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“And yet you’ve come through intact.” Lady Avari tilted her head. “You’re clearly resilient. I understand you nearly died.”

Kage had been there, witness to everything. What had he really been thinking that night as Medra offered to give up her dragon for my life?

I took a deep breath. “Yes. That’s true.” I didn’t offer more information. What was the point if she knew everything already?

“You’ve bonded with Nyxaris,” Lady Avari observed.

I smiled slightly. “So they tell me. It wasn’t exactly a choice.”

It was for me.

I tried to hide my surprise, but of course, Nyxaris was right. He had chosen to save me.

My throat was dry. I’m grateful for what you did. I didn’t mean …

It is of no consequence. Nyxaris’s voice was wry. Listen to the highblood woman now.

“I mean, it was not intentional,” I clarified. “Medra would have made a much better rider.”

Lady Avari smiled. “Perhaps. But intention is irrelevant. What matters is what is done.” She touched a ring on her finger, twisting the diamond-laden band. “You know, Nyxaris was once bound to House Avari. He was loyal to us for many years, before events forced his long slumber.”

“Of course. I’d forgotten that.”

I have not. Nyxaris’s voice was cold.

“I’m not surprised. It’s to the advantage of House Drakharrow that we all forget. But your bond to Nyxaris is a revival of that ancient tie, for you are a member of our house. Your bond is thus one we would like to honor—and protect.”

Protect. There was a weight to the word. “What kind of protection?” I asked carefully.

“I propose an arrangement,” Lady Avari said smoothly. “A formal bond. Viktor Drakharrow has already made his interest in you known. I have no doubt he’ll try to exploit you for his own gain. We cannot allow that to happen.”

My fingers curled around my knee. “So Kage told you what happened today.”

“It is a miracle that the dragon arrived when he did,” Lady Avari said directly. “Florence, have you ever heard the term soul-binding?”

Slowly, I shook my head.

“It is not a pleasant thing for a blightborn. Soul-binding describes the process in which a dragon rider’s soul is merged to a highblood’s—forcibly. It allows a highblood to bind a rider as a living chain.”

“So they can ride a dragon,” I whispered.

“Yes. Highbloods are not riders. You were never meant to be a rider. And yet, here we are.”

I licked my lips. “And Viktor … You think he knows how to do this? That he wants to do this to me?”

“There is absolutely no doubt in my mind that Viktor Drakharrow knows precisely how to perform the ritual. We know he intended to use it upon Medra Pendragon.” She shrugged elegantly. “Now, whether he intended to be the soul involved or whether he would use another, I cannot say. He has recently taken a bride, after all.”

“Regan.” I stared at Lady Avari in horror. “Are you saying he’d bind my soul to hers?”

“I cannot say for certain, but we have reason to believe the soul involved would not necessarily be his own. There is a risk for the highblood involved in the ritual. It does not always succeed, you see. Viktor Drakharrow has safeguarded his own life over that of others for centuries. He is the most riskaverse man I know.” Lady Avari sounded disdainful.

“And this is allowed?” I whispered again.

“It’s forbidden,” Kage cut in quietly. “But that doesn’t mean it’s not possible.”

Lady Avari waved a hand. “Viktor sees himself as above every law, we all know this. He believes dragons should be controlled, bound like weapons, like slaves.”

In my head, Nyxaris growled. I touched a finger to my temple. I could feel Lady Avari’s and Kage’s eyes upon me.