I had to remind myself to keep my chin low and eyes down as Faye dragged Donavyn to meet a cluster of bored, aristocratic men and women clustered along the side of the hall, watching the dancers. To my surprise, when I reached them a few moments later, Faye, who had just introduced Donavyn, grabbed my elbow and pulled me forward.
“And this is the General’s companion. I was introduced to Brennan by Diaan en’ Del Rea—the Queen of Vosgaarde. A true honor,” Faye said, her tone brimming with false modesty. “Brennan joined us for tea and is delightful. She rides the dragons as well!”
The bored, arrogant gazes sharpened as she spoke until, by the last statement, they all leaned closer to examine me—like they couldn’t quite be sure what they saw.
“Welcome to Fyrehold, Brennan,” one of the older women said, her graying hair pinned up in a large bundle of loose curls that tumbled over her unusually high-necked dress.
“Thank you,” I said, ducking my head and dropping a brief curtsey. “It’s an honor to be here.”
“Oh, Brennan, don’t worry aboutthat!”Faye chittered, jerking me a step closer to the circle of avid eyes. “Tell them about the dragons—I rode here with the General. We made it from Vosgaarde Palace in less than a week, can you believe it?! I already told the queen, here in Fyrehold, we’ve overlooked the opportunities those beasts present.”
Donavyn and I both stiffened atbeasts,but despite having invited me to speak, Faye babbled on, preening under the attention when the others began asking questions.
Half an hour later I’d been introduced formally to a dozen of the nobles, both men and women, and there were a dozen more clustered around. Donavyn spoke the most, but the men, blustering and pompous, were clearly aware of all the female eyes, and doing everything they could to appear as strong and courageous in comparison.
I’d kept quiet unless addressed directly, but listened with genuine interest, and let my nerves show a hair, so they’d believe I was out of my depth.
The ladies peppered me with questions about what it was like to work with Donavyn—and I could be honest about his generosity and strength. But also didn’t miss the opportunity to meet his eyes more than once and offer a secret smile or two.
Donavyn’s eyes crinkled whenever I did it.‘Very well done,’he rumbled in the link‘They’re already enthralled.’
‘By you,’I pointed out, turning back to Faye, who’d asked me a question about riding in skirts, and I had to pretend innocence.
“Oh, we never ride in skirts,” I said, trying to giggle like these women did. And then, because I couldn’t resist it. “That would beterriblyimmodest.”
‘You’re diabolical,’Donavyn sent with a tone on the edge of laughter.
I pretended I didn’t notice when Faye’s face went sour, but luckily one of the other women tipped her head. “If you don’t ride in skirts… you ride inmen’s trousers?”
I nodded as if she’d had no tone. “Yes, it’s far more practical. We have to sit astride, and the dragons are sowide.”
There were chuckles and chokes from some of the men, and one, a younger man, though still years older than me, with darkhair and eyes, leaned a little closer. “They allow you to ride. Alone?”
“Akhane does, yes. She’s the Primarch’s mate, but she’s too young to take a bond. She lets me ride and that means she can come with Kgosi. We weren’t allowed to bring an unaccompanied dragon into another kingdom.”
“Do you ride every day?” another man piped up. His face looked no older than Donavyn’s. Yet, his head was nearly bald, and he wore glasses that reflected the light of the chandeliers overhead so I couldn’t see his eyes.
“Most days—at least, while we’re travelling. Though I’m not sure while we’re here. The queen has been most hospitable, and Donavyn—excuse me, the General—has very important work to do for the herds. I’ll be offering my assistance in whatever manner he requires.”
I was half-proud, half-disgusted by how easy it was to fall into the rhythm of thisinnuendo.
More harumphing and whispers from the men, and knowing looks from the women, but I pretended I didn’t notice.
Then a voice piped up from behind the others, and everyone turned.
Leaning against the wall, just beyond this cluster of nobles, a man stood with arms folded and head tilted. His thick hair was near-black, shining with the wax these men obviously preferred, the sides cut short and tidy, but the top much longer. He’d combed it back in a sleek look that only highlighted the sharp angles of his high cheek bones and chiseled jaw. He wasn’t as big as Donavyn, but his broad chest and shoulders implied that, unlike most of the other men here, he didn’t spend his days lounging. He reminded me of Voski with those glittering eyes and high cheekbones.
His lazy smile had a jagged edge. He ignored everyone else and locked eyes with me. The others all went quiet when he spoke.
“I would like to see you fly,” he said quietly, casually. And I would have thought it nothing more than a bored attempt to engage with a new curiosity, but his eyes were intense, and if I measured him correctly, held an edge of challenge.
Without breaking that gaze, I bowed my head slowly. “I would be happy to offer you a demonstration… sir?”
“Hanson,” he said slowly.
“SirHanson—” I started, but Faye tsked.
“He’s a Lord, Brennan,” she cautioned me.
