Page 34 of Shadowborne: Reckoning

“No, no. Bren—” he cut himself off, looking around behind me, scanning for anyone who might overhear, then he stepped right up, so the harness in his arms pressed against the harness in mine and leaned down until our faces were mere inches apart. “I meant it as encouragement. I’m not surprised you haven’t felt… need. I can understand why your mind isn’t turning that way. I only want you to know I don’t take it personally. I know you’ll come back to me when the time is right. That’s all.”

I swallowed and nodded, blinking a few times because my eyes ached suddenly. “Thank you.”

“God, don’t thank me. I’m not a brute who requires constant servicing to—”

I spluttered. “Servicing?” I laughed, though my heart danced a fine line between amusement and fear, and I hated that. Because I wasn’t afraid of Donavyn. But seeing Ruin had made me feel vulnerable in a way I didn’t like. Donavyn and I had been working a lot and going to sleep late these last four nights, curling up together, holding each other but not…

Donavyn hadn’t pushed, and I’d been grateful.

His lips pressed thin, but his eyes danced as he glanced over my shoulder and around the stable yard again, making certain we didn’t have any visitors. “I was being discreet. Would you rather I called it—”

“General! I’m so glad I found you!”

The voice rose from the stable building behind us. Donavyn quietly cursed, then looked up and raised his chin at Rayv behind me, while I worked on finding my equilibrium before turning myself, to greet the Furymaster who had no dragons.

“Sir,” Rayv said, saluting Donavyn when he reached us. “I was sent to find you: Our king wants to honor you as guest tonight, and he names Kgosi in the invitation as well. It’s a great honor.”

Donavyn frowned. “He names Kgosi in an invitation to a ball?”

Rayv scratched the back of his neck and glanced around like he’d like to avoid being overheard as well. “Well, he’s naming you both as guests of honor… and wishes for me to ask you to have Kgosi and Akhane attend the castle—he says the gardens outside the ballroom have plenty of space for them, and he’s sure they’ll be very popular.”

I frowned, but Donavyn’s head went back and he nodded as if it made sense. ‘The king wants to show off to whomever is coming tonight, and he thinks flattering me will get me to convince Kgosi to be his entertainment.’

Oh.

“I see,” Donavyn said to Rayv. “I’ll speak with Kgosi. I’m sure he’ll be delighted.”

I opened my mouth, then almost bit my lip when I closed it quickly.

‘Kgosi wouldn’t—’

‘No, but it will make me laugh to see him have to put up with it,’ Donavyn said with a boyish grin that made my belly flutter again.

Rayv had a few more instructions, then we left to harness the dragons and fly, where we could finally speak entirely privately, in the link.

‘Kgosi claims I’m turning him into a royal pet,’ Donavyn sent, laughing.

‘I’m glad he’ll agree, but wasn’t tonight the time we thought we could get more access to the castle rooms with all the visitors? If you have to stay close to Kgosi—’

‘I won’t be staying close. We’ll leave him and Akhane in the gardens and let them use their flame to keep over-eager nobles at bay, if needed.”

I snorted at the mental image he sent of pompous nobles suddenly shrieking, and sprinting away from the dragons with the bottoms seared out of their trousers and skirts.

‘You know, it’s lovely to see you smile again,’ Donavyn sent.

That uneasy weight reappeared in my stomach, but I pushed it away and looked aside to meet his eyes. Kgosi and Akhane flew nearly wing-tip to wing-tip, so he was close enough that I could see his expression.

‘I’m sorry. I’ve been preoccupied.’

‘Don’t be sorry. Just know, I’m here. It’s nice to see you smile… and don’t be nervous about tonight. Having Akhane and Kgosi close works in our favor as well. If we do search, and anything goes to shit, they’ll be much easier to access.’

I knew he was right. And I was glad he’d painted that picture. It would make our plans for this evening less nerve-wracking. Because tonight, since we were almost certain Hanson would attend, I was preparing to press back into the mission—which meant getting close enough to question Hanson.

I held Donavyn’s gaze for a time, though, wondering if I should return our conversation to the one that was interrupted, about why we hadn’t made love in four days.

But either he felt me, or could hear more of the thought than I’d intended to send, because he suddenly sent a rush of reassurance through the bond and shook his head.

‘There’s no need, Bren. When you’re ready, I’ll be ready.’