Page 58 of Silver Claws, Crimson Tears
“Over here,” Adelaide points to an empty table in the corner. Far from Vaylen’s group, but with a clear line of sight to him.
“I’ll get us drinks,” Nate offers, already heading toward the bar.
He returns with three tankards. “Sorry, Rhea. The barkeep said you already had yours?”
I wave a hand to indicate it’s all right.
Phoebe waves over a server. “Can we get food? Something with meat and bread and lots of butter. I’m starving.”
“You just woke up,” Adelaide teases.
“Exactly. Slept through dinner.” Phoebe’s eyes flick to me. “Enough food for everyone, please.”
I almost smile. She’s ordering for my benefit, making sure I eat without calling attention to my still-thin frame. The thought of food turns my stomach, even though I was hungry just moments ago. Still, I need strength if I’m going to chase down these memories, survive a trial, and get back on my dragon to fight Screechclaws.
“Phoebe,” Nate says, “you missed the High Prime’s announcement about Rhea’s return. It seems Silas still has it in for her. He was being an ass.”
“When isn’t he?” Adelaide rolls her eyes.
The tavern’s chatter washes over me, grounding me in the present. Watching Nate’s animated gestures—even as he talks about that asshole—feels almost normal. I catch myselfglancing at Vaylen, watching how the candlelight catches those gold streaks in his hair. When he laughs at something Dakar says, the knot in my chest loosens a bit more.
The food arrives in steaming, fragrant glory. Golden-crusted bread, roasted meat glistening with drippings, and vegetables swimming in butter. My stomach growls audibly, betraying my earlier indifference.
“Better eat before it gets cold,” Nate pushes a plate toward me, his expression turning serious. “Listen, Rhea, I should warn you… Silas has been running his mouth about you to anyone who’ll listen. He’s trying to turn opinion against you before your trial even starts.”
I tear into the bread, savoring the way it dissolves on my tongue. “Let him talk. I’ve got bigger problems than Silas Pyrewing’s hurt feelings.”
“He’s not just being petty,” Adelaide adds, leaning forward. “He’s telling everyone you cheated your way through training, that you never mastered basic wind techniques and shouldn’t have gotten your wings.”
I set down my bread. Yes, I failed at Wind Spear and Wind Dagger despite hours of practice, and it took a painful revelation to understand why I struggled with those skills. My mind built a wall around the memory of those same spears piercing my mother’s pregnant body. My own Wind Spears, wild and uncontrolled, killed her and my unborn sibling. The knowledge still tears me apart inside. Biting my lower lip, I wonder if I would be able to perform the technique now. Or would I still fail?
“I never figured out how Silas knew about my training struggles,” I say bitterly.
Adelaide’s face falls. “Rhea, I swear?—”
“I know.” I shake my head. “I’m sorry for accusing you before.”
The memory of my anger that day burns hot with shame now. I blatantly accused her without proof.
Adelaide’s eyes widen with surprise. “Wow, an apology!”
“Shocking, isn’t it?” I manage a small smile. “Your face when you saw I was alive... that wasn’t the face of someone who betrayed me.”
“I wouldn’t.” Her voice catches. “When they said you were gone—” She shakes her head, silver-streaked hair falling across her face. “We thought you were dead, Rhea.”
“So then who told Silas?” Phoebe asks, frowning.
I shrug. “No idea, but it doesn’t matter. I’ll just have to prove him and anyone who believes him wrong.”
Phoebe nods enthusiastically. “Of course, because you never killed anyone.” Her green eyes flash with conviction. “You’ll be found innocent. Besides, you never cheated to get a dragon. Everyone knows that’s rubbish.”
I almost choke because Ihavekilled. Cindergrasp. Not to mention my own mother. But I can’t tell them that, not now, not here. Maybe not ever. I swallow hard, the weight of my secrets strangling the peace of mind I desperately need.
“Exactly.” Nate slams his tankard down with enough force to splash beer onto the table. “Plus, you’re a badass in battle, Rhea. Once you join us in combat, no one will believe Silas’s wyrm-shit—to borrow Dakar’s term.”
I raise an eyebrow. “What gave you the idea I’m a badass in combat?”
The question seems to surprise him. He exchanges glances with Adelaide before answering.
