Page 97 of Flameborne: Fury
Then, as I stood there gaping, she swayed past me towards that back stairwell, and didn’t look back.
39. Triggered
SOUNDTRACK:Mad Worldby 2WEI, Tommee Proffit, and Fleurie
~ BREN ~
The hallway around me disappeared—even the Queen’s shadow.
I was sucked back to that moment in Ruin’s arms when he’d—
With a gasp of pain and fear, I flinched away from the memory, dropping my bag and snapping forward at the waist as my body heaved.
If I’d eaten recently, I would have made a mess. One hand planted on the wall to keep my steady, I gagged and wretched, my heart pounding against my ribs and thudding in my skull, pulse throbbing in my ears.
Patronizing smiles, even when it hurt.
The other woman, so fine and pretty, in his arms.
I needed to flee and instinctively dove for Donavyn’s door, but tripped on the bag I’d dropped, caught myself on the wall and braced, sucking in a breath as my head spun as furiously as my heart.
Moments later the door opened and alongside deep,muttered curses and queries, thick, warm arms circled me and pulled me aside.
Darkness and shadows, flickering light, masculine breath on my neck—
I flinched and struggled, clawing at that arm, demanding release, sobbing and swearing in the same breath until I found myself pinned back against another wall, both hands up to fend off a gaping Donavyn, half-crouched, palms towards me, eyes wide and worried.
“Bren? Bren it’sme.What’s wrong? What happened? I felt you—”
For a moment, the sound of his voice soothed my fear and made my shoulders sag with relief—until I blinked and took in the sight of him.
He was naked. Nothing but a towel around his waist.
She’d left him moments ago.
“She told you, didn’t she? Dammit—I swear, Bren. I had to tell her the truth. I made itabsolutelyclear what you are to me. And she assures me she’ll keep it quiet until we’re ready to share—”
“Y-you toldher?”My last hope—that she’d been lying—shattered under the final blow. I’d prayed, hoped, begged God to tell me she’d lied. That she’d found out another way.
Donavyn stood, his face pained, raking a hand through his hair that fell in wet strands around his face. “I had to, Bren. It was the only way—”
He kept talking, but I couldn’t hear. His lips moved, his body moved, he reached for me, his eyes were kind, but I heard nothing but those words.
His heart will only ever be on loan to you, dear.
Enjoy it while you can.
Something brushed my arm and I flinched. Then arms circled me and hot breath rushed against my cheek and neck. Ishuddered, felt my body go cold, and I wept. I almost gave in. Went still and frigid, my head screaming as loudly as the bond.
But then he shifted his weight and the reflexes I’d learned here—how to fight, how to win—kicked in.
One hand appeared, fingers on my jaw to turn my head. But in the same movement, the arm circling mine loosened a touch as he forced me to turn my head, to meet his eyes.
“R-ruefl-flower!” I gasped.
Donavyn froze, blinking in shock that I’d used the word they gave me.
He stared, stunned, but I struggled. “Rueflower!” I hissed, struggling.“Fucking let me go!”
