Page 78 of Flameborne: Fury
I frowned, but suddenly, Benji was there, babbling about how he was telling the other stableboys that he was my personal hand and if Akhane had any needs, he had to be the one to fulfill them. Eventually, Gil ushered him away so that several of the Furyknights who’d been evaluators on my Trials, or instructors in the Academy could shake my hand and offer their congratulations.
When those men said their goodbyes and turned away, leaving me stunned, I thought we were finally finished and I could run back to the stable to pack. But a warm, thrilled voice shouted from off to my right.
“Bren!”
I turned in time to see a rush of several men, cheering and swearing, and pumping their fists, and before I could place them, Saul was in front of me,beamingfrom ear to ear, his cheeks pinked and hair tousled, his brothers shaking him and clapping him on the back and shoving him forward as he towered over me and smiled sheepishly.
“Congratulations, Bren,” he said sincerely, taking my hands. “You did amazing. You made it!”
“Thank you. I thought it was just a trial. I’m as surprised as you.”
But then Saul shook his head, his smile softening. “I’m not surprised. I knew you could do it. I’m only glad I get to do it with you.”
Then he glanced at his brothers, then back to me. And before I found a response, he suddenly swooped on me, andkissed me.
Time slowed.
Everything else left my mind like a fog under blazing sun.
But when I realized there were lips brushing mine that weren’t Donavyn’s, I gasped and shoved him away, stumbling back, barely aware of my brothers rushing forward with curses and shouts, followed by Saul’s squad roaring forward in Saul’s defense.
There was a short struggle—squad on squad—and my heart screamed.
Strong arms pulled me out of the melee. I stumbled, shaking like a leaf, yet managed to keep my feet. But my heart sank when I turned back to face the chaos. The men pushed and shouted at each other, on the cusp of coming to blows.
“Stop! Juststop!This is a celebration. I’m fine!” I insisted, catching eyes with Ronen on the other side of my brothers to plead for his help. My heart pounded so hard it hurt in my skull.
Ronen and Saul’s Wing Leader both barked and shoved between the others until the men separated and stopped jostling each other. But Oros and Voski had Saul, and his brothers were still crowded close around mine who’d circled them, tense and scowling.
I was heartbroken. And speechless.
“Everyone, calm the fuck down,” Ronen growled. “Furyknights who harm other Furyknights will bepunisheddouble.You idiots aren’t worth the executioner’s axe. And besides, this is a celebration, not a fuckingbattle.”
The men all eyed each other, but Saul’s Wing Leader stared at him, his face a tense mask as he nodded to Saul.
Saul’s Adam’s apple bobbed. Ignoring my brothers who held him on either side as he stared at me, eyes wide with regret.
“Bren, I’m sorry, I thought—” he croaked.
One of his brothers tried to step in, and Voski strong-armed him with a warning growl. Saul’s other brothers protested and I clawed hands into my hair, afraid they were about to fight again—
“It’s fine.I’m fine!”I squeaked. “Please,stop.All of you!”
Ronen looked furious, but he called my brothers off while Saul’s Wing Leader did the same with his squad.
There was a great show of posturing and muttered curses and my heart flipped three different times when shoulders knocked or teeth were bared, but a few moments later the squads were separated and letting their hackles lower. Oros shoved Saul back into his brother’s arms, while I stood behind Ronen and Gill, shaking my head as Saul stared at me, anguished.
“Please don’t fight,” I said as strongly as I could so they’d all hear me. “Saul didn’t hurt me. And we’re all brothers now… right?” I gave a weak, shaky laugh.
Saul looked sheepish and miserable. “I’m sorry, Bren. I thought we were… connecting. My brothers encouraged me to take the first step—”
“I… that’s… it won’t happen, Saul,” I said miserably, embarrassed and frustrated and shaking. “But I’m not hurt, so let’s just let it go. All of you, th-thank you for coming to celebrate with me. But I need to rest now because I have to fly tomorrow. So, thank you.”
And then, while they murmured their responses and eyed each other, I fled.
30. The Safe Place
SOUNDTRACK:Irisby Chris Lanzon
