Chapter 51 Presence in the Dark
SOUNDTRACK: The Underneath by World’s First Cinema
~ brEN ~
An hour later, Donavyn had been pulled away to a card game with the men, and the women were gossiping about ladies I didn’t know. I excused myself quietly, not sure they even noticed, and went for a walk around the hall.
It was a massive room, but with all the bodies, the candles and lanterns, and the dancing, it had become suffocatingly hot.
As I passed the impressive windows at the other end of the hall, a lovely gust of cool air wafted over me.
I turned into it instinctively, closing my eyes for a moment to enjoy the sensation of the chill air on my damp skin.
The light breeze fluttered the tendrils of hair that had fallen from my twist.
I thought one of the windows must be open—they were huge, starting lower than waist height, rising almost to the ceiling in sets of three arched peaks, and offering a view of a balcony outside, the balustrade made of marble or granite, and crawling with leafy vines.
Then it became clear the air blew through a tall, but narrow door to the right of the windows, and with a quick glance over my shoulder to make certain no one was watching, I slipped outside.
I heaved a relieved sigh the moment I made it into the cool night, walking straight to the furthermost point of the wide, curving balcony, where I’d be in the shadows between the swathes of light from the ballroom windows.
I needed a moment.
Resting my hands on the top of that balustrade, I looked out into the night and reached for Akhane. She was close enough that I could sense her presence and turned my head in the direction in which she lay, but I couldn’t reach her with my words.
Donavyn had said we’d work on expanding our reach while we were here, so I sought his mind instead—and found him.
‘Are you well?’
‘Yes, just taking a moment to breathe on the balcony. These people are… wearisome.’
A rush of understanding and affirmation washed over me from the bond. I smiled.
‘At least you don’t have to play cards with buffoons trumping your hand simply to soothe their masculine sensibilities, which are threatened by a man who works with his body.’
‘No, I don’t have to do that,’ I laughed.
‘I know they’re all a little vapid, Bren. But don’t underestimate them. They’re mostly much sharper intellectually than they allow you to see. Everyone here wants to be underestimated until they’ve stepped over you.’
‘I know. I can tell.’
‘You’re doing well.’
‘As are you. And you look very handsome in your uniform,’ I added slyly.
‘I’ll happily allow you to remove it when—’
“Lady Brennan?”
I whirled at the quiet voice, which was very close. Surprised that I’d heard no footsteps or caught any flicker of the light to tell me someone approached, I froze.
It was Lord Hanson, one hand resting in the pocket of his black jacket, the other extended towards me.
I hesitated, but it would be rude to refuse him, so reluctantly I lay my hand in his and curtseyed when he brushed my knuckles with his lips in a kiss of greeting and respect usually offered to ladies of the Court.
“I-I’m not a Lady, Sir—I mean, Lord Hanson,” I stammered, only partly acting.
He released my hand and straightened with a smile. “Ah, but you’re so much more a lady than many of these cats,” he said with a glance over his shoulder.
I was wary, but raised a hand to my throat as if he’d flattered me. “That’s very kind of you—”
“No, Brennan. I’m not a kind man, but I am an honest one.
More honest than these peacocks, anyway,” he said, tipping his head back towards the hall.
“And I’m glad to have found you alone, because I have questions to ask, and I think you’re far more likely to be honest with me if you don’t have an audience. ”
Nerves jangled, but I looked down humbly and brushed my skirts. “I don’t know what you’re—”
“Please, I’ll happily play along with the games in there as well. But while I am not a dragon rider, I do know enough of the beasts to know that no dragon, even a young one, would allow a woman to ride unless that woman is quite remarkable.”
I smiled and let my hand flutter at my throat again. “Sir—I mean, Lord—you are too kind.”
“No, Brennan, I’m not. I’m attempting to have an honest conversation with you because I think you find all that fluttering and gossip as boring and foolish as I do. Am I right?”
I lifted my eyes slowly, intending to deflect and pretend I was ignorant of his meaning, but when I met his gaze, a warning shot through my chest, and that coil of unease he’d left in the pit of my stomach became a knot.
Our eyes locked, and I saw in his both cunning, and authenticity. He was challenging me. But not as the others did.
I tilted my head and didn’t drop his gaze. “Why did you seek me out? Whatever you think, I’m not noble. I am common. And I’m not looking for a new friend,” I said, sucking in as I prayed I’d measured him correctly.
I startled when he threw his head back and laughed, a surprisingly warm sound.
When he’d settled his mirth, he cleared his throat and stood back, head up and eyes narrowed at me over his smile.
“Oh, I’m very aware you aren’t noble, Brennan,” he said in a low, drawl.
“Yet, it’s clear you are anything but common.
I’m not like the rest of those idiots—I never leave my affairs in the hands of other men, more intelligent than myself.
It would be impossible to find one, anyway,” he added with a cocky smile.
I nodded to give him the point, but wanted to roll my eyes. His smile broadened as if he could tell, and thought it was funny.
“I came to find you, because you are a curiosity. And don’t you know my stock will rise in the eyes of my peers if I’m seen to know you personally?” he said with a mock flutter of his hand near his own throat.
I didn’t laugh. “I liked it better when you were frank,” I said bluntly.
His brows rose, but his smile didn’t fade.
He nodded slowly, his eyes never leaving mine.
“Very well, then I will lay my devious plans bare: I want to see you ride a dragon. I want to ride one with you, if it’s allowed.
I find your existence fascinating. And unlike the others, I won’t try to manipulate you to any unstated purpose beyond my own, clear interest.”
“That’s a remarkable claim, Lord Hanson.”
“Dispense with the Lord when we aren’t in company. If you’re as smart and capable as a dragon’s regard would suggest, there’s no need for us to dance around the classes.”
“What do you know of a dragon’s regard?” I tried to keep my nerves out of my voice.
“More than you’d expect.”
I let my brows rise. “While I’ll admit that I’m somewhat uneducated on the etiquette of the noble classes, I know enough to understand that they don’t ride dragons or eschew titles with commoners.”
He nodded slowly. “With the others, that’s true. But that’s why I approached when you were alone. I suspect you understand more than you let on. I value intelligence and courage far more than wealth or bloodlines.”
“Thank you, Hanson. You compliment me. I can only hope I continue to earn your admiration.”
“Oh, I think you will,” he said, and that suggestive smile returned.
I swallowed, but prayed he didn’t notice.
“Just make sure to watch out for the real dragons—that’s the women.
The likes of Lady Faye are harmless—they only want to bask in your reflected social sunlight.
Befriend those that see you as entertainment.
They’ll keep your days busy and offer you a layer of protection against the malice.
But those who seek husbands, or whose daughters seek husbands will greatly admire your companion. Be wary of them.”
“I’m not in a position to choose whom I befriend.”
He took a moment to respond, then dropped his voice. “I don’t believe that in the slightest,” he said calmly.
My unease jangled to outright fear, but he smiled and looked away before speaking again. “The women you want to draw close to are those who find frank honesty refreshing.”
I was still nervous and stiff. “I don’t think any of the highborn—”
“I do,” he said bluntly and turned to stare at me once more, that challenge back in his eyes.
I was genuinely bewildered. Did he see through my facade and believe me to be a threat? Was he toying with me? Or were his observations real, and his advice truly intended?
There was something about that man that lacked the vapid, mindless pursuit of gossip like these others. Which meant, he was either the perfect target, or a very real threat.
I considered it for a moment, but could see no way forward except to return his challenge. “What is your game?” I asked him, letting a hint of my suspicion creep into my tone, along with warning in my gaze.
“No game—at least, not like this lot,” he said, tipping his head back towards the ballroom. “I meant what I said: I want to see you ride. I want to ride with you if I can. I find your connection with the dragons thrilling—and telling.”
I didn’t respond because I didn’t know what to say.
He took a half-step closer, looming over me in the dark. “Your General… what is the nature of your work together? Did the dragons come first? Or his regard for you?”
“Does it make a difference?” I asked him frankly.
“It does if you were drawn to the man before the dragons,” he said. “It offers me insight to how tightly you are tied.”
“And why would you need to know that?”
He opened his mouth, but there was a great cackle, and a moment later, a group of half-drunk nobles spilled out onto the balcony—the men laughing, the women shrieking—led by Donavyn, with Lady Faye on his arm.
When he found me in the dark, he practically shook off her grip and strode towards me, face tense and posture nothing short of threatening, his glare locked on Hanson.
“There you are, Brennan,” he seethed. “I wondered what had happened to you.” Then he extended a hand, snapping his fingers to beckon me.
I was half-offended, and half-swallowing laughter.
Without hesitation, I bowed my head, murmured a farewell to Hanson, thanked him for his regard and, without waiting for an answer, hurried across the balcony to take Donavyn’s hand and let him kiss my knuckles as Hanson had done when he arrived.
But this time, my eyes were full of warning.
‘He’s intrigued.’
‘Did he touch you?’
‘No. But he wants to see me ride.’
‘I’m sure he does.’
Donavyn rose out of the kiss and pulled me to his side, sending a cold glare at Hanson, before turning away without a word, and ushering me over to the side of the balcony where the others stood, regaling each other with tales of Donavyn beating one of the men at cards, to the great delight of the others.
I didn’t look at Hanson again, but I felt his eyes on me as he strode across the balcony then back into the banquet hall.
A wave of laughter rose from the women. I turned to smile when Faye nudged me with her elbow. But when she was distracted again, I looked at Donavyn.
His eyes were black in the dark, tiny pinpoints of light piercing me.
‘Donavyn?’
‘Be careful. That’s all, Bren. Please be careful.’