“What the fuck is that?” Donavyn asked, folding his arms, scanning up and down the path sternly, every inch the unhappy Commander, bristling to discipline a subordinate.
The first thread of unease tightened in my throat. “I’m… smiling?”
“What does that have to do with your training this morning?” he asked sharply, though his voice was very quiet, and his posture tense.
I swallowed. “The queen taught me about flirting. About how to invite with the eyes without promising with words, and I was just trying it on you. It was payback, I wouldn’t do that in front of people—”
“You won’t do thatat all,Furyknight,” he snapped.
My head jerked back, but I made myself stand at attention.It’s Donavyn. He won’t hurt me. He’s only misunderstood.
“Sir,”I emphasized the title in case anyone else happened along the path, “I assure you there is no malice intended. It’s merely a tool to place an unsuspecting, er, target on the back foot. She spoke to me about—”
“She’s teaching you how toseducea man?” he growled.
“What? No! She encouraged me to use my… well, she called itallure.She said among nobles that kind of flirting is currency, and if a man responds it will help me to know what approach to use in future to keep him talking—”
“She’s telling you to whore yourself out on this mission?”
The word hit me like a slap in the face and I took a sharp step back, inhaling deeply. “Don’t… did you just—”
Donavyn’s lips pursed and he dropped his chin, shaking his head. “No. No, that isn’t—”
I opened my mouth, though I had no idea what to say—I was equal parts angry with him for the implication, and afraid of what he thought.
But then his gaze went dark.He raised his voice. “To my office. Now. Discussion of orders isn’t for public ears, Furyknight,” he barked, pointing back towards the building where I knew his office was housed, though I’d never entered it.
I gaped at him for a moment, then sucked in and turned—at attention—to march precisely in the direction he’d pointed.
‘We need to discuss this without worrying about others overhearing,’he sent unapologetically as we walked quickly back up the path, towards the building he’d indicated.
‘You just called me a—’
‘No. My anger is forherand howshethinks. How she chooses to fill your mind. Those arenotthe skills you need. Not to mention that she may attempt to come between us… We’ll discuss it in my office.’
I pinched my lips together and marched, following him once we reached the building—a subordinate in disgrace, following the Commander.
We passed more than one officer who saluted him, and eyed me with curiosity—and some sympathy.
No one had anyconfusion about what was happening here. And I suddenly felt furiouswith him.
The moment he opened his office and ordered me inside, I stormed into the space, turning with my hands on my hips to round on him the second he’d finished locking the door.
“How dare you!” I hissed.
He raised his hands as if he’d make peace, but his eyes blazed. “I understand that you’re innocent in this, Bren. Unaware of your effect on men. But that doesn’t mean she should be teaching youtricks,”he seethed, his eyes locked on mine. “If you look at another man like that,especially one who is interested,I assure you he’ll have no other thought in his head except that you want him and are—”
“God, you’re so infuriating. I’m not flying to Fyrehold to sleep with anyone! I’m learning ways to ingratiate myself with powerful men who—”
“She’s teaching you to make yourself a chattel. And I swore I’d protect you from that.”
“And you have!”
“And I will continue to do so, starting with this!” He stabbed a finger towards the floor. “You don’t look at another man like that! And that’s an order.”
I gaped and switched to the bond because I couldn’t say the words out loud, even behind closed doors.‘I cannot use my eyes? I’m a spy!’I hissed.‘I’m being sent into a potential enemy court under the cover of being your lover. What other way can I look at any man there and expect him to give me time?’
He loomed over me. If he’d been a wolf, his hackles would have raised.‘Trust me, your innocence and modesty arejustas alluring to that kind of man—and they won’t get you caught in the talons of a pervert who believes he’s got a willing toy, ready to ride him like a horse and—’
