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.
