‘Yes, but—’
‘There is no but, Donavyn. Do you trust Terra to guide her wisely?’
‘Yes,’I ground out.‘But Terra isalsoa woman—and a healer, not a soldier. If they meet difficulty in the city…’
Kgosi turned his body. I thought for a moment he would leave, or walk away, but he shifted slightly away from the door, then turned to face me again, his gaze piercing.
‘Do you still believe your mate is supposed to be a Furyknight, Donavyn?’
“Yes! Of course!” I spluttered. “But—”
‘Then you must adjust. You are her mate in private, and to your soul. But your role in her life is twofold—her leader and guide in your human traditions of hierarchy. And her mate and comfort, her safety, when you are alone.’
‘I cannot stop loving her, simply because she has a job to do.’
‘No, but you can stop excusing your personal fears as leadership,’he said bluntly.
I took a step back. Kgosi’s head tipped so he met my gaze with one, penetrating eye that was almost as big as my head.
‘Do you think I do not fear for my mate? For her safety?’
“Of course not. But you don’t seem to struggle with it,” I said through my teeth. “It’s also worth pointing out that she’s the size of a house and armed withfire.My mate is… rather more fragile.”
Kgosi actually snorted.‘All true. Except your assumptions about me. The fact that I do not place my battle on your shoulders does not mean I do not fight,’he sent firmly.‘I understand the fear, and its toll. What I do not understand is your willingness to retreat to it. It is not like you, Donavyn. Your wisdom exceeds this. Yet, you discard truth to make room for this folly.’
I cursed. “Truth?Folly?Whattrutham I discarding just because I worry some asshole will try to break her, just as she’s gaining confidence?”
Kgosi stared at me without responding—which first made me angry, then made me nervous.
“What?!” I finally spat.
My dragon blew steam from flared nostrils.‘I only measured your heart to be certain whether you were being intentionally ironic, or if you truly are blind to it.’
‘Blind to what?!’
Kgosi’s head rose until he almost knocked his horns on the rafters overhead. He stared down at me with fierce, righteous dignity.‘Blind to the fact that it isyourfear, your lack of belief that would erode her confidence faster and more completely than any man’s unwanted attention.’
I quavered, but couldn’t break that gaze. “I am not—”
‘You are—or rather, you will, if you do not get your fear under control. Be her leader, Donavyn. Be her strength. Do not be the voice that tells her she has reason to be afraid when she is feeling strong.’
The words hit hard, right in the chest.
Fuck.
“How?” I asked him honestly. “How do you fear for her and just send her out?”
‘By trusting the Creator walks with her and has equipped her. Reminding myself of her purpose—and urging her forward so I may applaud what she achieves. I would not steal that from her,’Kgosi said loftily.‘I would not take away her chance to excel, simply to make my own heart safe.’
Well,shit.
He was right. I knew he was right. I’dtaughtother men not to steal this from each other. I rubbed my face. He was right, andthatwaswhat I wanted for her. What I’d striven for, with her. I didn’t want to hold her back. I wanted to give her wings to fly.
But straight into the reach of men who’d hurt her?
‘Donavyn—’
“Help me, Keg,” I said gruffly. “Help me help her.”
