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?"
Chapter 48
Amias
“Having a celebration, are we?” The woman purrs into Ignatia's ear. “How rude not to invite your future in-laws?”
“Vasilisa!” Ignatia snaps.
I rise from the table, realizing this is the same woman Ignatia told me that tried to kill us in the fire.
Not a second longer, I run to Ignatia's side. “Get off!” I yank Ignatia behind me, away from Vasilisa's grasp. Vasilisa only cackles in response, raising the hairs on my neck and arms. Disgusting.
“Away from my own daughter?” Vasilisa gasps. “Well that's a bit of a cruel jest. Come on now. That's no way to treat the mother of your girlfriend.”
“Don't you fucking dare call me your daughter,” Ignatia hisses from behind me.
“Daughter?” I whirl my head over to Mother, who stands up from the table. Her eyes glow a little but slowly dim out. Her eyes shift between Ignatia and Vasilisa.
