Page 6

Amias

“Clara!” I call, but she's long disappeared into the crowd. It's almost like she was never here.

I run up the street, rushing past the streamers and flowers twisted on the poles, and the people chattering about, but she's too fast. There's no way I can catch up.

“Clara!” I call like she could hear me, but there's no response.

Everyone on the street, both festival enjoyers and vendors in their tents and food trucks, stare my way. Their eyes widen and squint. My head bows under the attention. They start to whisper and I'm already dreading what they're about to say.

Not this. Not right now.

“Did he scare off another girl?” one person says.

“I knew there was something up with him when he didn't have a soulmate.”

“He’s a dreamscreecher fetishist. Remember? Can't have a soulmate if you're a sick freak.”

“Maybe he was using his powers to take advantage of her. Just like he will with the entire kingdom.”

“No wonder he's soulmateless.”

I don't even know where the rumors came from.

I've done nothing for anyone to even think I'd sleep with one of those monsters.

Not everyone believes it, but enough do.

The only reason this rumor exists is because my grandmother is the Gift of Love, the grand being gifted from Cosmo to reward humans with soulmates.

These rumors are supposed to explain why she would possibly deny her own grandson a soulmate.

If it weren't for my lineage, no one would care.

My heart doesn't know whether to boil or to plummet into the cold sea of pain, so I just stand there. Stupid. Still. Jaw slacked. Trying and failing for a distraction or a comeback.

“Amias?” My chauffeur calls from behind. I don't bother to look at him. “You're not going to keep up with her.”

I stay silent, shaking my head as people gossip. I should focus on Clara. She needs more care than I do.

But my chauffeur is right. I can't catch up to her like this. Not on foot, and not even by car, considering traffic.

“If I could make a suggestion, the lady seems rather frightened at the moment. If she wants help, she'll come back.”

But she's wounded, and all alone. I know the idea of being with a descendant of a Gift probably frightened her, but it feels stupid for not going after her.

Then again, he's right. It might make it worse if I try to find her. She'd panic more and run further.

Maybe it's wise to come back to her another time, even though it pains me that she could get infected the longer I leave her alone.

People start turning their heads to the other side of the street. Instead of scornful comments, there's giggles and excited murmurs.

Just as I follow their stares, I hear it.

“It’s Erasmus and his soulmate!”

I immediately spot them. I recognize the honey blonde curtain bangs with the bold red suit he chose for the festival.

Beside him is a woman with black coily hair and shiny ebony skin, a perfect contrast to Erasmus.

She wears a simple but bold pink sundress to compliment his outfit.

As they cross the road, they giggle at something and grip each other's hands.

Maya and Erasmus. The perfect couple.

I sense how strong the invisible string connects them, putting pressure in the atmosphere. Putting pressure against me.

My heart collapses every time I see them, falling from my chest and smashing into my stomach. The sight stiffens my face and aches my eyes that want to turn away from the painful reminder of what I’ll miss.

Why couldn't Grandmother give me a soulmate? Why couldn’t Grandmother grant me the promise that I'll find true love?

That I'll find someone that's meant for me just as I am for them?

I want to adore someone. I want to hold someone intimately.

I want to be called someone's. I want to call someone mine.

I want my life to be whole and complete, just like every soulmate bond I've seen. I want that joy. That special connection that makes birds sing and stars burn bright. That special connection makes the world seem so much more ethereal.

Cosmo created love for a reason. He gifted humans Grandmother to make the world more special. He deemed soulmates a grand enough gift to the humans who prayed and showed appreciation for his creations. He wouldn't make it a gift if it wasn't so important and valuable.

A knife twists in my heart when I remember I'll never have that.

But of course, Erasmus has. He's the child that gets all of the achievements.

No one worries about him because he gets everything he wants.

He lives all of my dreams. It's easy for him to brush off everything because he has everything. I'm left with nothing.

There's not even a chance I'll find a soulmate. I'm forever soulmateless and denied Grandmother’s gift.

As people cheerfully chatter about the new couple, they smile my way. I flinch, realizing my eyes are straining, reflecting a green glow when I look at my hands.

Shit!

I hop in the backseat of the car before they can walk over. My chauffeur comes in as a buzz starts against my hands. I look down at the Invidia flowers, star shaped and in a sickly green, thorns pricking my skin as it snakes up my arms.

I should be happy for him. Not jealous. I shouldn't have to keep running whenever I see Maya.

It's childish. Yet, every time, my feet can't help but hurry me away.

“Amias?” my chauffeur asks.

“Just go.” I look down at the floor of the car, increasingly ashamed of my jealousy. My chauffeur doesn't say another word as he drives us towards home.