Chapter 50 Welcome
~ brEN ~
That night, Donavyn and I stood in a line outside the twelve-foot double doors of the royal banquet hall, awaiting our turn to be announced.
Apparently, Fyrehold high society stood on every tradition and ritual.
But they also gave preference to those the king and queen favored.
The moment we’d arrived, the footmen ushered us to the front of the line.
Behind us, Fyrehold nobles queued, baldly glaring.
Donavyn kept his chin high, nodding to acknowledge greetings, but otherwise ignoring the eyes that followed our every move.
‘Don’t they think it’s rude that you don’t greet them?’ I sent, trying to glance over my shoulder without being obvious about it.
‘It may irritate them, but it’s a demonstration of power.
It tells them I believe my position with the king and queen is higher than theirs—or at least, my favor in their eyes.
These people are all about attitude. You’ll hear me say things I don’t believe here, Bren.
Don’t be fooled. I’m on a mission just as surely as you. ’
I swallowed and tugged at my gloves, heart trilling as the footmen stepped forward to grasp the handles on those huge doors and swing them wide.
The doors opened to a wide, marble staircase with midnight blue carpet lining its center. A crier stood on the landing, unmoving, until the footman passed him a small piece of paper.
“Battle Commander of the Vosgaardian Furyknights, General Donavyn Arsen!” The man announced in a sonorous voice, heavy with gravitas. But his tone tightened dramatically when he continued, the words clipped. “And his companion, Brennan Kearney.”
‘Remember, it’s a power play,’ Donavyn said, taking my hand high and walking me to the stairs, where he raised our clasped fingers and bowed to me, while I curtseyed, praying I wouldn’t wobble.
A murmur rose in the glittering crowd below us as Donavyn straightened, and with his nose in the air, began the long walk to the bottom of the stairs and the great banquet hall that awaited us.
No other parties would be announced until we made it to the floor, so Donavyn took his time, a small, self-satisfied smile on his face.
Then, he turned his head and drank me in, his eyes darkening as he scanned me from head to toe.
‘You look stunning, Bren.’
I felt my cheeks heat, and had to fight a smile—he’d almost coughed when I walked out of the room in the rose gown the queen had given me.
I’d never felt more beautiful, and was surprised by how deeply it affected me to see him stunned to silence, as he turned me around and struggled to find words for his admiration.
But I did as he’d told me back in our rooms and kept my eyes low, and my expression as close to serene as I was able.
I wasn’t here to challenge these people. I was here to intrigue them.
‘You shouldn’t look so happy to be with me,’ I warned him. ‘I’m the unworthy commoner with her claws in a powerful man, remember?’
‘So, let them see me welcome your talons,’ he replied as we continued down the stairs. ‘It only demonstrates your power, my love.’
Warmth flushed my chest. I adored it when he called me that.
When we reached the bottom of the stairs and he bowed to me once more, and I curtseyed, my chest trilled with the rush I felt for him.
‘I love you, Donavyn.’
‘I love you more, Bren.’
‘Don’t let them see that. Let them think it’s only lust.’
‘Fuck that,’ he retorted gruffly, taking my hand and leading me towards our seats at a table so wide and long, it lined three sides of the hall in a massive U shape.
‘If there’s one advantage to this mission, it’s that I don’t have to hide how I feel about you.
I’m already stifling words. Let them see how I admire you.
I don’t want any man here telling himself there’s any chance I won’t fight for you. ’
I sighed happily, but made myself focus. I wasn’t here to swoon over my mate, though I dearly wanted to. This was a time to be what these people needed to see to trust me. At least enough to let me into their world.
I was surprised when we were ushered to seats just a handful down from the queen herself.
And even managed a smile for Lady Faye who was seated next to me, though her eyes were all for Donavyn.
But his love and burning need thrumming in the bond fed my heart so that it was easy to be gracious to the woman, and greet her with a smile.
But those moments in the privacy of our minds were the last part of the evening I could truly enjoy.
Two hours later, the banquet tables hastily pressed back to the walls to make more room for dancing, I walked slowly along the edge of the dance floor holding a brittle smile, but muttering curses under my breath.
This place was awful. These people were shallow, petty, and obsessed with themselves.
No statement was received at face value. Everyone assumed ill-intent, and retorted using flowery language to veil cutting disrespect.
It was exhausting.
I’d thought the empty tittering and innuendo of the queen’s ladies in Vosgaarde was bad, but it was nothing next to this bloodbath. The women used words like rapier blades, and the men flexed intellect like a Furyknight’s muscle.
The queen’s words of insight rang in my head, but I wondered if she’d misjudged.
Don’t be too coy. With nobles, rumors are snacks, and whispers are a feast. If you ingratiate yourself with anyone, offer a tasty morsel, but only in private—and always plead for secrecy. Bold honesty will only be assumed to be a ploy—it will get you nowhere with this herd.
Donavyn had kept me at his side during the meal, but afterwards, when we all rose from the table to allow the servants to move them, Lady Faye snapped him up with an excuse about introducing him to a friend.
She’d dragged him off, ignoring me completely, leaving me to follow in their wake like a puppy on a leash. And while I didn’t resent the opportunity to not have to listen to her fluttering laughter and suggestive remarks about Donavyn, I prayed I could find a way to insert myself with the others.
Everyone’s attention seemed to be on Donavyn. I had to find a way to use that.
Even I knew, in battles for power, being perceived as weak was the quickest route to irrelevance. But I had high hopes for a chance to be noticed soon, and set the hook, as the queen had termed it. I was biding my time.
I had to remind myself to keep my chin low and eyes down as Faye dragged Donavyn to meet a cluster of bored, aristocratic men and women clustered along the side of the hall, watching the dancers.
To my surprise, when I reached them a few moments later, Faye, who had just introduced Donavyn, grabbed my elbow and pulled me forward.
“And this is the General’s companion. I was introduced to Brennan by Diaan en’ Del Rea—the Queen of Vosgaarde. A true honor,” Faye said, her tone brimming with false modesty. “Brennan joined us for tea and is delightful. She rides the dragons as well!”
The bored, arrogant gazes sharpened as she spoke until, by the last statement, they all leaned closer to examine me—like they couldn’t quite be sure what they saw.
“Welcome to Fyrehold, Brennan,” one of the older women said, her graying hair pinned up in a large bundle of loose curls that tumbled over her unusually high-necked dress.
“Thank you,” I said, ducking my head and dropping a brief curtsey. “It’s an honor to be here.”
“Oh, Brennan, don’t worry about that!” Faye chittered, jerking me a step closer to the circle of avid eyes.
“Tell them about the dragons—I rode here with the General. We made it from Vosgaarde Palace in less than a week, can you believe it?! I already told the queen, here in Fyrehold, we’ve overlooked the opportunities those beasts present. ”
Donavyn and I both stiffened at beasts, but despite having invited me to speak, Faye babbled on, preening under the attention when the others began asking questions.
Half an hour later I’d been introduced formally to a dozen of the nobles, both men and women, and there were a dozen more clustered around.
Donavyn spoke the most, but the men, blustering and pompous, were clearly aware of all the female eyes, and doing everything they could to appear as strong and courageous in comparison.
I’d kept quiet unless addressed directly, but listened with genuine interest, and let my nerves show a hair, so they’d believe I was out of my depth.
The ladies peppered me with questions about what it was like to work with Donavyn—and I could be honest about his generosity and strength. But also didn’t miss the opportunity to meet his eyes more than once and offer a secret smile or two.
Donavyn’s eyes crinkled whenever I did it. ‘Very well done,’ he rumbled in the link ‘They’re already enthralled.’
‘By you,’ I pointed out, turning back to Faye, who’d asked me a question about riding in skirts, and I had to pretend innocence.
“Oh, we never ride in skirts,” I said, trying to giggle like these women did. And then, because I couldn’t resist it. “That would be terribly immodest.”
‘You’re diabolical,’ Donavyn sent with a tone on the edge of laughter.
I pretended I didn’t notice when Faye’s face went sour, but luckily one of the other women tipped her head. “If you don’t ride in skirts… you ride in men’s trousers?”
I nodded as if she’d had no tone. “Yes, it’s far more practical. We have to sit astride, and the dragons are so wide.”
There were chuckles and chokes from some of the men, and one, a younger man, though still years older than me, with dark hair and eyes, leaned a little closer. “They allow you to ride. Alone?”
“Akhane does, yes. She’s the Primarch’s mate, but she’s too young to take a bond. She lets me ride and that means she can come with Kgosi. We weren’t allowed to bring an unaccompanied dragon into another kingdom.”
“Do you ride every day?” another man piped up. His face looked no older than Donavyn’s. Yet, his head was nearly bald, and he wore glasses that reflected the light of the chandeliers overhead so I couldn’t see his eyes.
“Most days—at least, while we’re travelling. Though I’m not sure while we’re here. The queen has been most hospitable, and Donavyn—excuse me, the General—has very important work to do for the herds. I’ll be offering my assistance in whatever manner he requires.”
I was half-proud, half-disgusted by how easy it was to fall into the rhythm of this innuendo.
More harumphing and whispers from the men, and knowing looks from the women, but I pretended I didn’t notice.
Then a voice piped up from behind the others, and everyone turned.
Leaning against the wall, just beyond this cluster of nobles, a man stood with arms folded and head tilted.
His thick hair was near-black, shining with the wax these men obviously preferred, the sides cut short and tidy, but the top much longer.
He’d combed it back in a sleek look that only highlighted the sharp angles of his high cheek bones and chiseled jaw.
He wasn’t as big as Donavyn, but his broad chest and shoulders implied that, unlike most of the other men here, he didn’t spend his days lounging.
He reminded me of Voski with those glittering eyes and high cheekbones.
His lazy smile had a jagged edge. He ignored everyone else and locked eyes with me. The others all went quiet when he spoke.
“I would like to see you fly,” he said quietly, casually. And I would have thought it nothing more than a bored attempt to engage with a new curiosity, but his eyes were intense, and if I measured him correctly, held an edge of challenge.
Without breaking that gaze, I bowed my head slowly. “I would be happy to offer you a demonstration… sir?”
“Hanson,” he said slowly.
“Sir Hanson—” I started, but Faye tsked.
“He’s a Lord, Brennan,” she cautioned me.
To my surprise, Hanson rolled his eyes and broke the gaze, looking into the wine goblet he’d been holding as if he’d lost all interest in the conversation.
“Lord Hanson,” I corrected myself. He swirled his wine and sighed.
“Next time you fly, send a messenger,” he said to his cup, though some of that intensity bled back into his tone. “I would very much like to see a woman astride a dragon… in trousers.”
Then he shot me a look that made it suggestive, and pushed off the wall as the others tittered and whispered, walking away, disappearing into the crowd.
I wasn’t sure whether I should call after him, or ignore the dismissal. Thankfully, one of the other women jumped in then, and I was distracted quickly. But a thread of unease coiled in my stomach.