Page 152 of Flameborne: Chosen
Now, the smell of the cooking meat rose in the clearing and my stomach rumbled loudly. Most of them didn’t even notice, but there was a deep chuckle to my left.
“The barbecue’s going to be a while. Here. Just don’t tell the others I gave it to you.”
I turned to find Ronen squatting, holding out a thick bread roll. My stomach rumbled again when I looked at it, and his smile broadened. He lifted the roll higher. “Take it. You’ve earned it.”
“Have I?” I said as I took the bread roll and bit a chunk off it, sighing with happiness as I chewed the fresh, crusty roll.
Ronen frowned. “You were raised to First Rank today. It’s a huge milestone, Bren. Yes, you’ve earned it.”
Then he drew another roll out from the bag at his feet and winked. “And I earned it for training you,” he chuckled, then bit into his.
We both smiled and chewed for a minute. I watched my brothers—Gil and Oros sprawled on the other side of the fire, both looking thoughtful, speaking quietly as they watched the others. Voski stood with Jhoare, jostling each other and teasing Harle, who pretended to ignore them while he turned the spit sullenly.
Apparently if I hadn’t just been raised it would have been my task to tend the fire and meat because I was the least experienced among us. But because they were celebrating me, he didn’t get a break from duties.
He obviously wasn’t pleased about it.
Einar was there too, leaning into Jhoare’s ear. Jhoare burst into laughter—which immediately had Harle begging them to tell him what they’d said.
Everyone was animated and happy. The dragons milled around in the shallows of the lake, groaning and splashing occasionally, but keeping to themselves.
Twilight was falling, the sky over the mountains turning indigo, while the sky over the ocean beyond the woods to the east was still pink.
I was worn out, my body weary. And starving. But my brothers were here to celebrate with me and they seemed relaxed. It was all very comfortable. Which felt strange.
“You know, if they’d failed you, I would have challenged the ruling,” Ronen said quietly, setting down against the same stump, just inches between our arms.
“What?” I asked, shocked.
Ronen nodded. “We weren’t close enough to see details, but it was obvious those two were conspiring. If it had only happened once I would have said it was just the way chaos goes—they both happened to be there, and of course they’d choose the line that benefited each other over you. But three times? I thought you’d gotten all the banners, so I didn’t step in. Had I known they stole your banner as well, I would have talked to the Captain and Donavyn before anyone made a call. But I should have known the General hadn’t missed it. I haven’t seen him that angry in a long time.”
Donavyn standing over my enemies, angry and indignant. So strong. I was gutted—desperately sad and furious at myself. But watching him roar at them touched me. Made me wish he was closer and I was less broken. It brought back memories of that night when I’d kissed him—
I felt my cheeks flush as Ronen looked at me sideways.
I swallowed hard. “He’s very protective of all of us,” I said faintly.
Ronen nodded. “I agree. He would have made that call for anyone, Bren. Not just you.”
“Of course,” I said quickly, looking down at the dirt and picking up a small pebble next to my boot as I told myself that was something to celebrate, not be disappointed by.
“Don’t dismiss that, Bren. It’s important.”
“I know. I’m glad Don—the Generalis so helpful. It’s good leadership. You’re that way too.”
“That’s not what I meant.”
My heart pounded. He must have heard something. Oh God, maybe Donavyntold him?Was he speaking to me now to make sure I wouldn’t get the wrong idea? I wanted to shrink into my sweaty leathers like a tortoise shell.
“Bren?” Ronen said quietly.
I made myself look at him.
His expression was solemn. “When I said you deserved the rank, you questioned it.”
“I was being funny.”
“No, you weren’t. And I get it. I know that’s not the way you wanted it to happen. But that doesn’t mean it’s not deserved. They stole that from you. It’s right that you’re here and they’re not.”
