Flame has started to stick since he complimented my eyes. If it were anyone else, I probably would've hated it considering how my mother named me. She wanted me to be the fire that it destroys everything in its path. Put in that context, I've never really liked the name Ignatia.
But after Amias’ explanation on how I remind him of fire, his nickname only makes me more confident.
I shrug. “Might as well have fun with it.”
“What’s so fun about it?”
“I don't know, Captain Prettyface. It’s amusing when you get flustered.”
He rolls his eyes despite the smile tugging his lips. “Now I know how women feel when men flirt with them at the club.”
“The difference is that you actually like it.”
He furrows his brows. “I-”
“Amee! Clare!” Sabina runs back to us and pouts. “Come on!” She runs over to grab Amias' hand and drags him towards the play room.
“Okay, okay!” Amias says. I chuckle along as we go into Sabina’s favorite playroom.
Chapter 35
Ignatia
“I'll have to leave in an hour,” Amias says beside me as Sabina and the other kids finish their lunch next door. Wafts of garlic and warm tomato sauce leak in through the door leading to the dining room. On today's menu was steak virga, which is a stick of fried dough with tomato sauce and steak filling that you dip in cheese. The children were excited about it.
Staff enjoy their lunch in another room seated at round wooden tables that matched the wall in color. Most people brought their own food. I, on the other hand, get a bite of Amias' lunch. When he noticed me staring at his food a week ago, he offered to split his lunch with me.
Today, I have a bowl of beef and broccoli over rice, something Amias threw together. Obviously some variant of bread came with it. This time it's a homemade bagel that I ate half of before Amias got his hands on it. My stomach begs for more but I restrain myself. Amias worked hard to make that bagel. He should have some.
On the other side of the table sits Erasmus and Glaide. Glaide seems alright, and I could've said the same for Erasmus if I didn't know him from the military. I’ve wondered if he recognized me from the few times I've spoken during our battles, but I don't think he has. He definitely doesn't recognize me bylooks because I never came to battle in my human form, which is probably what's saving my ass right now.
“I need to help set up things for my birthday,” Amias nods.
I perk a brow. “Your birthday?”
Glaide speaks up from the other side of the table. “His birthday is a pretty big deal.” Glaide squints. “I'm surprised that you don't know about it.”
I shrug. “I'm not good with remembering dates.”
Erasmus scoffs beside him, wiping crumbs off his black tee with ‘Death Rebels’ written on it. “I would have thought that Amias invited you, considering how much you've been hanging out.”
“Yeah,” Glaide straightens his collar on his white polo shirt. “He doesn't hang out with us anymore.”
I twist my lips at him. We haven't been spending an unusual amount of time together, have we?
“Well, maybe if you call me earlier, we can make plans,” Amias shrugs before taking a bite of broccoli and beef.
“Oh but your whole schedule is just Clara and the orphanage, and even here, it's mostly about Clara.” Glaide looks at my bowl. “Heck, you portion out your lunches so she could get some.”
I stop chewing. Is that a bad thing?
“You're free to join in on our plans,” Amias snickers.
I narrow my eyes. I don't mind him having plans with his friends. But on our time? No, I don't think so. I prefer it to be just us. I wouldn't invite Kai or Clarissa to come with us if they were around. Why should he?
Am I wrong to think that? Is that possessive?
Glaide rolls his eyes with a smirk. “I don't know who you think I am, but I don't have a fetish for watching people fondle each other. No thank you.”
