Page 64 of A Blightress of Wrath
“It’snot that, son,” my mother began, “of course we are relieved you are not drowned at the bottom of theHatchery, but takingSaeout of theSpirefor hours…” she trailed, shaking her head. “Thisisn’t likeFelgren.Youtwo cannot go about like you have normal lives.She’stheBaron’sdaughter.She’sactively being sought after by theBlightressherself, and she doesn't understand the extent of any of this.”
“Shedeserves to see the world.”Myvoice hardened in my rising anger. “Shedeserves to live her life, and ifIcan help her do that,I’mgoing to.”
“Hermother was worried?—”
Icut my father off with a wave. “Hermother is always worried.Alwayscalculating ways to keep her daughter from any harm, which keeps her closed up like a precious stone in a box.Ifanyone should see what this world is like, it’s her.Sheshould be out there with us.Sheshould be given the opportunity to understand what we fight for.Whather father fought for.”
“Andyou’ve told her?Whatit’s like on the front lines?” my mother asked in her quiet way.
“Yes.She’sheard it from me.Butshe needs to see it.Ifwe could just take her to theBlightLine?—”
“It’snot our choice,” my father cut in. “That’sup to theBaron, and a decision will be made at the gathering tonight.”
Ilet out a deep breath, gulping down most of the tea. “I’dbetter get ready.”Irose and headed toward my room.
Mymother murmured something to my father and then followed, her steps light on the stone floor. “MayIcome in?”Shestood at the open door asIchucked off my shirt, headed toward the washing room.
“Yes.”
Iloved my parents.They’dgiven me a hard task in life, but had loved and cared for me every step of the way, allowing me to find and learn my place in the isle, never berating me too hard whenImade mistakes.Theyhad let me live whereSaelynhad not been able to.AdventuringthroughFelgrenwasn’t like adventuring outside of it.Iknew that.Ofcourse,Iknew that.
“Yourclothes are laid out for you in the closet,” she said, pulling at the hem of her ruby silk gloves that slid past her elbows.
Inodded, headed there before her next words stopped me. “DoesSaelynknow your feelings for her?”
Myheart thudded in my chest andIturned. “Sheknows enough.”
“Andher response?” she pressed.
“We’refriends,Mother.”
“You’remore than that.”
“We’renot,”Isaid curtly. “We’rebest friends.Nothingmore.”
“Shecares deeply for you and you, her.Weall see it.”
Iscoffed and called back to her from inside the closet. “Whatyou see is two people who’ve been friends for a very long time.Shewants it to stay that way, andI’mfine with that.”
“Shejust needs time,Thevin.Don’tgive up on her.”
Istuck my head out from the closet. “I’mnot giving up on her.Ifanyone here is onSae’sside, it’s me.”Icontinued to dress, donning the velvet cerulean jacket and flicking up the high collar of my shirt.ThepantsI’dbeen given were a midnight blue, a contrast to the hue of the jacket.Ileft the shirt open slightly at the chest, as was the fashion and rolled back the sleeves of my jacket, showing off the silk pattern of yellow leaves underneath—another of theSpire’scustoms.
Mymother followed me to the washing room. “She’llneed you before long when she truly understands just how different life is outside ofFelgren.”Clearingher throat, she added, “Outsideof theSpire.”
Isplashed my face with cool water, patting it dry and grabbing the comb to manage the curls at the top of my head. “Shehas me,”Iresponded, catching the stare of my mother in the seashell mirror. “There’snothing moreIcan do than be there for her, andI’mgoing to keep doing that.”
Shenodded once, stepping closer to smooth the lines of my jacket. “Shehas a good friend.Thebest kind there is.”
Herwords stung, grating against my skin.
BecauseIwanted more than that.I’dtake whatIhad withSaeand be happy with it, but if my parents could see howIfelt…Iknew they couldn’t be the only ones.
IdecidedIdidn’t care.Letthem pity me.Letthem wonder whySaedidn’t want our relationship to change.I’dwondered the same over and over since the night a few days ago whenI’dlaid it all out, letting her choose to take the risk or not.
“I’mready,”Ifinally replied, pulling at the collar one more time and taking one last glance in the mirror.
“Youlook handsome.”Shesmiled at me and the soft lines around her eyes crinkled, for once showing her age.
