We all turned at the sound of my mother’s shaky voice. She was in tears and clutching herself. I hurried to her andshe grabbed me up in a hug that surprised me so, that it took a moment for me to embrace her back. But when I did, tears pricked my eyes too.
“You can trust him. He’s a good man,” I whispered in her ear, then pushed out of her arms. “They all are.”
At my look, Donavyn reluctantly released my father, who coughed and spluttered, his eyes watering, trying to speak, but little more than a croak left his throat.
My mother reached for my face and cupped it, turning me to meet her eyes that were still welling with tears. “Are you well, Bren? Truly?”
“Truly,” I whispered back, nodding. “And Donavyn is… he’swonderful,Mother. Truly honorable and… just a good man. The bond we have is from God. And my brothers arebrothers.They’ve done nothing but help me.”
My mother looked at my father, and I saw the fear flash in her eyes. Papa, still bent over, hands on his knees, raised one hand in warning when my mother’s lips thinned, then she approached Donavyn, but she ignored him, and after a moment’s hesitation, rushed to him, gripping his face and pulling him down to kiss each of his cheeks.
“Thank you for standing as her protector,” she whispered.
Donavyn’s face softened and my heart swelled. “It will never be another way.”
The moments that followed were a blur. I tried to explain just a little of the dragons and the bond, while my father found his breath again. Mother was clearly upset, but also happy for me. I felt her love and was suddenly glad that she’d come.
While we spoke, my brothers surrounded my father. At first, I thought it was to make certain he wouldn’t come for me or my mother. But then I realized Ronen had his back to my father, and faced Donavyn. Unspoken warnings passing back and forth between them.
Then, my mother pulled me aside, clearly concerned as my father straightened and began to breathe normally again, his expression hardening.
“This is all so different than we expected. He truly was worried about you, Bren. We both were. We knew you must be surrounded by all these strong men. But I’m so very pleased to see that you found a good one. I’ll take your father away. We only came to make certain you were safe—and it’s clear that you are. To me at least,” she added sadly, with a glance between my brothers to my father. “I will sleep better now and… and I’ll be happy for you. Stay, Bren. Stay here and be happy and strong and… everything that you can be.”
I wept as I hugged her, thanking her.
Then she leaned into my ear and whispered, “If you have children, please tell me. A letter to my sister will reach me.”
Before I could respond, my father rasped that they were leaving, and she released me to go with him.
“We’ll usher you out—” Donavyn started, but Ronen and Oros stepped up to stop him, as Harle and Einar hurried to open the door for my parents and followed them out into the hall.
As soon as they disappeared, I slumped, face in my hands, wondering how any of this happened.
I was still crying, but softly, and not really sure why, except my mother’s words had touched me, when a large, warm hand appeared at the back of my neck.
When I lifted my face to look at Donavyn, he pulled me into his chest, and I forgot about being in the barracks, or the risk. I just threw myself into him and clung, crying.
I wasn’t aware of how long we stood there, or what happened, only the warmth and strength of his arms, the pounding of his heart under my ear, and the rush of love and anger and churning agitation in the bond.
When I finally looked up, sniffing and wiping my eyes, the room was empty except for us, and Donavyn stared down at me worriedly. He combed back the stray strands of hair that had stuck to the tears on my cheeks and tucked them behind my ears.
“Thank you,” I whispered, and leaned up to kiss him. “Thank you.”
“Just breathe,” he said softly. “Ronen’s watching the hallway. We have some time. And we can leave separately.”
That was when it struck me—he’d told my parents! He’d named me his mate! My mouth dropped open. “Donavyn! What if they tell people? Rumors in the city will reach here and if they’re staying at an inn—”
“It’s too late to worry, Bren. It was right and good that he understand that an honorable man not only wanted you, but cherished you. I couldn’t let him keep speaking about you that way.”
“But, if he says anything—”
“Hopefully, it will be assumed he’s a citizen who doesn’t understand dragon bonds. But given his attitude, I don’t think he’ll want to speak with anyone here.” Donavyn looked off towards the windows for a long moment, then sighed. “Sona and Kyan tell Kgosi that Einar and Harle are escorting them back to the city under the guise of keeping them safe. I feel sorry for the men, but they’re good to do it. Any rumors in the city can be countered if necessary. But we don’t have time to worry about that.” He took my chin in his hand. “When we come back, I’m not hiding you anymore. I won’t allow him—or any other man—to believe those things of you, Bren. I simply won’t.” His throat bobbed as my eyes began to blur. “I’m proud that you’re my mate. And I will be proud to make you mywife.”
I gasped. “Donavyn, I’m not worried about that. Our bond is already more than—”
“I won’t let any more ignorant men think those things of you. Will you marry me, Bren? When we return from Fyrehold, marry me. I am proud to have you as mine. Proud for the world to see that. Proud that God entrusted you to my hands. I will never be ashamed of you—and I will not give anyone an excuse to think otherwise. Marry me. Please, Bren.Marry me.”
I laughed through tears and threw my arms around his neck, pulling him down into a kiss.
