Page 126 of Flameborne: Fury
“We were ordered by the King to find you both,” he said quietly, an apology in his eyes. “If you don’t go back, they’ll send more men soon. He’s very worried about you, Sir. And angry because he doesn’t know whether to prioritize pursuing you, or the enemy.”
I nodded, the weight of my position and responsibility pressing down. “We’ll fly back and return to our mission,” I said reluctantly. “But I’ll ask one favor of you first: Return ahead of us. Right now. Tell the King we’ve been located and are on our way back, ready to fly for the enemy. We’ll only be minutes behind you. But, please, tell him that Kgosi took us away. Didn’t give us a choice. Don’t tell him the rest. Leave that to me.”
Ronen nodded. “We brought your harnesses. They’re in the meadow.”
I thanked him, then his squad straightened in their stances, focusing once again on the purpose. Returning towork.As would we, in a very few minutes. But first…
Bren had turned to look at me from the moment I’d implied I’d tell the King, and she hadn’t taken her eyes off of me.
‘Let them go ahead. I’ll explain when they’re gone.’
She frowned but didn’t question me. Farewelled her brothers, taking their brief hugs, which made me twitch. But then they all ran back to their dragons and Kgosi lifted his head to call to them.
‘They’re free. We’re all free. Life returns to normal,’he sent.
I huffed. Life would never benormalagain. But I also wouldn’t change it for the world.
I stood at Bren’s back until we saw the dragons rise from the nearby meadow and into the air. Then, as soon as they grew distant in the sky, she turned to face me, her brows pinched over her nose and her arms folded.
I looked down at her, put my hands on her arms to hold her to me, but didn’t have time to speak.
“You’re going to tell the King,” she said.
It wasn’t a question, but a statement. And one shedidn’tlike.
I nodded, shoveling reassurance to her through the bond. I didn’t let her go. “I don’t have any choice, Bren. I had to tell the Queen, but swore her to secrecy, yet now I know I can’t trust her word. He’s already begun to see your value as a Furyknight. We can’t afford for him to hear it from anyone but me. If he thinks I deceived him about you, he’ll dismiss everything he’s heard so far. He’s ourKing, Bren. We ride at his pleasure. Heshouldknow. It will stop him obstructing strategy that keeps us together, and I think he’ll listen and keep our secret. But either way, we can’t afford his wrath. He must hear this from my lips and no one else’s.”
Bren’s frown deepened and she went very still.
49. Vengeance
~ BREN ~
It felt like I never took a step forward without a new obstacle to face.
Inside, I was brittle, like glass—with warm, bubbling water underneath.
Donavyn stared at me with such love, the bond resonated with it. I wasso sureof him.
But the King?
Visions of the Queen’s haughty dismissal wanted to crowd in and feed my fear, but I pushed those memories aside.
Donavyn had stood her down. For me. Helovedme.
I didn’t fear the King’s dismissal. I feared his wrath. Feared he’d see me as nothing but a shiny object that distracted his General.
But Donavyn, who knew him best, was certain it was the best course.
I didn’t want Donavyn hurt for my sake.Again.I sighed and reached for Akhane.‘Do you know the royals? Do you trust them?’
She sighed wearily in my head, her bond churning andburning, her heat still pulling her from everyone but Kgosi, though its fire burned lower than before.
‘I don’t understand the human ways, or their leaders,’she admitted.‘But I know my mate’s heart. And I know the King holds him in regard. Yours as well. I think we must trustourmales, rather than the King.’
Donavyn’s grip on my arms tightened and his expression tensed. “Bren, I wouldn’t ask this of you if I wasn’t sure—”
“I believe you,” I breathed hurriedly, pushing myself to get the words out.
