“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 offeredfartoo 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 eyesshone.
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, Ifeltit.
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 beenunableto 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.
