Page 183 of Flameborne: Chosen

I was on number four.

I didn’t drink like this anymore. Hadn’t for years. Hangovers were not kind to me now that I’d hit forty.

But my ass was planted firmly on this seat. The thought of letting her out of my sight wasuntenable.

And frankly, I didn’t think my nerves could stand anything else.

So I sat, miserable, and confused, and watched hertwinkle.Watched herbloom.And I wondered when the sucking hole in my chest that had opened the moment she threw herself off that turret would close.

Maybe another ale would help.

~ BREN ~

“I have to go,” I said, thinking through the words so I wouldn’t slur. My brothers all groaned and shouted their protests, but I shook my head. “I have to,” I repeated.

I’d only had three glasses of wine, but that was enough. More than enough. It was bright sunlight outside. Mid-afternoon. I was halfwaydrunk. If I didn’t stop now, this could go very wrong. I knew it. This day had been perfect. I needed it to stay that way.

I’d go back to Akhane, have a nap with her, eat dinner, sober up.

I nodded to myself and stood, wobbling slightly when the bench didn’t shift back because my brothers were on it either side of me, as well. But I managed to lift my leg and step over it, waving my brothers off when they tried to help me.

“I just flew a tower, I can step over a bench,” I insisted.

“I’ll walk you,” Ronen said quickly, getting to his feet, followed by Voski. They both smiled wider than I’d ever seen them before. I suspected they were getting drunk too.

“That’s not necessary—it’s bright sunlight!” I said, my voice too high as I threw a hand wide, towards the window, and almost slapped Gill on the head. He ducked and giggled.

Hegiggled.

That made me giggle.

Then we were all laughing.

“Stay!”

“We’re celebrating your win!”

“You don’t get to have this day back!”

I shushed them, and waved them down. “That’s exactly why I need to go. This has been a wonderful day! I need it to stay that way.”

They groaned and stood up, despite my protests. But then a dark voice rose at the end of the table and lifted the hair on the back of my neck with it.

“I’ll take her.”

All heads turned, including mine, to watch Donavyn stand, pushing back his heavy chair as he straightened—did he wobble, or did he always brace himself on the table when he got to his feet?

His eyes locked on mine and my voice almost died in my throat. “You-you don’t have to do that.”Please do that.

He frowned. “I have to return for a meeting with the King anyway. Let your brothers have their fun and take the wagons back when they’re ready. I’ll get you back safe.”

Ronen look sharply at Donavyn, but either the General didn’t notice, or he didn’t care. He just stared at me, his brows up, waiting for my answer.

I’ll get you back safe.I had to swallow the pinch in my throat when my heart rose to those words.

“If you’re already going back…” I said, heart thumping.

“I am.”