Page 115 of Flameborne: Chosen

Even Akhane sang and danced behind my squad, but as we reached the dining hall and my brothers settled me back on my feet and ushered me inside, I reached for her.

There was a lot of warm love and delight in her, but also a tiny knot of pain.

‘Akhane, what is it? Are you hurt?’

‘No, no, Bren. Don’t worry. I’m very, very happy for you. For us.’

‘But why do you feel—’

‘It is only the lack, Bren. We are not yet complete. I look forward to that day when these moments can be shared in truth.’

‘What do you mean?’

There was a hesitation from her, then.‘I’m sorry, Bren. The Primarch calls me back. We dragons must discuss what occurred in the flight too. Don’t worry about me. I’ll be near. Well done—I can’t wait to conquer the skies with you.’

My brothers hurried me forward to the table and made me sit, served me lunch and reminded me that other than passing rank, this was the only time I wouldn’t be treated like the lowest in the hierarchy.

But I didn’t care. I just sat back in relief, ate my meal with a smile. Until I caught the eyes of one man, three tables away, scowling at me between the heads of two of his brothers who sat with their backs to me.

Faren.The Flameborne whose tail had sliced my arm, and who’d been warned he was almost disciplined.

His eyes narrowed when our gazes caught, and for a moment my delight went as cold as his gaze.

I wanted to shrink. I wanted to hide.

And then, then wanted tofight.

We did it. Akhane and I—and Saul and Bich—we did it. It didn’t matter what this little prick thought. I had passed assessment and was on my way to becoming a Furyknight.

So, I made myself raise my chin, and my glass. Then I smiled at him.

And when he scowled harder and turned away, I smiled and did the same. Thanking God that we’d made it through. And praying that there would be no more talk of me beingentertainmentin the ranks.

Not another fucking word.

32. Entertainment

~ BREN ~

My brothers had patrol that afternoon, so when we’d finished the meal, they had to leave.

I was tired after my nerves and flying all morning, but there was still hollow to say goodbye—especially when they’d been so kind to give up more of their off-hours to come watch me. Knowing they left to work and prove themselves with their dragons made my skin itch. I wanted to prove myself so badly.

When the others had all mock-saluted, then turned for the door, Ronen pulled me aside, still smiling.

“Well done, Bren. I know things didn’t all go exactly to plan, but—”

“Battle never does,” I finished for him.

He smiled. “Exactly. Now, youarecleared to fly. No one will stop you if you decide to launch right now, though I wouldn’t advise it. You’re both tired after the tests this morning. But I want to ask you to please, take care of yourself out there. There’s rumors about your fellow Flameborne. I wasn’t giving them much credence until this morning. Yet, now I think you need to take care.”

I tried not to get defensive. “Would you give that warning if I was a man?”

“Yes, without question.” He didn’t even hesitate. “Furyknights—and Flameborne—are strong, intelligent, capable people. But we aren’t flawless, as you’ve already seen. And some of us have a few rough edges that need to be knocked off before we become the best of ourselves. Plus, sometimes we just get bored, and men and boredom always equals trouble, trust me. Ifanyof my squad were being targeted by others, I’d cautionthem to bring brothers and friends with them whenever they left the stables or barracks. So, I’ll urge you to do the same.”

I nodded. “I don’t really go anywhere else anyway, but—”

“If you do, you’ll take one of us, or an officer—anyone we know can be trusted, right?”