Contents
Chapter 30
Overview
Blake conducts a dangerous ritual in the Dragon Court, summoning the Inferni Vorago to eradicate the dragon inside him. He alters the Spell of Twin Hearts to enable devouring, not union. Vorago destroys Blake’s inner dragon, then chooses release from torment, crumbling to dust. Blake emerges free and returns to Pendragon.
Summary
A few hours before the ball’s catastrophe, Blake rushes to the Dragon Court with Rodriguez’s book, driven by guilt and a need to protect Pendragon from the reckless dragon inside him. Among the remaining stone dragons, he selects Vorago, the Inferni, and inscribes twin sigils in blood on the statue and on his chest.
Blake begins the Spell of Twin Hearts, addressing Vorago with deliberate praise to elicit a response. Vorago awakens in fury, accusing Blake of seeking mastery. Blake counters, pleading for mercy and freedom from the beast within him, offering aid in exchange. Vorago, trapped in agonized stone-existence, admits he desires only an end.
Vorago proposes a bargain: alter the incantation and sigils to enable devouring rather than union, so Vorago’s agony can burn out Blake’s half-formed inner dragon. As Blake complies, his inner dragon fights to stop the rite. Vorago’s power erupts, the spirits clash, and Blake endures a searing instant of being not one but three—himself, Vorago’s vast wrath, and the cowering hatchling within.
The inner dragon is annihilated; Blake’s call for wings and scales goes unanswered. Vorago’s statue collapses into ruby-gold dust as the ancient dragon embraces oblivion. Feeling unshackled and giddy with relief, Blake turns back toward the castle, free at last and intent on returning to Pendragon.
Who Appears
- BlakeDetermined to protect Pendragon, he summons Vorago and alters a binding spell so Vorago devours his inner dragon, freeing him.
- VoragoAncient Inferni awakened from stone; bargains to burn out Blake’s inner dragon, then chooses death, crumbling to dust.
- PendragonBlake’s injured ally and motivation; Blake leaves and later intends to return to Pendragon after the ritual.
- Blake’s inner dragonReckless, half-formed presence within Blake; resists the rite but is devoured and destroyed by Vorago.