Chapter 4 #3
“Um, Ares?” I pick up the potatoes, holding them like a shield between us.
Ares turns and watches me with that intimidating blue stare.
I throw my shoulders back and shrug. “I want to say thank you for buying me all those things today.”
“It was a pleasure,” he says, then leaves. The way he said “pleasure” made me clear my throat.
I follow him out of the kitchen and into the dining room. Phobos reaches for the potatoes in my hand.
“Thank you.” I look at the table and wonder where I should sit.
There are only three seats available. The one at the head of the table feels like a throne.
I know that one’s not for me. The other is at the end of the table.
Then there is the one right next to Ares on his left.
I watch as he sits and smirks at Nisa. As if sensing my distress, he kicks out the chair closest to him.
I walk around the table and sit between Ares and Nisa, who hasn’t stopped smiling since we came back from shopping.
As the food begins to be passed around the table, I take pride in watching everyone dig into the food. All except Ares. He is sitting there with his knife and fork in his hand, just looking down at his plate.
“Is there something wrong with the meal?” I whisper to Ares.
Phobos leans forward to get a better look at his father.
He blinks like he was trying to come out of a trance. At first, I think he isn’t going to answer, but then his shoulders drop as he sighs. “The last person who made this for me…died some weeks later after making it.”
I didn’t know what to say. “I am so sorry; I didn’t know.”
He shakes his head. “It’s not your fault. It looks amazing.”
“Oh my god, Ares, you are so melodramatic,” Hecate groans out and shakes her head mockingly. “Eat the food and say thanks.”
“Thank you, Soraya. You honor me.” His scar twitches slightly.
I give him a smile. “It is I who am honored, and I will try my best not to die in the coming weeks.”
The table gets quiet again until Nisa thankfully interrupts. “Can you come shopping with us tomorrow, Mr. A?”
“Mr. A? That’s new. Why not ‘Mr. Monster’?” Ares cuts into his meat.
“Because you don’t look like a monster to me anymore.” Nisa smiles widely.
Hecate leans toward Nisa and shoves her shoulder lightly. “You’re alright, kid. You’re alright.”
The night continues, and we all relax. I enjoy hearing stories of Ares from Hecate and the fun times they had as kids. Apparently, she was like an old family friend. I thought it was great that they remained friends to this day.
Hecate claps her hands together. “I almost forgot. I have gifts for you two.”
“Yay!” Nisa dances in her chair.
“No, Hecate, please, you gave me so much already.” I put my hand out, trying to stop her.
Hecate takes out a black shopping bag and places two square boxes on the table. She passes one to Nisa and the other to me.
“It’s so pretty,” Nisa says. “Thank you, Aunty Hecate.” She leans to the side of the chair and hugs Hecate.
Deimos’s eyebrows raise at Hecate, and he mouths, “Aunty?”
Hecate mouths, “Fuck you,” to Deimos.
I open the box, and a thin, small gold bracelet sits on black velvet. It holds a symbol that looks like a maze.
My fingers brush the small gold links. “I love it; thank you.”
Hecate leans forward. “Put it on. And try not to take it off. It’s for you to remember me always.”
“It’s a charm?” I ask.
Hecate nods. “Yes, it is.”
I begin to put the bracelet on, but I can’t reach the hook.
“Let me,” Ares says.
“Oh, thank you.” I stretch my wrist out to him, and with nimble fingers, he locks the clasps together.
“It’s absolutely beautiful,” Ares mutters.
His thumb rubs one slow circle on my wrist, and blood rushes through my body; my goosebumps rise.
Slowly, I pull my arm away. “Thank you.”
The table becomes quiet, and everyone is looking at us. I swallow and give a tight smile.
“Ugh, you are so dramatic, Ares.” Hecate throws herself back on the chair.
Deimos reaches across for Hecate’s wrist. “It’s absolutely beautiful.”
Hecate fans herself and pretends to blush. “Thank you.”
I burst out laughing. “I don’t sound like that.”
The rest of the night was filled with joy and merriment. Ares picks up a sleeping Nisa, and we both carry her to her bedroom.
I push open the door and remove the Labubus from the bed.
“Place her here.” I pull the sheet back and watch as Ares gently rests her on the bed. I cover her up. We both exit and close the door behind us.
“Well, um, thank you for the clothes and the music box. I really do appreciate it.” I am trying my best to keep my knees from buckling.
He nods. I can only see the silhouette of his face. “Never a problem. Everything I have is yours.”
I chuckle a little. “Do me a favor? Turn your whole face to me when you are talking.”
Ares turns his face to me. “I didn’t realize I was doing that,” he confesses.
“There is no reason to. I like you exactly how you are.” I pull his face down and kiss him on the cheek.
“Goodnight, Ares.” I walk to my room and close the door behind me. Not before I hear the words, “Good night, Little Flame.”