Bloodwing Academy, #2
The Bond That Burns
by Briar Boleyn
Contents
CHAPTER 38 - BLAKE
Overview
On the ball’s night, Blake undergoes a sudden, painful partial dragon transformation, confirming Kage’s warning about his shifting. He suppresses the rage and conceals the aftermath from Theo and Visha. Despite the scare, Blake readies himself to attend the ball and to coax Medra into bringing Nyxaris to the Dragon Court for Rodriguez’s restoning plan.
Summary
As a blizzard rages outside House Drakharrow, Blake readies for the ball, determined to make the evening meaningful for Medra Pendragon despite her plan to attend with Florence. He also steels himself for the secret mission with Kage and Rodriguez: convincing Medra to bring Nyxaris to the Dragon Court so Rodriguez can restone the dragon tonight.
Reaching for a gift, Blake is struck by searing pain. Scales spread across his body, claws form, and half‑formed wings tear his clothes. Overwhelmed by dragon rage and a destructive urge, he fights to regain control by fixating on Medra and the night ahead, gradually forcing the transformation to recede.
Exhausted and raw, Blake is interrupted by a knock. Theo and Visha enter, spotting his shredded clothing. Blake deflects their alarm, while Visha jokes and pushes past his evasions. Despite the suspicious scene, she pivots to practical help, ordering him to wash and dress for the ball.
Blake resolves to endure the pain, conceal his frightening shift from his friends, and follow through on both goals: ask Medra to dance and maneuver events so Nyxaris arrives at the Dragon Court, setting Rodriguez’s dangerous plan in motion.
Who Appears
- Blake DrakharrowPOV; suffers a sudden partial dragon transformation, suppresses the rage, hides it, and prepares for the ball and Rodriguez’s plan.
- VishaWalks in on Blake’s shredded clothes, teases him, and takes charge to get him cleaned and dressed for the ball.
- TheoArrives with Visha, alarmed by the scene; nearly uncovers Blake’s secret but accepts his deflection.
- Medra PendragonOff-page focus of Blake’s plans; attending with Florence. Blake intends to ask her to dance and bring Nyxaris to court.
- Kage TanakaOff-page ally; slated to help Rodriguez’s restoning plan tonight.
- RodriguezOff-page instigator of the risky plan to restone Nyxaris at the Dragon Court.
- NyxarisTarget of Rodriguez’s plan; Blake must get Medra to bring Nyxaris to the Dragon Court.