Her eyes flashed as she returned her attention to me. “You’re her Commanding Officer, maybe you can make these idiots listen—if she’s to work for the greater good in battle, she needs to be given a role that plays to her strengths in strategy and flight. Not physical domination. Because if she’s ever caught, she won’t be able to dominate a man.”
A trickle of cold fear contracted my lungs. “You think it’s not safe for her to fight?”
Terra rolled her eyes. “Of course not! But she’s a woman—smaller framed, less strength, but with greater agility and dexterity for it. Use her! She will be much better served learning, as we all must, how totalkher way out of dangerous situations, or fly stealth rather than attack. Teach her how to soothe, or avert conflict, rather than attack it!”
To my surprise, Terra glanced past me towards the others behind me, who’d gone back to their dragons, then leaned in, dropped her voice, and fixed me with a knowing gaze. “I know you take an interest in her training, Sir. I hope you’ll take aninterest in this: She’s the first of her kind. Thingsneedto be different for her. Otherwise you’ll lose her.”
I knew she spoke of a soldier—a woman she wanted to see succeed. But all I heard was,your mate is in danger.
Bren’s words from the night before came echoing back in my head.
“Terra’s telling me to rest and Akhane’s assuring me she’ll help me heal, Voski says I need to be equipped, but no one is listening. I can’t be the reason this mission fails!”
I scratched my face, my cheeks itchy because I hadn’t shaved this morning.‘Kgosi? What do you think? Have we been approaching this wrong?’
‘Your human ways almost always seem wrong to me, Donavyn,’he said simply.
I huffed.‘Thank you,that’shelpful,’I sent back sarcastically.
“I hear your concerns,” I said to Terra, pressing reassurance through the bond to Bren. “I’ll find a way to balance so she’s getting more rest. But in the short time we have, that may come moreafterwe fly—”
But then, Bren broke in, her tone both firm, and apologetic. “I need you to get me a meeting with the queen.”
I almost swallowed my tongue.
Shoving caution to her through the bond, I turned back to Terra and fought to keep my tone both professional, and emotionless.
“I’ve heard your recommendations, and I won’t ignore them,” I said quietly.
“Thank you, Sir,” Terra sighed. “But, if you could—”
“There is Furyknight business wemustattend this evening. I’ll speak to her Wing Leaders, and we’ll consider alternatives. But I cannot promise that a great deal will change in the short time we may have. I’m asking you, Terra, to please check in with Bren daily. Report to me, personally. And if you see signof any danger to her, or those she might serve with, you tell me immediately.”
Terra folded her arms. “I will, of course, but I need to emphasize—”
“I’ve heard you,” I said firmly. “Now, please go to dinner. Thank you for your work this afternoon. I’ll speak with you tomorrow.”
She stared me down—I’d given her permission to challenge me whenever she felt it was needed. But I’d asked her to do so in private. I knew I’d likely have a visitor at my office in the morning, but so be it. I just prayed she wouldn’t force me to discipline her here and now.
“Yes,Sir,”she said finally, and I nodded once, turning to Bren and leaving Terra to gather her things.
“Please, walk with me, Kearney,” I muttered. “I think we need to get you back to the Keep where we can speakprivately.”
~ BREN ~
Donavyn still hadn’t lost the expression of fiercehorror,even after making sure the dragons were safe in their stable, and sneaking me to his apartment.
I was too tired to argue, but I also wouldn’t be moved. So, I did everything he told me—washing so he could check the bruising on my rib, wrapping my knee even though it was already improving, gently rubbing some of Terra’s ointment onto it, and eating everything he put in front of me.
When I was done, he pushed all the food and plates on the table aside and leaned forward, staring at me intently.
“I’m certain I didn’t hear you correctly when you made your request in the meadow,in front of others.So, perhaps you cantell me what it is you’re asking now that we’re here, in private, and there’s no chance of me mishearing?”
I gave him a look. “Isaid,I need you to arrange a meeting with the queen.”
The horror on his face turned to flat resolve. “Absolutely not.”
“Why not?”
