Page 115 of Shadowborne: Reckoning

That helped me steady.

‘Will you stay close to the castle, Akhane?’

‘Kgosi and I will both remain close from now on. Donavyn has told the king it’s the dragon’s honor to him for the end of the festival, but it is for easy flight in the event we must flee.’

I told Gil what was happening and he grunted. He’d barely spoken, following me around the castle, bowing when he was introduced to any nobles, but otherwise scanning every room and shadow, and looking very fierce.

Under different circumstances, I would have been amused when servants' eyes widened at the sight of my brother as we prowled the halls. But now, after what we’d learned—or believed we’d learned—it felt… necessary.

The disappearance of Hanson during the day had always seemed like a powerful man who didn’t like to socialize, hiding himself away because he was rich and he could. But now it felt like a plot. An intentional dodge.

I wanted to scream.

When I still hadn’t located Hanson two hours after lunch, I had no choice but to make my way down to the modiste for the queen’s latest creation. It was the last place I hoped to find Hanson before the Ball that night. But, frustratingly, the one time I wanted him to corner me, the man was a ghost. And no one I considered safe to ask had seen Ruin, either.

That made more sense, since we knew Ruin had gone into the city and was likely sending messages through more than one source. But it made me nervous.

If we didn’t know where he was, we couldn’t keep eyes on him to make sure Donavyn was safe.

Then, finally, I’d been dressed, pressed the vial down my cleavage, and Gil passed me my blade—which I’d have to strap to my thigh because this bodice was lower at the front, and had a much shorter corset that cut straight across my waist, the skirts gathered all the way around. It was much easier to move in, but there was nowhere discreet to conceal a weapon. I didn’t like having a blade only available under thick skirts, but it was better than none at all.

‘Akhane, is Donavyn still in our rooms?’

I’d left the modiste with barely enough time to get to the ball, but I was willing to be late if it meant a few minutes to reassure myself that Donavyn was still unharmed.

‘No, he and Kgosi are speaking with Benji at the stables. I can reach him if you need to send a message, or if he sends one for you. I will remain close.’

‘Just… tell him that I’m on my way to the ball—with Gil—and… I love him.’

Moments later she sent me a memory, the exact sound and texture of my mate’s voice, reassuring me. ‘I love you too. Stay safe.’

I took a deep breath as we turned the final corner for the Ballroom.

“Breathe, Bren,” Gil murmured from behind my right shoulder.

I hadn’t realized I’d been holding my breath. I let it ease from my chest and focused on long, deep breaths until we made it to the crowd waiting at the first set of high double doors.

I joined the line with Gil and tried to focus. “Watch for Grace,” I whispered to him under the level of the hum of conversation in the echoing hallway. “She’s naïve and she wants adventure, and Ruin has an eye for her. Watch over her. If I’m with Hanson and he gets intense, don’t worry. He’s just that way. I need to be alone with him to get to the bottom of this.”

“You also need a signal in case you aren’t the only one with intentions for tonight,” Gil muttered. “Something I can see from across the room, but that won’t draw attention. And just in case, don’t forget the safeword. If you say that while we’re in conversation, I’ll find a reason to remove you immediately.”

Rueflower. Ironically, the word I’d chosen because it reminded me of Ruin. I nodded, and made myself breathe slowly. “The signal… I’ll touch my chin with three fingers if there’s a problem.”

“Got it.”

“Thank you. But if you don’t see that, I need you to keep your distance if Hanson’s near. I need to speak with him—”

“Why, my Lady Brennan, are you waiting?”

Hanson’s voice was a dark purr. My heart leaped into my throat, but I caught myself and turned calmly to face him, allowing him to take my hand and brush my knuckles with a kiss. His eyes heated as he scanned me, but turned cold when they landed on Gil.

“Lord Hanson, I am awaiting my turn to enter the festivities,” I said with a soft laugh, but a pointed look at him.

“Where is your General, who could sweep you to the front of the line?”

“He is… I’m not sure. Very busy with his very important work, as I’m sure you understand,” I said quickly turning to Gil, as if I didn’t want to discuss it. “Gil, this is Lord Hanson, the one I told you about.”

Gil bowed and introduced himself.