Page 54

Amias

“Hey Glaide.” I sit on the opposite side of the picnic bench set in a clearing of vibrant green grass. Glaide and I decided to meet at a park. The buildings surrounding us peek over the trees, whose leaves have started to turn brown and yellow at their tips. Autumn is creeping upon us.

Despite the heat, I’m wearing an oversized hoodie, to shield myself from anyone wandering by. I don't want people to know I'm here after seeing all of those signs against me.

“Hey.” Glaide squints at my hoodie. “Is everything alright? The hospital said you were good but I just wanted to-”

“I'm fine. I appreciate the concern but I've made it out alive and okay.”

He quickly nods. “Okay. I just need to be sure.” He sighs with his gaze aimed at the space beside my hand. “What even was that back on your birthday? The tenebris flowers thing? That's not something you've created before.”

I shrug. I've reflected on it but there's still no good explanation. The best conclusion I can think of are intrusive thoughts, but even then, it seemed too great to be that. “I think the pressure of the wish got to me. My mind wasn't in the right spot.”

He crosses his arms. “I'm worried about you. I don't want those dreamscreechers to get to your head and make you freak out and make tenebris flowers all over again.”

“Get to my head?” I straighten up my posture. So this is what it's all about?

“Yeah. That wish you had implied that you're on their side, and clearly it's messing with your head.”

I didn't come here to get lectured about whose side I'm on. “I’m not on anyone's side. I just want the truth.”

“We already know the truth. Why do you need to wish to see the truth when you already have it?”

“Are you just saying that because Amara said so?”

“It's not just that! You've been in their attacks! You know how they’ve hurt you. Three times now! You’re really gonna dismiss all of that?”

“Dismiss? Its dismissive to want the truth?” I shake my head in irritation. “Those dreamscreechers did horrible things no doubt, but wouldn't it be more dismissive to say that all dreamscreechers are evil?”

“No! That's just how they are. They were made to be evil. That's why they hurt everyone, like Sabina and Amara. And you for Cosmo's sake!”

I ball my fists. “Some did! Not all of them.”

He slaps a hand on his forehead. “I've been starting to wonder if Clara was involved with this.”

My heart stops. “What?”

“Well, she got wounded in the orphanage attack and I didn't see her fighting. She survived the fire without a single burn. She knew where you were when no one else did…” He leans against the table, placing his folded arms on it.

“You only started to change within the last three months. Around the time you said you two met.”

My hair pricks up on my neck. He's figuring it out.

“I'm starting to wonder if she's a dreamscreecher herself.” He nearly spits the words, his eyes slanted in accusation.

“And what if she was?” I snap. “What of it?”

Glaide falls silent, flinching back. His eyes widen.“She's a dreamscreecher, isn't she?”

“No!” Shit! He can't know! Not now!

“Then why are you so pissed on behalf of these monsters? You weren't like this before! You've only been this way since you met this girl!”

“I'm pissed because you're accusing her!”

“You can't be with her! You have to turn her in!” He slams a hand against the table. “She could never truly love you! She's manipulating you! Like The Great Beast! ”

He doesn't know shit about us. “You don't understand.”

“So you're admitting it?”

“I'm not telling you shit, Glaide.” I get up from the table and walk away. I don't need him to scold me.

“I'm worried about you!”

I turn back to him, waiting for him to continue.

He sighs and dips his head. “I just want you to be okay. If you leave yourself vulnerable to a dreamscreecher, it will kill you. I don't want to find your body in pieces.” He nearly breathes out the last words, like he might start mourning me before I've died.

My body becomes rigid. When I was at my most vulnerable, she had saved my life. She wouldn't kill me. I trust her with my life.

I bring my hand to my neck. Things start to click. I would be vulnerable if I let her mark me. If I let her, that could be the evidence I need to show that they could get close without hurting anyone.

It would prove that they're not naturally violent.

With a final huff, I scowl at Glaide. “We'll see about that.” Then I storm away to the lake house where Ignatia is waiting.

◆◆◆

“Ignatia…” I whisper as I walk into the kitchen, decorated with darkly stained wood counters and cabinets, with a matching island in the middle.

I catch a whiff of a smoky scent. “Is that steak?”

“Yes,” Ignatia whimpers.

I rush to her as she sucks air through her teeth. “Ignatia?”

She grins as she looks over my shoulder. “It's nothing! I swear!”

“Did you burn yourself?” I narrow my eyes.

“Well…” She shows me her finger, red and swollen. “I didn't mean to touch the stove, but lucky me I guess.”

“Wait…” I whisper. I take her hand, letting my eyes strain into glowing pink. Maybe I could heal it like I did before the fire.

After a minute of my eyes glowing, it’s still there. The burn doesn't go away.

This doesn't make sense. First the glowing flowers, and now the fact I can't heal a burn like I did that night.

“Why isn't it going away?” I scowl.

“It's okay,” She smiles before pulling her hand away. “I'll go wrap it up.”

“Are you sure?”

“Yes. You have bandages somewhere around here, right?”

I bring her a medical kit and she wraps up her hand before returning to the food. She turns the stove off, grabs a plate and scoops her food on there. “Made something from home.”

She sits beside me and slides over a plate., I take in the smoky savory smells of steak. Below it is a layer of sautéed carrots and a layer of buttered mashed potatoes at the bottom. “Looks great.”

“It's called a warrior meal.” Ignatia puffs her chest proudly. “A meal fit for a warrior. Or a knight. Keeps the young ones strong, they say.”

I nod before taking a bite. The steak is seared perfectly and the carrots are a nice subtle flavor to pair with it. The garlicky buttered mash potatoes really set it off. “Uhmm…” I close my eyes to savor it “You’ll have to show me more of Somnia's culture. This is really good.”

“Just as long as you continue showing me Amara’s.” She chuckles before digging into hers.

We eat in silence as I think back to the marking. She said it will hurt, but how much? Will it be unbearable? But I'm supposed to like it. How does one get off on pain?

And now I'm actually going to do the thing that I've been criticized for. A monster fucker. A dreamscreecher fucker. I'm confirming the rumors true to myself. Is this wrong?

No. Ignatia is still human, just with shifting abilities. It's not like I want her mark just because of some kink. I really do love her. The shame is just coming from what I've been indoctrinated to feel.

When my plate is nearly empty, and so is hers, Irelease a huff. I'm not sure how well this will come across. “I actually think I want the marking…”

I stare at the floor, folding my arms. My foot taps under the table. My face heats up. I've never even had sex before. What is this going to be like?

I'm going to be naked in front of her. Will she think I'm small? What if I can't please her? I can't leave her unsatisfied.

“You… want the marking?” I glance up at Ignatia, who's blushing with her brows perked, still holding her fork.

I take in a deep breath. This is all thrilling but frightening at the same time. “I mean, we've been trying to think of ways to find proof that dreamscreechers are good. Maybe this is what we need.”

“A bite mark is going to solve that?”

“It could. If I came out unharmed during dreamscreecher customs, that might change things?” I rub my neck uncomfortably.

“Especially something as intimate as a bite mark.

They would see dreamscreechers know not to injure the ones they love.

They don't just mindlessly kill whoever, even when there's some loss of control. And its also a symbol of love. Maybe that can be explained.”

She purses her lips, her gaze softening. “Are you sure you want a marking? It's permanent.”

“I think it needs to be done.” I take her by the hands. My nerves are still present but intimacy is a jittery thing, as far as what I've heard. “Fate wants this to happen.”

“You think the kingdom is going to react well to this?”

“Maybe not… but I think they’ll eventually understand. It will take time, but we'll get through it.” I squeeze my hands around hers. “We'll fix this kingdom together and I think the first step is to accept each other. We have to show them that they have nothing to fear.”

She stares down at my hand in a moment of silence. She pulls away before reaching out and caressing my cheek. “Even with the pain, you're okay with the marking?”

I hold her hand to my face and lean into it . “I thought it was the good kind of pain.” I laugh under my breath.

Ignatia smirks. “Okay then, Amias.” She pulls me in by the chin. My breath leaves my lungs and it's not coming back.

“I'll give you the marking.”

The first kiss she gives me is soft and tender. My heart jumps to my throat as I reciprocate them. Each kiss is more passionate than the last as I run my fingers through her hair, taking in her aroma of campfire smoke.

I want to be hers. I want her to be mine.

She puts her other hand on my other cheek, slowing down her kisses before pulling away. She brings her forehead to mine and we sit there in silence. Her breath on my lips provokes my yearn for another kiss.

“You're so fucking perfect, Amias…” She kisses me once more, then bites my bottom lip.

“Ignatia…” I whisper. Would the marking feel like the bite on my lip?

She takes me by the hand, forcing me out of my seat. “Let's go somewhere more comfortable.”