Page 44

Amias

It's almost time…

My hair was freshly cut this morning as it was starting to look a little shaggy. I freshened up with a shave and then an extra dental cleaning. By evening five, Glaide gave the suit that he had made for me.

It's a pale blue, with the shape of navy versions of amare flowers patterned all over it. The jacket is longer in the back, stopping just above my knee. My white undershirt has a ruffle at the neck and I'm wearing light blue dress pants to match it.

I look into the full length mirror, standing as proud and tall as I can.

I'm finally twenty-one.

I'm making my wish… tonight…

The suit is definitely one that makes me feel like a prince. Usually I just feel like every other person in the kingdom, especially since people look down at me. This is a proud reminder of my lineage and my role as prince.

Glaide did some great work on this.

I walk out into the hall and I'm immediately greeted by Glaide and his girlfriend, Ivy.

Glaide wears a bright red suit with a slightly darker shade diamond shape pattern all over.

It's paired with a black undershirt and pants the same shade as his suit.

Ivy matches with a long sparkling scarlet dress that fits her tightly.

She has ruby makeup on her eyelids and lips, to stand out with her wavy black hair.

They both look me up and down. "Baby! You did so well!" Ivy exclaims. She gazes at Glaide, her feet dancing. "He looks amazing!"

Glaide smirks. "I know."

My chest aches, wishing Clara could see. Would she be excited about how I looked?

My lips part. It would truly be a gift if she came.

I clear my throat. “I'm right here, you know?"

They turn back to me and laugh. " You look amazing," Ivy chirps.

"Yes, like a prince should," Glaide says.

"Thanks. You really did a great job on this," I grin. "You've actually made me feel like the man.”

"No problem." He looks over to Ivy. “How about we go down to the party then?" He glances at me.

I nod. "Yeah, let's go.”

◆◆◆

There were a lot of people waiting in the ballroom for me, many of which I don't recognize.

I keep shaking hands and giving hugs to cousins, aunts and uncles from both Mother's and Father's sides.

Many are cousins from other kingdoms, and some of my normal human family members from my Father's.

I greet some friends, and even some of the kids at the orphanage have come by. I haven't seen Sabina yet.

My cheeks ache now from Father's sisters pinching them. I lean against the dessert table dressed in a rose gold fabric, now full of mini treats and pastries, and I take in the scene.

The ballroom stands brilliantly on its own, but the people really bring the room together like it were the final details in a painting.

Everyone here is socializing in their long sparkling dresses and freshly ironed suits, under the ceiling of paintings with Amara and her followers.

Waiters in black suits and slicked back hair roam around with sparkling amare juice and wine.

On the side opposite of the room, closer to the grand windows, people dance along with the orchestra that we had hired for the night. I sway to the soothing melody of the violin. It's a beautiful sight. Especially when I don't look at the glowing flowers couples are holding in the crowd

Too bad I haven't seen Clara. I would've liked to dance with her.

“Are you having fun, little brother?” I snap away from my thoughts as Erasmus approaches me, wearing a classic black and white suit. Behind him, a darker skinned woman with coily black hair wears a tight shimmering teal dress.

His soulmate. Maya.

An ache of jealousy would usually grow in my stomach. I would have an urge to run away.

But none of that happens. “Hello Erasmus. Hello, Maya.”

“You're not gonna run away from us this time?” Erasmus laughs.

I smile back at him. Surprisingly… no. “Not this time.”

Their jaws drop. “I’m stunned for words!” Erasmus teases.

“Would the princes like to enjoy a drink?”

We turn to a man carrying a tray of amare wine, with the see-through liquid carrying Amare petals on top.

I almost take a glass, but realize there's only one left for Erasmus.

“Oh come on, get some for his soulmate first! The lady is right there!” I say it with laughter, but with an undertone of seriousness.

“Oh no, you don't have to.” Maya smiles, waving her hands.

“Are you sure?” I glance back and forth between her and the waiter.

“Yes, I don't like alcohol.” She lowers her head. “It's fine. You two have the drinks.”

“Actually, I have a better idea.” Erasmus smirks before waving over another waiter. They bring over a tray that seems to have a similar drink, except the glass is flat on the bottom and tall, unlike the wine glasses. Erasmus grabs one and hands it over to Maya. “A mocktail for the lady.”

“Thanks love,” She grins. “And thank you for looking out for me. I was starting to think you hated me.”

“No. I'm sorry for avoiding you.” I bow my head.

“I've been childish about this soulmate thing, you know, but I'm actually happy for you and my brother.” I finally grab a wine from the other tray, with the waiter’s tray tilted towards me.

Erasmus follows my lead. “You make him happy and that's all that matters.”

Erasmus gives me a proud smirk, puffing his chest slightly. “I like this attitude.” He lowers his head and drops his voice. “Maybe being with Clara is doing you favors after all.”

My cheeks heat up, hair standing up on my neck. “I don't know about that…”

“Too bad she isn't around.” He looks across the room. “I would've liked to see her here.”

Maya giggles. “Is she your girlfriend?”

“No,” I titter.

“I wouldn't be surprised if she was though.” Erasmus chuckles. “I guess it's gonna take another week.”

I jerk my head back. “Another week?”

“You two can't last too long apart. I'd give it a week or less.” He holds out his glass. “But anyhow, let's celebrate my little brother turning twenty-one.”

“Yeah, let's do it!” Maya exclaims. “Happy birthday!”

“Thank you,” I murmur as we clink all three glasses together. I take a sip of the alcohol, fizzing in my mouth.

I stick my tongue out. It tastes like a mouthful of flower juice and ink.

“He's a dreamscreecher fetishist, remember?”

My gaze goes past Erasmus, looking at two women giggling amongst themselves and pointing at me.

Really? On my birthday? Why are they even here?

“He really thinks he can destroy Amara with dreamscreechers.” One chuckles. “Some say he's going to overthrow her.”

“Does that make him Somnia's whore or something? A play thing for dreamscreechers to use against Amara?”

My foot starts tapping. My wish tonight isn't going to help the rumors.

It won't matter as long as I convince Grandmother, but it will still hurt.

Erasmus turns towards the whispers and scrunches his nose. “Don't listen to them Amias. They don't know you.”

I force my foot down. “I know.”

Maya’s gaze softens. “They would think you're a sweetheart if they really knew you.”

I return her expression, though I think knowing me more would do the opposite. “Thank you.”

“Amee!” A familiar young voice calls. I glance around me until I find green eyes from afar. She has a puffy floral dress and her blonde hair cascades down.

"Little Sourdough!" I run through people just to get to her. I stretch my arms out to scoop her up. “You look like a princess!"

She laughs before resting her head on my shoulder. "Really?"

"Yes. A beautiful one," I chuckle.

She giggles, before I squeeze her tightly. I turn to face Mrs. Hollow, with her short red hair curled and wearing a long flowy green dress. There's a soft gleam in her eyes. "You two look like royalty."

I grin. Mrs. Hollow said she'd even make sure I would adopt Sabina when I'm old enough. She really adores our little bond just as much as I do.

"Who's the Queen?" Sabina lifts her head up with her famous pout.

I raise a brow. "I don't know, princess Sourdough. Who do you think?"

"Claree!"

My cheeks get warm. “Clara?”

She chuckles. “Yes. Your wife.”

I titter as Mrs. Hollow makes a remark. "I think it's very telling if children can see the chemistry between you two."

My shoulders drop. It would be even more telling if she came. “Maybe…”

There's a tap on my shoulder and I turn to face Mother, dressed in a puffy pale pink dress, straps off her shoulders and her hair in a braided half up and half down, amare flowers peeking from it. "It's time for your wish."

"Oh!" I turn to set Sabina down when Mother reaches out for her.

“I can hold my grandbaby,” she purrs as Sabina happily reaches out for her. She brings her close, letting Sabina's head rest on her shoulder. “Little doveling.”

Ever since I've talked about adopting her, Mother has visited the orphanage once in a while. Sabina's gotten pretty comfortable with her.

I wave Sabina, Mother and Mrs.Hollow goodbye before walking up the grand stairs to the balcony.

Grandmother stands tall with long dress filled with many amare flowers at the bottom and a braided hair bun.

I suck in a sharp breath when Grandmother sees me and approaches to give me a tight hug.

This will be the last thing we do before I make the wish.

Would she still be this kind if she knew?

“It's time for your wish,” Grandmother says, pulling away from me and winking. “Make it count.”

I strain my grin. Grandmother is still expecting me to wish for dreamscreechers to be killed by Tenebris flowers.

"Let's do this," I say quickly. Grandmother goes up to the balcony railing.

She clears her throat. “Welcome!” Her voice is loud enough to get everyone quiet in the ballroom. “Welcome all to the celebration of my grandson's twenty-first birthday! It is lovely to see all of the people who have come to celebrate this wonderful milestone.”

I realize my foot is tapping as I look at the crowd. Forcing it down, I pull my lips into a smile despite my pounding chest.