Page 169 of Flameborne: Chosen

“I’m fine,” I croaked.

His frown deepened. “You don’t have to pretend.”

For some reason that made meangry.“I’m not. I’mfine.”

Donavyn sighed heavily, then raked a hand through his hair, which only made those wild strands messier. But he’d stopped staring, so I was able to breathe properly at least.

That is, until he took off his jacket and threw it into the corner, then rested his hands on his hips as he faced me in that tight flight-shirt that hugged him from neck to waist and down his arms, stretched across his chest and hugging his ribs. It emphasized his broad shoulders and made me want to follow the lines—

Akhane made that strange, high sound again and I blinked and looked away from him, my heart pounding. Not looking at him made it easier to speak, so I turned to face her, pretending she needed comfort as I stroked her leg and murmured to him.

“Thank you for your help tonight. I couldn’t… that wasn’t… That is, I didn’t anticipate that he’d be here and—”

“Bren.Stop.”

I had my back to him. But when he spoke the words and they were so gentle, I froze.

He cleared his throat. “Ronen told me that you had a hard night tonight evenbeforeFaren,” he said quietly.

I clenched my teeth. Was Inevergoing to appear strong to these men? “I wasn’t—” I cleared my throat and tried again. “It wasn’t a hardnight. There was a moment. I overreacted when my brothers played a prank on me. We’ll laugh about it later. I’m sorry I worried Ronen. I’ll apologize to them. In the morning when we—”

“Bren.Just fucking stop.”

I was so shocked, I whirled to face him again. Kgosi shifted to block the door again. But I barely registered that, because Donavyn strode towards me, his brow furrowed and hands clenched at his sides.

“S-stop what? I’m trying to reassure you—”

“Stop trying to reassure me,” he said bluntly. “Stop saying that you’re fine. Stop pretending there’s no problem beyond being forced into the Keep by a Dragon’s Choosing. Someone hurt you, Bren. I sent Terra to you because I know she’s trustworthy. And I think you need to talk to someone about what makes you so afraid.”

My chest punched in like he’d thrown a fist. I folded my arms over the blow and held myself tightly. “There’s nothing wrong with me,” I insisted through my teeth. “I’m just learning—”

“I didn’t say there was anythingwrongwith you, Bren. Far from it. I’ve seen your strength, your courage, your perseverance. And your honor. There were many men who took a lesson from you today.”

“Hardly. I couldn’t even finish the task—”

“You could, and you did. You were sabotaged. I now have proof, and an order from the King: if either of those men ever speak to you poorly, or show even a hint of misconduct—towards you, or anyone else—they’ll be removed from the Flameborne ranks permanently.”

I blinked. He hadproof?

But before I could ask, he took a step closer and continued, his expression somber, and his eyes piercing, locked on mine. “Bren, someonehurtyou. I shudder to think how. And I wouldn’t ask you to tell me. That’s why I sent Terra, but—”

“I don’t know what you’re—”

“—Sovanne described your reaction to that man at the tavern. Ronen described your fear at your brothers’ hands. And I saw you with Faren. You’ve flinched numerous times when I moved in your peripheral vision when we were training. And it’s clear fear overwhelms you at times.”

I backed towards Akhane’s leg. I needed to touch something solid, to ground myself. “Those are all just bad examples. Yes, I was afraid of Faren, but he was so angry and—”

“Bren, I’ve seen your heart and your strength when you’re not afraid. Don’t let these men steal it from you. The things Faren said, they weresick.I’ll never allow another man to say such things—”

“No! You have tostopprotecting me. None of them will respect me as long as they think I need you standing over me!”

“Bren…” His brow pinched to lines, but his eyes were sad. Gentle. It made me want to throw myself into his chest, and that made my stomach clench. “Faren shouldneverhave said the things he did. Those rumors, they’re unfounded. The murmurings of jealous men—that’s all. They aren’t a reason for you to struggle. There’s nothing wrong with needing—”

“Stop it! Don’t look at me like that!”

“Like what? Like I care?!” he said gruffly.

“Like I’m a… a child who needs to be comforted. I amnota child.”