Page 185 of Flameborne: Chosen

‘Kgosi, what the hell is wrong with me?’But my dragon was too far away to be reached. I was on my own. I’d have to ask him later.

Except, with every step we took, the knot in my chest grew tighter. The urge to touch her, tokeep her,more undeniable.

We walked on for another mile without speaking. Then, curse me, she was the one who had the courage to breach the silence.

“Thank you for caring,” she said quietly, looking up at me from the corner of her eye, her smile a touch uncertain.

“I’ve always cared, Bren,” I said. It was only true.

“Well, thank you for caringtoday. And for coming to catch me at the end. I’ve… I’ve missed you.”

I was being shown up as a coward. Walking in my sullen little panic, not meeting her eyes. God, I was a General, not a child!

Making myself look at her properly, I nodded. “I’ve missed you too. And I’m very proud, Bren. I’ve just been… busy.”

She nodded, but a shadow flickered in her gaze. The panic in me screamed louder.

Closer. Don’t let her drift away.

“I understand. I’m just grateful for any of your time,” she said quietly, turning back to the road.

I raked a hand through my hair and mentally cursed myself.

We spoke very little after that. I don’t know what kept her quiet, but for me, it was a battle with my body. The urge to touch, to take, toknowthat she was there and safe andmineand—

Where the fuck didthatcome from? Was I losing my mind?

When we were within sight of the Keep I desperately tried to link with Kgosi, but I couldn’t reach him. He must be out hunting.

Praying for this fog of panic to burn off, I walked Bren all the way to the stable, struggling. Antsy. An urgent drumbeat thrummed in my chest. A feeling I had no name for, so didn’t know how to combat.

When we stepped into the stable, Akhane wasn’t there and Bren jerked to a halt, frowning. “I wonder where she’s gone?”

“I wouldn’t worry. They’re probably hunting. Akhane worked hard today and I don’t think Kgosi fed yesterday.”

But Bren frowned. “She usually tells me when she’s leaving.”

It was instinct to put a hand on her shoulder, to comfort her. “She couldn’t have reached you, she probably woke from her nap and was hungry. That’s all. She’ll be back soon, I’m sure. They both will.”

Bren turned to look at my hand on her, then followed my arm up to my shoulder, then my face. When our eyes caught, somethingtenseentered the air. Neither of us looked away.

She licked her lips nervously and I had to swallow a groan.

“Donavyn, what—”

Panic.“Congratulations on today, Bren. You were amazing,” I blurted, my voice hoarse.

Obviously off-balance, Bren blinked. Lines of consternation appeared on her brow, but she didn’t pull away. “That’s humbling, coming from you.”

I grimaced. “I’m just a man, Bren. I know the Furyknights like to make a fuss, but truly. I’m just a normal man.”

To my surprise, her eyes narrowed. “No, youaren’t.”

“I assure you, I bleed red and need sleep and—”

“That’s not what I meant,” she said, then her eyes widened and she tore her gaze away, her cheeks pinking so that I wanted to touch them and feel their heat. She swallowed and the sight of her delicate throat bobbing made me ache. I couldn’t take my eyes off that skin, paler than her cheeks that were never shaded from the sun and… “I guess I should have that nap,” she said reluctantly. Then she bit her lip and looked at the empty stable. “Or, maybe I’ll go look for Akhane.”

Don’t leave.“Bren?”