Page 20 of Flameborne: Chosen

“Come here,” I said, keeping my voice low and disapproving.

The boy’s eyes went wide, but he did as he was told, stepping forward hesitantly to stand within arm’s reach. He bit his lip and looked around, then snapped his spine straight and clasped a fist to his chest in the salute of a soldier.

‘Lionheart,’Kgosi breathed in my head.

I snorted.‘Shit for brains, you mean. He’s a child.’

‘And a brave one.’

I wasn’t so sure it was courage more than stupidity, but my dragon didn’t comment on character blithely. I made a mental note to ask about the boy later. “Son, what is your name?”

“I’m Benji, sir.”

“Benji, how old are you?”

“Fifteen, Sir.”

I blinked. He looked twelve. At a stretch.

He was clearly used to being questioned on his age, because his expression went sullen and his hands balled to fists. “Iwillgrow,” he muttered.

‘Told you,’Kgosi murmured smugly.

God, there were days it would be agiftto be alone in my head.

‘What’s precious is that you believe yourself to be alone in that sentiment.’

‘Are youtryingto distract me?’

‘It appears I’m successful, regardless.’

I fought not to sigh. “Benji, I’m sure your question is shared by many of the men present, but you’ll note that none of them spoke up—why do you think that is?”

The boy’s face dropped. “I, uh, because you’re too important to answer questions?” he asked hesitantly.

I blanched. Kgosi gave a small huff.

“No, son,” I said, half-heartbroken, and half-irritated. “The older you become, hopefully the more you’ll discover that asking hard questions is the practice of good men—as is answering them. Your error was intiming.”

He didn’t move, but his eyes slid over my shoulder to check the sun’s position in the sky.

“Notthattiming,” I sighed. “Benji, the day will come when your boldness is an asset, but for today—for this place, and this moment in your life, and our history—your question was rude, and presumptuous.”

His forehead pinched in confusion. “Presumpshush?”

“You spoke out of turn,” I said sternly. “And so, you will be disciplined.”

I regretted the words the moment they were out. His face paled and his fisted hands—overlarge for the size of his frame like a lanky puppy, tightened so his knuckles turned white.

Definitely accustomed to abuse.

Shit.

Fear would only press him to panic or aggression. That meant emotional stretching was needed, rather than physical. Discomfort, rather than pain. I scrambled—until I looked aside and remembered why we were here.But sir, she’s a girl.That would do.

“Since you seem to have some disdain for a Flameborne who wasChosenby an esteemed dragon, you’ll be given the opportunity to reevaluate your judgment: You are, therefore, personally allocated to assist Flameborne Bren in anything she requires today to acclimate.”

The boy blinked and his eyes went wide.