Bloodwing Academy, #1
On Wings of Blood
by Briar Boleyn
Contents
Chapter 2
Overview
Medra is presented at the Black Keep before Lord Drakharrow and the Pure. Identified as bearing dragon rider traits, she faces calls for sacrifice, testing, or forced mating. Medra bluffs that her blood might restore dragons, securing her life. Lord Drakharrow blood-binds her to Blake and names her his Second Betrothed, igniting Regan Pansera’s fury.
Summary
Blake Drakharrow brings Medra, unchained but under his control, into the Black Keep’s great hall. Before a packed court, a noblewoman tries to steal Medra’s hair, prompting Blake’s public protection. Medra observes the pale-haired elite and an imposing elder—Lord Drakharrow—while briefly hearing an intrusive, unknown woman’s voice in her mind.
Lord Drakharrow questions Medra’s origins and ignorance of Sangratha and the Thralldom. She claims memory loss and requests mercy, provoking suspicion. Regan Pansera denounces Medra’s defiance, while Lord Drakharrow identifies physical traits of an ancient dragon rider lineage. Lady Avari and Lord Mortis argue her appearance may be an omen; Mortis suggests testing, sacrifice, or mating to preserve the rider bloodline.
Cornered, Medra pivots, asserting her Pendragon blood might restore dragons. The hall seizes on this hope, forcing Lord Drakharrow to spare her. He declares Medra will live in bondage as all blightborn do, her blood to be shared, and binds her fate to Blake’s.
By rite, Lord Drakharrow magically forces a blood-binding between Medra and Blake, marking Medra’s wrist. He proclaims her Blake’s Second Betrothed Consort and forbids any feeding upon her on pain of slaughter. As the hall hungers at her scent, Medra notes Blake’s restraint and realizes Regan Pansera—bleeding her lip in rage—is the First Betrothed, now a direct rival.
Who Appears
- Medra PendragonProtagonist; presented to vampire court, accused and assessed as a dragon rider, bluffs to survive, blood-bound to Blake.
- Lord DrakharrowBlake’s powerful uncle; presides, identifies rider traits, imposes Thralldom, forges Medra–Blake blood-bond, declares her Second Betrothed.
- Prince Blake DrakharrowCaptures and presents Medra, protects her from assault, is unwillingly bound to her by blood as her betrothed.
- Regan PanseraNoblewoman; condemns Medra, opposes her presence, revealed as Blake’s First Betrothed and seethes at the new bond.
- LuciusVampire secretary; announces Blake and Medra with florid titles, cowed by Blake’s temper.
- Lady AvariSenior noble; invokes rider legacy, suggests Medra’s arrival may be a Bloodmaiden omen.
- Lord MortisNoble; urges testing Medra’s blood, sacrifice or destruction, or mating to preserve rider lineage.