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“Blake hates speeches,” Visha said.

He scowled. “I do hate speeches.”

I smiled. “Yes, but you rehearsed this one. Remember? And you have notes.”

He groaned. “Sure, but I’m not used to it being so formal.”

“He means he’s used to just bellowing down the stairs into the Common Room and having everyone snap to attention and do whatever he says,” Visha translated.

Blake grinned. “Well, basically.”

“Those days are over,” I reminded him, touching his cheek.

He leaned down and kissed me lightly on the lips. “And new ones lie ahead.”

Visha made a disgusted sound. “I’m going to mingle.”

“She’s going to suck Kazmyn,” Blake whispered loudly.

“Not dignifying that with a response,” Visha called over her shoulder, raising her hand in a rude gesture.

As we made our way farther into the room, some students stopped Blake to congratulate him. Others asked about our plans for the summer. Then the music began to die down. Blake pulled me through the crowd to the front of the room where Headmaster Sebastian Sankara was stepping up onto the stage and moving to stand behind a podium. Wearing a long black robe, he looked handsome and dignified. His silver beard had been perfectly trimmed. His single gold hoop earring gleamed in his right ear.

“Most pirate-y headmaster Bloodwing will ever have,” Blake whispered in my ear.

“We should get him a parrot,” I whispered back.

Blake made a choking sound as Sankara began his speech. His deep resonant voice easily carried throughout the hall. “Students, faculty, honored guests, families, and friends, thank you for joining us tonight.” He paused, looking out at us all. “This has been a challenging year.” He gave a faint smile, and there was a small ripple of laughter.

I held very still, my arm linked through Blake’s.

Sankara continued, his expression turning solemn. “For many, it has been one of loss. For all of us, it has been one of upheaval and change. A year in which Bloodwing Academy—which I would argue represents, in many ways, the heart of Sangratha itself—was called to become something more than we ever dreamed it could be.”

His eyes traveled over the crowd. “Students from this school have shown extraordinary courage and resilience. They have become the change many never believed possible. Some gave more than any of us had the right to ask of them. Some made the ultimate sacrifice for this realm and for their fellow students.”

No one moved. I thought of Lunaya and Regan, of Kage and Lysander. I thought of wise teachers and mentors, like Magda and Hawl. I thought of a golden dragon and my mother.

Sankara had bowed his head for a moment; now he looked up. “We will honor them not only with our grief but with what we choose to build next.” His warm, steady eyes moved over us all. “The future is not a thing to be feared simply because it is uncertain. It is a thing of hope. Despite all we have endured, I still find myself looking forward to the year to come.”

There was applause. First soft, then stronger. When it had died down, Sankara went on. “Now, before we return to the food and to the music, I’d like to call up a student—no,” he corrected himself, “a brand new alumnus. One who I doubt requires any introduction. Still, he deserves one. Please join me in welcoming Blake Drakharrow.”

A ripple moved through the room as all heads began to turn toward where I stood beside Blake. “You’ve got this,” I murmured to him.

Blake stood at the podium, resplendent in black and silver and gold. He looked beautiful—but also uncomfortable. I watched him set his notes down and stare at them. He shuffled them, then cleared his throat. “Right.” He tapped the pages. “I have this all written out. Which, for those of you who know me well, should tell you how seriously I’m taking it.”

That earned him a laugh. I felt myself smile. He glanced down at us, his jaw still tight. Then his eyes landed on mine. I held his gaze and watched his shoulders relax a little. The tension in his face seemed to ease.

He took a deep breath, and when he spoke again, his voice was steadier. “Bloodwing has been my home for what feels like a very long time. It wasn’t always an easy one. And it was definitely not perfect. But it was home to me, all the same.”

The room had gone very quiet.

“I grew up in these towers. I learned how to fight in these halls. I got in trouble. Repeatedly.” He gave a low laugh, and the crowd laughed with him. “But I also learned a lot, too. I spent years as House Leader of Drakharrow,” he continued. “And if you’re wondering if I was good at the job, well … let’s just say there was a lot of yelling.”

Students at the Drakharrow table stomped and hollered. I heard a few shouts of “We love you, Blake!” Up at the podium, Blake flushed and grinned.

“There may have been a few threats. A little property damage.” He grimaced. “A few decisions I wish I’d never made.” His face sobered, and he looked out at the crowd. “But overall, I guess Bloodwing taught me what leadership is supposed to be. And it wasn’t always what I thought. It’s not about power, and it’s not about fear. It’s about service. It’s about sacrifice and protecting people who need you, even when there’s a cost.”

His eyes moved to find Theo in the crowd where he stood next to Vaughn. Blake’s expression changed as he looked out at his cousin. I saw fierce pride.