Page 98 of Ashborne: Defiance

His head snapped toward me, and I fought a grin, because it was always satisfying to take my brothers by surprise. But there was no time to explain because Donavyn rose out of the bow, then stepped forward, grabbed my arm and pulled me into a tight hug, thumping my back so hard I worried I’d lose my breath.

“Thank God, you’re back safe,” he murmured in my ear, then released me immediately and stepped back to look at each of us in turn, and took a deep breath. “Kgosi will be back with the herd in an hour. I need someone to explain to me what the fuck happened just now.”

He looked at me and Ronen, and we both nodded.

“My office,” he said.

As he started up the path to the officer’s building, Ronen and I following on his heels, Grace and Bren hooked arms and whispered to each other in quick, hushed tones.

Donavyn’s eyes trailed back often to his mate—his features softening into a smile whenever his gaze landed on her—but he strode forward, beckoning to Ronen and me to keep up. Out of respect, we walked at his sides, though an inch behind. He was never a stickler for those kinds of honors, but he did catch eyes with me, then Ronen, before raising his eyebrows and muttering, “This will be interesting.”

I huffed.

He had no idea.

33. The Story So Far

~ GRACE ~

“I’ll beg your forgiveness, Lady Grace,” Donavyn said gruffly, but with a half-smile, as we hurried through the hallways and up the stairs of the very large, but very plain administration building, heading for his office. “I need to speak with my men. I’m sure Bren will keep you company.”

“Of course!” Bren said, smiling at me, and squeezing my arm again.

It was so nice to see her—and such a relief that she was pleased to see me. I hadn’t admitted it to Voski, but I’d had some worry that she’d only pretended to like me in Fyrehold because I was noble and she was among nobles, feeling out of place. I had sensed there was more to her story than I’d heard, and sometimes wondered if she’d deceived me.

But she seemed as excited to see me as I was to see her. And her welcome had been so joyful. After all Voski’s anger and accusations, it was a balm. Her sweet friendship brought tears to my eyes.

I was tired, that was all. I just needed to rest. Then I’d stop feeling so emotional and erratic.

“We won’t be long,” Donavyn assured Bren as we slowed at a door and he opened it, tipping his head to the men to walk inside. He let his eyes linger on Bren for a moment, then smiled at me. I remembered how sweetly he’d danced with me the night in Fyrehold when I was sad at a ball, and the advice he’d offered to help me draw attention from some of the heirs.

Strange how quickly things changed. The thought of enticing one of those men now turned my stomach.

I caught myself watching Voski stride through the open door into the room, muttering to Ronen as they disappeared inside. But he didn’t look back. Donavyn entered on their heels and said something abrupt in a low gravel as he closed the door behind himself. Then there was no more sound or sign of the men.

I blew out a breath, then swallowed hard, that hollow in my chest aching, though I wasn’t sure why.

“You must be exhausted!” Bren said, tugging me to a low bench that sat against the wall just outside the office door. “Sit down. Tell me everything!”

“There’s not much to tell, honestly,” I said. “But I’ll share what I know. Then, can you tell me what’s happening? You and Voski both spoke about an acknowledgement, but you make it sound like something formal, where Voski just mentioned it as if it were tradition. I don’t want to say or do the wrong thing, and Koa can’t help. I didn’t know the dragons would fly away and I feel strange with her gone even though she can’t explain, and—”

“Of course, of course,” Bren laughed, sinking onto the bench and patting it for me to join her. “I’ll tell you everything! I remember how confusing it all was. I just can’t believe you’re here! I wished… well, I never imagined that it was anything but a dream. But I’m so glad, Grace. I missed you when I left. I planned to ask the queen if she knew your father so I could send a message. But now I don’t have to. So, tell me how this happened!”

Her eyes were bright, and she leaned forward, eagerly.

Which was when it hit me that we had both hidden truths from each other. Where should I start?

I took a deep breath and took one of her hands. “Well, the first thing is to say, I liked you a great deal, as well. And the things I didn’t tell you were only because I was very frightened and… I hope that we can share all of the truth with each other now and continue to be friends from there.”

Bren’s expression saddened a little and she nodded. “Yes, I want that too. Why don’t you start, and then I’ll tell you mine?”

I nodded, and swallowed, then launched into the story from the years of my childhood, my noble birth, the expectation, and how my parents had signed a marriage contract. I explained how I’d developed skills in stealth, been worried about her, and followed Voski.

Bren’s eyes widened at that, but I assured her that I never wanted to go back to Fyrehold.

“I’m with Koa now,” I said, smiling with pride as I thought of my dragon, touching my chest where I could feel her joy. “This is my life now. Or, it will be. You must tell me everything, Bren. I’ll do anything that’s needed. I want to be here. I want to stay here. I want to make this my home. With my dragon. And never leave.”

I was babbling, but Bren smiled and nodded and squeezed my hand. “I understand, Grace,” she said kindly. “And you’re going to do great here. I’m sure of it!”