Page 175 of Ashborne: Defiance

“Flameborne, Kennik, please step forward,” Donavyn ordered.

Kennik, eyes wide, took a single pace forward of the others and saluted.

Captain Gunnar muttered the bad news. “Flameborne, Kennik, it is the assessment of all leaders here that you are not sufficiently versed in the formations and will not be passed today. You will continue to train with your squad, and will be allowed to assess at the next opportunity. Do not give up. A true Furyknight does not falter at the first hurdle. Do you understand?”

“Sir! Yes, sir!” But his jaw was tight, and his wing leader shook his head. I wondered if the man truly would learn from this, or would only try to cast blame?

Let him try. There were too many witnesses. And I’d stand in her defense against any who tried to make this about her being a woman. She’d been stunning.

“Flameborne, Grace! Please step forward!” Gunnar barked without another word.

Grace looked at him with round eyes for a beat before remembering to step forward and salute.

Her throat bobbed, and my heart fizzed in my chest. She looked terrified. Then confused, when Gunnar didn’t address her immediately.

“Flameborne, Jok! Please step forward. And, Flameborne, Pere! Please step forward!”

All three lined up, saluted, and froze at attention.

There was a long, silent moment in which everyone gathered hung, waiting for the final verdict.

“We saw some very competent flying today. I would urge you to remain cautious—a true Furyknight is confident, not cocky. No one was flawless in the skies. But I commend your dedication to learning, and the dedication of your squads in training you.”

No one spoke, all waiting. Until the captain smiled. “I’m passing all of you. You may now fly solo, and without permission from your squad captains. But please, in the name of God Himself, give long and lengthy consideration to how your choices affect not only yourselves, and your brothers—and sister—but your dragons. If we see any further issues with dangerous lines or selfish decisions, I will yank you back off your dragon so hard you won’t breathe for a week, are we clear?”

“Yes, sir!” they all barked.

Grace beamed. Her eyes came alight—all that sparkle returned with reinforcements. She didn’t move, didn’t even seem to breathe.

My heart sang. Our brothers started clapping, and I had to fight my smile as Donavyn nodded and clapped along. “Congratulations, Flameborne. You have summited your first mountain. You are now officially dragon riders. Well done.”

The crowd broke. My brothers and Bren rushed forward, sweeping Grace off her feet amid the calls and cheers of the other squads, also celebrating their Flameborne.

I wanted to be there, to pick her up and swing her and scream that she did it. Watching my brothers touch her and pass her around sent a blade through my ribs. But I didn’t move.

Tearing my eyes off her twinkling gaze and wide-mouthed laughter as our brothers lifted her to their shoulders and carried her off, I turned to watch Kennik, the only one not being celebrated.

He slumped. His squad leader clamped a hand to the back of his neck and leaned in, speaking to him low, under the noise around them. His squad slowly gathered around him, clearly unhappy, but doing their best to bolster their brother, who scowled, but nodded.

A spark of fury lit in my chest. He could have killed her if she hadn’t been quicker-witted.

I don’t know if he sensed me glaring, or it was happenstance, but as he pushed his hair out of his eyes, our eyes locked.

I tipped my head and sent him a look that would chill his blood.

He jerked back, eyeing his brothers warily as they all turned to walk to the barracks together. I didn’t move, but kept my eyes locked on him, so he saw me each time he glanced back over his shoulder to see if I was still watching.

Which was when I smiled.

61. Found Family

~ GRACE ~

I’d visited inns when we traveled as a family. But I’d never been inside a tavern before.

It was fascinating.

My squad brothers insisted that we go, since they were all given the day off patrol to attend my assessment, and this was how the squad celebrated. I was thrilled, though exhausted. My brothers insisted I be given only a few, hurried moments to bathe and change. Yet, I was still shaking. By the time we’d walked all the way to the city my knees felt unstable.