Page 130 of A Kingdom of Fire and Fury
I sat on my bed and motioned for her to join me. After a beat, I coaxed her into laying her head on my lap and undid her braids for her. She never liked to have her hair up for long—it always gave her a headache. “How has your stay been, really?”
Clara fell silent. “I missed you every day, but I knew you were working hard, so I did the same.” She tensed under me. “I liked it.” She said it so softly, like it was something to be ashamed of.
Immediately, I wanted to take all of her insecurities away. “We’ve had a hard life. Of course you’d like it.” But I wasn’t going to tell her that that little admission was like a knife to my heart.Stop being selfish, Selena.“It’ll be an adjustment, but I know you’ll be happy here. And we’ll get to be together.”
Clara leaned into my touch and closed her eyes. “Wes told me I’d get to stay. I didn’t think it’d happen this soon.” She peeked open an eye. “I’m glad we won’t be separated.”
“Me too.” I smiled and ran my fingers along her curls.
“Do you think Wes will stay with us?” The whispered confession, the obvious hope, was anotherdagger.
I bit back my initial response. “You’re family of a dragonsguard now. I think they’ll keep a bodyguard with you to keep you safe. So… it’s possible.” As much as I wanted to kick that jerk to the curb, Clara had come to rely on him.Maybe Kieran can push for him to stay with her.
It killed me when I felt Clara relax.Ishould’ve been the one she felt safe around, but she didn’t. At least not completely. Not anymore.
“I hope so,” she whispered. “I’m really proud of you, Selena.”
I laughed. Clara had always been an old soul. “I tried to keep my promise and not be so rash.” But I was in the end. Kieran liked to call me a siren, but I couldn’t resist his call either.
Clara smiled. “I’m glad. I knew you’d make a home for yourself.”
My gut twisted. Because I shouldn’t have, not without Clara here. But it’d be fine. We’d make this place a hometogetheronce everything was settled. “I have to go on another mission. It’s too important for me to pass, but after that, we’re going to set down roots, okay?”
Something flickered in Clara’s expression, but it faded fast. “That sounds nice. I’ll miss you.”
I ran my fingers through her hair. “It won’t be long. Everything will be okay, I promise.”
CHAPTER THIRTY-SEVEN
I could tell Clara wasn’t too happy to hear us strategizing at breakfast. She clenched her fork, and her eyes darted between Kieran and me. It was probably hard on her to know that I was going straight into the heart of danger and she couldn’t do anything about it.
“Do you think I could see Umara?” she whispered to me once we put our dishes away.
I couldn’t say no to her, not when she’d been so distressed all morning. I spared a glance where Wes lingered, distracted by Nimue.Gods, I fucking love her.I’d have to do something nice for her later. “Alright, but we’re not telling your guard.” No need for him to flip out.
Clara smiled. “Okay.”
So here the two of us were, standing in the field after taking a carriage to our training grounds. It was a little longer than going on horseback, but I didn’t want to tire Clara out before we even started. Besides, it was nice to watch her expression as we strolled through the capital in luxury. This was a life we never thought we could dream of.And it’s ours. It’s all ours.
I breathed in the air, loving how the smell of pine trees filled my nose. Then I reached for the bond Umara and I shared andtugged.We didn’t have to wait long for Umara to come. Her curiosity was so strong, I could’ve mistaken it as my own.
When Umara was first spotted, Clara reached out to grip my hand, squeezing it so tight, it ached. The ground shook as she landed. Umara stood tall, not bothering to make her appearance less intimidating, but I wasn’t worried. Umara might hate everyone, but she’d never harm my sister. Not when she knew how important she was to me. Those intelligent golden eyes looked down at us, so ancient it took my breath away.
Clara released my hand and walked over in a daze. I had half a mind to pull her back, because while Umara was my dragon, she wasa dragonwith a ridiculous sense of pride. Clara stopped inches before her. Umara didn’t lower her neck, still looking down at her. Her golden scales glittered in the sunlight, so breathtakingly beautiful. I never tired of it. Umara was by far the prettiest dragon here.
“Thank you,” Clara said loudly. She didn’t shake, didn’t lower her gaze. “Thank you for looking after my sister.”
Umara purred. She lowered her head until it was inches from Clara’s face.
I grinned. “She says you can pet her.”
Clara didn’t take her eyes away from Umara. “She can talk?” She sounded almost wistful.
“Not through words. She sends emotions, but it’slike talking.” And what was going through the bond waspride, joy, fondness, wistfulness, sorrow, hope.If I were to put it in words, it’d be something like a mother calling to her nestling. Clara had just gained a powerful protector.
Clara slowly raised her trembling hand. Inch by inch, she got closer to Umara. When she connected with her golden scales, Clara froze. Time froze as they stared at one another. After a beat, Clara smiled and stroked her scales. “You’re the most beautiful creature I’ve ever seen.”
Umara purred and nudged her head against Clara’s hand.
