Page 134 of Ashborne: Defiance

Ronen’s jaw tightened, but he didn’t respond immediately, just walked at my side with his hands in his pockets. Then he sighed. “Eat with us. We need a show of unity,” he said reluctantly. “Then you’re free until tomorrow night. Take the time. But make sure your dragon can reach you.”

“I will.”

Ronen knew Gil and I had built a sanctuary near the Keep, but he’d never asked us where it was, just made certain the dragons could find us if it was needed.

His mouth opened slightly, like he intended to say something, but then he closed it again and just clapped me on the back, before picking up his pace to catch the others.

I was grateful. For a time.

I frowned as I watched my brothers hover over Grace—she was so short, she disappeared behind them until all I caught was glimpses of her golden hair here and there between their broad backs.

I should have been pleased she was surrounded. She’d shown incredible courage. She’d also almost killed herself. My face ached in sympathy of that blow to her nose.

Holy shit.

I prayed we’d both live through this. Because I felt ten years older in an hour.

How the hell was I going to make it through her training?

47. Confusing Males

~ GRACE ~

My hands trembled and my voice shook as I walked the path with Bren and the brothers. I stumbled once or twice, mostly because I was so busy looking aside, and up, and behind to find my brothers, that I forgot to watch my feet. But there was always someone there to catch my elbow or offer a steadying hand until I recovered.

As we walked toward the Keep, and it became clear that they weren’t just telling me I’d flown well, but that they were truly pleased with my performance, I could breathe a little easier. Though the trembling didn’t stop. And something in my chest kept pulling me back, toward the dragons. I sighed.

I was relieved to have two feet on the ground.

While I’d adored the flying, that fall had stolen a year of my life. If it hadn’t been for Koa’s quick thinking, I would have failed. Plunged to my death. I’d have nightmares about it, I was certain. And yet, I didn’t regret it.

As I looked at the strapping men around me, listened to the cries of dragons echo behind and above us, and leaned into Bren’s warm clasp, I’d never been happier.

I couldn’t stop staring at them all. They were so different from the men I knew, whose power came in their ability to control other men, through wealth, or position. By contrast, the Furyknight men were confident and strong, certain of their ability to overcome any obstacle necessary.

They were coarse, and common, and thrilling.

And apparently obsessed with Harle’s first flight in which he soiled his trousers in fear.

After that plummet, I found I didn’t have any humor for the thought. I wished I could reassure him. But as irritated as he was—biting and snapping at his brothers whenever they poked at him with words—he also smiled and laughed.

I wanted that. I wanted this. Men and women around me, who knew me at my worst, and laughed in the face of it. Who put their lives at risk to save each other. Who challenged each other. And held each other close.

It was instinct to look over my shoulder and lean, looking for the last of the faces—Voski.

He walked behind the rest, several feet back, his whip-strong body swathed in black leather, head down, black hair dangling and covering his eyes. It was a posture that should have seemed lacking in confidence. Yet, his strides were strong, and confident, and savagely elegant. As if every inch of his body were held in check, lest he unleash something dangerous.

My heart trilled and my breath stopped.

His head snapped up, eyes dark and searching—locking on mine for a split second, then darting away.

My heart sank into the pit of my stomach.

And when he didn’t look up again, I turned back to respond to something kind Bren said.

I tried to forget that he was there, to remind myself that he’d cared when he thought I was hurt. And that Ronen had said I’d flown well and earned my place.

But I couldn’t shake the niggling fear that he so despised my presence here, he would find a reason to convince them to remove me from this squad.