Page 167 of Flameborne: Chosen
“Donavyn, you should always bring these issues to me,” she said, leaning closer, her arms folded under her breasts,pressing them even higher. I kept my eyes firmly on hers. “No one understands better than me how it is to be a woman in a man’s world. Bren is lucky to have your support.”
“Thank you,” I said carefully.
Diann looked up at me from under her lashes, and licked her lips. Then she opened her mouth to speak, butthank God,Kgosi broke into my mind.
‘Donavyn. Now.’
I stepped back just as the Queen lifted a hand like she’d touch my chest. I bowed and apologized. “I’m sorry to leave you, Your Majesty, but Kgosi calls me urgently. I will make certain Bren knows your support for her position.”And warn her never to follow your example.
Diann’s lips tightened, but she nodded her head graciously. “Go. Lead your men. We’ll speak again soon no doubt.”
Murmuring something to the affirmative, I turned on my heel and hurried from the room, sweating, grateful for my dragon’s salvation. But that only reminded me that he’d felt that I was needed urgently.
As I trotted through the royal halls, I reached back out to him.
‘I’m free. What is it?’
‘It’s Bren,’he said simply.‘She is not well. And her distress agitates Akhane.’
‘I’m coming.’And then I ran.
47. Not Like That
~ BREN ~
An hour after the ruckus with Faren I was in the stable, curled up inside Akhane’s leg while she lay in the nest she’d made in the straw, nudging my side and crooning if I stayed quiet for more than a minute.
The next time she nudged me, I petted her snout and sighed, trying to release the tension in my chest again. But it wasn’t working. My eyes stung from the tears earlier. And everything just seemed dark.
Nothing had happened the way I’d hoped. When I flew out to celebrate with my brothers, I thought the worst of the day was over. How wrong I’d been. But it seemed like thewaythings went wrong was my fault.
If I hadn’t overreacted to my squad, I wouldn’t have come back early and run into Faren and nothing would have spiraled out of control.
Now I was worried Donavyn would be in trouble too.
And yet, my mind wouldn’t stop echoing with those ugly words.
Royal whore.
Faren’s words had hit hard because they heldexactlythe same tone of contempt as my father’s. Were men taught that particularly ugly twist of disdain in their lips? Or, was it God-given?
Can’t even fucking harness a dragon.
You don’t belong and aren’t wanted.
Nausea churned in my stomach. Akhane crooned again and nudged me. I put my hand on her snout, but I didn’t want to move.
“Am I a fool, Akhane? Am I grasping at clouds? Am I just an indulgence to powerful men?”
‘No, Little Flame. You’re here for a purpose.’
“What is it?” I asked her bluntly, but quietly. “Do you know? Does it have anything to do with being a Furyknight? Or are you just being kind to me?”
There was a deep rumble, followed by a snort strong enough to shift the straw. Kgosi had curled up in the doorway, ensuring his bulk blocked the view into the stable from the aisle. I wasn’t sure if he’d done it for me, or just to make a point. But I was grateful.
The hair on the back of my neck rose when he snorted, though. He clearly didn’t like what I’d said.
Akhane made a strange, highpeep.I could hear Kgosi moving, and Akhane turned her head towards him, then went still. A moment later, she answered me.
