Page 156 of Shadowborne: Reckoning

Thank God, Donavyn—bloodied, bruised and brutal—sprinted at us from the other end of the hollow.

I smiled at Ruin. “I won’t have to kill you after all,” I said. “When Kgosi kills your dragon, he’ll do the job for me.”

Ignoring me, Ruin lowered his center of gravity, bracing to face the approaching Donavyn, but his eyes continued to dart to the men around us and he raised his voice to be heard by them all.

“Kgosi won’t beat Carnage—because Carnage is more dominant. Look at the size of his fucking herd!”

Just as he’d hoped, all the men’s heads turned, eyes scanning the dark sky, watching the silhouettes and hearing the screams.

But as Donavyn powered towards us, I smiled. “One of these days you’ll realize, Ruin: Size doesn’t matter. It’s how you use it that counts. And they’re all learning what an awful, little prick you are.”

Ruin’s gaze narrowed. “Very cute, Bren,” he muttered. “But no one’s going to listen to a slut who’s only here because she rides the Commander—”

Four bodies launched past me, taking Ruin in a tackle, bearing him straight to the earth so he gave a startled, “Oof!”

Ronen, Oros, Jhoare and Einar held him, pinned by each limb to the ground. Ruin snarled and shouted, telling anyone who’d listen that a real Furyknight would fight their own battles. His mouth was smeared, blood on his teeth, his lip cut by the vial I’d smashed against his mouth.

I had to pray it would still work. That he’d taken enough… but the powder was supposed to be dissolved in fluid…

With a sigh as if I’d been burdened, I scanned the other men nervously. There was definitely unease, some of them staring at me with concerned frowns. But the chaos among the dragons distracted most of them.

Donavyn arrived at my side, his footsteps heavy. The bond came alive suddenly, my heart hammering with joy, tears threatening because I was so relieved he was there.

‘Forgive me for not throwing myself at you,’ I begged him. ‘I have to handle this.’ Then, turning away from him, I unhooked the waterskin at my hip, pulled the tie free and dumped it over Ruin’s face and down his throat until he spluttered and coughed, shaking his head and trying to curse me through his choking.

“Clean yourself up, you’re a disgrace,” I muttered, then dropped it on his head as I turned to address the other men, who were only half-listening, their eyes darting between me and Ruin, and the dragons overhead who grew increasingly agitated.

“This man has no honor!” I shouted. “He’s not a brother. He forced me, and others to—”

Donavyn caught my arm and squeezed, raising his voice in a shout that echoed over the launch hollow. “FURYKNIGHTS! ATTEND!”

Every man in the clearing, even those still rushing out of the stable to see the commotion, snapped to attention.

“Sir! Yes, sir!” Their voices echoed out, over the forest and the distant mountains. Sir, yes sir… yes sir… yes sir…!

He turned to me, his chest heaving from panting, his eyes pinched in pain. “Now they’ll listen,” he said quietly.

I wanted to kiss him. Instead, I turned to face Ruin and closed my fists. “Let him go,” I said to my brothers.

Ronen gave me a warning look. “Bren, this isn’t—’

“Let the fucker go. Let him face his accusers. They all saw the truth—their dragons showed them. Let him stand to answer for what he’s done—and to watch his dragon fall,” I snapped.

“And that’s an order,” Donavyn added casually.

~ DONAVYN ~

It was all an act. Standing at her back. Keeping my tone casual. Pretending my entire body didn’t shake with equal parts exhaustion and desire to kill that bastard. But…

‘Please, Donavyn… God, I’m so glad you’re safe, but… leave him to me.’

My first instinct was absolutely fucking not, but when I caught sight of her expression, I hesitated.

She trembled. Her heart, rocking with mingled anger, fear, and frustration. But she stood strong. She faced him down—even when he mocked her. And now… Now the dragons were passing the story between them, and to their riders. I ached for her—but it worked. The dragons saw Ruin’s true colors. And even though I hated that they witnessed her in a position of such vulnerability, I nodded.

She needed this.

Help her, I prayed, then glanced at Ronen.