Chapter 38 Maneuverings
~ brEN ~
With only two days left of the festival, the castle was bustling. I spent a frustrating and anxious day trying to hunt down Hanson, and even Ruin, in case they were together. But I had no luck.
At lunch, I introduced Gil to Grace. My brother was now dressed in his leathers and looked very dashing, his bright eyes emphasized by the near-black leather, though he’d worn his plainest set to avoid assumptions about the dragons.
We called him my guard, and so far, no one had questioned it.
I prayed the king and queen wouldn’t. I prayed a lot.
All day. As I traversed the castle, growing increasingly worried for Donavyn’s safety.
As I hunted for Hanson at the lunch table, even passing down the hallway where his and Ruin’s rooms were, just in case.
And as my nerves ratcheted higher and higher, my senses screaming.
They’re going to kill Donavyn.
It’s all a ploy to get you away from him so you don’t witness it.
You’re going to lose your mate.
At some point, Donavyn must have urged the dragons closer to the castle, because I began to hear Akhane in my head, her worry evident, but also her steadying grace.
‘Breathe, Little Flame.’
‘I am. But I can’t find him!’
‘Whatever is meant to be, will be. Trust.’
‘But what if they’re killing Donavyn!’
‘They aren’t. He’s in your rooms. He and Voski. They are working. Together. He speaks with Kgosi. He’s safe.’
That helped me steady.
‘Will you stay close to the castle, Akhane?’
‘Kgosi and I will both remain close from now on. Donavyn has told the king it’s the dragon’s honor to him for the end of the festival, but it is for easy flight in the event we must flee.’
I told Gil what was happening and he grunted. He’d barely spoken, following me around the castle, bowing when he was introduced to any nobles, but otherwise scanning every room and shadow, and looking very fierce.
Under different circumstances, I would have been amused when servants' eyes widened at the sight of my brother as we prowled the halls. But now, after what we’d learned—or believed we’d learned—it felt… necessary.
The disappearance of Hanson during the day had always seemed like a powerful man who didn’t like to socialize, hiding himself away because he was rich and he could. But now it felt like a plot. An intentional dodge.
I wanted to scream.
When I still hadn’t located Hanson two hours after lunch, I had no choice but to make my way down to the modiste for the queen’s latest creation.
It was the last place I hoped to find Hanson before the Ball that night.
But, frustratingly, the one time I wanted him to corner me, the man was a ghost. And no one I considered safe to ask had seen Ruin, either.
That made more sense, since we knew Ruin had gone into the city and was likely sending messages through more than one source. But it made me nervous.
If we didn’t know where he was, we couldn’t keep eyes on him to make sure Donavyn was safe.
Then, finally, I’d been dressed, pressed the vial down my cleavage, and Gil passed me my blade—which I’d have to strap to my thigh because this bodice was lower at the front, and had a much shorter corset that cut straight across my waist, the skirts gathered all the way around.
It was much easier to move in, but there was nowhere discreet to conceal a weapon.
I didn’t like having a blade only available under thick skirts, but it was better than none at all.
‘Akhane, is Donavyn still in our rooms?’
I’d left the modiste with barely enough time to get to the ball, but I was willing to be late if it meant a few minutes to reassure myself that Donavyn was still unharmed.
‘No, he and Kgosi are speaking with Benji at the stables. I can reach him if you need to send a message, or if he sends one for you. I will remain close.’
‘Just… tell him that I’m on my way to the ball—with Gil—and… I love him.’
Moments later she sent me a memory, the exact sound and texture of my mate’s voice, reassuring me. ‘I love you too. Stay safe.’
I took a deep breath as we turned the final corner for the Ballroom.
“Breathe, Bren,” Gil murmured from behind my right shoulder.
I hadn’t realized I’d been holding my breath. I let it ease from my chest and focused on long, deep breaths until we made it to the crowd waiting at the first set of high double doors.
I joined the line with Gil and tried to focus.
“Watch for Grace,” I whispered to him under the level of the hum of conversation in the echoing hallway.
“She’s na?ve and she wants adventure, and Ruin has an eye for her.
Watch over her. If I’m with Hanson and he gets intense, don’t worry.
He’s just that way. I need to be alone with him to get to the bottom of this. ”
“You also need a signal in case you aren’t the only one with intentions for tonight,” Gil muttered.
“Something I can see from across the room, but that won’t draw attention.
And just in case, don’t forget the safeword.
If you say that while we’re in conversation, I’ll find a reason to remove you immediately. ”
Rueflower. Ironically, the word I’d chosen because it reminded me of Ruin. I nodded, and made myself breathe slowly. “The signal… I’ll touch my chin with three fingers if there’s a problem.”
“Got it.”
“Thank you. But if you don’t see that, I need you to keep your distance if Hanson’s near. I need to speak with him—”
“Why, my Lady Brennan, are you waiting?”
Hanson’s voice was a dark purr. My heart leaped into my throat, but I caught myself and turned calmly to face him, allowing him to take my hand and brush my knuckles with a kiss. His eyes heated as he scanned me, but turned cold when they landed on Gil.
“Lord Hanson, I am awaiting my turn to enter the festivities,” I said with a soft laugh, but a pointed look at him.
“Where is your General, who could sweep you to the front of the line?”
“He is… I’m not sure. Very busy with his very important work, as I’m sure you understand,” I said quickly turning to Gil, as if I didn’t want to discuss it. “Gil, this is Lord Hanson, the one I told you about.”
Gil bowed and introduced himself.
Hanson’s lips thinned. “You’re the guard for Lady Brennan?”
“He is—and my brother.”
Hanson straightened and regarded Gil from his toes to his nearly-shaved head and arched one brow. “You look nothing alike.”
“Bren is chosen family,” Gil said smoothly, without even a hint of a smile. “But she is precious to me as a sister.”
“Seeing a woman as a sister? That’s a first” The voice was cold, and cocky and came from behind me.
Gil and I both turned. Ruin stood there, splendid in sleek black leathers, his expression flat and eyes dark—and fixed on Gil.
Gil smiled. “Good to see you, Ruin. Very good. I’ve been looking for you. Slippery little bugger, aren’t you?”
Ruin’s gaze flattened and he turned to Hanson. “You don’t want to get mixed up with this one, trust me.”
I pretended to be shocked. “But… Ruin… what a cruel thing to say.”
“Don’t worry, Sis,” Gil said with a wicked grin. “Ruin’s just feeling a little inadequate. He’ll get over it.”
Ruin’s jaw twitched, but he didn’t rise to the bait, instead turning his focus to Hanson. “Shall we go in?”
Hanson nodded, then offered me his arm. “Please, Lady Brennan. Allow me.”
I almost said no. I almost recoiled. But I’d been looking for him all day. And Donavyn’s insistence rang in my head.
Find out what he knows. Use whatever means you believe are necessary. Just… take brothers with you. Stay safe. Come back to me. We’ll figure this out together. I promise you.
“So kind,” I said demurely. “But I couldn’t leave my brother out here alone…?”
“He should join us, of course,” Hanson said tightly.
I could feel the tension in him, but he covered it well, leading me to the top of the stairs, barely pausing for the footmen to open the doors before walking me through—not stopping when the Cryer announced us to the ballroom, and ignoring the dozens of pairs of eyes that turned to look the moment they heard my name with his.
Ruin was announced as an afterthought, and Gil, assumed to be a servant, wasn’t mentioned at all.
He didn’t mind, but Ruin smirked.
We’d barely made it to the floor and found seats near Faye before Hanson leaned into my ear and asked me to dance.
“I can’t leave my brother here alone,” I hedged for no reason except to increase his impatience. “He doesn’t know anyone. And he doesn’t like me to be far.”
“I’m very protective,” Gil said flatly from the position he’d taken behind my chair.
Ruin rolled his eyes. But Hanson glanced between us and I saw his sharp mind calculating, measuring, clicking that there was a dynamic at play he didn’t understand.
He didn’t like it.
“Perhaps your brother would allow me to accompany you to the drinks table? Refreshment may help… refresh you?”
I looked up at Gil, as if asking a question, then smiled and nodded to Hanson. “He can keep eyes on us from here,” I said as if it pleased me, then offered my hand again.
As he ushered me through the ballroom I looked over my shoulder a few times, watching Gil and Ruin.
Ruin was seated with Faye and a few other women, looking bored—and tense—while Gil stood nearby, beaming.
It wasn’t until we’d been handed drinks and Hanson ushered me to the quieter, open spot at the end of the table that he spoke. “Is he truly your brother?” he asked, his eyes on Gil.
I almost balked. Almost pretended offense. But when Hanson’s eyes snapped to mine, I knew it would only infuriate him. He’d been insistent that he was candid with me, and although I didn’t trust his motives, I did believe he’d kept his word.