Bloodwing Academy, #1
On Wings of Blood
by Briar Boleyn
Contents
Chapter 36
Overview
Medra endures a recurring, desire-tinged nightmare of fighting and yielding to Blake, which fractures into a vision of oncoming dragons before she wakes to a real quake shaking the First Year tower. Florence steadies the students, citing ordinary ocean tremors, then hosts Medra for a sleepover.
They discuss Frostfire customs, the Bloodmaiden, and Blake’s reclusive mother in the Sanctum. Florence reveals two Dance invitations—Ebbot and Naveen—and Medra urges her to choose Naveen, strengthening their friendships amid rising tensions.
Summary
Medra relives a recurring dream where she straddles Blake in the training yard, a dagger at his throat. The charged standoff flips when Medra hesitates; Blake disarms and pins her, claiming her with a rough, possessive kiss that Medra both resists and wants. The scene fractures as the walls quake and an ancient dragon looms, jolting Medra awake.
She finds the First Year tower truly shaking. Racing into the corridor, Medra joins Naveen and Vaughn as Florence takes charge. With Thomas absent, Florence calms the panicked students, explaining the island’s history of ocean tremors and Bloodwing’s enchantments and elevation. The tremor subsides; students disperse reassured.
Medra accepts Florence’s offer to sleep in her room. In the quiet, Florence reveals two invitations to the Dance of the Longest Night: from Ebbot, a House Orphos Third-Year strategist she studies with, and from Naveen. Medra cautiously weighs the options with her, privately hoping for Naveen.
Their talk turns to Frostfire traditions and the Temple of the Bloodmaiden, including the expected blood offering. Florence outlines the myth of the demigoddess’s sacrifice and her immortal kin, while Medra pushes back on the highblood-centric framing. Florence also shares that Blake’s mother left for the Bloodmaiden’s Sanctum after her husband’s death.
When Florence asks for guidance, Medra urges her to choose Naveen, valuing comfort and friendship. Florence drifts to sleep reassured, and Medra finally rests without further dragon dreams.
Who Appears
- Medra PendragonProtagonist; suffers a desire-laced nightmare of Blake and dragons; wakes to a quake; supports Florence; advises her to choose Naveen.
- FlorenceFirst Year Warden; calms panicked students after the quake; invites Medra to stay; debates Dance invitations; explains Bloodmaiden rites.
- Blake DrakharrowAppears in Medra’s recurring dream, shifting from lethal threat to possessive desire; his mother’s retreat to the Sanctum is revealed.
- NaveenFriend who helps during the quake commotion; invites Florence to the Dance; becomes Medra’s recommended choice.
- Vaughn SabinoAppears during the quake with the First Years; steadies in the corridor, arm recovered from prior injury.
- Professor WispwoodSource of prior guidance on ocean tremors; cited by Florence to reassure students.
- ThomasAbsent First Year Warden; rumored thrall to a House Avari student; neglects duties during the quake.
- EbbotHouse Orphos Third-Year strategist; invites Florence to the Dance; study partner from advanced classes.
- NevilleFlorence’s fluffin; absent, likely with Blake; briefly mentioned amid concern.