Page 21

Amias

It was difficult to make small talk after that car ride. Even while shopping, she kept her silence.

I've tried to strike up conversation again, mentioning the day before or asking her about things she likes, but she never followed up with an proper answer.

Eventually, evening comes, and I finish putting away groceries for her. "Okay… done!" I puff my chest at her newly filled and organized refrigerator.

I look at Clara who sits at the edge of her bed, wearing a weak smile. "Thanks."

My pride melts away. She's only been giving me one word answers. Her mind is still on what I said about dreamscreechers. She has such an empathy for those dreamscreechers that wouldn't be able to give it back to her. She doesn't even realize it.

I've been avoiding talking about it. Grandmother taught me not to listen to dreamscreecher fetishists and sympathizers. I shouldn't listen to their delusions.

But I stare at her, with her head drooping and her amber eyes blazing. She's pissed with me and I sense that she would incinerate me if she had the chance.

Guilt tightens my throat. How can I help this girl if she's still angry about what I’d said?

“You don't seem…enthused…” I murmur, folding my arms.

She shrugs, her expression unchanged. “I'm tired.”

I narrow my eyes. Her anger is more transparent than the cleanest glass window. “Is there… something you want to talk about?”

“No.” Her shoulders drop. “You've already done enough for me. I'd rather you go off and enjoy the rest of your day, so I can catch up on sleep.” She directs her stare towards the ground, avoiding eye contact. Such a small gesture, but yet such an obvious one.

Maybe the only way I can handle this is by giving her distance. “Are you sure?”

“Yes. Thanks…for the food.” Her smile remains small as she finally looks up at me. Those eyes, on the other hand, betray any guise of friendliness.

“Yeah. No problem.” Maybe it's better if it plays out this way.

Like Grandmother says, I don't need delusions.

It's better to cut off any conversation of dreamscreecher support and propaganda.

Conversations poison the mind into thinking that those creatures are okay.

You get lost and the actual truth becomes muddled.

I make my way towards the door to get my shoes on and be on my merry way, but I sense fire at the back of my head, burning like it's licking the nape of my neck.

I turn back and meet those ferocious eyes, paired with a subtle but visible scowl. Her glare doesn't move, almost as if challenging me. Daring me. Whatever she wants to say is burning enough inside her, and she's waiting for me to say something to release it.

Should I push back against her?

I turn away. No. Grandmother told me not to listen, and Clara told me to get out.

I take three steps forward before sensing the lick of blazing fire again, making the back of my neck tighten and putting pressure on the back of my skull. I can feel her stare, even if I'm not looking. I can almost hear her mocking me, all because I'm too much of a coward to challenge her.

But I'm not a coward. I'm just doing what's right.

But if I'm right, shouldn't an argument be an easy win? I can't lose when the truth is on my side.

But Grandmother… she said I'm an easy target for delusions.

But that suggests that I'm too naive and gullible to say anything. I want to prove her wrong.

Thoughts tug me between choices, before I finally face Clara again. I'm not gullible. I've been taught by Grandmother herself. Shouldn't she have more faith in me to handle these debates properly?

I can speak up without getting sucked into fantasies. “Are you gonna say what's on your mind?” I growl out the words. “Or are you gonna keep burning a hole through my skull?”

The fire in her eyes flickers. “What?”

“I know you're still pissed about what I said in the car. I'd rather you just say what's on your mind.”

She twists her lips. “I already said enough. Too much even.”

“Because you support dreamscreechers?”

She falls silent for a moment. Veins popping up against the skin on her arms aren't hard to miss. “What? Are you trying to get me to say something that gets me killed?”

“No one in this kingdom would kill you, but those ideas might.” I take a deep breath. “I won't get you in trouble for it. I'd rather you challenge me than silence yourself.”

“And you, the prince of Amara, are okay with me challenging your beliefs?”

“I've been told I'm easy prey for dreamscreechers, and I’d like to prove that wrong. Besides, I’d rather you let out your ideas and debate it more than anything else. Punishments don't bring anyone closer to the truth.”

She tilts her head sideways, her eyes still blazing. I don't dare to look away, hungry for an answer.

This should be interesting.

She purses her lips. “I understand that the dreamscreechers that attacked the mall were terrible. I get that, but do you really think getting rid of a whole species is the right way to solve those attacks? Especially knowing that only a few participated?”

I snort out of shock. “It's more than just a few. The whole species is the same way.”

“Oh? And you've met all dreamscreechers, haven't you?” The mockery dancing in her eyes matches her tongue.

I scowl and fold my arms “I don't need to know every dreamscreecher to know how they are. Besides, it's been like this for centuries. They've attacked and murdered our people, even when we've tried to make peace with them, and nothing has changed. The only solution is to get rid of them all.”

She grunts. “That's one of the stupidest answers I've ever heard.”

“Why? There would be no dreamscreechers left to attack us, and no more innocent lives will be lost by their claws.” I lean back. What'll she say after that?

“Oh…” She shakes her head as if I had suggested the sky was green. “So if that's the case, we should get rid of all of Amara.”

I perk a brow. What? “Why?”

“I mean, a good lot of you are murderers … rapists…” She scoffs. “If we just got rid of the whole kingdom, there would be no Amarians to commit crimes.”

I scrunch my nose. The way she puts it makes me sound…

Stupid…

No. These are dreamscreechers we're talking about. “It's not the same. Evil is written in their blood.”

“How do you know?” She stands up from the bed and takes a step towards me. “What evidence do you have for that?”

I don't move from her gaze. I let her fiery eyes burn through me, as if she could see the wall behind me. My heart jumps, and my face flushes.

I don't know why, but this challenge feels exciting.

I like being challenged. I've never been challenged like this about my beliefs on dreamscreechers. I've been taught to never engage in this kind of conversation.

But this … This I can get used to. A test of my logic. Of my ideas. Of my way of life.

I smirk. “I'll gladly give you evidence. I just need to do a little research, and you'll understand.”

She blushes as her brows knit together. Fire still burns in her eyes. Some strands of her hair get in the way of her face, with Estrella's star coating her in orange light.

Something about her in this light looks… incredible…

Silence falls between us. Clara's eyes search mine, a sneer tugging at her lips. Hairs on the back of my neck prick up.

She steps away towards the bed and sits down.

“Then you better start searching. I bet you'll find nothing but indoctrinating puppets getting paid to spew lies.”

“We'll see about it.” I walk past her to get my shoes on. Once that's done, I look at her once more as her eyes are directed to the floor.

I'll prove her wrong, and she'll be able to see the truth my way.

I just need evidence.