Page 33 of A Kingdom of Fire and Fury
His eyebrows shot up.
Ben’s loud laughter cut through the tension. “She has you there!” He poured himself another vial, missing the target by a fingertip. “Oh shit.” He laughed again. “Kieran’s boring,” Ben informed me with an easy smile. “He doesn’t do more than sip his ale. Between you and me, I think he’s a lightweight.” He said the last bit in a faux whisper.
“Or maybe, I’m not a child like you and know how to pace myself.”
Ben mimed getting daggeredto the heart. “That hurts my feelings.”
Kieran snorted. “I won’t drink with you. Don’t forget we’re still technically on duty when we’re outside the castle.”
What a hard ass. But the warning worked, because Ben straightened a bit. “I haven’t forgotten. But things will always be shitty. I think we earned a night to enjoy ourselves.” He shook his head, the serious aura fading, and passed me a vial. “And now I finally get to bond with you, Selena, since I don’t have to worry about you dying on me. It got real depressing the last time we held tryouts.”
I blinked. “What?”
“Both Nimue and Aurelia were… second attempts. The other two didn’t survive the flight.” His eyes shadowed. “By the second time, I learned my lesson. Wasn’t going to get close to some greenie who hadn’t survived her flight… no offense.” Ben slammed back another vial and stood up. “On that note, I’m ready to get some ass. Wish me luck.”
I barely had time to muster up a mumbled ‘good luck’ before he sauntered off, flashing a grin at the nearby men and women who’d clearly been eyeing him.
With Ben gone, I stared at my empty vial. Warmth pulsed under my skin, and I tugged off my jacket. Fog muddied my thoughts, steering me away from the horrifying words Ben dropped on me. I closed my eyes and grabbed the water. But my hand slipped, and the mug tumbled off the table, spilling water everywhere.
“Don’t you dare say shit,” I hissed at Kieran.
“I got it.” Brynn appeared with a dishrag and used it to soak up the mess. She furrowed her brow at me. “Why don’t I take you in the back to get some water?” She glanced up at Kieran and Nimue. “Is that alright?”
“I’ll be right back,” I said to Nimue, slightly puzzled when she grimaced and leaned back.
“The Mother help me,” Brynn muttered and grabbed my arm, tugging me to the back. “This eases my worries a bit. If you can do something this reckless, you obviously must be in a good spot.”
I plopped onto the couch and closed my eyes. “Why is everything spinning?” I groaned. “Fucking asshole was right. This shit is strong.”
“What did I ever see in you?” Brynn huffed.
My eyes sprang open when she sat beside me. “Did they hurt you? I—I thought I fucked it all up.”
Brynn tucked a strand of hair behind my ear. “I had some guards following me, but they’ve kept their distance. It hasn’t been bad.”
I dipped my head down. “I’m sorry. You were right. The job was a trap.”
Brynn exhaled. “Stop that. What’s done is done. There’s no sense in tearing yourself apart. Clara’s stronger than you think.”
My eyes burned. “She shouldn’t have to be. I should be protecting her.”
“You are.” Brynn grabbed my hand and squeezed it. “Stay in the dragonsguard. Listen to that scary Caddel motherfucker and get him to sing your praises. Get him wrapped around your finger, and he’ll doanything for you.”
I snorted. “He can’t stand me. And I hate him.”
“Don’t be stupid. He’s been doting on you since you sat down. And, you know you’re hot, Selena. Your boobs are to die for and that hair of yours is so fucking grabbable. Not to mention your eyes. It’s very, ‘fuck me.’So use it. Enthrall him.”
I batted her hand away. “It won’t work. Maybe he thinks I’m hot, but that’s it. He can’t stand me and the only reason he’s ‘doting’ on me is because he wants to use me for his own gain. That’s not concern.” I sure as hell hadn’t forgotten his threat. He’d off me as soon as I stopped being useful to him.
Brynn shook her head. “Just get on his good side. Keep that destructive side of yourself in check.”
I hugged her. Some of the fog faded from my mind, but I still felt terribly unbalanced. “I’ll try.”
Brynn stood and helped me to my feet. “You’ll do more than try. You’ll succeed. Visit when you can, okay?” Her eyes had a glassy look to them. We both knew I wouldn’t be able to see her often, not right away, not without putting a target on her back.
We talked for a while longer before Brynn led me back to the table.
“You came back!” Ben grinned widely from where he stood leaning against our table. “We missed you. Though not Aurelia. She’s waiting for when she can go home.”
