Page 164 of Ashborne: Defiance

“I brought her here! Her dragon is mated to mine.”

“And you’re the first to tell me that you have no bond with her—”

“Which is why I’m coming to you!”

Ronen sat forward, matching my stance, elbows on his knees, leaning closer, eyes locked on mine, and his expression unimpressed. “Coming, Voski? You arrived. You demanded my time—which you’re right to do when it’s about your unique responsibilities. But Grace is not one of those.”

“I came to ask you to slow down—”

“You and I both know you haven’t asked.”

I went still, heart pumping. Ronen looked angry, which was rare for him. I’d pissed him off. I also knew I was fucking right!

“Then, I’m asking now,” I said through my teeth. “Please put off her assessment. Just a couple more weeks. I’m sure we’ll have more Flameborne by then and—”

“No.”

I cursed and shot to my feet, whisper screaming so the other men wouldn’t hear. “This is insane! Be pissed at me if you want, but you said you want me to call you on your bullshit, so I’m doing it, Ronen. This is bullshit.”

Ronen stood as well, opening a hand toward the door. “This conversation is over. Leave. Come back when you’ve got your head on straight.”

“My head is not turned! I’m prioritizing the good of a subordinate—something maybe you need more practice in?”

Ronen took two steps to stand at my toes, speaking barely above a whisper, his tone dark with warning. “Donavyn told me what you did in Fyrehold. And I commend that. I would have done the same. But in this place, in this role, I am your commanding officer.” His expression went grim. “You salute. You keep your mouth shut. You leave. And we’ll talk about this tomorrow. That’s an order.”

“Ronen, please—”

“If you need some kind of reassurance, then know the instructions you’re challenging were given by our general, with my consultation. He trusted me to make the final call—”

“He didn’t trust you with getting his mate out of Fyrehold. He gave that one to me. I’m telling you, you’re wrong on this.”

Ronen’s eyes blazed. “Attention, Furyknight,” he snarled. “You are under discipline at the order of your superior officer and squad captain, and if you don’t shut your mouth and salute right-the-fuck now, we’re going to have a much bigger problem than how many cesspits you have to clean.”

I glared at him, battle raging in my chest.

It was his right. It was his call. And he had done it with Donavyn’s input. But they were going to get Grace killed. Worse, they were putting her in a position to kill herself. I couldn’t stand by and—

Ronen’s chin rose. “Don’t make me do it, Voski,” he muttered.

I trembled with the urge to plow a fist into his face out of pure fury.

‘Voski.’ Kham’s voice was deep with disapproval, and warning.

Something in my chest shrieked as I snapped to attention and saluted him. “Sir,” I muttered through my teeth. “Yes, sir.”

But Ronen shook his head.

57. Ready to Fly

~ GRACE ~

I stood at the head of the field alongside three other men. Two of them were young. Still teenagers, I thought. The other appeared to be a few years older than me. I hadn’t met any of them before, though I’d seen the older one across the dining room once or twice. I smiled to them as we stood in line, waiting for the general’s word to quiet the crowd—because there was a crowd. Furyknights gathered around the edges of the clearing, their dragons, too. Above us, several already flew, along with officers holding positions that would mark our course for the flight.

My heart hammered in my chest. This was the very first time I’d fly Koa completely alone. No instruction. No one doubling with me. No arms to hold me into take-off if I slipped. No advice.

Whatever happened today, happened as a result of my choices, and my skill.

I swallowed hard. ‘We can do this.’