Angry.
Ill-disciplined.
Thoughtless.
Impulsive.
Violent.
Shit.As Kgosi straightened in the air and I saw where he was flying, I sighed.‘I know you’re right. But the kick in my chest when I see her putting herself in danger… I don’t know, Kgosi. I’m not perfect.’
‘No one requires perfection of you,’he said dismissively.‘Your mate seeks to regain the power she lost. But in doing so, she will face risks. Risks that may outstrip the dangers she has already faced.’
‘That’s exactly my point!’
‘So, empower her, Donavyn. You have the advantage of size, strength, experience, age—and a solid love the likes of which she has never received before. She needs your wiles to do the job she’s been given. She’ll need your insight every day when you face the enemy together. Don’t reject her for grasping at any tool that might help her.Teachher. Help her. Empower her.’
Even with the humility of seeing my error, my fear flared at that.
‘Teach her to seduce other men?’
‘You know she doesn’t seek that.’
‘But that will be the result.’
Kgosi growled.‘Your fear is only lack of trust. We have lived this, brother. You throw yourself off platforms because you trust me to catch you. Where is your trust for Bren? For the Creator’s plan?’
‘She doesn’t know what she’s getting herself into.’
‘So, instruct her. Teach her the warning signs. Teach her the difference those men would perceive between games and promises. Teach her to flee in times of danger. And teach her that your arms are the safety to which she runs. Even if she got it wrong.’
I struggled to respond to that.
‘That is the problem we face, is it not, Donavyn? You fear she will be taken from you. Again.’
I had to take a deep, steadying breath and show Kgosi the memories that shamed me.
Ruin. My project. Mydisciple.While I’d been wary of his arrogance, I’d still worked to build him into an even stronger weapon.
‘I missed it. He was under my authority, in my sphere. We weren’t distant, Kgosi. My instincts told me there was a problem. But I missed it.’
‘Talon’s responsibility for his actions lays firmly in his own lap. The same is true for his dragon. Your responsibility is to ensure that you don’t ignore your God-given instincts ever again. Even if you cannot justify them to man.’
‘You’re right. I know you’re right.’
‘I usually am,’Kgosi sent with a hint of his usual smug amusement.
But I wasn’t ready to joke yet.‘So, why am I wrestling with this?’
‘Because you’ve been hiding. Protecting yourself. And it’s frightening to consider the consequences of letting that go. But the time has come, Donavyn. Open your heart. Practice humility. What do you hide still? What burden do you need to share? I’m here. It’s the purposeI’vebeen given.’
It took a moment to realize that the feelings tightening my chest were reminders of my first years as a Furyknight. The humbling nature of riding a dragon who outstripped me so greatly in every aspect of life, when I’d been so accustomed to outstripping others.
I was big, and strong, smart, and usually honorable. As a young man, measured against my peers, I’d become accustomed to winning. And in the few moments I hadn’t, it was usually because ofmylack of discipline or commitment.
But here I was, once again faced with my dragon’s superior intellect, patience, and wisdom.
I felt like a child next to him.
