Page 52 of Ashborne: Defiance

Voski nodded grimly. “The red who doesn’t look for a fight hasn’t been born yet. The dragons all have different skills and talents just like we do, but trust me, she doesn’t want to sit at home and watch others leave for battle.”

I swallowed hard. “Then I’ll fight with her.”

He didn’t move.

I was suddenly deeply aware of his grip on my wrists, his thighs straddling me, pinning me. The crackle of something in his eyes—

Vane released my hands like they burned, shoved to his feet, and stalked back to the dragons, clawing a hand through his hair.

I sat up, then pushed to my feet, uncertain whether I should run or follow him.

“What else haven’t you told me?” he asked tightly as Kham appeared out of the dark to lower his head and blow breath on him.

“N-nothing.”

He huffed like he didn’t believe me, but scratched his dragon’s head.

“I’m telling the truth. I was betrothed by my parents—I didn’t even sign the contract. They did. I thought if I disappeared he’d just break the contract with them and then…” I trailed off, because I didn’t like to think about what might have happened after that.

Vane went still. “Will they be ruined?”

The question surprised me. Most commoners didn’t understand how the wealth of the nobility worked—how easily it could be increased—or removed—by their alliances, or lack thereof, with other highborn families.

“Eventually,” I said reluctantly. “But I hoped before then something might happen that could help them.” I sighed. “They’ll be shamed and… it won’t be good for them.”

“Are you sure?”

“Sure of what?”

He turned back to face me. “Sure you’re strong enough to carry that? Because I’m not taking the fall for you. And I won’t let anyone else do so, either. If I take you to Vosgaarde and it’s too hard and you give up… if you change your mind and blame me—”

“I would never do that.”

He shot me a look, then went back to the buckles on the harness. “You didn’t even tell me about the contract. If I hadn’t gone back—”

“I didn’t plan this!”

“You also didn’t warn me after it happened.” He locked eyes with me, a dark accusation in his. And deep suspicion.

I squirmed, and my chest pinched. A sharp, ringing pain like a tiny blade slid under my ribs. The anger that carried me on that sprint, drained out of my toes into the damp earth.

I shook my head, but my voice was hoarse and wouldn’t stop shaking. “Please, Vane,” I breathed. “Please, don’t make me go back there. Whatever it takes, whatever will convince you, I’ll do it. Just please… Don’t force me back there. Please.”

His shoulders hunched. But he didn’t respond.

~ VOSKI ~

I didn’t expect the vulnerability. I thought she’d get angry again. Get strong. But she wavered, and it was a gut-punch.

‘Do not use her fear to break her,’ Kham growled in my head.

I nodded. I needed to tell her I understood how careless nobles could be with the lives of others. That I’d never return her to a prison. But I struggled to breathe.

I knew how it felt to be trapped. Caged. And that quavering terror in her voice…?

I cleared my throat to stop my voice cracking. “Give me your word that if they ever come for you, you won’t name me as your captor,” I said flatly, though I already knew the answer.

“Of course I wouldn’t.”