Page 16 of Flameborne: Fury
6. The Dance
~ DONAVYN ~
Eight miserable, turmoil-filled days after that wretched, haunting kiss—all of them spent not sleeping and constantly questioning myself—I stood at the edge of the Royal Ballroom in formal uniform. I’d been asked to stand with the King and Queen, greeting the diplomats and rulers he’d invited for a summit, as they drifted past on their way to find a drink, or a dance. Or something worse.
I had to force myself to stop shifting my weight. My chest was too tight. And it hurt. Like a fishhook had been buried in my heart and was attempting to drag me out of the Palace and towards the stables.
“Dear God, Donavyn, did the men put thistles in your trousers?” the Queen murmured, her eyes still on the nobles and royals circling the ballroom. She’d barely moved her lips so no casual observers would know she’d spoken to me. “You’re as fidgety as a child in church.”
I grimaced behind my hand as I rubbed my freshly shaved chin and wished I was with the dragons.
Not because they were with Bren.
The clench in my gut became an ice cube.
I still hadn’t spoken to her. Was afraid I’d blurt something, or scare her. Still couldn’t quite bring myself to believe—
The music swelled and the couples milling around began to glide onto the tiled dance floor.
“Will you do me the honor, wife?” Alexi asked smoothly, moving to stand in front of the Queen, offering his hand as he bowed before her.
I prayed she’d say yes. I’d use the distraction to take a trip to the sideboard and pour myself a scotch. Or three.
But before the Queen could do more than smile, one of the messenger boys darted through the crowd of nobles gossiping along the wall, to draw up at the King’s side and bow stiffly.
“What is it, son?” Alexi asked him gruffly.
“Sire, you asked to be summoned when—” he swallowed quickly, panting. “—when the Advisors had news. And they do.” He bowed again, clearly nervous. He was young. It must be his first formal event.
Alexi’s face went hard, and he nodded. “Run back and tell them I’ll be one minute behind you.”
The child darted off like a puppy as Alexi raised his wife’s hand to his mouth and brushed her knuckles with a kiss. “Please forgive me. I must go.”
Their eyes met in something unspoken and she nodded to him again. Then the bastard turned to me and pinned me with a gaze. “The Queen loves to dance, Donavyn. I’m sure you’ll honor her in my absence so thatnoncefrom Sierral doesn’t pester her. The man practically humped her leg last time.” Then he was gone, striding straight across the dance floor, couples hurrying out of his way, bowing and curtseying as he passed, while he ignored them.
I was left standing at the side of the ballroom, cursing to myself, while the Queen stared up at me from the corner of her eye, a sly smile on her face.
My chest ached, but I did as I was told and turned to Diaan, offering my hand. “May I have this dance, Your Majesty?”
One side of her lips pulled up higher. “Of course, Donavyn.”
When she slid her fingers into mine, that tangle in my chest pulled tight and began to ache. But I led her onto the dance floor, praying she didn’t notice that my hands trembled like an old drunk on the wagon.
Two circuits of the ballroom floor later, Diaan’s cheeks were pink and she smiled up at me.
“I’d like to commend you once again on your dancing, Donavyn. You’re surprisingly graceful for such a large man.”
“Thank you, I’m sure,” I murmured, but I watched the doors, praying for Alexi’s quick return. I’d wanted to leave early tonight. That wouldn’t be possible if he disappeared for the evening and left the Queen on my arm.
“And yet,” Diaan added through gritted teeth and a brittle smile, “the sweetness of your steps dissolves under the sour frown. Whatever is wrong, Donavyn? Surely this is better than walking through dragon shit and dirt all day?”
“The aroma of bullshit in this room is far more offensive,” I muttered through my teeth.
Diaan gave a tinkling laugh.
“I wasn’t joking, Your Majesty.”
“That’s what makes it so amusing, Donavyn. Oh, stop growling. I swear, you’ve been grumpy as a bear the past few days.”
