Page 5 of Flameborne: Fury
I opened my mouth to ask him why he’d stopped me, but he’d heard the thought and rumbled again as he began to nose the straw in his stable.
‘Expressing your need, drawing her to you, then removing your affection? It’s the fumbling of a hatchling, Donavyn. I’ve taught you better, haven’t I?’
I sighed. “I know I shouldn’t have touched her, Keg. I fully intended to keep those boundaries of honor clear. You know that. But she makes mysoulhum. I haven’t felt such a draw since I was a youth,” I admitted reluctantly. Kgosi grunted, but didn’t answer, which was a surprise in itself. I watched him carefully. “Keg, have you ever wanted a female you shouldn’t have?”
He walked circles with his snout to the floor, snuffling in his straw and tossing his head to shift it, making a nest for the night. I was surprised. The bedding was new, but it was still early. Usually he didn’t bed down until dark. “Keg?”
‘When I was your age, I ate things that pretty.’
I snorted. “You did not.”
He shot me one, alarming glare, then continued building his nest. Which was when it occurred to me that he hadn’t answered the question.
I smiled, despite myself. “You old lizard, you’re being coy!”
‘I am no such thing.’
“I asked you a direct question and you didn’t answer it!”
‘I still plan to. I’m considering how best to salvage your pride.’
I frowned. “What—”
‘There is no herd female forbidden to me by our customs, Donavyn, unless they are already mated. And I’m not given to lusts for those that don’t belong to me. So, no. I haven’t shared your experience of thisturmoil.As a hatchling I did, however, try to fly a lightning storm.’
“What does that have to do with—”
‘I can sympathize with the burning in your balls.’
I threw back my head and laughed. Kgosi coolly went back to tossing and nudging his straw until he was happy with the space he’d made for himself. Then he turned one more circle, shifting more of the straw before he knelt on his forelegs and loweredhimself into the straw with a groan. Plumes of steam and smoke poured from his nostrils moments later as he relaxed.
“You’re going to bed? Now?”
‘Perhaps, like you, I grow old, Donavyn.’
I snorted. “Nice try. You’ll outlive us all—wait, what do you mean, likeme?I’m notthatold! Didn’t you just accuse me of acting like a juvenile? You can’t have it both ways.”
‘Forty turns of the sun, and you still bristle like a cat when I taunt you. A man’s age has little bearing on his maturity, Donavyn. You should know that more than most,’Kgosi snorted once more, then raised his head and turned it so one, fathomless amber eye regarded me. He blinked slowly. And through the link I felt him smile.
I frowned. “What are you grinning about?”
‘I’m considering my burden.’
“What burden?”
‘I debate whether the Creator gave me a childish man, or a youthful elder. You humans are a confusing bunch with your strange rules and your stringent roles. Tell me, Donavyn, why do you believe your draw to her breaches your honor?’
“Is this some kind of test?” I huffed.
‘No.’
I frowned harder and switched to speaking in our minds because I didn’t want this overheard.‘What are you pressing towards?’
‘Answer the question and I’ll tell you.’
I narrowed my eyes at him.‘It’s wrong of me to encourage that draw because she’s young—too young. Half my age. And I’m her Commanding Officer. She could see my interest as a pressure.’
‘Is it? Do you have nefarious, selfish plans for her?’
