was right. That didn’t mean he wasn’t also a bastard for saying so. “I haven’t exactly had a chance to take a bath. Someone was dragging me around in chains, as you’ll recall,” I pointed out. “Well, you’ll have all of the perfumed baths you want now. But there’s far more to the bargain.” “More than being chained to you for the rest of our lives? That is what those words meant, right?” I hesitated, then added, “And I’m not the only one, am I?” “Oh, you noticed Regan, did you? She looked delighted, didn’t she?” He shrugged. “Don’t worry about her. I’ll see to it that she falls in line.” “I won’t worry,” I said. “Because I don’t share. And I’m not your mate, no matter what your uncle or anyone else announced.” “Keep telling yourself that. But you felt the binding. You had no choice. Neither did I. Do you really think I’d have chosen this?” He looked me up and down, then shook his head. “You’re beneath me in every possible way. Whoever you are, whatever you are.” I snarled, surprising myself. “Good to hear. Because you won’t be touching me at any point. Let’s get that straight. You certainly won’t be breeding with me.” “I have no plans to touch you if you were the last woman in the Thralldom,” he snapped back, looking just as furious. “But if I did…” “Yes, yes, I should feel ever so honored, ever so grateful. Is that what you like to tell yourself as a woman lies beneath you? You think to yourself how honored she must feel? Gods, you’re a piece of work.” I shook my head. “I almost feel sorry for Regan.” He narrowed his eyes. “Regan is thrilled to be my future consort. She doesn’t need your pity.” “Right. I’m sure. So, what now?” I changed the subject abruptly. “Where are we?” “Ah, yes, your second question. If you’re finished trying to convince yourself you aren’t bound to me…” “I’m not, never will be.” “Whatever. This–” He gestured around us. “Is Bloodwing Academy.” I wrinkled my nose. “What?” “An academy. A school. They do have those where you come from, don’t they?” I glared at him. “I believe I’ve heard the words once or twice.” “Good. I daresay it’s too much to hope you can read and write, too, and aren’t secretly some swine herder’s daughter.

Sanguis et Flamma Floreant’ is our motto. Only blood and flame may flourish in these halls. From blood comes unity. From blood comes strength. From blood, legacy. From blood, power.

A shadow darted between me and Kiernan, knocking me backwards. “I thought I told you to keep your fucking hands off her,” Blake snarled. I hadn’t even seen him arrive. He’d come out of nowhere. “You are not to taste her. She is mine.

Medra Pendragon was mine. And I was prepared to die before I let any harm come to her. It didn’t matter if she believed it. If she accepted it. It didn’t matter if she hated me. I’d believe it enough for both of us. She was mine and she always would be. My heart might have been black, my deeds as dark as night, but she was mine to protect, mine to keep safe, with everything I had to give. She thought she was trapped? I was the one trapped. Trapped with this feeling I couldn’t get away from. The need to possess her. To dominate her until she accepted me.

The more exhausted I was, the less time I also had to feel sorry for myself. To miss the world I’d left behind. To think about the people I’d never see.

Do you really think you would have survived against Regan? Against three highbloods, without my blood inside you?” He shook his head. “You’re strong and you’re fast and you’re the smartest woman I know. But even you aren’t that good. You must have known, you must have sensed what my blood was doing for you.

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

You’ve never been quite like us, have you, Blake? Not like your brother, Marcus, with his endless appetites.” “If you mean I don’t enjoy murdering blightborns for sport, then no, I’m nothing like Marcus,” I said coldly. “I take pride in that.

I wouldn’t give Kage the satisfaction of drawing me into a scene here, in front of everyone. “She’s not a game, Kage,” I said, my voice tinged with warning.