“You did so well, Akhane. I know that was hard.”
‘Only because my body fights my mind,’she answered wearily.‘I know it is right and good for us to practice, Bren. You have my commitment to that.’
I sighed happily and leaned over her neck, hugging her as best I could.‘I love you, Akhane, thank you.’
She tipped her head up and screamed into the night—and several dragons around the Keep responded. I smiled and rubbed her withers again. We were both tired. But I could barely wait to get back to training the next day. I finally felt like I was making progress.Wewere. Together.
And it was a very, very good feeling.
34. Tug of War
SOUNDTRACK:Fireborn – Burn It Allby Glum Aleks
~ BREN ~
“I know it’s wrinkled. I’m sorry. I was in a rush and it was, er, difficult to remove.”
I prayed the two seamstresses at the Quartermaster’s shop wouldn’t notice the heat in my cheeks as my mind tripped back to that hour with Donavyn, when he’d removed the dress. I had to focus. I’d already been back to pick up the book and my leathers, which had been cleaned by the queen's handmaid, and taken one more session with her that had been eye-opening, to say the least.
“My orders include the need for gowns, and I thought, perhaps if it was adjusted to make it a bit more simple? Something I could dress and undress myself?”
The women fingered the fine fabric, their eyes wide. The older of the two nodded. “This skirt is layered. We could maketwogowns from this. Their skirts won’t be as full, of course. But most kingdoms’ fashions are more scant than ours. I don’t believe you’ll stand out poorly.”
“Thank you,” I said with a rush of relief. I’d already shown them where I’d gotten the hem dirty, though I hadn’t mentioned how. I’d also pointed out the minor stain from the tea. It wasn’t noticeable unless you knew where to look, but they’d insisted the fabric could be cut in such a way that it wouldn’t be noticed at all. “The only other complication is time. I’m already under readiness. I could be called to fly at any time…”
The two women looked at each other, then back to me. “This will be a fun change from leather trousers and weapon belts,” the older one grinned. “We’ll need to make undergarments as well, but we can use some of the seams as they are. Leave it with us. If you’re called before time, there’s nothing we can do. But we’ll try.”
“Thank you,” I nodded to each of them.
The younger woman smiled. “At least you understand the work involved. The men seem to believe their garments are made by fairies while they sleep,” she said, rolling her eyes.
I laughed and promised to bring them both a gift when I collected the dresses.
But, as I walked out of the Quartermaster’s shop and into the Academy hall, I found myself at a loss. The dinner bell would ring soon, and surprisingly, I’d made it through the session with the queen,andthe flight training without mishap. It was the most successful I’d felt near the end of a day since this started.
Uncertain what to do with the little free time I had, I stopped at the side of the long corridor that I’d walked with Donavyn the first time I entered this building, when he’d told me the history of how the dragons built it for their riders, and brought me to find something suitable to wear for my acknowledgement.
As I stood there, watching the bustle and hum of Furyknights going about their business of work and training, it struck me how far I’d come since that day.
That first morning here at the Keep, I’d squirmed my way through every interaction—terrified both of being inadequate, and of all the men. Yet here I stood, one of them.
The first time I saw it, I’d found the building beautiful, but intimidating, and the men… the men were just frightening. I’d been certain that if any of them knew the truth about me, they’d either abandon me, or hurt me further.
I’d beenconvincedthat it was a mistake I’d been ushered into this hallway.
But, it wasn’t.
I slowly scanned the hallway, making myself observe all the Furyknights hurrying to their next duty in leathers or shirtsleeves, calling to each other, discussing orders, or walking with serious faces. They were sights that had become familiar. Sounds and smells that now felt comfortable. Likehome.A much better, more powerful home than I’d known before.
I was twenty years old, and I feltright.A fierce desire to prove myself to these men still simmered in my chest. But I no longer shrank from them. And I hadcoweredbefore. Now, even though I didn’t know them all… Iknewthem.
I knew that feeling on your shoulders—you’d been selected. You were here by the choice of a power beyond you. Now you had to live up to it.
Joking and insecurity aside, this life was sacred. At least, to me.
Did they all feel that way? Did they see that in me, also?
Eventually, I started for the door, to return to the stable and Akhane. I could make certain she was resting and scratch her eye-ridges or around her spines until it was time for the meal.That thought made me smile, so I picked up my pace. All in all, it had been the most successful day I’d had in… well,ever,maybe.
