Page 41 of Flameborne: Chosen

“No!” I gasped. “No, I wouldn’t… that won’t be… I don’t need—”

“You’ll receive no judgment from me, Bren,” she added. “I have always been frustrated by our society's judgment of only women whoengagein acts that are not possible without the participation of the man, also. And trust me, I offer these herbs toeveryfemale. Many, many of them use them. We are surrounded by handsome, dashing men who live lives of heroism and strength. They can be difficult to resist.”

Ruin, smiling down at me, touching my hair, whispering of my beauty and his need for me, as his body hardened to prove him true—

I recoiled from the memory, but Terra thought I jerked away from her. She took her hand from my arm immediately and leaned back to give me space.

“I’m sorry—please, Bren. I never meant to hurt or scare you. The men here are good men, with good hearts. I’m just aware they can bepersuasive. Please don’t be afraid—”

“I’m not,” I said more sharply than I intended, my cheeks growing hot. “You only startled me, that’s all. I’m not worried about you offering that. It’s very thoughtful. Only, I won’t be needing them. And… and that’s all.” God, I wanted to weep again.

‘Don’t despair, Little Flame. The Creator has a grand purpose for you. We’ll see it together.’

Akhane’s voice was so tender and sweet. I didn’t know how to respond, except to murmur thank you.

I felt her warm approval and shook my head. This bond wasstunning.

“I’m sorry I startled you,” Terra said, unaware of my conversation with my dragon. “And I’m sorry if my words seemed unkind, or prying. Just know if you ever have questions, or need a sympathetic ear, or helpwith anything, you come to me. I’ll help you myself, or find someone who can. You have my word, Bren.”

She was so earnest, and so obviously desperate to have my approval, I was shocked. I finally turned to look at her. “Why would you offer your help tome?”I asked, genuinely curious.

Her brow furrowed, but she smiled. “Bren, do you realize who you are?”

I frowned. “I’m a farmgirl who has never spent more than a few hours in the city and who was saved by a dragon today, and I don’t know why.”

“Neither do I,” Terra responded with a smile. “But Akhane does. And if I’ve learned anything in my years here, it’s that the dragons areexcellentjudges of character. If Akhane and Kgosi trust you, then I do too,” she said, smiling wider. “And as the first female Furyknight in history,I can only hope to be close enough to see what you do, Bren,” she said, a quiet awe entering her tone. “I pray that you will trust me soon, as well. Because I cannotwaitto see what the future holds for you—and for these men who have just had their worlds turned upside down,” she said gleefully, giggling.

And I couldn’t help it. I was terrified, and exhausted, hurt, and confused. But seeing her delight and remembering all those faces in the launch hollow and the consternation on them, I giggled too.

Terra stayed a few more minutes and I enjoyed her. I hoped we could become friends.

When she was gone—insisting on taking my plate and cutlery for me—I changed into the soft nightdress that had been left in the bundle. The neckline was a soft gather on a silk tie, so it draped from shoulder to shoulder under my collarbones, then fell to brush my ankles. The cotton was extremely thin and soft.

The nightdress was nicer than my day-dresses at home. Feeling as if I’d been hugged, I admired the way it flowed and ruffled in the breeze of my movements while I made the bed. Then I crawled into the blankets and tried to sleep again. But no matter how I turned or closed my eyes, or prayed, I couldn’t seem to relax.

My mind turned back to the night before, the pain, the fear, thehope.And then Ruin’s handsome face, his disgust, his sneer—

The silence of this room was suddenly oppressive. I sat up, heart racing, reminding myself that Ruin was not here and wouldn’t be. For months. Possibly years.

And I had beenChosen.

I swallowed hard.

The stable building was mostly silent except for the last of the echoing calls of the dragons drifting on the night air. Outside, the distant thud and hum of men working and talking and moving about had faded to nothing. If I listened carefully, I could hear the wind rustling leaves outside.

The Keep was growing quiet for sleep.

I laid back down and focused my mind on Akhane. On this future that seemed impossible, and yetwas.But sleep would not come.

I heard a sigh within the stable and felt Akhane reach for me, as if her breath had fluttered through my hair.

‘I’m sorry if I’m keeping you awake, Akhane.’

A warm rush washed through my chest.‘I only worry for you, Little Flame. You need to rest. Tomorrow will be taxing.’

I sighed.‘I can’t relax. My body is tight and my heart beats too quickly.’

There was a beat, then she responded.‘Come to me.’