Page 102 of Flameborne: Chosen

I frowned. Kgosi often let me touch him or scratch him if he was in the stable. But I supposed with the closeness growing between him and Akhane, he probably just saw me as an extension of her.

“Well, if there’s anything I can do to show my gratitude, I would like to. Is there a book you don’t already own?” I asked with a nervous laugh.

Donavyn chuckled. “There are many, but I don’t need more things. If you want to please me, just keep going, Bren. Don’t give up. That’s all. Just don’t give up.”

I vowed that I wouldn’t.

And deep down inside, I also vowed that I would grow, so that one day he’d admire me as much as I admired him.

29. Thwarted

~ DONAVYN ~

I went to bed that night with a strange itch between my shoulder blades. A niggling unease that I knew I should confront, but was too weary, or perhaps too cowardly to face.

As I slipped into bed and groaned with relief, I felt Kgosi’s scrutiny in my mind and bristled.

‘Why aren’t you asleep yet?’

‘My bonded one is tense. Is there anything you’d like to get off your chest, Donavyn?’

‘I’m fine.’

‘I believe your trainee would make the same assessment.’He gave that breathy huff that I’d learned was dragon laughter and I scowled, though the effect was lost on him since he couldn’t see me.

‘Don’t even joke about that, Keg. I’m a man of honor, leading others. I would never breach conduct or use my position to draw a woman into—’

‘I don’t believe it’s your position that appeals to her. You humans are far more feral than that.’

I blinked.‘What makes you say that? Has Akhane relayed Bren’s words or—’

‘Calm down, Donavyn.’The teasing tone left him and he became the Primarch—and my mentor—once more.‘Relax. I only meant to smile with you. She is a good heart, as are you. Neither of you seeks to breach your strange, human rules.’

I blew out a breath heavy with relief and something like disappointment. But that wasn’t right.

‘The rules aren’t strange, Keg. We enforce them because my people are prone to use their power to influence those they want. No woman—or man—should work fearing that their livelihood relies on keeping a powerful personsatisfied.’

A fleeting thought of the Queen’s smile when she’d walked in on my meeting with the King the day before flitted through my head. I grimaced. I knew the shudder of unwanted attention from someone who held your future in their hands.

I had no desire for the Queen. I admired her strength and appreciated her intellect. But she was becomingunsubtlein her signals. And risking the attention of others.

A short, firm word would solve the problem, but we were never alone. Seeking her out would send the wrong signal, so I waited for the moment when it might happen naturally. I couldn’t afford to humble her in front of others, yet I would not be drawn. Unfortunately, the risk was that she would use her power and influence to corner me politically.

I shook the thoughts off. It was another stress for another day.

‘You are a good heart, Donavyn. Rest in the arms of the Creator. His plan will always end in your good.’

‘You say that, but His plan was to put you in my head for the rest of my life, so at times I question His judgment.’

Kgosi huffed and I grinned.

‘Goodnight, Donavyn. Sleep well and dream of wherever you might find peace.’

I was touched.‘Thank you, Keg. And you as well.’

Then I rolled over, feeling somewhat better, and went to sleep, only to be plunged into everything that wasnotpeaceful…

I landed Kgosi in that clearing, trying to hide my smirk because she’d fallen on landing again and now swung back and forth, a pendulum from Akhane’s neck. A very sullen, pouting pendulum with her jaw jutting forward and her arms folded under her breasts.