Page 31 of Flameborne: Fury (Emberquell Academy #2)

~ brEN ~

“…and the sketches are what I saw there. I tried to note as much as I could with the charcoal, but it was smudged. But the fire count is certain, and I can draw the equipment they had, too. I showed Akhane what I saw and she’s helped me remember details.

” I closed my mouth quickly because the King looked up from the folded parchment he’d taken from Donavyn and been scanning while I spoke.

But the King didn’t look at me. He turned to Donavyn who stood at his shoulder. “Two days ago?”

Donavyn cleared his throat. “Almost. She wasn’t aware the camp was real, Sire, so didn’t reveal it to me immediately.

We don’t know who sent her those instructions.

They weren’t her true orders for the Third Trial.

So, either someone planned to have her intercept the enemy, or it was divine intervention.

Either way, the discovery is timely, and significant.

Our dragons took each other as mates when I found her, so we were delayed in returning until they could fly.

But once I learned of Bren’s discovery, we came as soon as we could. ”

The King brightened. “Kgosi took a mate?!”

“Yes, Sire. Bren’s dragon. Akhane.”

My body hummed with tension and my heart raced. Would he ask about us? But the King only smiled and clapped Donavyn on the shoulder. “That’s excellent news. I’m very happy to hear that. We need the Primarch’s offspring to strengthen the herd. Well done.”

“It wasn’t my—”

“Yes, yes, I know. Credit where credit is due, and all that. But that is good news, Donavyn. Though I suppose it has slowed us down, which is worrisome. You’re certain this reporting is accurate?”

“Absolutely,” Donavyn said. I heard the edge of offense in his tone and my heart warmed.

“Flameborne Kearney did exactly as she should have, and she flew out of there the moment she’d completed the intelligence gathering.

Sire, I want to emphasize that she has proven her worth as a Furyknight, and potentially saved the Kingdom.

This is a significant contribution to all our efforts. ”

The King nodded, frowning at the parchment again, though he did direct a passing, “Yes, well done, Flameborne,” to me.

Donavyn stared at him as the King kept his eyes on the papers.

Then my mate—God, what a crazy thought—lifted his chin and rolled his shoulders back.

“Sire, I’m not familiar with the specific area Bren described.

We need her to lead us back to the exact spot—and after what she’s achieved, she deserves to do that as a Furyknight.

The task she undertook was far more difficult and dangerous than any we might have assigned her for the trial.

Yet, she comported herself as any young Furyknight would.

I’d like to have her raised immediately—in a conclave if necessary.

She should be pinned before she leads us back to an enemy. ”

The King nodded absently. “Of course, of course. The choice is yours, Donavyn. They’re your soldiers. Do as you see fit.”

I couldn’t believe my ears. He was going to have me raised?!

I stood there, stunned, while the King took a closer look at one of my sketches. But the moment the King waved him off, Donavyn marched to the door of the room and spoke to one of the guards.

“Please have a message taken to Ronen, the Wing Captain of the Seventh Squadron. Tell him that Flameborne Kearney has proven her worth as a stealth flyer. She will be raised to the first female Furyknight. Immediately.”

“Oh, excellent!”

I startled as, from behind me, the Queen rushed to Donavyn, clapping her hands.

“I approve, Donavyn. Mightily. An excellent call.”

Donavyn nodded at her, his expression tense.

She opened her mouth like she’d gush again, but then she caught the eye of the King. All he did was look up from the papers, but the Queen stopped. Paused. Then her face went grim. Her eyes remained on the King until she turned back to Donavyn.

“Our newest Furyknight will need to leave the chambers as we move to Council in the wake of this news.”

It took a moment to understand that she meant me, because she’d said Furyknight , which I wasn’t. But after a second, she turned to look at me pointedly. I jumped to curtsey, then straightened to salute Donavyn.

Which was when it hit me that we would be separated and I froze.

Donavyn nodded to accept my salute, which should have been my dismissal, but my feet were nailed to the floor.

Our eyes locked and flames rose like a bonfire in his—then he blinked and turned to the Queen to snuff them out. “I’ll walk Bren out—just a moment to debrief her and prepare for the ceremony,” he said, already suiting his words and taking the steps that would close the gap between us.

I turned, stilted, wobbling as I took the first step towards the door and Donavyn fell in step with me, letting his voice drop to a low mutter.

“Tell Ronen what’s happened. And I’m to be informed the moment they’re ready to raise you.”

I nodded, grieving that we had to walk so quickly. Even in the King’s massive chamber, we’d be at the door in seconds.

“Don—I mean, Sir, I’m—”

“Nothing has changed, Bren,” he breathed, dropping his gaze to stare at me from the corner of his eye. “Our duties call and we will fulfill them. But nothing else has changed. Do you remember your orders?”

Pack your bags… move into my apartment… you’re not spending one more damned night in that stable.

I nodded quickly. “But, the Raising—”

“Prepare what you can until it’s ready. Finish other tasks afterwards. These are incredible, important times, but we keep moving. Yes?”

“Yes, Sir,” I said quietly.

His step caught, but he plowed on, leading me to the door, taking hold of it like it was a prison cell, pulling it open and ushering me through—though he didn’t follow.

There was a moment, only a moment, to stand at his toes and look up, to see the care and ache and love pooling in his gaze, to feel the rush of him in the bond. Then he nodded.

“Go,” he whispered. “Before I bend you over the royal lounge and scandalize the King and Queen.”

I spluttered as he winked, then he was closing the door, the King’s voice rising behind him, grabbing his attention so he turned away and the wide, wooden, ornate door closed between us with a decisive thunk, leaving me alone.

For a moment, I wasn’t sure what to do with myself. But I was very aware of the Guards behind me in the hallway, watching me curiously. So, I straightened my dirty jacket, combed my fingers through my hair, and started down the corridor, pretending my heart didn’t pound with panic.

It would only be hours until we were together. He wasn’t leaving without me. He’d told the King I was needed. He’d commended my conduct.

He loved me.

Every fiber in me shrieked to find a reason to go back, to reunite, to cling. But I gritted my teeth and forced myself to keep walking away.

‘Your mate is safe, and well, and yearns for you as deeply as you yearn for him. Be at ease, Little Flame.’ Akhane’s sweet voice was tempered with her own agitation. I was touched that she made room to think of mine.

‘Thank you. Please tell Kgosi to pass on that I am eager to see him again as soon as possible.’

Akhane gave a little huff. ‘Oh, he knows. He sends that you’ll find a key to his apartment under the potted plant in the alcove on his floor. Make certain no one sees you retrieve it. And…’

There was a hesitation from her, then suddenly, in Donavyn’s voice, the growled instruction, ‘After the ceremony, wait there for me.’

I stumbled, biting my lip, simultaneously overjoyed and frantic, because Akhane had heard Kgosi’s memory of Donavyn speaking the words, and passed it to me.