Page 114 of Shadowborne: Reckoning

“I won’t. I’m not. Bren, we have to get to the bottom of this. We think we know his timeframe, right? That’s why I need you to go to Hanson. I need you to find a way to get his clarity: Is the timeframe he’s so stuck on set by himself, or Ruin? Because I think Hanson is a tool in Ruin’s hands, not the other way around. I think… I think he’s been deceived—made to believe that Ruin’s handing him dragons for money, so he’d bring Ruin into Fyrehold.”

“But if Ruin’s told him the truth—”

“Hanson doesn’t strike me as the kind of character willing to play second string to a younger man, Furyknight, or otherwise. But… follow your gut. Pursue whatever leads appear. But find out who set that fucking deadline! And take at least one of your brothers with you. I’m still not clear on Ruin’s instructions for you. We’re not risking that he’s planning to take you or… or anything. We need you on Hanson.”

“But we’ll risk you?”

“We aren’t. I know what to watch for now. And I’m doing everything in my power to thwart it.”

“But—”

I met her eyes with the glare of a General, not a mate, though my heart squeezed at the fear in her. “No buts. This is why we came here. This is what we’re here for.”

Yet, rather than shrinking from my disapproval, her expression cleared and her chin rose. “No, it’s not.”

“Excuse me?”

“Donavyn, we came here to protect the king. But the king is targeting you? Can’t you see what this means? There’s no war. There’s no subterfuge between Draeventhall and Fyrehold. This is Alexi’s scheme. He is the danger. I’m not protecting him for one more moment—not if he’s targeting you and trying to bring down Kgosi. Imagine what he must be intending if that’s the barrier he seeks to remove? Have you thought about that?”

I nodded sadly. “I have. I know—”

“Then… then we don’t have to do any of this. We don’t need to protect this man for one minute longer. We leave. We get out of here, and we go warn the others—”

“Who, Bren? Who do we warn? He’s the king. Whether we agree with his intentions or not, he has the right to kill me if he chooses it. I will fight. I will not surrender. But the other men… they’ll have to choose between obedience to their king, and all-out revolt. Don’t underestimate that there are plenty of men—probably including Furyknights—who will hold their noses and fly to win a conquering war for a king. They’ll be promised riches, and power, and applause… who, exactly, are you going to warn?”

Her lips thinned and she raised her chin. “I don’t know about the others. But I know my brothers are good. And I’m guessing there are other good Furyknights too. You’ve been leading them all to honor. And the citizens? The people like my parents? They won’t want this!”

“Bren—”

“No, Donavyn, don’t give me that pitying look. I’m not being naïve. I’m telling you… either we leave here and raise the alarm in Vosgaarde, or we just leave, period. I’m not fighting one more second for that man!”

“I’m not asking you to,” I said, my heart swelling with pride at her courage and resolve. “I’m asking you to fight for me. We have to know. We have to figure it out. We can’t change the course of anything with empty assumptions and personal vendettas. We have to have proof. Please go. You know I despise Hanson and what he wants from you. But I can’t deny that he’s our best clue now. Find out what he knows. Use whatever means you believe are necessary. Just… take brothers with you. Stay safe. Come back to me. We’ll figure this out together. I promise.”

38. Maneuverings

~ BREN ~

With only two days left of the festival, the castle was bustling. I spent a frustrating and anxious day trying to hunt down Hanson, and even Ruin, in case they were together. But I had no luck.

At lunch, I introduced Gil to Grace. My brother was now dressed in his leathers and looked very dashing, his bright eyes emphasized by the near-black leather, though he’d worn his plainest set to avoid assumptions about the dragons. We called him my guard, and so far, no one had questioned it. I prayed the king and queen wouldn’t. I prayed a lot. All day. As I traversed the castle, growing increasingly worried for Donavyn’s safety. As I hunted for Hanson at the lunch table, even passing down the hallway where his and Ruin’s rooms were, just in case. And as my nerves ratcheted higher and higher, my senses screaming.

They’re going to kill Donavyn.

It’s all a ploy to get you away from him so you don’t witness it.

You’re going to lose your mate.

At some point, Donavyn must have urged the dragons closer to the castle, because I began to hear Akhane in my head, her worry evident, but also her steadying grace.

‘Breathe, Little Flame.’

‘I am. But I can’t find him!’

‘Whatever is meant to be, will be. Trust.’

‘But what if they’re killing Donavyn!’

‘They aren’t. He’s in your rooms. He and Voski. They are working. Together. He speaks with Kgosi. He’s safe.’