Page 20 of Shadowborne: Reckoning

I told Donavyn to go, tamping down the fear that wanted to rise. He wouldn’t be out of sight.

I’d had a shock with Ruin, but we knew he wasn’t here—Kgosi would have sensed Carnage, who was technically still a part of his herd. I just needed to do what needed to be done and remember my purpose. That was all.

‘You have done well, Little Flame,’ Akhane sent me generously.

‘I left a child here in the dark, by himself, and didn’t even remember I’d done it.’

‘Your mind was full of other, more pressing things.’

‘I don’t think Benji sees it that way.’

‘Lionheart is yet a child. He will grow. And when he does, he’ll understand.’

I sighed and walked to her side. She eased down to the ground, still tired and somewhat shaky herself. But Kgosi rumbled to her and they curled together, Akhane’s head resting on his back legs, her tail curled around his shoulder. She lifted one wing and invited me under it as Donavyn, with an apologetic look, walked a short distance away with Benji.

I thought the fear would overwhelm me when I had to watch his back. I thought the memories would intrude on my thoughts again. But nearly the moment I sat down in the curl of Akhane’s foreleg, my eyes dragged closed and I slept to the sound of two dragons breathing and crooning to each other.

~ DONAVYN ~

When we were far enough away that Bren couldn’t hear our lowered voices, I stopped walking and beckoned Benji to stand with me.

“What is it, son?” I asked quietly, so Bren wouldn’t hear. Though the dragons would be able to. I prayed Benji wouldn’t remember that. I didn’t want to move far enough away to block them and leave Bren.

Benji’s lips twisted and pursed. He looked nervous for the first time since Kgosi landed with him.

Kgosi flew with him…

The thought still made me shake my head. I knew I had nothing to be jealous about, that my dragon offered to pick the boy up. He was still a child!

‘He stands on the cusp of manhood, Donavyn. And he admires you. He watches closely. Take care with your words and your advice,’ Kgosi rumbled in my head.

“I have to tell you something and I don’t think you’ll like it,” Benji said quietly, looking up at me without raising his head.

I frowned. “Well, I give you permission to say anything that’s true.”

Benji nodded, chewing the inside of his lip, but his eyes darted back towards the dragons and that sullen expression overtook his small face again.

“Benji?”

“I just… I don’t like that she’s here, sir. She’s tricky.”

“Her? You mean, Bren?”

“Yes.”

“Benji, if you’re going to work with the Furymaster and the dragons, you’re going to work with many different kinds of people, many different shapes and sizes, and personalities. If you take an exception to Bren because she’s a woman, that won’t bode well for your—”

“It’s not that! At least, not really,” he grumbled, his expression turning dark at another glance in her direction. “I just… I thought she was with you.”

My head spun. “You mean tonight? When she left? Or when she came to get you? Bren has duties, just like you do—”

“No, sir…” Benji sighed heavily. “I mean… I thought she was with you.” He widened his eyes, and I finally caught his drift.

“Ah. You mean our relationship outside of Commander and Furyknight?”

“Yes.”

“Well, you’re right, Benji. We are together. Our dragons are mates, and we’re mates also.”