Page 40 of Ashborne: Defiance

Lines appeared on her forehead. “I don’t pretend to be anyone except who I am. But, how do you define innocent?”

I set my teeth. I wouldn’t be drawn. “Go wash,” I ordered her. “But don’t wash your clothes. When we take you back, if they discover you, it has to be convincing that you were merely lost—”

She drew herself up to her unimpressive height. “I told you, I’m not going back!”

I rolled my eyes. “I only meant that you have to travel with me. And I have to go back and give orders to my brother. I will hide you, but in the event you’re discovered, you must have a cover.”

“I’ll stay here. I have no need—”

“You’ll ride with me because our dragons cannot be separated yet, and I have to go. My brother is in danger, and probably convinced that I’m dead—a fact he won’t leave without addressing. Not to mention our superior—that is… others have disappeared as well. I can’t take you back to our Keep—” her eyes lit up like I’d farted music “—until I have fulfilled my duties. And if, in the meantime, you’re recognized, your cover must be convincing. I know you’re a spider. We’ll use that to our advantage. So, for fuck’s sake. Go wash, then come back here, but don’t look clean.”

Her expression of joy faltered to confusion. “You want me to… what?”

I growled and turned on my heel. Fucking women and their fucking inability to just take fucking orders. I was certain it was why women hadn’t been chosen by dragons before Bren—who took orders well. And besides, she didn’t really count because—

“Did you say you’re taking me back to the Keep—do you mean, your dragon Keep? In Vosgaarde?!”

I stopped in my tracks, the hair on the back of my neck standing up because I could feel her gaze burning on me.

I whirled, to find her staring at me, eyes wide, and a beaming smile on her face.

Fuck.

With a sigh, I marched back to her, voice low, and warning in my eyes, the same look I used for Flameborne who thought they could shirk their chores.

“I’ll take you back to the Keep,” I spat. “Because you’re chosen by my dragon’s mate. Koa has her place there as Kham’s mate. But you? You’ll have to earn yours.”

Grace’s expression shone like the sun. She clapped her hand and… was she dancing?!

“Thank you!” she gasped. “Thank you, Vane! I won’t let you down.”

“It’s not me who’s—”

“I’ve prayed for this day. Yearned for it. Begged God to get me out of that life. Thank you. This is everything I’ve ever wanted!”

The rush that coursed through me—the resonance with those words. I knew how that moment felt. I wanted to sincerely caution her. Gather her up and explain how hard this journey would be, but not to give up, that it was worth it.

But as I instinctively swayed toward her and her brows rose, I caught myself.

This is what they do. They trap you with their longing and their thrill—feed you a false sense of strength, as if you’ve saved them. Then they plunge the knife in your back the moment you trust them.

I straightened to my full height and took a step back. “I said I would take you to the Keep,” I muttered. Grace’s expression dampened. “I didn’t say that you would be a true Flameborne. That is for more powerful men than me to decide. I know you aren’t just an innocent noblewoman, out of her depth,” I hissed. “Don’t believe that I’ve fallen for that disguise. You’re very good at it, I’ll give you that. But I don’t believe you. So, get the fuck in the creek, wash yourself so you don’t get sick, and then join me at the dragons.”

I turned on my heel and stalked away.

“But, how do I know where the dragons are?” she called after me plaintively.

“Follow the bond!” I shouted back without turning around, because if I saw tears in her eyes I might crumble. “If you can’t do that, you’re no Flameborne!”

Then I marched on, searching for Kham through the link, and adjusting my line when I was certain I was out of her sight.

‘Such a gentleman,’ he drawled in my head.

‘She won’t make Flameborne if she can’t find her dragon without instructions.’

‘No, she won’t. And that was definitely the best way to prepare the inexperienced,’ he added with a sniff. ‘Let them flounder and fall. It builds character.’

I grunted. ‘That isn’t—I didn’t say—’