Page 133 of Flameborne: Fury
She startled and stopped, eyes wide and wary. But then she dropped her skirts and smoothed them as she looked left and right to make certain no one was near.
“I’m sorry,” she said through clenched teeth.
“I recently learned I can’t trust your words,” I muttered. She met my eyes, and though hers held the shadow of shame, they were also flinty with pride.
I raised my chin and spoke down to her, something I’d never done before. “You came to me as a woman, not a Royal, you said.”
She nodded once and nervously wet her lips. “Yes, and I meant it, it was never—”
“Then perhaps the moment has come for me to do the same—to speak to you as a woman, not as a Queen. So, let me beperfectlyclear, Diaan: I willneverchoose you over her. You hold no temptation for me. And it has only been my respect for your position that has kept me from setting you down earlier. But now it’s clear that nothing less will do, so hear me, and don’t doubt it: I am not your stud to be haltered and used for service. I am not inanyway yours to claim. And I never will be.”
Her chin dropped, but her eyes remained locked on mine. “It was poorly done, I know. But you must see how—”
“No. I don’t,” I snapped. “Is there any need for thismanto make the point more clearly to thiswoman?”
Her lips thinned. “No,” she said tightly.
“Good. Then please forgive my haste,Your Majesty,but I must return to mymateand my dragon, and find these fucking enemies before they get any closer to our border. Please reassure the King that I am as attentive to my duties as I have ever been. Good day.”
Then I turned on my heel and marched to the end of the corridor and opened the door, finally letting my shoulders drop when I didn’t hear her footsteps following.
But it wasn’t until I’d returned to Kgosi’s stable and found Bren waiting, her eyes bright with anticipation and a few nerves,and I could gather her into my arms and kiss her, that I could breathe.
“Are you well?” I whispered to her moments later.
She nodded quickly. “What did the King say?”
“He’s angry with me, but I’ve explained the need for discretion. At least for now, he’ll keep our confidence.”
She looked up at me. I didn’t hide my eyes—nor my admiration from her. After a moment her jaw tightened and she nodded.
I let my smile curl up on one side. “Now we focus on the future, right? You’re a Furyknight, Bren. And we’re on the path to destroy our enemies. Together. Are you ready?”
She finally smiled. “I am.”
THE END
