Page 50 of Soulmateless
“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 metalldreamscreechers, 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.
