CHAPTER 24 - BLAKE

I watched Rodriguez usher Pendragon down the tiers of stone to her seat as I stood down below in the middle of the arena floor.

The floor featured moving stone platforms that could rise into the air during combat, adding another layer of complexity to a fight as they rotated and shifted unpredictably. But today the platforms were still and silent. I wouldn't have to worry about keeping my balance.

The most prestigious students from my house sat together in the first row, and there at the end were the two spots saved for my consorts: Regan Pansera and Medra Pendragon.

It was supposed to be a place of honor. Pendragon sure didn't look honored.

Regan had taken her seat a long time ago. She sat there now, the epitome of poise and control, her back perfectly straight, her silver-blonde hair arranged meticulously. She stiffened slightly as Pendragon sat down beside her and leaned away, as if touching the blightborn girl might sully her.

Regan was the perfect highblood girl. Popular and beautiful. Bred for power.

She stared ahead, indifferent, bored, waiting for this ritual to end. I knew she had no doubt I'd become House Leader today. But the confidence she had in me was meaningless.

Then there was Pendragon. Looking as if she'd love nothing better than to kill us all with her eyes. She was slumped slightly in her seat, obviously wishing she were anywhere but here. Her mass of fiery curls had grown only wilder thanks to our spat. Wisps and tendrils had escaped the leather tie she used to hold her hair back.

The freckles along her cheeks stood out even more when she was angry. And she was angry now. Angry and uncomfortable, glaring across the arena at me with a stubborn, reckless glint in her eyes.

My chest tightened. 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 was everything Regan wasn't. Unrefined, unpredictable. Burning with a fire I couldn't help but admire. Even though she clearly despised me.

Regan wanted me for what I represented, not who I was.

Power. Prestige. Status. Control. Everything that came with being a Drakharrow. Those were the things Regan lived for.

Oh, there was no denying she was beautiful. In the same way that ice was beautiful.

Regan would be an obedient consort. A perfect mother. Always loyal. She had been bred for this role and she played it well. From childhood, we'd been told we would someday be partners.

Yet I hated her. Hated her for everything she'd let herself become. Even though she'd done nothing less than exactly what she was told.

Whereas Pendragon didn't want me at all. She was willful, obstinate, and probably going to get herself killed one of these days.

Yet when I lay in my bed at night, after having rejected one of Regan's pathetic advances for the hundredth time, Pendragon's face was the one I couldn't get out of my mind.

It was a sick irony. The more she fought against me, the more this fucked up attraction to her grew.

Fighting her in the training yard just now had been almost as good as sex. It was probably the closest we'd ever get, if she had her way.

I knew I'd be replaying the way her body had moved as we fought in my head that night, over and over again. When I'd pinned her down, my body pressing against hers, her breath hot on my skin–I'd known in that moment it would be the closest I'd ever get to having her. The way she'd writhed beneath me, the soft curves of her body straining against my weight, her lips slightly parted as she gasped for breath... Fuck. It had almost undone me.

I'd stayed there like that as long as I'd dared, hovering over her, unable to take my eyes off the soft, tempting curve of her lips. The impulse had been so strong to just lean down and kiss her, right there in front of everyone.

She would have slapped me. Probably would have hated me even more.

But I couldn't help wondering if it would have been worth the humiliation.

Did she know how careful I'd been not to make her bleed? Not to break her perfect, soft, white skin no matter how much she goaded me?

I'd already been so fucking aroused that I knew if I'd scented even a drop of blood on her while we'd fought, I wouldn't have been able to restrain myself.

I groaned a little, remembering the sweetness of her body, the swell of her breasts. It had taken all I had not to reach a hand down and cup one of them through her tunic.

I knew that night I'd be jerking off as I imagined unfastening her trousers and sliding into the warm, wet place between her thighs.

Except, in my fantasies, Pendragon was always a willing participant. She'd moan her need for me, arching her hips impatiently. She'd tug my pants off, and cradle my cock, running her fingers down the hard length of it.

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

Fat chance of that ever happening in real life.

Belatedly, I realized Headmaster Kim had stood up and was speaking.

I knew I'd be expected to pay him a visit later. Probably with Pendragon. Did she even realize the serious crime she'd committed by fighting me like that?

Consorts had been banished or even beheaded for less.

One did not attack one's archon. Ever.

It was an unspoken rule, perhaps even an unwritten one. If it was unwritten, if it wasn't actually on the books, then perhaps we could use that to Pendragon's advantage. I could talk to Rodriguez after this was all over, see if he could point that out to Kim.

I felt an uncomfortable sensation, like an itch on my conscience.

What the fuck was wrong with me that I was thinking of ways to keep Pendragon from being kicked out of Bloodwing or worse? Instead of just letting it happen.

Because, a secret nagging voice in my head said, I knew exactly what would happen to her if she was expelled.

She wouldn't be free. My uncle would never let her go.

No, Pendragon was chained for life. If not to me, then...

Kim's chill voice broke through my thoughts. "For millennia, the leadership of our Houses has been determined by strength, cunning, and the will to dominate. Only the powerful may rule. Only the worthy may survive. ‘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."

I sighed and crossed my arms over my chest, trying not to look too bored. It was basically the same tedious speech he'd given at every House Leadership ceremony.

Except this year would be even more tedious for the crowd watching. Today I'd be winning the House Leader position by default.

Headmaster Kim sure didn't seem pleased about that. "In an almost unprecedented historical moment at Bloodwing, we stand here today without a second challenger. Without a single soul brave enough to test their strength against House Drakharrow's favored son."

My claim to the house leadership was practically a birthright. No one had the guts to face me. I hadn't really expected them to.

Still, I had to admit it was too easy this way.

Catherine Mortis had to put down three other contenders to win her place. Even though we'd all known she'd come out the victor. One had even been her own cousin. Catherine was brutal and would do anything to win. She'd been merciless with her kills. Even more pitiless towards her cousin.

Lysander Orphos had two challengers to subdue before he took up the mantle of House Leader for Orphos. I hadn't really thought he'd had it in him, to be honest. He and his sister both looked so, well, fragile, sensitive. But he'd proved me and all his other detractors wrong that day. He'd killed with grace.

As for Kage Tanaka, only one highblood in House Avari had been stupid enough to challenge him. That fool was eliminated quickly and in the most stylistic way I'd ever seen. Kage was an incredible fighter and a strong leader. He was more cunning than either Catherine, with her brute force, or Lysander, with his daydreamy attitude. Tanaka would be a powerful ally some day. But in the meantime, we had an almost friendly rivalry. Things were less boring at Bloodwing with Tanaka around. He knew how to keep me on my toes. Like with his hilarious play at the bonfire that night. He'd evidently lost patience with Kiernan. Killing the lackey had practically been doing Tanaka a favor.

"Is this what we have become?" Headmaster Kim's voice had turned sharper, almost mocking. "Are we so weak, so cowardly, that none of you dare to rise to this challenge? What has happened to our legacy? To the blood that demands we fight for our place?"

My lips curled in a half-smirk, but my stomach twisted slightly at Kim's words. They were a dig. My very lack of challengers was casting a shadow over my ascension today. It made the victory feel hollow.

Never mind the fact that taking anyone on at this point would have been... bothersome. What Pendragon lacked in strength and speed, she made up for in raw chaotic force. Our fight had taken more out of me than I wanted to admit, even though I had to stand here now and pretend like I hadn't been impacted in the slightest. She'd pushed me hard. I wasn't fully spent but I wasn't where I'd have wanted to be to take on a challenger. Fortunately I wouldn't have to.

The problem was, I hadn't been feeding enough. I had to do so. Soon. I pushed the thought away and tried to concentrate on what Kim was saying.

"Blake Drakharrow stands here today, unchallenged," the headmaster continued. The man was getting on my nerves. Just wrap things up already. "Not because he is unworthy of a fight, but because none among his house has the courage to face him."

I glared at the back of the headmaster's head. Kim was taking it a little too far. I wouldn't stand to have my house shamed and it felt like that was exactly what he was trying to do. Make us out to be a bunch of cowards. When the reality was no one dared to challenge me because they knew it was pointless. They'd die. I'd put them down like the dogs they were.

It was better to defer to me than to waste their life needlessly. Just like with a wolf pack, my house of highbloods knew I was their alpha. I'd made that clear from the start. I'd done my duty when I'd served my brother Marcus as his second. I'd been loyal. Even though it'd killed me sometimes.

Then, when Marcus graduated, I'd made it clear that they all were to submit to me. And they had. I had to admit, Regan had been useful then. But of course, she'd wanted me in charge because that meant she gained status, too.

I'd had to kick a few asses to get everyone in line, but then it had been relatively peaceful. There was absolute loyalty among our house now. I'd have accepted nothing less.

Of course, the one outlier was Pendragon. But she was a First Year. When she came to Drakharrow Tower next year, she'd have to shape up. She'd risk embarrassing me even worse than she already had otherwise.

I smothered a yawn, as my mind continued to drift, tuning out the speech. I'd already won, hadn't I? I was moments away from receiving the gold pin. This was all just a formality. A reward for a position I'd never had any doubt I'd take.

Let's get this over with. My gaze wandered back to Pendragon.

Then I heard it. A growl. So soft I didn't think anyone else had even noticed.

My body tensed immediately. I recognized the sound.

My eyes darted to Pendragon's legs where my black canvas bag rested on the ground by her feet.

Neville–a stupid name but it was what I'd taken to calling the fluffin–had poked his head out. He was looking at me and growling, his tiny pointed teeth bared.

For a moment, I was shocked. Then I realized he wasn't growling at me.

Neville was looking behind me.

My reflexes kicked in just in time. I twisted to the side.

A blur of motion. A rush of air. A flash of silver.

Pain exploded along my side as I was thrown forward, sprawling face first onto the stone floor. For a few moments, I was disoriented. Ears ringing. Mind struggling to catch up with the sudden attack.

Who the fuck would dare...

The knife was yanked out of my side unceremoniously.

I groaned but pushed down the pain, using the same moment to flip onto my back, adrenaline surging as I locked eyes with my opponent.

For a moment, time froze.

Coregon.

The disbelief must have shown on my face because Coregon smirked. It was such an unusual expression for someone I'd thought of as a loyal follower. No, a friend.

Something in my heart sank. This was real. This was happening.

Whatever friendship I'd thought Coregon and I shared, it had just been an act. I'd been a fool not to know better.

My shock was quickly buried in a wave of anger. Anger at myself, anger at him. I tried to push myself onto my feet but Coregon was on me in an instant, the dagger still clutched in his hand.

Weapons were technically banned from the challenge. But students had snuck them in before. Generally, if you won, you got away with whatever you'd done to win. No one cared about cheating when everyone else was already dead. It just made you look more cunning.

Still, I'd always thought it was a coward's move and I'd said that to my group of friends more than once. The thought must have shown on my face.

"Don't look at me like that," Coregon hissed. "Don't you fucking dare. I had to do this, Blake. Someone has to put you down."

I had only one word for him. "Why?"

"Because you're weak."

The sound of the word stung more than the wound in my side. "Weak? How the fuck am I weak?"

"Because of her," Coregon spat, his voice laced with disgust. "The blightborn bitch. Pendragon defies you. She stands up to you. Hell, she attacked you today. And you, what do you do? You let her. You don't even punish her. You're supposed to be the leader of this House. And yet you can't even control a mere mortal."

My stomach twisted as the venom in Coregon's words hit me. How dare he. How fucking dare he.

I shouldn't have done it, but I did. I glanced across the arena to where Pendragon sat. She was leaning forward, her green eyes wide, all signs of boredom gone. Neville had leaped into her arms and she was cradling him.

Was she hoping Coregon would kill me? Probably.

But what would Coregon do to her if I died here today?

That was all the impetus I needed. I would decide what happened to Pendragon. She was mine and mine alone. Our fates were bound whether she liked it or not.

The dagger flashed as it arced towards my chest. But I was faster. I caught Coregon's wrist in a death grip, my muscles straining.

As I fought to push the dagger away from my body, Coregon fought back. We fell to the ground, grappling, neither of us giving an inch.

Around us the arena was coming to life, triggered by Coregon's appearance. The stone platforms that had been suspended in place were now shifting, rotating ominously around us.

I could hear the rasping sound of scraping stones as they moved into position and then out again, turning the arena around us into a deadly maze.

Scanning the arena and getting my bearings quickly, I jumped up onto a platform that had just risen behind me.

Coregon followed, leaping up onto it behind me just as the one he had been standing on descended.

I ducked as he swiped, then grabbed his arm, twisting it with brutal force.

The dagger clattered to the stone. I saw the panic in Coregon's eyes as my foot shot out and I kicked it away, down into the open pit far below.

I could have grabbed it. Used it against him.

But that wasn't my way. It wouldn't have been as satisfying.

I was tired. Muscles weary. Heart pounding.

Despite that, I knew I was going to win. There was no way I was letting Coregon Phiri take over House Drakharrow, even if it was only at Bloodwing. And there was no fucking way I was leaving Pendragon to him.

"You call me a coward," I panted. "Yet you brought a knife to a fist fight, Phiri, because you were so afraid to come at me. Who's the real fucking coward?"

Another platform hovered over us, larger than the one we were standing on, its shadow stretching across the arena floor below.

Coregon lunged again, throwing a wild punch that I just managed to dodge. The pain in my side was a fire now, but I ignored it. It would heal and I'd survive.

The same couldn't be said for Coregon. He'd fucked up today. It was just a matter of how long it would take him to realize it.

"You could have been my second. You could have been right by my side through whatever happened next. You unbelievable idiot. How could you have been so shortsighted? Here I always thought you were smarter than me." I gave a mocking laugh.

"Theo would always have been your second," Coregon growled. But I heard the doubt in his voice.

"Theo is a hopeless romantic with a flair for drama. He doesn't want to be anyone's second. But you're right. Now he'll have to be. He'll have to step up when you're dead," I shot back.

My eyes darted upwards as the platforms moved in closer, the gnashing of stone upon stone echoing through the massive chamber.

I saw an opportunity.

I ducked just as Coregon swung again, dodging the blow and using the momentum to shove him backwards–right into the path of the descending platform.

Coregon stumbled, his eyes widening as the shadow of the platform loomed over him. He twisted, trying to escape. But I was faster. I grabbed him by the throat, forcing him backwards.

"We sparred with each other almost every day," I snarled at him. "Yet never once did you realize I was always holding something back."

It was a strategy I'd been taught early on by my father. Never show your opponent what you're really capable of. Even if your opponent is one of your best friends. Even so, it hadn't been enough to save him.

Coregon's hands were like claws, nails raking down my arms with the desperation of a drowning animal. The stone platform above us continued its slow, inevitable descent.

"You think I'm weak?" My voice was filled with cold fury. "You have no idea what I'm capable of, Coregon. Now you're never going to find out. You won't be around for any of it."

I leaned in closer to him. "You're right about one thing though. I was weak. But not when it came to Pendragon."

Coregon's eyes were wobbling with panic as the platform lowered, now just feet above our heads. I held him firm, using all my strength to pin him against the stone.

"I was weak when it came to you," I continued. "You went behind my back when you attacked Vaughn Sabino. That's when I should have put you down."

"Theo is a fucking menace. A coward. He's an embarrassment to our house," Coregon managed to choke out. "Marcus came to me. I did what had to be done."

Marcus had come to Coregon? That was another betrayal that would have to be dealt with. But it could wait for another time.

I leaned in closer. "Theo is my cousin. He's my friend. That's all that matters. It's called loyalty, Coregon. Maybe if you'd shown some, you wouldn't be in this position."

"I know what you really are. If it isn't me," Coregon gasped, my hands tight around his throat. "It's going to be someone else. Someone else will take you down."

"Let them come." I glanced up as the platform lowered. "As for you, you won't have long to wait."

Coregon's eyes widened with fear, as the sound of grinding stone filled our ears.

"Blake–wait!" he gasped, his voice strangled. "I'm sorry. Please. Don't–"

But it was too late. The platform lowered, its descent slow and deliberate. I held Coregon's gaze. He knew there was no escape.

It was over in seconds.

The platform dropped with a sickening crunch.

I stepped back, breathing heavily as I watched the stone platforms all begin to grind to a halt.

The arena was silent.

I was trembling. I curled my hands into fists, trying to stop the shaking. The reality of what I'd just done was still sinking in.

Then the silence shattered. The crowd erupted. A wave of frenzied cheering and applause rolled through the stands.

I wiped a smear of blood from my face and straightened up, trying to look happy with my victory, my eyes scanning the crowd.

Everyone was on their feet, cheering for me. Highbloods loved bloodshed. They loved a brutal triumph. I'd added excitement to what they'd been expecting to be a dull school assembly. Even the blightborn students had been carried along in the frenzy.

Only one person in the arena wasn't cheering or clapping.

Pendragon.

She stood out like a flame. She clutched Neville to her chest, her eyes locked on me.

Our gazes met.

What was she thinking? Was she disgusted? I knew she couldn't possibly be proud. Did she even care about what I'd just done? Did she know how much Coregon had really hated her?

My mind raced, trying to untangle the look in her eyes. But she gave me nothing. Just stared back at me steadily as the noise of the arena crashed around us like a wave.