~ BREN ~
Emberholt, as a city, was massive, and nearly circular. Donavyn had explained before we reached it that the city existed in several concentric layers,each increasingly wealthy the closer one drew to the center, which housed the palace and the estates of the court families, each layer within the city walled to separate it from those “below.” The city was built on the terraced sides of a peak high enough to assist the flow of water. Water, which was purest at the center, drawn from wells and natural springs upon which the palace and rich estates had been built. The run-off drained through the districts, all the way down to those nearest the wall, who were the poorest, and their conditions harshest.
And just like the water, the city sang with gossip, beginning in the central powers, and draining down, even to the poor.
Apparently, they’dallheard news of the Vosgaarde dragons impending arrival.
The only gate the dragons could fit through on foot was the Eastern Gate, so once we reached it, we’d been forced to circle to find a good landing spot nearby. Our appearance in the air had drawn attention, and by the time we entered the gates, people lined the streets and gathered in crowds. And as we passed through each district, the crowds—and the noise—grew.
The Jewel district, just below the center where the castle turrets soared higher than any other structure, and the grand estates of the nobles sprawled around it, was beautiful. When we reached it, the ever-widening roads were a cacophony of cheers and shrieks.
Ahead of me and Akhane, Kgosi trumpeted and pranced, delighting and frightening the crowds who scrambled back to avoid his tail and fluttering wings. But atop his withers Donavyn rode, calmly waving with one hand, while keeping a firm grip on the neck strap to offer stability to Lady Faye, who hunched in front of him, beaming.
She’d dressed in her finest—a gown of layered, whisper-thin silks and sheers that I was fairly certain was being decimated by Kgosi’s scales. But she didn’t seem at all worried, waving with both hands, blowing kisses, and smiling until it seemed her face would split in two.
I rode Akhane alone, while Benji and the servants sat in the boxes on the back of the transport dragon, only noticed after Kgosi’s display because that creature was so massive he almost didn’t fit between the buildings.
I’d watched our team be jostled as the dragon slithered between buildings when a tight corner was navigated, and winced when it looked like Benji might be tipped out of his box at one point.
But we made it safely, if somewhat weary.
I reached forward to pat Akhane’s neck and sighed.‘Don’t you want to prance and show off like Kgosi? The people will cheer for you.’
Akhane huffed. A small stream of smoke and vapor poured from both nostrils, and the people nearest shrieked. Someone screamed,fire!But was quickly shushed by others.
‘No, I don’t wish to impress,’Akhane sent in the most impatient tone I thought I’d ever heard from her.‘This display reeks of pageantry.’
I knew what she meant. I’d been warned that Fyrehold was a culture that prioritized wealth and appearance in ways even beyond Vosgaarde’s class structure. And if Lady Faye was an example of their nobles, I worried Donavyn might find himself pawed to death by the noble women at some point.
But I found Kgosi’s prancing amusing.‘I think it’s funny,’I said, watching the Primarch toss his head and open his mouth to reveal his teeth so the eyes of the people went wide.‘He’s teasing them.’
‘He’s enjoying the attention,’Akhane said bluntly.‘And the screams. The adolescent in him still schemes about ways to startle unsuspecting humans.’
I grinned.‘Kgosi likes to play pranks?’
‘Haven’t you noticed how he frightens the stableboys, and pretends he didn’t notice them running from his tail?’
I hadn’t thought about it, but it was true. We’d often entered the stables behind Kgosi and Donavyn, and I’d seen stableboys yelp and dive into piles of dirty bedding to avoid his swinging tail.
‘He does that on purpose?!’
‘He’d never hurt them,’Akhane said, a hint of her humor finally warming her tone.‘He would chastise himself if he accidentally harmed any of them. He sees them like… children of his children?’
‘Grandchildren?’I offered.
‘Yes, that’s the human term. He entertains himself making their eyes big, or their cheeks blush. But in truth, he seeks to improve them all, and prepare them for their own dragons one day.’
I loved Kgosi, and hadn’t been frightened of him since the day he’d forced me to face my fear. But I knew most of the stableboys walked small around him, and some of the Furyknights too. Even Donavyn had said he was glad for his bond with the Primarch. If he’d had to face him without being in his mind and heart, and knowing how softly he loved, he would have been terrified.
Another wave of the crowd screamed and scrambled back from the road as Kgosi swung his head and huffed plumes of smoke and vapor.
‘Well, it looks like he’s getting his way, today,’I sent to Akhane.‘And Lady Faye isloving it.Look at her.’
I knew Donavyn found her presence irritating in the extreme, yet he knew she’d be an easy introduction into society here. So, he’d been a complete gentleman with her, assisting her in mounting Kgosi, and patiently riding with her as she giggled and waved. I just wished she’d stop clinging to his arms and leaning back into his chest. Even though I saw the way he tensed each time, it felt ugly.
‘That is, in part, what Donavyn feels at the thought of your role here.’
I knew she was right, and it was a confrontational thought. I’d been angry with him for feeling upset about the idea of me evenflirtingas these nobles did. Yet, here I watched on as Lady Faye—a very unsubtle woman—put a hand on his thigh when Kgosi side-stepped.
