Page 62 of Flameborne: Fury
“Don’t,”he growled. “Don’t flutter your eyes and give me that whisper, Bren. Not when you’re trying to convince me to deny you. I wouldn’t. Iwon’t.”
“I didn’t say denyme,”I answered quickly, panicking even at the thought. “I said we could hide this. The bond. Stop them from even knowing until there’s proof it doesn’t affect our work.”
“I amnotliving a lie. I’m not ashamed of you, Bren.”
My insides churned in a confusing tumult. Iadoredthat he was so protective, so insistent. And I wasterrifiedthat he’d throw his position away on some needless sense of honor. I was certain that here and now, in the throes of the new bond and my dragon’s heat, it felt right. It felt right to me! But after we’d returned and the King demoted him—or worse? What about two years from now when he had to watch others lead and know it should have been him?
He'd resent me. And who could blame him?
He braced over me looking so stern and defensive, bristling with indignation. On my behalf. It was sweet, and sexy, andsodangerous.
“Donavyn, I don’t want to lose you as myCommander,”I whispered.
His eyes flashed and he swore under his breath.
“But it’s not only me who needs you in charge. It’s all of them. You were angry with the King and how he dealt with Faren and Lorr. Ronen says the Officers argue with you, too. I know most of the Furyknightsaren’tas honorable as you. We need you. All of us. Including me. We need you to be in charge because you make all of us better.”
His breath rushed out of him. “God, Bren, that’s such an incredible compliment.”
I rushed on to push my advantage. “I don’t want you to hide me because you’re ashamed. You’re not. I can feel it, and it fills my heart.” I put my hand to his chest and both of us sucked in as the bond swelled. “I don’t think you should be unfaithful, or ignore me. But I want to keep this bond between us sacred. Those bastards are already so sure I’m the King’s whore, or maybe yours. If they hear this…” I flinched and he growled.
“Don’t,” he muttered, curling a hand at the back of my neck.“Don’t think those ugly things.”
“I have to, becausetheydo!” I insisted. “You know they do.”
“I’ll watch over you—”
“I’ll never be a true Furyknight if I had to take every step in your shadow, Donavyn. You know that. If this gets out, they’ll dismiss me. But it’syouthey’ll destroy. Right now, you hold their hearts and minds because they know you’re a good man, a strong man, and therightman. If they hear about this, they’ll decide you’re just like them.”
He shook his head. “I don’t care—”
I gripped his shirt and shook it. “I do! If your reputation is tarnished because of me, I care a lot. And some day you will too!”
“I won’t pretend you’re nothing to me, Bren. I won’t!” He growled.
“Then you’ll only succeed in turning me into a whore in their eyes,” I protested. “A whore who’s forced to follow you around to stay safe. Is that better?”
His breath heaved, his chest rising and falling with the force of it. “Yes! The truth will out!”
“But—”
“Stop trying to convince me to make you less than you are. I didn’t exaggerate when I said I love you. It isn’t misplaced honor to give you your due as my mate. I’m not martyring myself for your claiming. I’ll tell the truth and walk into the fire to stand for it! If those little pricks want to call names and tell themselves their lack is made less by belittlingyou,let them deal withme!”
I was desperate to make him see, but the bond crackled and he dove for my mouth, taking it, stopping my voice with his breath, his lips, his tongue.
The earth under my back trembled and in my head I heard Akhane’s scream a moment before it sang through the clearing sky.
I grabbed for Donavyn, uncertain whether I’d pull him closer, or push him away, but he tore out of the kiss and opened his eyes again, locking on mine.
“You deservebetter,Bren. You see me lead the men? Then watch me lead for you. I’m not turning my back on you.Ever.The mere thought turns my bones cold.” He gave a great, rasping gulp.
I had to swallow the lump that appeared in my throat and was grateful I could close my eyes as I pulled him into another kiss. But only moments later, as we twined together, kissing reaching, clawing, diving, the ground trembled again.
Then again.
A roar to shake the trees rose, and the trembling grew stronger and closer.
Moments later there was a great crash as Akhane tore out of the trees and into the meadow. I gasped and instinctively pushed Donavyn away, rolling out from under him and to my feet, pushing to a run—or would have. Donavyn’s thick arm whipped around my middle and his guttural curse hushed in my ear as he caught me.
