CHAPTER 40 - BLAKE

Fuck me.

That was the first thought that went through my head as I saw her walk into the room in a dress that seemed to silently scream at me "please peel this off my stunningly beautiful body."

My reaction was visceral. Like a punch to the heart. An immediate tightening in my chest.

Then I saw the colors she was in. Black and silver. The shades of House Avari.

And next to her? Looking so smug I wanted to knock his perfect white teeth out? None other than fucking Kage Tanaka.

My eyes honed back in on Pendragon. What was she wearing around her neck?

A silver half-moon pendant. A mark. A claim. Kage may as well have branded her with his fangs.

I clenched my jaw so tight I thought it might break.

The dress, the necklace, the sight of Kage there by her side. It was a power play. Kage was flaunting her. We'd always been rivals. He was the only one at the school anywhere close to being at my level.

Now he was trying to deliberately provoke me.

Well, it'd worked. He'd triggered something so primal and possessive inside of me that I could barely keep it under control.

Kage turned to say something to Pendragon and I saw his eyes linger over her cleavage. I wanted to stab his fucking eyes out for even daring to look. How could he look at her like that when she so obviously belonged to me?

No matter how furious I felt, I couldn't deny one thing.

Pendragon was the most stunning woman in the room.

I could hardly tear my eyes away from her.

And yet I knew I had to. Because I could feel Regan's jealous eyes boring into me. In another minute, others would start to notice my obsessive attention and I'd look like even more of a laughingstock.

Regan's voice cut through my thoughts. "Blake, darling," she purred, tugging at my sleeve. "You're staring."

I ignored her, watching as Kage led Pendragon through the crowd and over to one of the tables reserved for House Avari.

Regan's hand slid over my chest, her touch unwelcome but persistent.

"Blake, you're not listening to me," she said, her voice sulky.

I forced myself to look away.

Regan smiled up at me. "That's better. The dancing is about to begin."

"I'm not interested," I said coldly.

Regan huffed in annoyance. "You're being such a bore tonight, Blake."

"And you're being a petulant bitch, as always," I snapped cruelly. "I didn't invite you here, so don't look so hurt. Go find someone else to bother."

I turned away, but not before I saw her face fall. My mood had soured. Suddenly, I didn't want to be near anyone. I stepped into the crowd and began to prowl the edges of the room.

I couldn't leave. I was obligated to be here as House Leader.

And as House Leaders, Tanaka and I were also not permitted to attack one another. No matter how much I might long to break that rule, I knew I'd be in a huge pile of shit if I did. Worse than what had nearly happened to Pendragon when she attacked me.

Everywhere I looked, I saw Pendragon and Kage.

As soon as the orchestra began to play, Tanaka led her up to dance.

I had to admit, Tanaka had good taste. It was clear he'd picked out the gown for Pendragon. The neckline was certainly low enough. My colors would have suited her better, but even in black and silver she was absolutely gorgeous. Her fiery red hair gleamed against the dark fabric of the gown. The dress was striking, revealing, clinging to every curve of her body in a way that made my throat go dry.

It killed me to watch Kage lead her around the room.

I'd stalked in a circle and now I'd reached the Drakharrow group again.

Regan was talking too much, laughing too loudly. She touched my arm and tried to pull me back into the group but I yanked away. I knew I was being an asshole, but I hadn't asked her to the ball tonight and it pissed me off that she was acting as if I had.

I hadn't asked anyone. I knew Pendragon would have turned me down flat. The idea of that rejection was just too much to stomach.

A slow song started and I watched as Kage put his hands on Pendragon's waist, guiding her into the steps of the melody.

Every instinct in my body was telling me to march across the floor and rip her away from him.

The idea that Kage might actually believe that this night might end with him in Pendragon's bed made my blood boil. There was no way I was going to let that happen.

I reminded myself that I was the only man in the room who knew what she looked like beneath all of that silk and silver. I could remember every detail. The perfection of her breasts, the curve of her hips, those long luscious legs.

I stole a glance at the dance floor, stealing a glance at the swell of her breasts as they lifted against the satin edge of the black dress.

I imagined pulling the edge of the gown down and exposing the tip of one straining nipple to the cool night air as my hot mouth landed on it.

Fuck. I had to stop torturing myself or I'd be hard all night.

Kage might think this was all just some game. A move to rile me up by flaunting Pendragon. But I knew her better than that. Didn't I? She was stubborn, defiant, and there was no way she'd let Kage put her in his little box.

I hoped I was right.

And yet, as Kage spun her around and I watched her face light up in a smile that seemed genuine, my fists clenched at my side. She'd never smiled at me like that. She seemed happy. Like she was really having fun.

I'd known she would laugh in my face if I'd extended an invitation tonight. But now, as I watched her with Kage, I felt a sting of regret for not even trying.

I needed a drink. Something to take the edge off.

I reached the bar and ordered a glass of bloodwine. I needed something strong enough to drown out the image of Kage and Pendragon swaying in each other's arms on the dance floor.

Just as the bartender handed me the goblet, I heard a familiar voice beside me. I turned to see Kage, ordering two drinks–one for himself and one for Pendragon.

"Bloodwine for myself and spiced wine for the lady," Kage said smoothly.

I drained my glass and then slammed it down, feeling the stem snap. The bartender took one look at me and quickly swept it away.

I turned to face Kage. "Spiced wine? Really? How do you know what she likes to drink?"

Kage turned slowly to look at me. "It's the little things, Drakharrow. When you spend enough time with someone, you pick up on them."

I clenched my jaw, as he smirked. "You think spending a few hours at a dance means you know her? You don't know a damn thing about her."

Kage wasn't even in any of our classes. House Avari had their own Advanced Weaponry sessions. When had he spent time with her? Had they been seeing each other without my realizing it?

Kage leaned casually against the bar. "I'm getting to know her. Medra's full of surprises, isn't she? There's so much more to her than meets the eye."

I took a step towards him. "If you know her so well, then you must know she's not the type to fall for a few fancy words and some cheap wine."

Kage raised an eyebrow. "Maybe not. But she seems to be enjoying my company tonight, doesn't she? After all, you've been watching us closely enough to notice."

"Enjoy the moment while it lasts," I snarled. "You'll never know her the way I do."

Kage smiled, but his tone turned icy. "The way you do? That's funny. From where I'm standing, it doesn't look like you know her at all. Or that she wants you to. Are you just afraid to have her realize that someone else might treat her better than you ever would?"

A rush of rage rose in my chest. My hands itched to wrap around Tanaka's throat and wipe off his smug expression.

I held back. Barely. 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.

Kage's eyes gleamed with amusement. "If she's not a game, then why are you playing it so badly? No need to be so jealous, Drakharrow. At least try and keep your shit together."

The urge to hit him was almost unbearable.

"Jealous?" I spat. "I'm not jealous. I just don't like opportunistic snakes."

Kage's smile didn't waver. "Whatever you say. Just remember–you've done nothing to make her yours. She's a gift you've never appreciated. So maybe the problem isn't me, Drakharrow. Maybe it's you."

The blood rushed to my ears.

Kage leaned towards me. "And now look at you. You're just standing on the sidelines," he murmured. "Watching her slip through your fingers. How does it feel? You had your chance, Drakharrow. And now? She's with me."

I wanted to splatter Kage's blood all over the ballroom floor. But I couldn't. Not here. Not with everyone watching. Especially as I knew Pendragon would see it as a sign of weakness.

I gestured to the bartender for another bloodwine, trying to swallow down my fury. "You're treading on dangerous ground, Tanaka. Enjoy the night while it lasts."

I took a deep breath as Kage walked away.

I just had to get through the rest of the night. There was too much at stake for me to fuck this up now.

Somehow I made it to midnight without strangling Kage or throwing him across the room. It was a Frostfire miracle, really.

I watched as the clock ticked towards twelve. When midnight chimed, with it would come the Longest Night Waltz.

I stood near the edge of the dance floor, watching as the orchestra prepared. Archons were supposed to dance with one of their consorts. This dance was reserved exclusively for highbloods. Even though I hadn't officially asked Pendragon to the ball, there was no way in hell Kage was claiming her for this one.

Spotting her over near the punch bowl, talking to her friend, the quiet dark-haired girl, Florence, I straightened my jacket and marched over.

When I reached her, I didn't waste time on pleasantries.

"Dance with me," I said, holding my hand out.

I saw her hesitation. Her brows furrowed. I'd caught her off guard. For a brief moment, I saw the desire to refuse flash across her face.

"This dance is for archons and consorts," I said stiffly.

I was basically commanding her. But I didn't care. There was no way I was dancing with Regan.

I could tell she didn't want to cause a scene. Especially as the entire ballroom was watching us.

"Fine," she said, placing her hand in mine. Her voice was distinctly lacking in enthusiasm.

Still, I felt triumphant as I led her onto the dance floor just as the lights dimmed for the waltz.

The dance was a time-honored tradition. A way of closing out the longest night of the year and celebrating the forging of bonds for the new one to come.

I gripped Pendragon's waist firmly, pulling her a little closer than was strictly necessary. I was relieved when she didn't resist.

I wanted her to feel my presence. To know I was here with her, for her–more than Kage or anyone else ever would be.

"You know," I began, as we glided across the floor. "They say that whoever you dance with during the Longest Waltz will share a deep bond with you in the coming year. It was a mortal tradition, originally. A tad sentimental but rather romantic, don't you think?"

Was this really me talking? Part of me wanted to slap myself. I was taking a chance. A chance of looking like a huge idiot.

Pendragon didn't respond right away. Her gaze was fixed over my shoulder, as if she was trying not to meet my eyes.

I felt a sting of frustration coil around me as the silence stretched. It had been a subtle gesture that meant more than it seemed. And yet, she didn't seem to care.

When she finally spoke, her voice was chilly. "Blake, you've treated me like shit for the first half of the year. I doubt that's going to suddenly change in the new one just because we're dancing."

Her words hit me like a punch in the gut. I hadn't expected her to speak so plainly and her bluntness caught me off guard.

A sharp retort rose to my lips. But I hesitated, as memories flashed through my mind.

The insults, the humiliations, the way I'd pushed her over and over again. She didn't even know the half of it.

She was right. I didn't want to admit it. But she was. I clenched my jaw, replaying every interaction we'd had.

I thought back to that first day I'd seen her. Naked and covered with blood. I'd been captivated from that first moment no matter how much I tried to convince myself otherwise.

It would have been so much easier to want someone like Regan. Someone who threw herself at me.

But no. It was Pendragon. Always Pendragon.

The more she tried to push me away, the more I wanted her.

She'd gotten under my skin in a way no one else ever had. This feeling wasn't just hate anymore. There was something else here. Something deeper.

Something that terrified me.

Maybe it was the bloodwine, but suddenly it seemed to me that love and hate might not be that different. Ultimately, weren't they just two sides of the same coin? I wasn't sure which one I was feeling right now, but one thing was certain. I wanted her. More than I'd ever wanted anything.

And I wanted her to want me back. Even if she hated herself for it.

"Whatever I've done, it was only to make you stronger. You're mine, Pendragon, and that won't ever change." The words slipped out before I could stop them.

I could feel her tense beneath my touch, her body stiffening against me.

It was true. She was mine. No one else's. Not Kage's. Not anyone's.

But she was tensing up in my arms. Her back straightened. Her head jerked up.

She looked at me, eyes narrowing, her face a mask of anger.

"I will never be yours, Blake Drakharrow. When will you get that through your thick highblood head?"

Before I could respond, before I could try to fix the mess I'd just made, she was gone. She tore herself out of my arms and stalked off the dance floor, leaving me standing there, stunned.

The room felt like it was closing in. I felt the gazes of the other students searing into my skin.

In the distance, I caught a glimpse of Kage Tanaka smirking, clearly enjoying my humiliation. But I noticed Pendragon hadn't gone running to him.

I hadn't meant to say those exact words, to push her away like that. But now, standing there alone, the weight of my failure came crashing down on me and I thought of my uncle's threat.

He could take her away. Give her to someone else. Or keep her for himself.

But this wasn't over. Not by a long shot.

My eyes followed Pendragon as she disappeared into the crowd, clearly heading towards the doors. My heart thudded painfully.

I wanted her. Needed her in a way that was starting to be a problem.

If she wasn't going to come willingly, I'd take a different approach.

I walked off the dance floor and back over to the bar where I tossed back another glass of bloodwine. The liquor mixed with blood went straight to my head. Just like I wanted it to.

I felt calmer as the warm haze filled me up. Everything would be fine. There was still time. I'd gain the upper hand, get back in control. I'd make her see that she belonged with me, one way or another.

The night was far from over.