Bloodwing Academy, #2
The Bond That Burns
by Briar Boleyn
Contents
CHAPTER 44 - MEDRA
Overview
Medra fights to save a dying Florence while Nyxaris, weakened by poison, clashes with a corrupted Molindra. Orcades briefly possesses Molindra, who then escapes with Marcus, Catherine, and Lunaya. Faced with an old binding rite, Nyxaris resists until Blake’s contrition and Neville’s intervention sway him to risk saving Florence.
Summary
Medra tries to stanch Florence’s chest wound as Nyxaris, still poisoned, struggles to rise. Kage harasses the corrupted Molindra, and Blake searches Rodriguez’s gear for a usable bolt. Medra goads Nyxaris back to his feet just as Molindra unleashes fire; Nyxaris shields Medra, Theo, and Florence but is bitten and badly wounded.
Determined to help, Medra arms herself with Coregon’s dagger and spots a vulnerable patch on Molindra’s foot, stabbing it. The dagger pulses with dark energy as Orcades pushes through, entering Molindra’s mind. Under Marcus and Catherine’s frantic orders, Molindra launches skyward, erratic and toxin-wracked, carrying Marcus, Catherine, and the silent Lunaya. Orcades departs with them inside Molindra, leaving Medra behind.
Medra returns to Florence, who appears lifeless until Rodriguez finds a faint pulse. He proposes an ancient, dangerous remedy: mixing dragon blood with a rider’s to save her, a binding that could kill Florence or tether Nyxaris to another rider. Nyxaris refuses, citing betrayal by humans and the risk of a new bond.
When Nyxaris threatens retribution, Blake steps forward, accepting death to atone for his role. Medra shields Blake, declaring she will not let Nyxaris harm him and begs the dragon to judge Florence instead. The courtyard stills as Nyxaris weighs vengeance against mercy.
Neville the fluffin emerges, humming a soothing trill that awakens Nyxaris’s memories of creatures who once tended dragons and riders. Neville curls on Florence, wordlessly reproaching Nyxaris. Moved yet wary, Nyxaris concedes the risks remain grave but, swayed by Neville’s loyalty and Medra’s plea, agrees to the ritual to try to save Florence.
Who Appears
- Medra PendragonPOV; triages Florence, rallies Nyxaris, wounds Molindra, pleads for the risky blood rite.
- NyxarisWeakened dragon; shields allies, is wounded, resists binding rite, nearly executes Blake, relents after Neville.
- FlorenceGravely wounded and near death; becomes focus of the proposed dragon–rider blood remedy.
- OrcadesMedra’s mother; urges action, enters Molindra via the dagger, departs as Molindra flees.
- MolindraNecromantically roused, corrupted Luminthar; battles Nyxaris, is stabbed, then escapes with riders.
- BlakeMaimed; fires a bolt at Molindra, confesses betrayal, offers his life, spared by Medra’s stand.
- Professor RodriguezWounded; confirms Florence’s faint pulse and proposes the dangerous dragon–rider blood cure.
- TheoAssists Medra, applies pressure to Florence’s wound, stands by during the decision.
- KageIn white-wolf form, harasses Molindra to distract her from Nyxaris and the others.
- MarcusAntagonist; orders Molindra into the air and escapes atop her.
- CatherineAntagonist; rides Molindra with Marcus, silent as Orcades departs within the dragon.
- LunayaSilent, rides with Catherine; appears emotionally remote during Molindra’s erratic flight.
- NevilleFluffin; hums to calm Nyxaris, recalls ancient bonds, persuades him to risk saving Florence.