Page 91 of Flameborne: Fury
The King watched me silently, but it was Diaan’s gaze that prickled on the back of my neck.
“Anyone with knowledge of dragons will know we can’t separate the two—and they’ll confirm, independently, that the Primarch’s mating is known to increase fertility in the whole herd. I’ll take no interest in the King or the politics of the land—pouring myself into the dragon herd. I don’t enjoy the Court, and I’ll make that plain. Everyone knows I’m a man of action, not stealth. It all stacks up, which lessens the chances of anyprobing questions. And if anyone mentions a female Furyknight, I’ll laugh them off for the preposterous suggestion that it is.”
“You’re right,” Alexi said, turning from me to walk to the sideboard and pour himself a goblet of wine. “It’s brilliant, actually. And very convenient timing on the dragon’s part. Please pass on my gratitude to Kgosi.”
I nodded, working hard not to sigh out the relief flooding through me.
“It does seem rather waterproof,” the Queen murmured, her forehead furrowed. “Though, will they believe you have a female working with the herd?”
“I’ll say she connected with the dragons independently and she’s shown a natural gift—which is also true.”
“No. You should remain vague on that point,” the King said after a sip of wine. “If you’re travelling togetheralone,all the nobles will assume she’s your whore.”
Diaan rolled her eyes. “Of course the Court will assume so, but that doesn’t mean he has to affirm the foolishness.”
Alexi huffed. “It isn’t foolish to speak of the world as it is. If the Fyrehold Court they want to gossip about our General and his companion, let them. No,encouragethem. Make any explanations as vague as possible. They’ll be far less suspicious that you bring a woman to attend you, than that you’re selflessly encouraging her gifts.”
I wanted to argue, wanted to spit that Bren would never be mywhore,but sadly, I knew he was right. Noble and powerful visitors to Vosgaarde almost always travelled with both male and female companions with only vague claims to responsibility. Those relationships were whispered about with sly smiles behind feminine fans in the parlors, or muttered commentary from men between drinks. But no one saw those individuals as a threat. Quite the opposite. They were a nobleman—or woman’s—scandalous little toy.
In highborn circles it was, quite literally, normal. The Court might look on that companion with anything from desire to derision—or pity, depending on how awful that particular noble was rumored to be behind closed doors. But no one would think twice about a famed General bringing a young woman on a long trip for his ownentertainment.
God, I hated people sometimes.
“Sadly, he’s right,” Diaan added with a sigh. “Send the girl and her dragon. Let them ask their questions. Give them the truth about the dragons. Remain vague on the girl. She’s untrained enough not to seem suspicious, yet she’ll be close enough to those in power to use her stealth. Leave her to makeacquaintancesand sniff out our mole. She will be dismissed and underestimated on all sides because she’ll be surrounded by men,” she said, rolling her eyes again. “We must prepare her for how to carry herself among the noblewomen—I can help with that. She’ll need to understand the dynamics to move around the strange castle without attracting trouble. But with time, she can let it be known that she has information for sale—and offer different stories to anyone who asks, so we can follow the trail. Train her as best you can, and leave the rest to luck.”
I bristled. “You meanGod.”
The Queen shrugged. “Either way, she’ll serve the purpose intended. You’re there too, and we trust you. The plan is good. Do it.”
I experienced a strange rush—both the pleasure and relief of having found a genuine solution to a very large problem, and the fear and rage that my mate was about to be placed in a position of such danger, even I couldn’t be sure of keeping her safe. Though I’d die myself before letting her be harmed.
Ihatedthe idea of putting Bren straight into such a dangerous plot. But she’d been raised to the Fang for exactly this purpose. And I had to remember that I’d be with her—and noneed to hide our relationship. Perhaps I could even look forward to watching her thrive and succeed. Cheering her on.
There would be no question of her skills if she pulled this off. We could then reveal toeveryonehow we’d done it together, strengthened by our bond through the dragons.
I nodded. “Your approval is welcome,” I said as humbly andunangrily as I could. “But if we’re to do this, I’ll need to begin her training the moment we return from finding those enemies.” I turned to the King. “I’ll need at least two weeks. If we can keep the enemy forces surrounded and silent, we can delay bringing them in to give us more time, yes?”
Alexi’s eyes narrowed. “Perhaps. I’m always wary of giving fighting men time to think. But, we won’t rush anything. You and the girl lead the fighters to that camp, then return here. Stay out of sight. We’ll put it about that you’re in conclave with me, maneuvering and planning as we eradicate enemies from our soil—which you will be. But you get her trained. You handle this. You and Olve. There’s no room for error here.”
Diaan shifted in the corner of my vision, but I kept my eyes on the King as I reluctantly, but with some relief, agreed. Shadow Fang training was ultimately Olve’s duty and he would have worked with Bren, eventually anyway.
I cleared my throat. “Make certain her squad remains on close patrols. She has two Wing members on her squad who could help us also. And the others are a great support to her. We’ll need every ounce of assistance to get her prepared in time.”
“I’ll agree to that,” Alexi nodded. “Tell the schedulers. Her squad remains on patrol near the Palace unless we enter battle.”
Thank you, God.I nodded. “Then all that’s left is to get on with it. I’ll need to inform her tonight—she hasn’t been informed of the Shadowfang yet. And we’ll need to prepare the dragons for their flight tomorrow while Akhane is still in heat. Whichreminds me: Kgosi will struggle flying in a formation with his new mate and other males. I’ll fly ahead with Bren to keep the dragons quiet and when we find the camp, we’ll circle back to share position.”
“Very well. Make it so.”
Breathing a sigh of relief, I bowed to him, then to Diaan, but didn’t meet her eyes. She sat stiffly, and I feared what she’d say if we were alone. So, I left without any further queries, off to find my mate—hopefully already in my quarters. But I could feel the Queen’s eyes on my back until I’d passed into the tunnel and closed the door behind me.
And even though I knew she couldn’t see me any longer, I seemed to carry her gaze until I was well into the Palace proper.
36. Humble Thyself
~ DONAVYN ~
Dawn was coming. Though I was weary and sleep deprived, I fizzed with energy as I hurried out of the Palace and trotted down the lane towards the Dragon Keep, itching for my mate.
