Bloodwing Academy, #2
The Bond That Burns
by Briar Boleyn
Contents
CHAPTER 10 - MEDRA
Overview
Medra skips breakfast after arguing with Theo about Blake and heads to The Alchemist’s Garden, where Professor Allenvale pairs her with Florence and Lunaya. Lunaya reveals Orphos dream practices and supports Medra’s survival.
Later, a private history session with Professor Hassan exposes Tribunal demands: public proof that Medra controls Nyxaris or face confinement and threats to friends. Medra defies Hassan and resolves to win Nyxaris’s cooperation to protect Florence.
Summary
Leaving Theo after rejecting breakfast, Medra insists she will seek a way to end her toxic bond with Blake despite highblood beliefs that such bonds cannot break. Theo warns Blake will spiral, but Medra remains determined.
Medra joins The Alchemist’s Garden at the greenhouse with Professor Vasanti Allenvale. Assigned with Florence and Lunaya Orphos, Medra takes notes while Florence and Lunaya discuss mirthleaf, shadowroot, and emberfern. Lunaya shares Orphos dreamweaving theory and portents, and sincerely expresses relief that Medra survived the tribunal. The group demonstrates a respectful, cross-house exchange.
After class, Medra and Florence picnic by the sea. Florence worries about Blake’s reprisals, but they head back so Medra can attend Historical Perspectives in a remote cliffside room.
There, Professor Amina Hassan reveals the class is a private, Tribunal-approved mandate arranged by Lord Drakharrow to teach Medra a rider’s subordination. Hassan demands Medra prove control over Nyxaris through commanded summons, strategic maneuvers, and visible submission at a public evaluation next month, warning failure means renewed confinement and restricted contacts.
When Hassan implies the Tribunal might punish Medra’s friends—citing Naveen—Medra fiercely defends Nyxaris’s autonomy and denounces Bloodwing cruelty. The confrontation escalates; Hassan vows to report Medra’s defiance and exits.
Shaken, Medra resolves to protect Florence by meeting Tribunal expectations without betraying Nyxaris. She determines to find leverage and answers that will earn Nyxaris’s trust so he will cooperate before the evaluation deadline.
Who Appears
- Medra PendragonProtagonist; pushes back against Blake’s control, excels in alchemy group, defies Hassan’s demands, resolves to gain Nyxaris’s cooperation to protect friends.
- Florence ShenSupportive friend and sharp alchemy student; partners with Medra, shares herb knowledge, picnics with her; becomes leverage target in Hassan’s threats.
- Lunaya OrphosHighblood classmate; gentle, insightful; discusses Orphos dream magic, herb uses, and expresses relief Medra survived, signaling Orphos sympathy.
- Professor Vasanti AllenvaleKind, enthusiastic alchemy instructor; organizes mixed groups and fosters collaborative, theory-practice discussion of key restorative plants.
- Professor Amina HassanSevere historian; runs private Tribunal-mandated class, insists riders submit to highblood control, threatens confinement and friends, storms off to report Medra.
- Theo DrakharrowCousin to Blake; defends him and warns Medra about his instability; parts ways as Medra seeks classes.