Page 22 of Flameborne: Chosen (Emberquell Academy #1)

I nodded. “Truly. The Dragons have already acknowledged and named her. I’ve informed all ranks, and along with my men, made dispensations for her unique situation. I plan to formally acknowledge her and place her in a squad in the morning.”

The Queen beamed and she clasped her hands together as if she wanted to clap. But the King sputtered .

“You can’t be serious?”

“I am, Your Highness.”

“Oh, don’t give me the formal shit, Donavyn. Not now. There’s no one here but us. Tell me the truth: is this some of ploy? Are you trying to wake the men up? What’s the purpose?”

“No, Sire. There’s no deception. I was shocked and alarmed when I learned the new Flameborne was a woman.

As it is, I’ve already delayed her Acknowledgement to make certain there’s no mistake.

But there is none. Kgosi has affirmed her, and taken her dragon under his wing.

As you can imagine, it’s caused quite a stir. ”

“Oh, I heard the dragons today and I thought they sounded agitated,” the Queen said, putting a hand to her husband’s arm. “That must have been when it occurred.”

I nodded. “Please don’t be concerned. The dragons have already accepted her.

It’ll take longer for the men, but my leaders are all in Accord and we’ll handle it.

I only wanted you to know so that you weren’t confused by gossip.

She’s a commoner. From the farmlands. She’s twenty, and quite alarmed by this turn of events.

I’ve personally selected her squad. She’ll be surrounded by the most mature and steady of our Furyknights and given every opportunity to succeed.

But she will be required to meet the same exacting standards as any man.

If she cannot… well, I’m certain we can use her and Akhane among the messengers, or in some other area where she doesn’t have to face battle. ”

The King frowned. “You’re certain this isn’t a trick? A maneuver by our enemies, or—”

“Akhane is homebred and has mentally linked with her. There’s no trick, Sire.”

Alexi turned away to pour another drink.

The Queen did clap then. “How exciting. She’ll be inspiring for—”

“I must meet her,” Alexi muttered, staring at me over the lip of his glass.

The Queen’s smile faltered and my heart rate sped up.

“Your Highness— Alexi,” I corrected myself when he frowned harder, “She’s an uneducated commoner.

She would be overwhelmed by the royal servants, let alone your crown,” I said, hoping to stroke his ego and turn him away from poor Bren.

“Not to mention that we can’t separate her from Akhane yet.

It’ll take weeks before the two of them can comfortably be out of each other’s sight.

Also, I’d be concerned about others seeing her receive special treatment.

Our men aren’t honored to meet you personally until they’re raised, you’ll recall.

Perhaps if she makes it through the trials?

You and the Queen could attend the ceremony. ”

Diaan looked at her husband. With her positioned slightly behind him, I could see her face and he could not. My hackles rose.

“I suppose you’re right,” he muttered, utterly unaware of his wife’s tension. Then he turned to pour himself another drink. “This is unsettling, though. ”

“It is.”

“Is she strong?”

I swallowed a wince. “In many ways. She’s certainly accustomed to hard work, being raised on a farm.”

The King huffed and sipped at his drink. “It means nothing. You’ve explained the work with the dragons is far more strenuous than normal cattle.”

“It is,” I agreed again. “But at this early stage all we’ll be doing is conditioning and training her. If she makes it through the trials, we’ll determine in that process where her gifts lay and move on from there.”

“Make certain she doesn’t get pregnant,” the King said bluntly.

I cleared my throat. “I’ve already sent her a healer to help in all the ways she might need,” I said as diplomatically as I could.

Diaan rolled her eyes behind her husband’s back. “The poor girl is probably terrified—or not. Perhaps she’s overjoyed to suddenly be surrounded by so many men of strength and valor,” she said, her eyes locking on mine as her smile crept back up.

“Not at all. She underestimates her position. But we’ll ensure that she learns both the honor and the privilege she’s been granted.”

“Women in military,” the King huffed. “It’s a joke.”

I hated dancing these lines between the Royals.

One thing Diaan had always been committed to was raising women into positions of power.

She lacked objectivity, but made valid points and asserted her own power to help others with great consistency.

I’d known she’d love the idea of a female Furyknight.

I had also suspected the King, who far preferred to keep most women out of discussions in power, would disagree.

“If I could beg a favor of you both?” I asked cautiously.

The Queen’s eyes snapped to mine from where she’d been staring murder at her husband for his dismissal of women in the military.

The King raised his glass. “What is it, Donavyn?” he asked.

“I know you’ll have thoughts on her position.

As will everyone, whether they have intimate knowledge of the dragons or not.

The natural temptation is to question her suitability.

But my goal is that we give no room for favoritism or additional barriers.

To continue our tradition of honor I want to see her treated as any other Flameborne would be, as much as possible.

Rather than igniting debate, I’d like to…

well, if not ignore her sex, certainly overlook it.

Your Majesties could be a great asset in turning attention away from the gossip and speculation when it arises.

Both nobles and servants will follow your example.

And word will spread. Do you think you could see your way to turning eyes and conversation away from her when it's in your power?”

“It is always in my power, Donavyn,” Alexi muttered.

“I spoke delicately,” I said with a smile. “Your influence is precisely why I bring this to you before it’s common knowledge—and why I ask the favor. ”

The King waved me off, but the Queen nodded.

“We’ll do what we can, Donavyn,” she reassured me.

“It may sound dismissive in practice, but we can set a tone of indifference to discourage the Court from getting involved. But you must tell us how she progresses. I want regular updates!” she said firmly.

“Of course,” I said, nodding my acquiescence, but my guts churned. “When there’s news, I’ll bring it.”

“Weekly please,” the Queen instructed. “If Alexi is busy, you can report to me and I’ll fill him in.”

Shit. “Yes, of course, Your Majesty.”

“Oh, Donavyn, surely we are past the titles by now?”

“Let the man honor you, Diaan,” the King muttered, then took another sip from his drink. “Well, this isn’t the news I expected, but for that I am grateful. Is there anything else, Donavyn?”

“No, Sire. As I said, I’ll ensure you’re informed if anything new arises.”

Fortunately, Alexi was tired and dismissed me quickly.

Unfortunately, Diaan insisted on ushering me out of the royal wing.

As we left their private chamber, she took my arm again for the walk through the halls, squeezing my forearm. “I’m very glad that this happened while you’re in charge, Donavyn,” she murmured quietly, keeping her voice below what the servants would catch.

“I’m honored, Your Majesty, but I feel wholly unequipped for the task,” I said honestly.

She gave a tinkling laugh, but quieted quickly and tipped her head closer as she whispered.

“I have always appreciated your willingness to accept a woman in a man’s world,” she murmured.

“And the word among women is that you always care for their wellbeing—in public and private,” she said delicately. “A man of true honor.”

I blinked. “I’m… I’m not certain—”

“In my experience, the men of this world have often—almost always—overlooked the power women hold in our society. It is, perhaps, not quite so obvious to those outside. But know, Donavyn, that women speak. And powerful women influence far more than is seen. Among the women who wield power, reports are that you are a man who both notices and attends to a woman’s needs with admirable dedication,” she said slyly.

I felt her eyes on the side of my face and my heart went cold. Had the moment come? Was I finally going to have to reject her outright? Or did she only see this as a game?

She was a perceptive woman, excellent at pinpointing what might put any individual off-balance. I’d seen her turn the mood in powerful rooms with a well-timed comment. And I’d seen her flatten both men and women with a word. She was not a woman I wanted as an enemy.

But neither did I want the King’s wife as a playmate .

I cleared my throat. “I’m humbled—again—by your admiration, Your Majesty,” I said quietly .

“Please, Donavyn, no one will hear you use my name—”

“—but I fear your reports have been exaggerated.”

She tensed. We were almost at the door to the main halls of the palace. Soon the guards would be able to hear us. I had to hurry.

“The downfall of a job like mine is that it leaves no significant time for, er, personal pursuits. And while I appreciate anyone who would compliment me when I am not there to hear it, it’s also true that Furyknights tend to invite speculation, and compliments on our prowess that we have not earned.

Please, take what you hear with a grain of salt.

I am merely a man, as any other,” I said quickly.

I didn’t look at her. Couldn’t risk her feeling any more revealed than she already was.

Within two steps the guards were too close to risk anything that shouldn’t be overhead. Then it was time for her to let me go so I could leave.

But when I was about to step away, she squeezed my arm and stopped me in my tracks.

I reluctantly turned to face her.

“The throne of Vosgaarde admires you, General Arsen,” she said formally, her expression unreadable. “It is a great honor.”

“It is,” I said, bowing my head. “I’m grateful—”

“Don’t allow your humility to trip you into disregard,” she said bluntly.

“The crown of Vosgaarde will always exalt a man who knows his value and acknowledges it boldly.” Then she squeezed my arm again, her nails almost piercing the skin because I wasn’t wearing a jacket—I hadn’t had time to return to my quarters for another to replace the one I’d left with Bren.

“Sleep well, Commander. If a woman is involved, tomorrow will be a very tiring day.”

Then she was gone, sweeping away with her nose in the air, the train of her robe sliding gently along the floors in her wake as the guards hurried to bracket her and return her to the King.

I was left alone, uncertain whether I’d been reprimanded, complimented, or threatened .