Page 127 of Flameborne: Fury
Donavyn went still, his mouth slightly open.
I nodded to answer the questions echoing in the bond. “I believe you,” I repeated. “I’m afraid of what he’ll do, or think. But I trust your judgment. And I don’t want him to hurt you because of me,” I admitted.
Donavyn’s brows pinched. But he didn’t deny the possibility. “Thank you,” he said simply, then reached up to cup my face. I sighed and leaned into that touch, knowing that in moments we’d be mounting the dragons again and flying from here and who knew how long it would be before we were truly alone again?
That thought sent a spear of panic through me. I grabbed for him, and either his fear matched mine, or he responded to mine, because as quickly as I drew him close, he came for me, taking my mouth, hugging me to his chest, surrounding me in his thick, strong arms.
The kiss grew deep and heavy quickly, and for a moment I wanted to throw the rest away and join with him again. The dragons murmured and weaved. All of us churning and tensing.
But then Donavyn tore out of it, still holding me, but dropping his head back, eyes squeezed shut, fighting for control.
“I want to, Bren. God, I want to. But—”
“No, you’re right. We have to go,” I gasped, forcing myself to step out of his grasp and push away the need. But he only growled and grabbed for me, pulling me back until I was held against him again. I sagged into his warmth, breathing easier when he was that close.
Hands in my hair, he stared down at me, teeth bared with the internal fight. “We have to,” he said grimly, his eyes never leaving mine. “But that doesn’t change the fact that I wish it were different.”
I nodded. “Me too,” I whispered.
He shook his head slowly. “So brave,” he murmured. “I’m sorry we can’t throw this life away and leave it together. I’m sorry there aretasks.But this duty is our life as Furyknights.”
I shrugged, blinking back tears. “As long as we can live it together. I want a purpose too, Donavyn. I just…”
“I know. Me too.”
We held each other for a long moment then both turned towards the meadow and Kgosi who was leading the way. We turned back to the job we had to do.
Together.
~ DONAVYN ~
Bren was pale when I left her at the launch hollow, promising to help the stablehands prepare the dragons for our flight.
I almost lost my nerve.
She didn’t question once. Didn’t call me back. Didn’t flinch—only met my eyes and nodded, reaching for me through the link.
‘We’ll be ready when you come back. I guess we’ll find out how far the link reaches, right?’
Ohfuck.I hadn’t even thought of that.
‘I love you,’I sent, even in the link my voice was hoarse with emotion.
‘I love you too. And I trust you.’
It was a gift. A precious fucking jewel and I couldn’t kiss her, couldn’t touch her under the watchful, round eyes of stableboys who’d come assist us, or the wary gazes of Furyknights still remembering Kgosi’s roars, and able to see the scaffolding already being erected on my building where he’d torn the roof open. They’d have it mended before we returned.
Turning away from her to march towards the Palace felt like walking towards the executioner's axe.
But we continued to murmur words in the bond until the link slowly faded as I trotted up the road towards the Palace.
The moment I couldn’t hear her anymore, I panicked and stopped in my tracks, turned, stretching for her, preparing excuses for the King in my mind, and—
‘Donavyn, go. It’s the only way to convince him that this bond is an asset to him. If you can’t leave her for a moment—’
‘He doesn’t understand! The bond will ease with time—but she’s there now and—’
‘Go.’
