Page 80 of Flameborne: Chosen (Emberquell Academy #1)

~ DONAVYN ~

I drained the bottom of my ale and let the mug drop back to the tabletop, praying no one in the tavern noticed my hand shake when I let it go and waved at the barmaid for another.

She saw me from across the room and lifted her chin, her lips pulling up on one side as she hurried around to the bar to pour for me.

I sat back in my chair and tried, yet again, to get my heart to slow.

But I couldn’t stop seeing it.

We were high in the clouds above the tower, making certain we had no impact on the field of the exercise, but watching everything.

Bren had made a couple of nice dives and flames into the tower, though one missed its mark slightly.

If she’d managed one more, I could have passed her as long as she didn’t get herself disqualified.

But then she disappeared.

We were all focused on the clash, determining whether the other Flameborne was killed, or only wounded, and what impact that would have on his score. So it wasn’t until he’d been disqualified and ordered back to the Keep—not a pleasant time for any of us—that I looked for her again. Unsuccessfully.

She remained out of sight long enough that I was growing worried they might have had a crash under the mists when we were distracted. But Kgosi rumbled.

‘They’ll make their move—and cleverly. Just watch.’

I loved the dark thrill in his tone that meant he was pleased and anticipated the downfall of someone’s pride. I just prayed it wasn’t mine.

When that plume went up, I smiled, expecting—as the other Flameborne did—to see Akhane suddenly erupt out of that smoke, flame a window on her passing, then continue. I anticipated their passing mark and felt some relief.

But Akhane didn’t surface right away, and as the defenders, hovered and dove, I had the distinct pleasure of seeing Akhane emerge on the ground.

Watching her jump, then climb the tower made me chuckle.

When she stopped, I expected her to flame the tower from that side, then launch from her spot—but I caught Bren leaping from her back before Akhane took off, and it was the moment my heart ran away from me.

At first it was simple thrill.

She was going for the flag. I didn’t think she’d make it.

A battle-ready Furyknight wouldn’t have fallen for the dragon’s escape when they’d been unseen for moments on such a critical target.

But of course, the Flameborne weren’t battle-ready.

They fell for the ruse, and my heart rose again. She was going to get the flag.

Then I frowned. How was she going to connect with Akhane? She couldn’t run far enough for Akhane to land outside the defender’s pursuit range…

When she didn’t run back to the stairs, but straight across the tower, I actually shouted.

Then I watched in horror as Akhane whipped back and around the tower, my heart in my mouth.

I didn’t miss that Akhane corrected for her twice. Or that Bren almost lost her grip.

I should have been watching the defenders, evaluating their pursuit. I should have been looking for the final attacker, seeing if he made use of the distraction Bren provided.

But I couldn’t take my eyes off her, dangling from her dragon’s spine. It took everything in me not to urge Kgosi into pursuit.

There were already officers out there to watch for defense pursuit. They’d call for help if there was a problem.

But this was Bren. She’d just pulled a stunt worthy of our most seasoned soldiers, and yet equally deserving of a reckless, childish prank.

When the horns were finally blown, I almost didn’t fly back. It was only when Kgosi assured me that Akhane had confirmed Bren was clipped back in and safely flying home that I urged him back. I needed to be in that launch hollow when they landed.

I didn’t give two shits about what else had happened. The moment I leaped from Kgosi’s back I was looking for her in the sky, and as soon as Akhane landed I was on her, tearing towards her, grasping her when she didn’t see me coming, holding her, screaming.

“Are you crazy?! Bren, are you fucking insane? You could have been killed!”

She grabbed both my wrists and it was a balm to my aching, pounding heart to feel her warm, calloused skin against mine .

I stared into her eyes, barely aware of the audience, frantic, panicking. I silently begged her to stop seeing her own life as so little, and to see me.

She locked eyes with me and the question rose in my mind.

“Holy shit,” I breathed. “Holy shit, Bren. You could have been lost.” Didn’t she know? Couldn’t she see how that would change the world? My world? Couldn’t she see what she was and how incredible she could be?

And how dangerous that would be for her and Akhane?

Nothing was simple. Nothing was safe. Least of all, her .

Kgosi hummed in my head but she was speaking so I couldn’t give him any attention.

“Donavyn, I’m—” she cut off, then sucked in a breath. “I’m fine.”

It was instinct to stroke her, to reassure myself that she was truly unhurt. To seek comfort, to offer it. But it was the wrong thing to do.

I needed her to know, to understand. “Bren—”

“SHE DID IT!”

Her brothers appeared, rushed around us, and took her from me. Lifted her. Celebrated her.

I should have been grateful, they had hidden the little display I’d offered far too many eyes. But I clenched my hands at my sides and had to talk myself down from roaring into the middle of them and pulling her down from their shoulders, into my chest, and carrying her out of there.

They celebrated that she’d almost killed herself?

Cheered her efforts?

They were fools!

Another mug of ale plonked to the table in front of me and a feminine hand landed on my shoulder.

“There you are, Commander. Is there anything else I can get for you?”

Her touch was so unexpected, so unwelcome, I shrugged it off before I thought. She blinked and her smile faltered. Shit. I was giving myself away.

I reached for the mug with a still-trembling hand. “You’ve been very hospitable, Meg. Thank you. I just need another drink. That’s all.”

It wasn’t all. Wasn’t even close to all. But it was all she could provide.

Slightly miffed, but unable to show it because I was a patron, she flounced back towards the bar and I buried myself in my second ale in as many minutes.

And when I drank that one in seconds and had a third delivered by a now-silent Meg, I made myself slow. Stop. Think.

But there was a cackle of high laughter and I instinctively raised my eyes, sought her out. Found her.

She sat on the long side of the table, about five seats away from me. Her brothers on every side. She was on her second glass of wine, her cheeks just beginning to pink. But her eyes…

Her eyes shone .

Her brothers laughed, teased, and cajoled. Reliving the story she’d told, and begging her to tell it again. There were others here too. The trial was done so early, all the Flameborne and their squads had decided to come for lunch.

And by lunch, they meant drinking.

I couldn’t even scold her for it, or warn her to slow down. I was worse.

My nerves pulled tight as bowstrings, twanging every time she moved quickly. It was as if my body was attuned to hers. As if my heart beat in her chest. When she moved, I felt it.

What the hell was wrong with me?

It had scared me. There was no denying that. But the tension in me. The hum in my bones. It should have eased by now. She was with good men who’d watch out for her. It was the middle of the day.

I had no reason to be here, except that when they’d all agreed to celebrate together, I’d been unable to let her out of my sight. Even following her back to the stable to make certain she remained safe while she unharnessed and washed Akhane.

I’d been so mindless, Kgosi had sniffed and asked me if I planned to unharness him, or merely stare at Akhane all day.

I’d arranged a wagon to bring the squads, and ensured they’d return this evening when, no doubt, the squads would be rolling in their cups.

I’d told them I’d only join them for one drink.

That was an hour ago.

I was on number four.

I didn’t drink like this anymore. Hadn’t for years. Hangovers were not kind to me now that I’d hit forty.

But my ass was planted firmly on this seat. The thought of letting her out of my sight was untenable.

And frankly, I didn’t think my nerves could stand anything else.

So I sat, miserable, and confused, and watched her twinkle. Watched her bloom. And I wondered when the sucking hole in my chest that had opened the moment she threw herself off that turret would close.

Maybe another ale would help.

~ brEN ~

“I have to go,” I said, thinking through the words so I wouldn’t slur. My brothers all groaned and shouted their protests, but I shook my head. “I have to,” I repeated.

I’d only had three glasses of wine, but that was enough. More than enough. It was bright sunlight outside. Mid-afternoon. I was halfway drunk. If I didn’t stop now, this could go very wrong. I knew it. This day had been perfect. I needed it to stay that way.

I’d go back to Akhane, have a nap with her, eat dinner, sober up.

I nodded to myself and stood, wobbling slightly when the bench didn’t shift back because my brothers were on it either side of me, as well. But I managed to lift my leg and step over it, waving my brothers off when they tried to help me.

“I just flew a tower, I can step over a bench,” I insisted.

“I’ll walk you,” Ronen said quickly, getting to his feet, followed by Voski. They both smiled wider than I’d ever seen them before. I suspected they were getting drunk too.

“That’s not necessary—it’s bright sunlight!” I said, my voice too high as I threw a hand wide, towards the window, and almost slapped Gill on the head. He ducked and giggled.

He giggled .

That made me giggle.

Then we were all laughing.

“Stay!”

“We’re celebrating your win!”

“You don’t get to have this day back!”

I shushed them, and waved them down. “That’s exactly why I need to go. This has been a wonderful day! I need it to stay that way.”

They groaned and stood up, despite my protests. But then a dark voice rose at the end of the table and lifted the hair on the back of my neck with it.

“I’ll take her.”

All heads turned, including mine, to watch Donavyn stand, pushing back his heavy chair as he straightened—did he wobble, or did he always brace himself on the table when he got to his feet?

His eyes locked on mine and my voice almost died in my throat. “You-you don’t have to do that.” Please do that.

He frowned. “I have to return for a meeting with the King anyway. Let your brothers have their fun and take the wagons back when they’re ready. I’ll get you back safe.”

Ronen look sharply at Donavyn, but either the General didn’t notice, or he didn’t care. He just stared at me, his brows up, waiting for my answer.

I’ll get you back safe. I had to swallow the pinch in my throat when my heart rose to those words.

“If you’re already going back…” I said, heart thumping.

“I am.”

There were more half-hearted protests, but my brothers had taken their seats again, and a barmaid brought a tray of drinks.

I assured them I’d be the happy one tomorrow when they all woke up with hangovers.

Then I walked as casually and steadily away from the table and out the door as I could, the skin on my back heating when Donavyn met me in the aisle at the end of the table and ushered me to the door and let his hand hover at my lower back when I slowed to open the door.

I prayed the heat I felt in my cheeks was just the wine, and he wouldn’t notice.

I also prayed he’d do that again.

Please, God, let him do that again.