Page 133 of A Kingdom of Fire and Fury
That. Bitch.Aurelia probably made it sound like she was doing something noble. And my sister didn’t want me to worry or do something reckless, so she soaked it up like a sponge. “Clara, tell me what happened before I lose my shit.”
Clara grabbed my hand. “Don’t overreact. I’m okay. Please, Selena.”
I exhaled. If Kieran knew… he better not have known. “I won’t. Just tell me what happened.”
“When we were out in town, I came face to face with a gryphon. But it didn’t attack me. Or at least, not right away. I got lucky. Wes killed it before it could move.”
My pulse skyrocketed. I searched Clara for any hint of an injury, even though I knew there wouldn’t be one. I had to resist the urge to lock her into my room and never let her out again. “He really killed it?” When Clara nodded, I couldn’t help but feel impressed. “Maybe he’s not a total waste of space.”
“Selena,” Clara complained.
I smiled. “What? I’m agreeing with you.” When herlook continued, I added, “I’ll learn to get along with him as long as he doesn’t put you down. Don’t ever let anyone dim your light, okay? Do what you love. Fly again with me tomorrow.” Okay, maybe I couldn’t keep my mouth shut.
Clara fell silent. “Okay. I’ll talk to Wes. I know you’ll keep me safe. That was never a doubt.” She smiled. “Be careful, okay? I really missed you.”
“I will. You won’t be alone this time. Nimue will look after you while I’m gone. And let me give you back—”
“No!” Clara said. My hand froze on the pendant that I was about to take off. “Keep it. It’s your reminder to come back to me.”
“I always will.”
Clara smiled, her eyes watering slightly.
Wes didn’t waste time confronting me. The moment I walked out of my room, he jumped up from his seat and strode toward me. I met his glare head on. This talk was a long time coming for the both of us.
I led him toward the rooftop where we could talk in private. The moment the door shut, and we were alone, I swirled on him and folded my arms. “I know what I’m doing.”
He scowled. “But do you? You weren’t there. You didn’t see her fall apart the day after.”
My stomach tightened. “Shut. Up. I made a mistake, and I’ll spend my life atoning for that, but she’s doing better than she was before. You can’t denythat.” If I looked at it objectively, her suffering was worth it. She was happier now and had the medicine she desperately needed to survive. She’d live longer because of the short term pain. But my heart didn’t feel the same. I dreamt of her face at the execution over and over again.
“You take too many risks—”
“Shut the fuck up!” Energy thrummed under my skin. I glared, clenching my hands into fists.
Wes scowled, falling silent for a moment as he gathered his thoughts. “I care for Clara. If you fuck up, she won’t die. She wouldn’t do that, but she’d be devastated. And all alone. An orphan by all accounts. I don’t want her to lose you.”
I let out a shaky breath. “And I’m going to try my damnest to make sure she doesn’t. But I can’t go up against Luther and reject this mission. And I hate to say it, but I shouldn’t reject it. I heard about what happened—the gryphon. How could you let her be out in the open like that?”
He barked a laugh. “You have no idea what you’re talking about. Andyou,of all people, to lecture me on her safety.”
I clenched my jaw. We could go round in circles all night. “I have to do this mission. For her long term safety, it’s what’s best. If you care for her, you need to protect her with your life while I’m away. Do you got that?”
Wes raised his chin. “My life is hers. Not just for the mission, but for the rest of my days. Don’t die. It’d break her heart.”
There wasn’t much to say after that. I hated him being in her life, but Clara needed him. And even worse yet, he made her happy. With that conversation settled, I went to Kieran’s room. I couldn’t go back to mine. If I saw Clara, the dam I held back might break. So many things were out of my control, but this… being with him was like coming home.
I opened the door to see Kieran lying in bed and reading a book. His eyes softened when he looked at me. I wasted no time stalking over and straddling him. “Did you know that a gryphon attacked my sister?”
“No.” The weight of his gaze—I knew he wasn’t lying. A wave of relief crashed over me. “Good. Because when it comes to her safety, I need to know.”
“I understand.” He stroked my back. “I’ll always tell you.”
I sighed. Thank fuck. I hadn’t wanted to think about the alternative… “I hate your brother sometimes.”
Kieran laughed. “You’re not alone in that. He has his head up his ass.”
“He thinks he knows my sister better than I do. He thinks he can protect her better.” I scowled. “And I think he might be right. About the latter. Definitely not the former.”
