Page 136 of Ashborne: Defiance

Well, except the part where I almost died.

Bren accompanied me back to the stable to unharness Koa—a much easier prospect than the harnessing, thank goodness. And then, when I’d carried it back to the tack room, I caught her looking at the doors again.

“Go. Truly Bren. I’m exhausted. I’m going to talk to Koa and sleep before training tomorrow.”

Bren smiled at me. “You’re a good woman, Grace. I’m so glad you’re here—and my sister.”

I almost cried when she hugged me. Then I shooed her out of the room, and wandered back to the stable.

Koa was resting in the straw, and I almost joined her. But I desperately needed to get clean, and even though Bren had offered their bathing room, from the way she’d been looking, I wondered if she and Donavyn might need some time alone.

I found that I, too, wanted to be alone.

So, I mounted the ladder into my loft to gather the clean set of clothing, and a washcloth and soap Bren had given me the day before.

There were ponds and lakes nearby—Koa had shown me images. I would go looking for a private one where I could wash hurriedly, and maybe shake off the ache in my chest enough to sleep for a couple of hours before dinner.

48. Creeper

~ VOSKI ~

I’d offered Kham to come to the solitude clearing with me, to rest as well. And he did. Koa arrived just behind him. I sat in the shade under the trees as the afternoon turned golden overhead, and for the first time, I just watched them. There was no time constraint. No purpose. I rested. And I watched. And I couldn’t help but feel my dragon’s joy in his mate.

He was immensely proud of her, preening her and calling, crooning. Flickering images appeared in my head now and then—his confidence in her when she’d dived after Grace. His certainty that she was both skilled and strong enough to catch her rider. His pride when she did so.

And his pride in Grace, as well.

I grimaced when his images began to include the golden-haired noblewoman, but I also knew that I had to grow accustomed to seeing her and dealing with her without losing my shit. She was here. And going to succeed. That was clear. She would be close for… well, forever.

I raked back my hair, reminding myself there would be no escape. We couldn’t separate the dragons. That burning in my gullet whenever she was near was a natural response to feeling Kham’s attraction and delight in his mate. Of course it created tension for me. But if I was good at anything, it was riding out tension.

Ronen was growing twitchy. If I didn’t get my shit together soon, he was going to press harder. And what excuse did I have?

The truth was, none. I knew I’d been hard on her. Sullen about duties that involved her. Unfair. Not a leader.

I hated knowing how it must look to those around me.

‘If you told them the truth, they would feel less disapproval,’ Kham offered.

I huffed. ‘And more desire to stick their noses where they don’t belong.’

Kham sent an image of two dogs, sniffing each other’s asses, and I actually laughed.

‘That’s not what I meant, but it’s also quite appropriate.’

‘Humans are strange.’

I grinned, but kept my eyes closed and breathed deeper, because I could feel Kham’s desire for his mate growing, and as much as I wanted him to be happy, I also didn’t want to get caught up in that.

“Why don’t you two go be alone,” I said through a forced smile.

‘What was it you said last time? Get a room?’

‘Yes. That.’

‘Very well,’ Kham sighed through the bond. ‘Should I return for you tonight? Will you stay in the Keep?’ Kham wasn’t enjoying me sleeping elsewhere. Usually he would join me here on the nights I stayed alone. But now, with Koa—who didn’t want to leave Grace—he was torn.

‘I’m sorry, old man, but no. I won’t be coming home. You can remain with your mate. Just don’t flaunt her in front of me.’