Page 57

Ignatia

“Oh wow,” Amorette gasps. “You two look gorgeous."

My arm is locked with Amias’. I'm wearing a long red dress that hugs my body perfectly. My hair's up in a high ponytail and I'm wearing black flats after I nearly fell over in the heels Amorette had put in the closet for me before we got there. Amias has on a classic black suit and tie.

Unknown to them, the collar of the suit is hiding the marking fairly well, which is what we decided we would do for tonight.

Amias would find the right time to sit down with his family and get them to understand, one on one.

When there's more privacy and a calmer time where they could be more open to things, maybe the reveal can be a lot smoother.

I sit next to Amorette who is wearing a long hot pink dress with sleeves coming off her shoulders. Bruce matches with a red suit. Erasmus sits across from us in a pale blue tuxedo, next to a girl in a blue dress shaped similar to mine. I've seen her around before. I believe her name is Maya.

Beside Amias, I scan our private room in the restaurant called Cosmos Soul. The long table draped in white has dimly lit candles with leaves circled around them. Vines with various flowers weaved in hang down from the ceiling. The walls around us are bare brick.

“Thank you. You all look amazing as well,” Amias smiles. I dip my head in agreement, leaning onto his shoulder. I honestly just want to go back to bed with him around my waist, but this will do.

“Did something happen between you guys?” Erasmus glances between me and Amias. “You two seem different.”

Yes. A lot of things happened. A lot of things you don't want to hear about.

“Pipe down, swan,” Amorette hushes. “We all know they've been busy with their new romance blossoming.”

Amorette and Maya giggle as Erasmus and Bruce scowl. They don't seem comfortable with the subject.

Amias leans towards me and rests his head on mine. “Let's not talk about it at the dinner table.”

I smirk at his move to cuddle. This little touch satisfies my greed for the time being.

“Well, let's talk about the real celebration here.” Amorette stands up beside the table, and holds up a glass of wine. “Our beloved dove was almost taken from us on his birthday. It's only because a brave young eagle swooped in and saved him that he is with us today.”

Amias beams as I look back up at him. I'm so glad he's alive. I have no idea what I would do if he wasn't.

“I'm so thankful for the beautiful lady that has joined us, and grateful that my little dove has survived what could've been the worst tragedy for all of Amara.” She winks in our direction before she waves over a waiter to fill up our glasses.

I get sparkling rose flavored soda because the Amara kingdom doesn't allow people under twenty-one to drink. Everyone else gets amare wine.

As if I didn't have my first drink at fourteen.

We all raise our glasses up towards Amorette's. “To Amias and Clara!” Amorette yells out.

“To Amias and Clara!” everyone echoes.

We all clank our glasses together and cheer. I look at Amias and we end up laughing. It's wonderful to be accepted and appreciated by a good group of people, even if they don't know the whole truth.

Hopefully being fully accepted will become a reality soon.

We all keep talking about life as we wait for our food.

His family is fun and lighthearted. It was interesting learning how Erasmus and Maya met and the fun childhood memories Amias had with his family.

Even if I came from what someone would barely call a family, it's nice to see a functional one. I'm glad Amias has that at least.

In the middle of eating steak, I sniffle and catch a familiar smell. Something that smells like fire and sickly blood.

Something like…

I hurry out of my seat. My heart starts throbbing in my throat. “I'll be in the bathroom.”

Amias stands up with his eyes narrowed. “Is everything alright?”

He must sense something's wrong. I stretch a smile across my lips. “Everything’s good. Just need to use the bathroom.”

Amorette looks at me with her head cocked slightly. She's starting to question too. I walk away before she can say anything. I won't even give them time to question it.

Only about a few steps away from the table, a strong hand grabs me by the wrist. I jump back, turning to the woman who dares do so…

… and my jaw drops.

Those familiar green eyes. The brownish gray hair. The long black dress and her evil smirk. No. No, not here! Not now!

Vasilisa chortles. “Where do you think you are going, Ignatia?"