Being seen as my companion would offer her some protection, simply by virtue that the men wouldn’t wish to anger Alexi by offending me. They knew he and I worked closely, and trusted each other. It was the only reason I was willing to walk with her into this mission at all. Because I knew those men would step more carefully.
I also knew that her presence as someoneunattainablewould only whet their appetites for her. And given the general disdain for monogamy among the noble classes, if they believed she was open to a scandalous affair…
Even a man with some self-control might move then.
The thoughts whipped through my head in a blink. Her clipped footsteps were still audible in the hallway outside when I took a step towards the door—then caught myself.
I wanted to chase her. But I couldn’t be seen to pursue her down a hallway here, where an officer or instructor—even theranks—might step into our path. And my cheek still stung where she’d slapped me, the skin humming with heat.
Besides, we bothneeded a few minutes to cool off and remember we were in this together.
Reluctantly, I reached for Kgosi.
‘Are you in the stable?’
‘Yes.’
‘I think Bren is on her way to Akhane. Can you tell me when she arrives safely?’
There was a hum in the link, his curiosityandcautious disapproval.‘She won’t tell you herself?’
‘You mean, you weren’t invading my head just now?’I sent dryly. Gritting my teeth, I replayed the exchange to him and felt his disapproval increase. Whether for me, or Bren, or both of us, I wasn’t sure. And frankly, I didn’t want to ask.‘If you could urge Akhane to keep her there for a few minutes, I’ll come when she’s had some time to calm down—’
‘I don’t believe that would be wise, Donavyn. Let Akhane soothe her first.’
I pursed my lips.‘We humans aren’t like you, Kgosi. She won’t be happy to let this sit, and given that we could get word to fly any hour—’
‘I don’t warn you for Bren’s benefit, Donavyn.Youare agitated—and that is the worst time to speak with a female, especially one wounded as Bren has been. She will absorb your tension. It will not go well.’
I huffed.‘It already hasn’t gone well.’
Kgosi rumbled in the bond, but didn’t respond. I began to pace my office, frustrated and angry and a little bit afraid. My dragon didn’t speak. But I felt him there, observing me. Waiting.
That made me clench my teeth.
When he murmured that Bren had arrived and was curled up with Akhane, that he was leaving the two of them to speak and soothe each other, I had to fight not to rush down there.
‘Do you and Akhane argue, Keg?’I blurted, clawing a hand through my hair.
‘Not in this way,’he returned without hesitation.‘We battle different intentions and drives and must negotiate. Especially on timing. My mate is impulsive at times,’he said with more warmth and affection than longsuffering.‘I’m certain the day will come that we disagree outright. But so far, our hearts are unified. Because we aim for the same goal.’
‘As do Bren, and I.’
‘Do you?’It was a simple question. Not an insult. But my hackles rose anyway.
‘Yes. We do. We both want to succeed in this mission, to see her valued for her skill, and to returnsafe.’
‘Yet you grow angry with each other over these very points?’
‘We see different paths to the same goal. That’s all. Don’t you and Akhane sometimes see different flight paths to the same destination?’
‘Never. There is always only onebestroute, and we both choose that.’
I swung between eye-rolling disbelief, and a humbling conviction that my dragon didn’t lie. It was a frustrating truth that these creatures lived in a state of both faith and self-certainty that most humans would envy. I couldn’t deny the truth of it, because Bren and I both sensed it in them. It was the grounding nature of a bond with a dragon. A certain clarity that came with their foresight and faith. And now, with our matebonds entwined, the dragons brought a oneness that kept all four of us together in a way I knew other Furyknights didn’t enjoy.
It was part of why I’d hidden my desire to slay Ruin from Kgosi—I didn’t want to blacken that cord that bound all of us. And I hadn’t wanted Bren to feel that rising desire for violence, and fear it would be used against her.
‘Donavyn, the time has come that we should speak.’
