Page 93 of Flameborne: Fury
She swallowed again—under any other circumstance I would have marveled. I’d never seen her uncertain of herself. Ever. But my skin crawled, because I knew where she was going, andit would not be.
“Diaan—”
“Please, let me speak.”
Had she been a servant, or a healer, or any other person I would have taken her by the elbow and escorted her from my apartment. But she was the fucking Queen!
I bit my tongue to keep myself quiet, but let her see in my expression that I was not inviting intimacy. I should have offered her a seat, and a drink, and anything else that she wished. But I couldn’t bring myself to do it. I knew what she’d say, and I wasfuriousthat she didn’t respect me enough to have taken all the hints, all my unspoken warnings.
She was no fool. She knew I hadn’t returned her interest. So, what did she think she would gain by this?
“The last few days have beenvery challenging,”she said quietly, licking her lips nervously, but holding my gaze.
I didn’t speak, but my heart sank as she blinked and clearly searched for courage.Don’t do it. Don’t say it. Don’t make me—
“When you disappeared into that storm the entire Keep was on high alert. It wasn’t just me, even Alexi was nervous, though he covered well. He believes in you, Donavyn. Having you here makes him feel surer. And me as well. I can’t deny that thoughts of your possible death haunted me. Your absence combined with those thoughts… they have made me see clearly.”
I pressed my lips together over the curses and anger that wanted to come, and shook my head, but she no longer averted her eyes.
“Donavyn, I know I haven’t been subtle. I know you’ve understood my affection for you. And you have deflected my advances. I won’t deny that I enjoyed theplayof it. You are a challenge, and there are very few men in this world who truly resist me anymore. It was a game, and for that I apologize. I understand why you stand here right now with that wariness in your eyes. What I say and how you respond will not affect your role in this Kingdom. You have my word on that.”
Fuck.“There’s no need to say anymore—”
“Actually, there is,” she said breathlessly. Then she inhaled deeply enough to press her breasts high in the tight corset of her riding habit and her cheeks flushed as she raised her chin—not with pride, but determination. “Donavyn, this is no game. I am notplaying.And I do not approach you as a ruler, despite what you might think. The past days with your absence and the whole Keep uncertain what had occurred and what would keep you away, I was consumed by thoughts of the past. Of the waste. Of my own missteps and I prayed that God would provide an opportunity for me to speak simple truth to you.”
“Diaan—”
“I have admired you a great deal for a very long time. But as I stood in that fucking Palace and faced the thought of a world inwhich you no longer existed, I wastormented,and left with no choice but to reflect on myself, my actions, and my heart.”
I stood there, stunned as she drew herself up, as if bracing for a blow.
“Donavyn, I wish to bewithyou. This world holds very little upon which I can rely. Alexi values me, but as he would any other wealth or asset—to be protected, to be used when desired or needed, and otherwise to be left awaiting his whim. He does notseeme. But you…” She swallowed audibly and her eyes sparkled. “My crown muddies it, I know, but even with that, you see me as a person. And I don’t believe you understand how rare that is among men of power.”
I swallowed back a curse.
I’d never missed her attraction, or fooled myself that I had to step carefully with her. But I never expected her to approach like this. Vulnerable. Humble.Human.
I closed my eyes to cut off the eye-contact, clawed a hand through my hair and scrambled to find a way to reply that would make my position clear without adding insult to injury. I desperately wanted to honor Bren’s desire to be measured on her own merits, and I’d told her I wouldn’t tell anyone of our bond unless it was dire. But I couldn’t risk this.Wecouldn’t risk this. The Queen was far too powerful, and too central to our work. It was the only way to reject her without making it personal. I took a deep breath, praying Bren wouldn’t spiral into fear when I told her I’d revealed our bond.
But my thoughts took moments to organize, and when I didn’t immediately respond, when I broke eye-contact, apparently the Queen had taken it as a different kind of struggle.
“Donavyn, I will not make your job harder, I swear it—”
I opened my eyes in time to catch her hand as it brushed my chest. She’d hurriedly taken the steps to close the distance between us, and now she leaned up on her toes, reaching for myhair, her lips full and parted as she came in for a kiss, her breath fluttering on my lips.
37. Difficult Truth
~ DONAVYN ~
Everything in me recoiled.
With a hiss I yanked her hand from my chest and stumbled back, holding her at arm’s length as I spoke through a clenched jaw.
“Diaan—stop, andlisten,”I hissed, letting her see the anger and fear in my eyes. “You know I have no wish to hurt you, or disrespect. But thiscannot be.”
“Alexi doesn’t care if—”
“It has nothing to do with the King!” I barked and she drew up short, eyes widening as she heard the ring of true anger in my voice.
