Chapter 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 then I wouldn’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,
Amos
P.S. I’ll never stop looking at you.
Amos,
If you wait for something bad to happen, it will. I know you haven’t told me everything your father has done to you, but he’s not in Dragon Village anymore. Let yourself relax and enjoy your new life.
I look forward to your letters, too. I didn’t realize I needed them as much as I do until I found myself disappointed if I went a week without receiving one.
I’m not sure what excuse I could give Amelia to leave for a day or two, but I can ask Nathaniel and Franny to help me come up with something. Our sixteenth birthdays aren’t far away. I can try to come then.
Write back so I don’t look pathetic waiting for your letters. It’s embarrassing, really.
Clover
P.S. Can you send me a small portrait of yourself? It’s not fair that you get to look at me, but I can’t look at you.
Clover,
You asking for a portrait is unfair.
Not because I mind sending one, but because I don’t have one of you, either. I’ve spent the last hour staring at the portrait I had commissioned, realizing it’s not good enough. I never realized how ridiculous my hair looks until now.
I’ll have another one done and send it, just don’t expect anything impressive. I should cut my hair first.
I haven’t stopped thinking about seeing you in person since you agreed. I’m only afraid that when I see you, I might lock you in my room so you can’t leave me.
But that’s a chance I’m willing to take.
Yours,
Amos
P.S. You’re not pathetic for waiting for my letters because if you are, then I’m pathetic too.
Amos,
You see me almost every day through Eddy, but I haven’t seen you in almost three years! The last—and only—time I saw you, it curled around your ears. I liked it that way, but your face is handsome enough to make any hairstyle look nice.
If you don’t send me a portrait soon, I’ll steal one when I’m there because… surprise! Last night, Nathaniel, Franny, and I came up with a plan that will give me an excuse to be gone for a week.
I can’t wait to see you.
Clover