Page 83 of A Kingdom of Fire and Fury
Clara’s eyes watered, and she laughed. “I’m okay. Honest. I—I really like where I am. Please don’t do anything rash, Selena.”
I let out a shaky breath. “Truly? I’m doing my best to be responsible.”I almost ruined everything not even a month ago.“The king sent me on a mission, and I succeeded but… but it’ll be at least a year before I’m able to visit regularly.” I led her back toward the bed and sat down. Even though she was doing better, I knew from experience long periods of standing made her tired. “Will you be okay until then?”
How honest are your letters?
What are you hiding from me?
Do you need me to go rogue?
Clara squeezed my hand. “I will. Wes’s been really kind to me. I…” Her cheeks burned bright red. “I like it where I am. So, even though I hate waiting, I’m okay to wait. And…” Her eyes darted to Wes, her flush deepening. “You can trust people, Selena. Not everyone is out to get you.”
I narrowed my eyes at Wes but forced a smile when Clara looked at me.That asshole better keep his dick to himself or I’m cutting it off.“What have you been up to?”
She smiled and tucked a strand of hair behind her ear. “I’ll show you.” She led me to the closet where ahuge wooden chest was. She flung it open, revealing about twenty different canvases. Terrible would be putting the artwork lightly, but I found myself grinning from ear to ear at the pieces. I could see the excitement in her strokes. The two of us had never done something as frivolous as painting.
She’s so much better off without me.A pang reverberated through my chest at the whispered thought.
Clara grabbed the painting at the top of the pile and offered it to me. “Wes has been teaching me how to paint. I’m not very good at it, but it’s fun.”
“Nonsense. You just have an… abstract style,” Wes said.
It took everything I had not to glare at him, especially when Clara giggled. “It’s okay. I know I’m terrible. But it’s a lot of fun.”
“You just need some more practice.” I rummaged through the paintings, smiling at the childish dashes of color all over them.
“This one’s for you.” Clara handed me the last painting. My eyes widened. It was me with my hands chained to the ground at the gallows and golden flames surrounding me. Umara stood across, her gaze heavy as she stared at me. The entire piece was… abstract was probably the best word for it with how the colors moved in a haze.
“Why would you…”Why paint this?I’d been so terrified in that moment, sure that my sister would have to witness my demise and get the Traitor’s Brand on her hand.
Clara swallowed. “Umara saved you, saved us both. She stopped my world from completely falling apart. I can’t forget that moment… it’s branded in my mind. So I—I wanted to paint it.”
A lump formed in the back of my throat. “I’m sorry, Clara. I’ll work hard to get in Luther’s good graces. Then you’ll be able to come back home, okay?”
Clara nodded, her eyes darting over my shoulder before focusing back on me. “Okay.”
The rest of the visit wasn’t as heavy. She told me about the hobbies she’d taken up, about how Wes helped her get accepted by the villagers she stayed with. It was all too obvious how she censored herself, not because it was bad, but because she couldn’t reveal where she was staying.
Hearing and seeing the clear joy in her voice was both devastating and uplifting. I wanted her to be happy, of course, but it was so obvious she had never felt this way with me.Stop being so selfish.It was almost a relief when it was time to go.
I pulled Clara into a tight hug. “Be a good girl. Don’t get into any trouble.”
“Rich coming from you.” She grinned.
Wes followed Ben and me into the hallway, the easy smile fading once Clara couldn’t see him. I folded my arms. “Keep your hands to yourself. If I find out you’ve touched her—”
Wes blanched, the tips of his ears reddening. “I—I wouldn’t—”
Ben snickered. “Oh, hesowould.”
I shot Ben a glare. “Just don’t touch her, or Umara will torch you.”
Wes glowered, but his bright red ears ruined the effect. “Keep yourself out of trouble. Clara doesn’t need you upending her entire worldagain.”
I clutched at the painting she’d offered me. “Is she really okay?”
Wes’s glare lightened. “She’s settling in, and her peers are coming around. It was rough at first, but she’s found her footing now that you’ve been officially knighted into the dragonsguard. I’d hate for her to have to start all over again.”
The man wasn’t even trying to be subtle. But on this front, we were both in agreement. “I want her to thrive and to be happy. Whatever I have to do to achieve that, I will.”
