On Wings of Blood Chapter 60 Summary and Analysis
⚠️ Spoiler Warning: This guide contains detailed spoilers for the entire novel. Proceed only if you've finished reading or are comfortable knowing the plot.
Summary
Medra meets Blake in the moonlit Dragon Court. Their passionate kiss turns dark when Blake bites her to feed without consent. He reveals he tricked her into drinking his blood to complete a fated bond; she is now his mate. When Medra refuses, he uses the bond to control her body and forces a feeding. During the feeding, an earthquake shatters the black dragon statue of House Avari, awakening Nyxaris. Medra realizes her earlier severance ritual accidentally freed the dragon. She attempts to bond with Nyxaris through flattery, but the dragon dismisses her and flies away, warning her to lie about his return or face execution.
Key Events
- Medra and Blake share an intimate kiss in the Dragon Court.
- Blake bites Medra’s neck without consent, attempting to feed.
- Medra shoves him away and confronts him.
- Blake admits he tricked Medra into drinking his blood to complete the mate bond.
- He reveals the bond allows him to control her body.
- Blake force-feeds on Medra as she is unable to resist.
- An earthquake rocks the courtyard, breaking the black dragon statue.
- The dragon Nyxaris awakens and speaks to Medra in her mind.
- Medra attempts to bond with Nyxaris but is rejected.
- Nyxaris flies away, warning Medra to deceive others about his return.
Character Development
- Medra: Experiences betrayal and loss of trust; asserts her right to consent; shows courage in facing the dragon.
- Blake: Reveals manipulative nature; prioritizes his survival over Medra’s autonomy; uses the bond as control.
- Nyxaris: Wise, ancient, unimpressed by flattery; grateful for freedom but unwilling to bond; shows disdain for manipulative traditions.
Themes, Symbols, or Motifs
- Consent vs. Compulsion: The forced feeding and bond control highlight inequality in their relationship.
- Manipulation vs. Trust: Blake’s dishonesty destroys any foundation for genuine partnership.
- Blood Bond: Symbolizes both connection and violation; used as a tool of coercion.
- Dragon Awakening: Represents upheaval of old orders and Medra’s accidental power.
- Crack in the Statue: Medra’s internal fracture mirrored in the stone dragon.
Why This Chapter Matters
This chapter marks a turning point: Blake’s true intentions are exposed, the mate bond is revealed as a trap, and the first dragon in centuries is awakened. Medra’s failed bonding attempt sets up a new conflict—the dragon’s freedom may bring danger or allies. Her relationship with Blake is seemingly irreparable.
Study Questions and Answers
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How does Blake justify his actions to Medra?
Blake argues that the bond was necessary for her survival against Regan and other highbloods. He insists he did it out of protection and that the bond is irreversible, but his justification ignores consent and agency. -
What does Medra’s attempt to bond with Nyxaris reveal about her character?
Despite her recent trauma, Medra shows bravery and quick thinking. She uses flattery and offers partnership rather than mastery, but she also reveals desperation. Nyxaris’s rejection deepens her vulnerability. -
Why does Nyxaris refuse the bond and what does his departure foreshadow?
Nyxaris is wary of being bound again after centuries of forced slumber. He values his freedom and has no loyalty to House Avari. His departure suggests that dragons may have their own agendas, and that Medra’s actions have unleashed an unpredictable force.