Page 62 of Ashborne: Defiance

I was a Furyknight, a rider of dragons, chosen for this work. I was Shadowfang—the secret society of spies within the Furyknights—all of us leaders, and chosen for our strength and honor. And I was a squad leader within the Shadowfang. Literally, an officer.

I had to be an example. And even I could admit I hadn’t been that, so far. I needed to do better.

I would do better.

We would fly soon, and I’d spend the time teaching her as I would any man who found himself chosen this way. I’d ignore her body, and that drive for the bond. I would focus on the task at hand. Instruct. Teach.

I was good at that.

And I needed the distraction.

I nodded to myself. I could do this. It was only for a few more days. A man could do anything for a few days.

The weather that day was cool, but sunny, so Kham flew higher where the thinner air allowed easier flight. Grace was wrapped in her cloak against the chill of the wind, which hid her curves to my eyes, and helped with the aching. There was no escaping the press of her against my lap and thighs, though.

I’d been talking more, to distract myself.

“Are you certain you want the life of a Furyknight, Lady Grace?” I asked tightly. “It may sound like an adventure, but it isn’t glamorous. No pretty gowns. No fancy food. Only a soldier’s stipend—though our needs are generously provided for by the dragons, and the king.”

“I’m certain,” she said without hesitation. She had her head turned to watch Koa flying alongside us, and I caught the spark in her gaze and recognized it for what it was.

She was made to fly.

I cleared my throat. “We train for war. And it isn’t easy. If enemies rise against Vosgaarde, we’re the first called to face them.” If she’d been Vosgaardian, I’d have told her frankly how close we walked to war already. But she still didn’t know the truth behind why Donavyn and Bren had been in Fyrehold. Why he’d called me to serve as well. She still believed we only sought dragon stock for breeding.

I didn’t trust her, and wouldn’t tell her more. But even that made my skin itch.

If she were to be acknowledged as Flameborne, she’d be forced to show where her loyalties lay.

Or would she? I had no idea what we flew back to find. If Bren hadn’t succeeded, if Donavyn was dead, and Kgosi with him…

I blinked.

The entire kingdom could be in upheaval—Furyknights and citizens alike.

What if I took Grace back only to find my own loyalties divided? Brother fighting brother. Or worse, fighting the throne?

Whose side would she choose?

Should I even give her the chance?

Grace turned her head to look at me over her shoulder, frowning. “What’s wrong? Why are you tense? I can do it! I’m strong. And I’ll get stronger. I’m only sore because I haven’t ridden like this before. It doesn’t mean I’m not strong enough!”

I let her believe that her physical strength was the point I doubted, though the truth was, she already showed a natural affinity for both the dragons, and flight. A fearlessness that would have been impressive in a man.

‘I won’t let my mate learn that you just had that thought,’ Kham sent with a wry twist in the bond.

I cleared my throat. “I’m not sure you understand what’s involved in being a Flameborne,” I told her. “It’s not flying on your dragon to have adventures. It means you’ll be trained until you attain the pin of Furyknight. And then be primed for war.” And possibly thrown into conflict before you’ve even backed your dragon, I thought, but didn’t say.

“If Koa can do it, I’ll learn. I’ll be a soldier, or whatever is needed. I’m not much of a fighter, but I am a willing sneak. And I’ll do whatever it takes to succeed in this life. It’s the life I want!”

Something about those words echoed in my chest, but I shook the unsettling feeling off.

“A Furyknight’s life is one of discipline and modesty,” I warned her. “There is boredom, and hard work, and very real danger.”

Grace turned in her seat, twisting at the waist so she could actually meet my eyes and fix me with a determined look. “I’m not saying it’ll be easy. But I’m telling you the truth. I want this. Deeply.”

“Why?” I asked. I wanted to cast doubt, but the fact was, I believed her. And now I was fascinated to know what drove her to such determination.