Page 118 of Flameborne: Chosen

“I think you owe Bren an apology,Sir.”The voice was deep and firm and I turned, surprised to find Saul’s Wing Captain standing at my back, and the rest of Saul’s squad crowding behind him.

Saul was near the back, swaying, but he peered over his brother’s shoulders and when our eyes met, he frowned. “Wass wrong?”

The man was alarmed, but he smiled. “There’s no need for this, my lords,” the man greased, his attitude changing the moment the Furyknights stood with me. “The girl is drunk. I didn’t touch her. She’s untouched—look at her!”

“Did he touch you, Bren?” The Wing Captain asked quietly, subtly widening his stance.

“Yes. I mean, I think i’wass him, someone brushed my a—um, b’hind,” I mumbled, and my cheeks heated even more than the wine would warrant. But then my hammering heart became a mallet as the tension in the room ratcheted higher and the sounds of the revelers around us faded because an entire squad of large, strong men surrounded me.

The Wing Captain—why couldn’t I remember his name?—spoke low and hard to the man, but I couldn’t make out his words because suddenly the only thing I could hear was my pulse banging in my ears.

Large male bodies, tight with tension, whispers, and eyes too close. There’s too many, too close and all watching—

Heat, tall and firm, brushed against my back and a strangled noise broke in my throat. I twisted, stumbled over a large booted foot, came up hard against another tall body. Several heads turned and someone’s hand landed on my arm and I couldn’t see anything except the darkness and the eyes and teeth-showing smiles.

I froze.

The part of me that had been growing, thriving in the sunlight of the skies, shrank like a bloom that closed in the dark. My ribs tightened and I shriveled in on myself.

Then the warm, brown eyes that I knew—sort of—were in front of me, mumbling, forehead pinched to lines, those lips moving. But I couldn’t take in a word. I couldn’t hear Saul because my head screamed. And when he touched me, I jerked.

Backwards, stumbling, stomach churning—andhurting—I scrambled away from that touch, slapping at the hand that tried to catch me, hissing at them all to leave me alone.

Then I broke through the forest of legs and arms and staring eyes. Suddenly, I was behind them, stumbling down the aisle of the tavern followed by even more eyes.

Heads tipped together and whispered. Lips moved to say my name, to judge. And I knew.I knew.

“Bren! Don’ be scared! We’ll take care of thish!”

The voice broke through and I turned to look at Saul, standing at the back of his brothers, his face pained. He took a step towards me and I shook my head and stumbled back again. Thank God, he stopped, frowning sadly.

Don’t make them angry.

Keep them happy.

Survive…

“Thank you,” I blurted through numb lips, trying to include all of them in my shifting gaze. “Thank you allll for a lov’ly nigh’.”

Then I turned and ran straight outside to the street.

33. Divine Appointment

~ DONAVYN ~

I almost panicked when I couldn’t find her.

I had another book for her—this one a fantasy tale about a female archer and assassin that I thought she’d enjoy. I’d been saving it for her first assessment, and praying she’d forgive me for my distance in recent days. I’d been trying to rein in my thoughts and body so that when we worked together again she wouldn’t sense my attraction.

I’d eagerly anticipated her assessment this morning, praying she’d make it through.

I’d never imagine I’d end the morning watching herroll,then fall—God, my heart was in my throat. When they landed in front of me, I’d run to Akhane without thought, right in front of the troops. And thank God no one thought deeply about it. They all knew I was a hands-on leader and would have helped any man who might be injured. But having her in my arms for those moments…

I groaned and clawed a hand through my hair as I stormed along the streets of Vosgaarde City, towards the taverns most popular among the squads.

I’d already checked the Gilded Fang and even ducked into Ashhook’s Crown, just in case. Now I was on my way to the Anvil and Vine, praying that’s where they’d gone. I couldn’t believe she’d gone into the city without telling anyone!

Anger bubbled in my chest and I swallowed it back. She was clearly unaccustomed to others being concerned for her wellbeing. But she needed to learn. I winced. I had to step very, very carefully. To have me show up personally and reprimand her in front of other Furyknights and Flameborne wouldn’t help her standing among her peers at all.