Bloodwing Academy, #2
The Bond That Burns
by Briar Boleyn
Contents
CHAPTER 19 - MEDRA
Overview
Humiliated after leaving Blake, Medra fends off Regan’s taunts and seeks refuge in the library. Jia admits dragon records are scarce and launches outreach. Kage aids, shares selective Avari history on Nyxaris, warns her to watch Blake, and notes transfer complications. Nyxaris rebukes Avari, framing dragons as bound and exploited, and warns Medra to earn his respect before evaluation.
Summary
Slipping from Blake’s room in his robe, Medra is cornered by Regan, Gretchen, and Quinn, who mock her. Medra cuts them down with pointed reminders of past defeats and escapes to her room, then bathes, disgusted by her own choices and Blake’s lingering scent.
Seeking focus, Medra goes to the Bloodwing Library. She and Florence discuss classes and her feeding, which Medra masks with half-truths. Librarian Jia Shen reports that reliable dragon accounts are scarce, especially firsthand rider records, and initiates a wide letter campaign to other institutions to help Medra’s research.
Chaos erupts as Neville sprints through the stacks. Kage Tanaka arrives, deftly captures the fluffin, and then invites Medra to talk privately. He offers guarded Avari lore: Nyxaris was powerful, proud, and loyalty had to be earned; Avari records are extensive, but he denies Avari caused the dragons’ petrification. He cautions Medra to watch Blake for unusual behavior and reveals complications—especially from his mother—delaying Medra’s transfer to House Avari.
Back in her room, Medra contacts Nyxaris. The dragon scorns Avari assurances, asserting dragons were bred and bound by highblood blood magic and that any former loyalty eroded through betrayal and centuries of stone. He warns Medra not to be deceived by “honeyed words,” demands progress, and reminds her that without it she will stand alone at evaluation.
Who Appears
- MedraProtagonist; rebuffs bullies, grapples with guilt after Blake, pursues dragon research, confers with Kage, and consults Nyxaris.
- Kage TanakaAvari House Leader; catches Neville, shares selective Nyxaris lore, denies Avari culpability, warns about Blake, notes transfer complications.
- NyxarisAncient dragon; rejects Avari narrative, claims dragons were bound by blood magic, demands respect and progress before evaluation.
- FlorenceFriend; studies in the library, worries about Medra’s feeding, helps wrangle Neville with Jia.
- Jia ShenLibrarian and Florence’s mother; finds little on dragons, starts a letter campaign to other institutions.
- ReganDrakharrow antagonist; leads hallway taunts against Medra, rattled by Medra’s pointed retorts.
- GretchenRegan’s ally; joins mockery, flinches when Medra recalls disfiguring her with a knife.
- QuinnRegan’s ally; jeers at Medra, recoils when reminded of being shot from a tree.
- NevilleFlorence’s fluffin; wreaks havoc in the library until Kage captures him.
- BlakeOffstage but pivotal; source of Medra’s shame and Kage’s warning to monitor for strange behavior.
- OrcadesMedra’s mother’s spirit in a dagger; teases Medra and comments on Kage and Blake.