I looked at Donavyn. “Would I have seen a feral dragon without knowing it? Do they look the same?”
“They look exactly the same—but we can tell them because they’re a lot more aggressive to humans,” Donavyn said. “Feroz told me there were issues with ferals trying to tempt away females about thirty or forty years ago, but Kgosi scared them off. We lost a handful to them—young ones that Keg said would likely have left the herd anyway. But other than that, there’s been no problems. They avoid him, as well as us.”
I frowned and looked around. “So, they aren’t stealing eggs?”
Barak shook his head. “The only eggs that leave the Eeyrie are hatched, or unviable. There’s been no significant sign of ferals for years. Our dragons react when there’s non-herd dragons nearby. But other than a few flying over once in a while,we haven’t seen them nest in Vosgaarde for a decade. We’d hear from the herd if any stayed close long enough to cause a disturbance. I’d half-wish they’d stop here and lay eggs among ours—we could use the numbers.”
“Is there any chance this is why AkhaneChoseBren when she was so young? Fifty is very early for a dragon. Maybe she was feeling the pressure to breed and wanted to establish her bond with Kgosi?” Donavyn asked.
Barak looked at me. “You could ask her, but I doubt it. I’ve only ever heard dragons speak of finding their person. Not of feeling the pressure to do so. I think she chose Bren when she did, because that’s when they were close. Akhane recognized her. But you should ask her, Bren.”
‘The Furymaster is correct,’Akhane interjected before I could even ask her.‘I Chose you because you’re mine, Bren. Not for any of these details.’She sounded affronted.
“She says no,” I said simply.
Barak nodded, but he and Donavyn returned to discussion about Benji and the coming mission.
“…I’ll talk to the boy today. But can I send him to you for the next few days? We have so many things to sort out before we fly.”
“Of course. Even if you don’t take him with you, he’ll come to us. This is just earlier than we would have stepped in.”
“He’s perfect for us, actually,” Donavyn said. “Young, and looks younger than he is. He seems harmless. No one will suspect him of anything than what he is. It’s exactly what we need. People that are far more talented and capable than others expect them to be.” Then he looked at me and I felt a rush of protectiveness and pride in him.
I had to turn away and pretend I was interested in the shell of the egg nearby, because I felt my cheeks heating.
Thank God it was so hot in here and I had sweat at my temples. Hopefully the Furymaster wouldn’t notice me blushing under Donavyn’s gaze.
19. Need to Breathe
~ BREN ~
‘Have you returned, Little Flame?’Akhane sent as I approached the stables after our visit to the Eeyrie. Her voice was strangely high, quavering. As if she were nervous. It was so unlike her, I frowned and picked up my steps.
‘Yes. Akhane, what’s wrong?’
‘I only wish to have you close. My heart is… I am soothed when you’re close, Bren.’
I practically ran the rest of the way, reassuring her the entire walk, stumbling over words to ask what had unsettled her, but she couldn’t—or didn’t want to—pinpoint a cause.
When I reached the stable, she and Kgosi were both there. He stood close to her until I appeared in the doorway, when she called for me, then hurried to meet me, blowing and inhaling deeply, her nostrils flaring, her snout brushing me from shin to chest as she vocalized in small chirps I didn’t hear from her often.
“Akhane, what’s wrong?”
‘I want to fly—can you fly with me Bren?’
‘Yes, of course. But—’
Akhane snorted and started for the stable door and her behavior was so odd, I didn’t follow. “Akhane, I’ll fly with you—but you have to tell me what’s wrong. I can feel you. Why are you agitated? Did something happen with Kgosi?”
I turned to look at the Primarch, who snorted and ruffled his wings.
“Sorry, Kgosi,” I gulped. “I just—”
Akhane hesitated just inside the door.‘No, no. Not that, Bren,’she said, shaking her head like an unhappy dog.‘My mate is my rock. I am only bothered. You have those days, don’t you? When the picture seems bleak. There is nothing to be done for it. But, I find I ache for the skies, and the quiet. And I hoped we could go together.’
A strange, unsettled hum began in my chest. I didn’t think she was lying to me. But I could sensesomethingin her. I looked at Kgosi, but his eyes were on her. He didn’t seem agitated like she was, but she held all his attention.
What was going on?
