Bloodwing Academy, #1
On Wings of Blood
by Briar Boleyn
Contents
Chapter 56
Overview
Blake escorts a grieving Medra to Headmaster Kim’s disciplinary hearing. Regan lies about the Games, but Blake and Medra expose her sabotage and Medra’s restraint. Kim absolves Blake and Medra, then Blake dissolves his betrothal to Regan. Kim offers Retribution for Regan’s actions, ultimately leaving the life-or-death decision to Blake.
Summary
Blake escorts a grieving Medra Pendragon to Headmaster Kim’s office, inwardly wrestling with guilt over giving her his blood and fear of what the hearing will bring. Medra thanks Blake for the blood that likely saved her life, and Blake tries to shield her from the coming confrontation.
Inside, Headmaster Kim presides, with Viktor Drakharrow, Regan Pansera, and Lord Pansera present. Regan claims superiority and blames Medra for the Games’ chaos. Blake counters that Regan abandoned Medra in the first trial and later conspired with others to kill her, crediting Visha and Evander for aiding Medra’s survival. Lord Pansera denounces Medra as blightborn and demands her removal.
When Regan reveals Blake used his blood on Medra, Blake asserts his right to protect his consort. Medra accepts potential punishment, explaining she sought cooperation, acted in self-defense, and even saved Regan in the dome. Kim rules that Medra and Blake will not be punished, citing Medra’s deference and self-defense and the prior breakdown of consort cooperation.
Blake then invokes the Right of Dissolution, ending his betrothal to Regan; Kim accepts with Viktor’s assent, enraging Lord Pansera. Kim notes Regan’s actions merit death under highblood law and first offers Medra the Right of Retribution. After Lord Pansera objects, Kim reframes the choice to Blake as former archon: he must decide whether to invoke Retribution, which would mean Regan’s execution.
The chapter closes with Blake weighing the decision, aware Medra would prefer mercy, and the outcome unresolved.
Who Appears
- Blake DrakharrowArchon and POV; defends Medra, admits giving his blood, dissolves betrothal with Regan, and is tasked to decide Retribution.
- Medra PendragonGrieving consort; thanks Blake, explains self-defense and mercy during the Games; cleared of wrongdoing.
- Regan PanseraCo-consort; lies about the Games, exposed for sabotage; betrothal dissolved; faces possible Retribution.
- Headmaster KimPresides over the hearing; clears Blake and Medra; frames Retribution decision and accepts dissolution.
- Lord PanseraRegan’s father; denounces Medra, resists proceedings, threatens tribunal, angered by dissolution.
- Viktor DrakharrowBlake’s uncle; observes and affirms Blake’s right to dissolve the betrothal, withholding opposition.