Page 66 of Flameborne: Fury
‘She may face things without you at her shoulder, Donavyn. But never alone. Not now. If you cannot see that, then look again. It’s precisely as it was for you and I—distance doesn’t separate the soul. Though I may not be at your side, still we’re together.’
‘That’s beautiful, Keg. I didn’t know you were a poet,’I teased.
‘And I’d forgotten you were a witbane, so I suppose we’re even.’
I had a moment with my dragon then. A deep, slow breath where our bonded hearts rested together. Brothers-in-arms. Or perhaps brothers unified in joy that they’d found their mates and would never be alone again. But it passed quickly. Because right on the heels of those pleasant thoughts reared the dilemma I’d been facing.
Would my insistence on claiming her create more pain than it healed?
‘Don’t walk in fear, Donavyn.’
Don’t walk in fear? Fear said I shouldn’t tell anyone about her, because they might hurt one of us if they know. But fear also said if I didn’t tell them, one of them might touch her, pursue her, tempt her…
I cleared my throat and Bren tensed. I hadn’t loosened my grip on her as I considered this mess, but I’d been thoughtless of the fact that she was still waiting to hear my verdict.
“I’m sorry if I startled you.”
She shook her head, looking down over Kgosi’s shoulder.
“I was thinking about all you said, Bren. Considering it. And talking to Kgosi.”
“I know.”
She didn’t say anything else. I looked out over the sky, beyond her and Kgosi, beyond where Akhane flew a little ahead of us, towards Vosgaarde and our quickly approaching future.
I could feel it rushing closer—the relentlesspummelingof time passing and dragging us towards the unknown destination, whether we wanted it or not.
“Kgosi warned me not to make decisions from fear, Bren. And I’m inclined to agree with him—but I recognize that wisdom always steps with a certain level of caution. So, I’m thinking.”
She sighed heavily again and I kissed her hair. “The unknown is always intimidating, but don’t lose sight of this, Bren.Us.The dragons. The four of us will never lose what we have—no matter what.”
She made a little noise in the back of her throat and a pang of desperation ripped through the bond.
“Bren, please, trust me. I won’t let anyone—”
“No, it’s not that. I just…” She turned her head, looking at me from the corner of her beautiful eye. “Donavyn,please.I’m thinking and talking to Akhane, too. And I’m begging you. At least let me get through the trial and prove myself capable before they hear this! Then at leastsomeof them might see me as more than a toy?”
I felt the tremulous, fragile braid of hope and fear in her and it broke my heart. Not because I’d tell her no, but because shefelt that she had tobegme. God, what had that fucker done to her? And who was he?
I lifted one hand to cup her chin and keep her turned, leaned down and kissed her softly. When we opened our eyes, she was staring up at me, her brows pinched over her nose.
“Is that a yes, or a no?” she asked.
“I’m still thinking, Bren. There are so many things to be considered—not the least of which is your position even if theydon’tknow. But I will tell you this, I won’t leap from Kgosi’s back and announce it the moment we land. And neither will you. I’ll tell the King about our invaders, and make a plan. Then, we’ll address this once the necessary work has been done. You and I. Together. While I’m in Council with the King, I want you to gather your things and bring them to my apartment. You’re not sleeping one more night in that damned stable. Keep yourself out of sight on your way if you must, but you’re coming to my quarters tonight, agreed?”
She nodded.
I breathed a sigh of relief. “I don’t know how long it will take with the King, it depends how quickly he wants to move, and in what manner. But you have my word, I’ll come back to you as quickly as I can once I’ve informed him. Which is another argument for telling at least the King and my peers. Because they’ll be considerate of a bond. Could you imagine being separated now? But what choice would we have if we kept it secret?”
Her eyes widened and her expression fell—she hadn’t thought of that.
But then she sat up straighter, her eyes clouding. “But, if you tell the King, he might make you leave! Right when we have invaders. Or he might removeme.Donavyn—”
I held her tightly, shaking my head. “I’m not saying I will, Bren. I’m saying there’s an argument for it. We have to measure what’s best as we walk this path—together.”
“But, what if—”
“I won’t tell them without you—not unless there’sdireneed. You have my word on that, Bren. I won’t let you be surprised. And you won’t face them alone. I promise.”
