Maybe I’d just received a glimpse of what she’d been trying to tell me.
I wasn’t a child. And shouldn’t respond to men as one.
I chewed my lip.
‘That’s your thinking expression. Did it upset you, seeing yourself through my eyes?’Donavyn asked gently.
One more piece of evidence that I was being treated with caution.
Like I was fragile.
I didn’t like it.
“No,” I breathed since we were alone on the path between the stable and the main buildings. “I was thinking my training this morning. And something I learned,” I said as tonelessly as possible, in case anyone out of sight could overhear.
Donavyn took my cue and raised his brows in casual curiosity. “Oh? What did your instructor teach that has you thinking so deeply? I should commend them.”
I twisted my lips to stifle a mischievous smile. Thatwasn’twhat a grown woman would do.
Instead, after a moment of ensuring no one was on the path ahead, I let my gaze raise to look at him from the corner of my eye. And rather than sending images to Akhane, I let him seethe heat inme.
The deep joy I felt when he touched me.
The rush of pleasure that peppered my skin in goosebumps when his finger trailed over sensitive flesh.
The heat that burned in my belly and drove me closer to him.
I let myself feel all of it, and allowed that need to rise in my gaze.
Donavyn felt the rush in the bond and turned his head casually to look at me—only to lock in.
I let my hips swing in my walk and didn’t break eye contact.
The muscles at the back of his jaw flexed. I didn’t miss that his hand clenched to a fist at his side, but as he opened his mouth, we were hailed by a male voice ahead. Voski trotting toward us, slowing when he reached us and addressing Donavyn after nodding to me.
“I’m glad I caught you. There’s been some issues in the city that we need to discuss. With some urgency.”
“Squad, or ranks?” Donavyn asked quickly.
“Ranks—not my men.”
I let my gaze linger on Donavyn a second longer than I should have, but thought I had it under control before I turned back to my brother and Shadowfang Wing Leader. Yet, Ifelta flinch in Donavyn.
Whoops.
At least it was my brother, who was aware of our bond.
“Report,” Donavyn said in a dark, gruff voice that made me pinch back a smile because Iknewhe was both aroused, and frustrated.
“Not here, Sir,” Voski said, ducking his head as an apology. “I’m still gathering witnesses. I just wanted your assurance of attending the Wing Leaders meeting tomorrow? We should have the full story by then.”
Donavyn nodded tightly. “I’ll be there. Tell them to meet at my office.”
“Thank you.” Voski saluted quickly, then nodded to me and continued on the path the way we’d come from.
I turned to begin walking again, but Donavyn muttered,“Hold,”in that dark tone and I drew up sharply.
Thinking he’d been aroused and perhaps needed a moment before we went to the stables where there would be stablehands and Furyknights, I turned to face him. But I couldn’t resist one more glance up, from under my lashes, letting my smile rise slowly, before I looked away.
