Page 122 of Ashborne: Defiance

I couldn’t breathe. But Donavyn was still talking. “…Your leaders are in Accord—all our hearts aligned. We recognize, she is Chosen. Made new in bond with a dragonfury, and so beginning life here among us in the Dragon Keep. Today we gather to Acknowledge Grace, and walk alongside as she works to earn her pin.”

There was another smattering of applause as Donavyn looked out over the clearing, scanning all of us. “You have walked this path. You have met these trials. Our new Pair will need your brotherhood—your strength, your resilience, your patience—to succeed. I beg you, brothers and sister, welcome our new sister, Flameborne Barnslow!”

Then the roars began—the dragons raising their calls, and the men shouting and whooping. I had to join them, but my voice was dead in my throat.

So small.

Firebird?

Life found in death?

Donavyn leaned down to say something to Grace—something that made her beam, and her eyes sparkle. That pit in my stomach panged, but then Donavyn faced us once more. “…meet your brothers and sister. Seventh Squadron, Attend! Your new sister waits to receive her introductions.”

“Sir! Yes, sir!” we shouted in unison, and snapped to attention in line.

I could barely get the words out, but I managed, croaking my greeting when it was my turn, as I had for each of my brothers. And yet, my head spun.

So small.

A noble.

Firebird.

Dear God, what had we gotten into?

~ GRACE ~

I felt Voski’s gaze on the side of my face like fingernails clawing down my cheeks. His face remained pale, his eyes dark behind his hair. He didn’t look angry, he looked empty. His expression blank.

But when the men and Bren snapped to attention in a line in front of me, I couldn’t help but smile, my chest swelling in pride.

Something very, very special was happening. I’d been given a purpose, and if I worked really hard I would belong. The thought brought tears to my eyes.

One by one, each of the men I’d met the night before stepped forward and introduced themselves loudly. And they seemed so happy. Not irritated. Not wary. Delighted to greet me.

The first was the leader, Ronen. I’d been afraid that he’d be irritated by the conflict I had with Voski the night before. But when he stepped forward, he smiled, and it made him so handsome. He stood to his full, imposing height, and shouted loudly enough for every person present in the clearing to hear.

“Barnslow! I see you! I am Squad Captain, Ronen. Your brothers and I welcome you to Seventh Squadron!”

Then Gil, with his shorn hair and twinkling eyes. Though his face was lined with weariness, he beamed a smile. “I am Gil, your wing leader and brother. Welcome to Seventh Squadron!”

One by one, each of the men stepped forward. Einar, with the white hair and frightening eyes. “I am Einar, your brother. Welcome to Seventh Squadron!”

“I am Harle, your brother. Welcome to Seventh Squadron!” He was the thoughtful, playful one who’d brought me dinner the night before.

Then the huge man stepped forward, his voice deep. “I am Oros, your brother. Welcome to Seventh Squadron!”

“I am Jhoare, your brother.” I was struck again that he was breathtakingly handsome, gold and bright like a sunrise. “Welcome to Seventh Squadron!”

With a beaming smile, Bren stepped forward next, her gray dragon behind her, tossing her head.

“I am Brennan, your sister!” she shouted happily. “Welcome to Seventh Squadron!”

Tears pricked and I blinked them back when she grinned at me and stepped back, but I couldn’t tell her how grateful I was. I held my breath, because the only one left was Voski. He’d taken the last place in line, remaining close to Kham and Koa. He’d been staring at me, unsmiling.

When he stepped forward, I feared he’d bark the words in that angry, dark voice. But his eyes locked on mine. Something in my chest snapped, like I’d been flicked behind the ribs.

—he grabbed my hair and tugged my head back, his gaze burned. Yet, the sensation of his fingertips on my scalp sent goosebumps skating down my spine. Instinctively, I arched into him, my hips pressing forward of their own accord until I brushed against his thighs. He went still, his eyes darkening. Our gazes locked, and I wasn’t sure I breathed. Then he descended upon me, lips open and soft, tongue seeking, tangling with mine in a heated slide that tore a gasp from my throat—