Page 79 of Flameborne: Chosen

She was panting by the time we reached the Keep and turned up the main aisle of the stables, but she didn’t ask me to help, so I didn’t offer.

When we reached Kgosi’s stable, I discovered that I had some nerves of my own.

Please, God, let her manage this. I think she needs it.

24. Worth the Fight

SOUNDTRACK:Ghostsby Yungblud

~ BREN ~

I was tired when we reached the stable, but my heart pumped and I could have laughed with joy. I could carry this harness myself,andI knew if I could get it over Akhane’s back, I’d be able to mount her. I was sure of it.

Akhane heaved herself to her feet when we walked through the stable door.

‘I’m sorry. I know you’re tired,’I sent.

‘Don’t apologize for working hard, Little Flame. I want to see you show these males what you’re capable of.’

I was touched, but also suddenlyscared.I’d been so focused on making the harness that I hadn’t thought about what I’d do if I still couldn’t throw it over her back.

Donavyn stayed back, leaning against Kgosi’s leg I looked Akhane in the eye, then turned, holding the harness the way they’d been showing me for the past three days, stepped back, and threw it—only to have the mounting strap catch on my leg and yank the rest of it out of the air.

“So fucking embarrassing,” I muttered as I scrambled to straighten the harness back out, slid my arms under it—this time remembering to hold the end of the mounting strap in my hand so when I threw it, it didn’t whip out. “Ready, Akhane?”

‘Ready.’

Biting my lip, I heaved the harness into the air. Akhane stood like a rock, even when the harness slapped her high above her shoulder, then slid the ground.

I felt the eyes of Donavyn and Kgosi behind me, but I repeated the whole process until I was ready to try again, then prayed silently forsomemercy, took a step closer and adjusted my angle to throw—gasping whenit flew over Akhane’s withers and almost slipped to the other side—thank God I had the mounting strap in my hand and slowed its path before it fell.

Then I stood there, staring for a moment as it hit me.

“I did it.Akhane, I did it!”

She fluttered her wings and lifted her head, bugling. Kgosi rumbled as well, and the Generalclapped.My stomach warmed and flipped over. But I was frightened that it would fall, so rushed forward to position that O-ring at her chest—so high, I had to be on my tip toes—then clipped the neck straps onto it and hurried between Akhane’s legs to fasten the girth, then clip that to the O-ring as well, before buckling the leg straps…

I stumbled back from Akhane’s off-side when I clipped the last leg strap, staring at her. She’d turned her head to look at me, her ears pricked.

I did it.

I did it.

“Akhane! I did it!”

I was jubilant, shaking with relief, almost in tears again. Happy tears.

“Well done, Flameborne.” The General’s voice was so deep and gruff—he was tired. I could see it in the lines around his eyes and the slump of his shoulders. But when I turned, he smiled as he walked to Akhane to check the straps and buckles. He was tall enough to have to hunch when he passed under her belly. But his quick, efficient jerks to test buckles and hands running over the straps didn’t stop.

“Make sure every strap is in its keeper when it’s buckled—the wind resistance is surprisingly strong. You don’t want a strap blown back and a buckle releasing in flight. And you’ll want to get that girth a little tighter—check it every morning, especially the first few weeks. That lighter leather might stretch more, so it could loosen over time. But everything is in place and untwisted and… well done, Bren.”

He straightened as he stepped out from underneath Akhane,beaming.Eyes crinkled and dancing, full lips pulling up on both sides so his teeth showed, he applauded slowly again as he walked towards me. “Well done, Bren. For your first time, it’s excellent.”

Akhane crowed again and Kgosi answered her. Throughout the stables other dragon voices pierced the night. I laughed, then clapped both hands to my mouth.

Donavyn grinned as he came to stand at my side and turned to face Akhane, folding his arms.

I was just about to thank him for his help when he looked down at me, brows high. “Now, mount,” he said simply.