I finally face him. Funny how he even looks more like the evil brother today, dressed in his oversized graphic t-shirt with skulls and roses, which contrasts my plain white tee. It's like he wanted to represent how I feel about him now.
But he's right. I'm definitely just saying I'm over it for the moment. Just thinking about soulmates makes my teeth grind.
I take in a deep breath, taking in the smoky scent of gunpowder. “No really. I'm focusing on myself this time.”
He holds his pistol beside himself, perking his brows. “So…No more getting dates and figuring that out?”
I shoot once more, aiming at the chest this time. A good second option if I miss the skull. “Nope. Just gonna help out the kingdom and live my life.”
Erasmus snickers, loud enough for me to hear through the muffs. “So that means you'll finally talk to Maya?”
I shrug. “Sure.” Probably not. It's still a fresh wound I don't want to open by talking to her.
“And I can talk about Maya without you being jealous?”
“I was never jealous to begin with.” I try to keep my aim at the target. Focus on the target. Not Erasmus.
Aim for the chest.
“So, I suppose I can mention that I plan on proposing soon. Like within the next three months. We can have the wedding next year if things go right.”
A wedding. My brother's wedding. Another painful wound cut by his very existence. Their soulmate bond will strengthen to its fullest and they will have soulmate markings on their ring fingers, symbolizing their official commitment to each other.
If they're so happy now, imagine when they're married.
An ache within my chest spreads with every passing second, like poison tainting my blood.
Why me?
I jerk my head back to get back to focus. He's just trying to call my bluff. Focus on the target. “Cool.”
Erasmus continues. “She’s just perfect, you know? She's so sweet, kind and beautiful. My hand fits so perfectly around hers. She's just…one of a kind.”
“I'm glad you feel that way.” Don't lose focus.
I shoot another time as he keeps rambling. “I'm excited to share the rest of my life with her. She's the kind of woman I want wake up next to every day.”
I lower my gun slightly, his words infiltrating my mind. My body stiffens with every thought of his soulmate and this upcoming marriage. I still wish I had that.
What did I do to miss out on such a beautiful thing?
“And I mean I know you'd never understand, but-”
I immediately shoot the pistol again, a hike appearing in the metal wall instead. My eyes tense. There's a vibration against the palm of my hands when Erasmus's gasp.
Damn you Erasmus!
It takes me a moment to budge before I snap my head to him with a scowl. Those green Invidia flowers wrap around my arms and duig into my skin, but I ignore them. He chuckles and smirks at me. “So, you're still jealous.”
“Fuck you,” I mutter. I storm away from the target as the flowers wilt around me. Past the white halls and other target practices, I find the front desk and hand over my earmuffs. Erasmus's words and footsteps follow as I sign out and exit the building.
It's refreshing to see the different colors on the streets, compared to the all-white environment of the gun range. Even just outside here, there's the warm red-orange color of brickbuildings, the bright green trees and amare flowers planted along the sidewalks, and on the cars rolling by.
I inhale, welcomed by the scent of the sweet amare flowers. I'm fine. There's no need to be upset.
I'm okay.
“Amias?”
