Page 125 of Shadowborne: Reckoning

I was stunned. And uneasily hopeful.

I didn’t trust Diaan. But it was true, if she’d been left out of this scheme, she’d have both the skill and resources to take action against Alexi…

Bren had the wind under her wings now.

‘You two stay here. You divert Hanson with Benji and let my brothers pressure Ruin while I get a headstart. Then Kgosi takes down Carnage—which will kill Ruin, right?’

‘Only if I kill him,’ Kgosi said, though his tone made it clear there was little chance that wouldn’t happen.

‘Then you have time to gather the wild dragons and fly them back to Vosgaarde, because we’re handling things on that end.’

‘It will take some time to assume the trust of dragons who are rudderless,’ Kgosi rumbled. ‘Days. Not hours. We would be days behind you—perhaps even a week.’

Bren licked her lips nervously, but nodded. ‘Once I get news to the queen, the king and his schemers will be pinned between her and the loyal people, and at least the threat of Kgosi bringing a dragon force. If anyone is on the fence about who to follow… we will help them decide.’

‘I will help,’ Akhane added grimly. ‘I could speak with the Queen if she needs reminding of the power we carry.

Bren touched her dragon’s neck and smiled, thanking her.

I was struck again by the gifts of my mate. She was right that, if Diaan wasn’t already corrupted, this would galvanize her, and she was the only one with the strength of support to remove Alexi without civil war.

If Kgosi and I could bring the new dragons…

‘The plan is a good one,’ Kgosi intoned. ‘And proves the Creator’s purpose in bringing you to all of us, Bren.’

I was so proud of her—and so terrified. “You’re brilliant,” I breathed.

But then both our faces and hearts fell. Because we realized in the same moment that we had just agreed to separate.

I would remain here with Kgosi to face dragonfire, while she would return home to face political power.

Nerves bubbled in my chest. Holding Bren tightly in the bond, I turned to Kgosi.

‘Once the girls are away safely, we won’t have much time—Hanson will learn tomorrow that something isn’t right. He expects Bren at breakfast. Even if Hanson is naïve of the wider plot, his disquiet when she doesn’t show up will raise Ruin’s suspicions. I can send Benji with him to brush it off as Bren losing her nerve, but it still leaves you having to appear to the dragons and likely challenge Ruin and Carnage tomorrow… or the next morning at the latest.’

‘Tomorrow,’ Kgosi said emphatically. ‘Whatever line is drawn in this plot, we must take control of the herd before that deadline. Benji should remain with us and help you communicate with them when I am forced to fly or battle.’

I was still uneasy about the queen’s role here, and the potential for her to be a part of this. But I couldn’t get past the coding for Ruin to keep this plan utterly silent and away from her. If we were misreading those codes, there was a risk that she’d simply take Bren if she was in on it.

‘I will protect her,’ Akhane assured me. ‘And she will use their own assumptions against them, appearing to be the naïve woman who has not properly measured the risk.’

I huffed a half-laugh. She was right.

‘I will, too,’ Bren said with a wicked grin. ‘If she thinks I’m relying on her, she’ll be a lot more lenient—and the moment we sense any deception, I’ll get Akhane out of there and bring the Shadowfang back to you. That will be that.’

I was both proud, and torn. The plan was good. It offered the least risk, and the best chance for success—on both sides of the border. And the truth was, I wanted to be the one to take Ruin down. But I was terrified of sending Bren on her own. Of being separated.

‘I hate it too… but it’s the only answer,’ Bren breathed. Both dragons groaned their empathy and resonance.

‘Then… I think we’re decided,’ I said reluctantly. ‘Bren, if we’re doing this, you have to leave before dawn. You take Voski—he’s higher ranking in the Shadowfang and will have access to a broader network. You need to go now. Give yourself a head start before Hanson comes looking for you. Because if he raises the alarm, there’s a risk Ruin brings his plan forward.’

‘But, I have to get Benji—’

‘Kgosi and I will do it. I need to be with the boy anyway—Hanson won’t like the bad news when you don’t show up. But I think Benji can possibly hold him off a few more hours before he raises the alarm with Ruin. And his attachment to you will work in our favor, if Benji can convince him you’re still coming—just later—it might keep us clear the entire day. Regardless, we’ll give you both as much time as we can. And then we’ll go after Ruin and Carnage.’

None of us spoke then, because it was finished.

We had a plan.