The Stars Who Bleed by JR Szpila

Author:JR Szpila [JR Szpila]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: JR Szpila
Published: 2024-07-18T00:00:00+00:00

Chapter Twenty-Two

River

River was exhausted when the meeting finally ended. While Ky had done his best to keep it civil, she’d been surprised by how much he had allowed everyone to speak their thoughts. Each clan leader who would not support the prophecy, Iris, or the alliance was given an opportunity to speak their grievances. And while there’d been arguing and a few fists thrown, Ky had allowed it all as long as nothing crossed the line—a certain unknown line to her.

River walked out the double wooden doors, sandwiched between Ky and Wrynn. She had proven her strength but still felt like a protected child. She didn’t need to be guarded. She was about to tell Ky her opinion on the matter, but the surrounding scene distracted her.

Each family had erected large homes where the fires had stood previously. These were unlike human tents with triangle cloth and poles; instead, these were built out of different types of materials. Some were formed entirely of rocks or trees. One home consisted of a large crater in the ground.

“I’m going to go check in on each family,” Ky said under his breath. “The last thing we need is a scramble. Wrynn, I want you and Azalea to keep a keen eye out, not only for trouble outside, but I want to know every backward whisper or thought in the camp.”

“You want me to read people?” Wrynn asked, surprised.

“I want you to get a sense of hostility. Don’t invade minds unless you feel it’s necessary for safety. Someone must know something. Ear to the ground.”

Wrynn nodded. His large wings quickly disappeared into the milling crowd.

“River.” Ky looked her in the eye. “I don’t have the right to ask for your help in this, but—”

“Can I read the fears?” River finished.

Ky nodded with a small quirk of his lip. “I thought maybe you could mingle. Adeena seemed to like you. Maybe see if you can help her and get a feel for anything off.”

River smiled at him. He wasn’t asking her to stay hidden or protected. He was practically begging her to help. Her heart was overwhelmed to feel the need rather than be pushed aside.

“Of course. Just point me in the general direction. My height difference is certainly not an advantage in a court like this,” River said, pointing around to the mingling groups of Spitarians. Most were almost double her size.

Ky laughed. “Tiny, fierce princess, did you just admit to defeat?”

She scrunched her face in mock disgust. “Never.” Without waiting for him to direct her, she started off into the crowd. She could hear his slight chuckle follow her.

River hadn’t been kidding about struggling to see. Reaching at most chest height, and navel height for some, she did her best to keep her head up and level as every one of them was only clad in pict-paint. The only thing she was thankful for was that each clan was a different color, and since she had seen Adeena earlier, she knew she was looking for lilac.

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