Page 132 of A Kingdom of Fire and Fury
I hated the way Clara flinched and hunched her shoulders.
“Our dragons are trained to carry people if need be,” Kieran cut in, a glint in his eyes. “Umara isn’t inexperienced, and she’s bonded to Selena. She’d never harm her family.”
I could practically see the steam coming out of Wes’s ears. “This was a needless risk.”
Clara wrung her hands together. “I—I had a lot of fun. And… and it was safe. Really, I never felt safer.”
Wes softened. “I’m glad you had fun, but you can’t do this again.” He looked at Kieran. “You said it yourself. Riders don’t control dragons. Anything could have happened.”
My anger burned hot. Hours later and it hadn’t let up. How fucking dare Wes kill Clara’s smile. She’d been silent all through dinner. I was relieved when she let me bring her back to my room. “That looks like Umara.” For the first time since Wes fucked everything up, Clara had a soft smile on her face as she pointed to the golden dragon plush on my bed.
I flushed. “It was modeled after her. I got it at my welcoming festival.”
Clara held it up, and I had to resist the urge to take it from her. “Who gave it to you?”
“Who said I didn’t get it myself?”
She shot me a look. She had me there. I wasn’t the type to buy something so frivolous. “Kieran got it for me.”
Clara’s brows rose. I thought she’d comment on it, but she didn’t. Instead, she said in a soft voice, “I’m happy you kept it.”
I sat down on the bed and avoided her piercing stare. I could tell her about me and Kieran, but I wasn’t sure if she’d keep her mouth shut. Normally, I’d never worry about such a thing, but Wes had way too much influence on her. Gods, just the thought of him brought a scowl to my face. “Lay next to me.” I waited until we were situated before speaking again. “You should go flying again with me tomorrow.”
Clara’s expression crumpled. “Wes—”
“Isn’t your keeper. Flying makes you happy. You were so excited to go. Don’t let him ruin this for you.”
Clara stiffened. “He’s just worried.”
I sat up. “Clara, he’s trying to control you.”
An emotion passed across Clara’s eyes, but it vanished too quickly for me to name it. “You don’t know him, Selena. He’s not what you think. He’s kind.”
I wanted to shake her until she saw the truth. “He’s been your jailor for months, and the only person you could confide in. Of course he gained your trust.”
Clara’s jaw flexed, and she sat up as well. “Kieran Caddel sentenced you to death, but now you trust him. Wes and I might not have met under ideal circumstances, but he cares for me. And I care for him. It’s not like that. Why can’t you trust me?”
The steel backing her words surprised me. As much as I wanted to dismiss her words, her last sentence had forced me not to. “I just worry. Especially after seeing how much he affects you.” Clara was still young, still moldable.
Clara exhaled, but the angry tension in her jaw faded. “I’m not a stupid child. I know when people are taking advantage of me. Just like you do.”
“I have four years on you, Clara. And I’ve been out in the world. You haven’t.”
Another emotion flashed in Clara’s eyes, but she closed them before I could read the emotion. She expelled a breath. “Maybe before you got caught that was true. It’s not anymore. I grew up, Selena. I had to.” Getting stabbed would’ve hurt less. Clara reached forward and took my hand in hers. “I’m not trying to make you feel bad. I just—I want you to see me. It was hard at first, but I found my footing over there. I actually grew to like it over there.”
“Don’t try to make me feel better.” I cupped her face with my other hand. “Look at you calling me out on my bullshit. I’m so proud.”
Clara huffed a laugh. “You’re ridiculous.”
“You’re right.” I lowered my hand. “You had to face everything on your own. You had to be your own strength with no dragon to rely on. You’re tough as shit, and I shouldn’t dismiss that.”
We rested against the headrest. Tomorrow, I’d make sure Clara rode on Umara again. Wes be damned. But that was a fight for tomorrow. Clara had been pushed enough today. “I wish we had more time together, butI have to go on this mission. I don’t want you to think you’re not my priority. You are.”
“I’m glad you’re going.” The venom in her tone had me raising my brows.
“What. Happened?”
Clara winced. “Dragonsguard Aurelia was sent to Wes’s castle on a mission. She swore she wouldn’t tell anyone about what happened. I guess she kept her word.”
