Amos scoffed. “You’re telling me there’s an underground village of women—who are also warriors—living with the dragons, and you’re asking me if I’m okay?” He cringed when his voice volleyed between high and low.
Rainer patted Amos’ shoulder and dropped his arm. “I thought you’d be happy to know you didn’t kill anyone.”
That hadn’t even registered. He turned to Sasha. “You knew.” She nodded once and guilt stabbed him in the gut. Walking over to her, he reached to touch the side of her neck and whispered, “I’m sorry for what I said.” She nudged him and nuzzled his side.
Rainer approached Amos and rubbed Sasha’s nose. “She told Ember that had you not reacted the way you did, she would have been disappointed.”
Amos tried to laugh, but he was emotionally drained. Knowing he didn’t kill those women lightened him some, but the fact that he’d done it, knowing there was a chance they would die, still killed something inside him.
Before long, there wouldn’t be anything left to kill, and that scared him more than anything.
7
Clover,
You missed the target again today. Not by much, but enough that I know Ruth would make you do it ten more times. I should know, she does the same to me.
Since Ruth didn’t see your mishap, I can help. You tend to hit a little too far to the right when you’re distracted. I’d tell Roland to stop watching you, but thenIwouldn’t get to watch you. It’s better if you learn to hit the target while distracted anyway.
Before you get defensive, I had to suffer through three hours of training with your sister and Rainer this morning, and misery loves company.
Write back and tell me not to do something stupid—like push Rainer into the den.
Yours,
Amos
P.S. I had Ruth buy you new nightgowns so you’ll stop insisting on hiding when you climb into bed.
P.P.S. That made me sound like a pervert. I just meant that since you don’t like them, you should have some you like.
Amos,
I didn’t miss the target. I was practicing aiming at different spots on the tree.
I’m not distracted by Eddy (I refuse to call him Roland). I’m thinking. You should try it sometime before threatening to kill your relatives.
You sound restless. Try learning a new hobby. Maybe Alice will teach you to knit, then you can make me a new nightgown, since you’re so concerned with mine. Thank you for sending them, by the way. I’ll write to Ruth and thank her too. They’re so soft and fit much better than what the orphanage gives us.
If you’re really watching me through Eddy, you have to stop. Amelia keeps commenting on him staring at me. Why would you do that anyway? It’s a little weird.
Clover
P.S. You can complain about training with the Hydra all you’d like, but you feel happier now. It makes me happier too.
Clover,
You’re right. I am happier here than I’ve ever been. Truthfully, I’m just waiting for something to break or go wrong. It always does. I just hope it doesn’t affect anyone else.
That sounds depressing, and I guess, in a way, it is. You told me once that silence feels safer than speaking, but silence is when I worry the most. During the day, with the Hydra and helping on your father’s ranch, my mind is focused, but at night, lying in bed, there’s nothing to stop the worry.
And from wishing you were here. Your letters help, but I’d rather talk to you in person.
If even for just a minute. Dragon Village is only a half-day’s ride from Friya, and I don’t know how, but I’ll try to figure out a way to get you here for a day or two (if you want).
So if you decide to stop writing one day, at least have the decency to warn me first or I might truly go mad and send Rainer into the abyss.
Yours,
