Belladonna woke up to the sunlight seeping from the curtain and flashing warmly against her eyelids.Asides from feeling like the world had slipped away too fast and the time had most likely jumped, there was a slight banging in her head that she had to deal with. Her fingers ran through her hair, meeting it tangled though, she had to pull them out and pressed them against her creased forehead instead in a search for relief.Why did it feel like she was forgetting something?Just as that thought had crossed her mind, images folded her mind, she cringed as she remembered how she had acted intoxicated and how shameless every of her move had been.The knock on the door made her jump and with slightly stumbling steps from how weak she felt, she had answered the door. It was the new maid but she didn't really have anything to say it her. It was weird to see someone else attending to her that wasn't Raquel, she would have to check on her later today to see if she was getting better. In se
Honestly, at this point she felt her fear was groundless. If she were to get pregnant, Eli would certainly not turn against his own child but the thought of going against a promise she had made for herself for such a long time didn't go down well with her. It was a sought of control she had that she wasn't ready to lose. Nor take actions that might put her at risk of losing it."I'd rather not. It is too...""Too what?" He asked."Tempting." He chuckled, leaning in for a kiss. Her hand moved up instinctively, the keys jiggling by the sudden movement as she raised it inbetween them to create an obstruction."I also came to return your keys.""Keep it." He pulled her hands down, pulling her closer. "Just in case you need to ambush me again.""I won't."He chuckled. She expected him to pull away, maintain the sought of boundary that he usually would but it seemed something had changed in their relationship and he stayed put, moving her hand up his cheek to caress his cheek. The hard
Belladonna was the most puzzled. This conversation had gone astray."I don't." Why would Lady Kestra even think that?Her features relaxed into relief and a slow smile play at the corners of her lips. Lady Kestra seem to have different kinds of smiles, each fitting for each situation and somehow she seemed to always have the right smile on at every instance.Except that grin. That wide grin that always felt aching to even look at. It must be because of her perfect white set of teeth, maybe that was why she loved showing them off so much, because they were just so beautiful.With her gaze piercing down into hers though, Belladonna felt the need to stand her ground and make things clear. So she rose up to her feet, and took a couple of steps away from the chair. Her eyes skimmed over her sewing machine and she remembered briefly that she hadn't given out supplies for any order today. Ah. That reminded her of Raquel. She missed her so much. Despite her new maid's hardwork, she just
A week had passed by really fast. Belladonna had watched how the hallway were decorated, the golden statues moved, the chandeliers cleaned and fixed back. She had observed how Eli had been busy too and despite her wanting a chance to ask him about Lady Kestra's mission and if it had yielded any success, she had tried to be understanding but he had always found time to come to her, giving her reports of his day and how it had gone. During one of these chances, she had asked him about Lady Kestra's journey and his reply had been, "Not much success but she found more elixir for my random pain." Then he had added jokingly, although she didn't find it funny at all. "Seems I shall last till the Red Moon."It wasn't until that night that she remembered about the random attack Eli once had in the garden some time ago. Even as she was reminded of the memory, it still felt a little blur to her. This was starting to be concerning. The way she seemed to be forgetting things. Although, she was
"How is the dress, my Lady?"Belladonna's smile broadened, remembering the seamstress was still there."It's perfect except but for a few things."The amendment the seamstress had to make was a minor one, but she had still had to take the dress back and bring it later in the evening all fixed and ready to be worn.Once the seamstress left, Lady Kestra spoke up again. "It seems everything is in order." She said, clicking her nails against each other as she looked around. "Good. I shall see you in the evening."Belladonna smiled, too happy to observe if anything was off about Lady Kestra's presence. "Ah, yes." She snapped her fingers, the kind of snap that she always used to dismiss servants anytime she was done with their service, but there was none in the room. "I almost forgot."Almost forgot?Wow!So Lady Kestra was capable of things like that. Forgetting."I would have sworn forgetting wasn't something you were capable of." Belladonna slipped into her gown with ease, but before
Belladonna paced around the room, her gaze darting to the door once again. The semestress was supposed to be back, in fact, she was supposed to be back about thirty minutes ago. Lady Kestra had started styling her hair while they were waiting for her and now she was done and still, the semestress was not yet back."Relax, I am sure everything is fine. Maybe she is just adding some finishing touch to make the dress more glamorous." Lady Kestra offered her a smile as she lead her back to the dressing chair and made her sit, so that she could take a look at the finalized hairstyle.The low bun was beautiful, with a curly braid at either sides of her head, as they rested on her ears.Belladonna smiled in appreciation but her worry didn't allow her fully have time to appreciate the beauty Lady Kestra had made her into. "We should send someone to get her." Belladonna rose up to her feet, pacing once again. "The ceremony has started already.""Good. All eyes will be on you when you arrive."
Belladonna curled and uncurled on the floor, scratching her nails against the red rug.Nothing felt comfortable enough to give her even a little ease, despite the fact that she was already naked, the heat didn't leave.The next thing she felt was cold water dripping down her skin as someone dumped a bucket of it on her body.Water should kill fire but it had only worsened the situation. It felt more like fuel instead and her cry of agony was lung wreaking. The scream tore through her body, her face wet with unending tears as she danced around the floor like a salted worm. Wishing with all her heart that the pain would just go away. Kestra was fast to lay her hand on her, chanting a spell as fast as she could, her incomprehensible words stumbling over another till the Bride stayed still and her breathing was once again even. Together, the three ladies lifted her up to the bed.Belladonna sight was blurry and her head felt foggy with dizziness. Her lungs felt so dry that she had an u
"Arriving, Belladonna Drayzika, Bride of the Dragon King." Lady Kestra announced and the murmurs of the ballroom went into an immediate silence, the people shocked at their wrong assumption.Impossible. Maybe she wasn't real? Maybe this was all an illusion? Magic? Black magic? That was if it existed although so far, it seemed it did because there was no way the Bride actually survived and the King hadn't plan this as a trap but a real ceremony.Their King was evil, right?Eli sighed in relief. What was that about? Why had she taken so long to speak?He continued walking to the door but stopped immediately, when he caught sight of his Donna step in. His breath gone for as long as he could go without it, while he savour the sight of her stunning mirror, sleeveless, long red dress coupled with equally long, red arm gloves. Her black curly hair was in a high pony tail and that brought his attention to her neck. She had on no fancy necklace, as the one made for her to keep away the Bride
A pregnant woman's unwanted friends were swollen feet. Eli would usually help her massage them just as he was doing now. She was reading a book to him and he listened with rapt attention. His paintings adored the room, a piano at one corner, her sewing equipment at another corner with two studies joined to the room.He chuckled at something she read and she rolled her eyes. She had become quite irritable lately, little things would get on her nerves. It was just an interesting change to watch, especially because food was usually the cure, all kinds of food in their weirdest combinations. He had tried one once, it was terrible. She snapped the book shut. “By Ignas, do go on. I take back my laughter.”She seemed to have something else on her mind though. “Do you think I’m fat?”He smiled, “Like I always say, you are not fat, you are just pregnant.”“So you would want me like this?”He chuckled, the sound throaty as he buried his face into the crook of her neck. He moved quickly, she c
Eli and Belladonna had come a long way. After death pays a visit, who would expect a joining ceremony?The trail was only hours ago and everything still felt shocking to Belladonna. She was the Kore and Eli was the right-hand man to the UnderLord. She was no longer a ghost but a High Realm that could move from one realm to another, and grant to only those who deserved it a second chance at life. She was a Kore with no realm of her own but one she must build from scratch. The Fate had dissolved the Kore’s realm after they based their judgment on the previous one. Luna and Ama had promised to help her in all ways they could and Belladonna was grateful for the offer. She was more excited about her ability to move from one realm to another though. She couldn’t wait to see her sister, Arlo, and Alaris even though they might not be able to see her. As Eli had told her, the UnderLord didn’t have a right-hand man for a very long time. Many Thanatos had been trying to acquire the position.
“She passed two tests!” Ama sprung up from her seat., “There must be something—““You are not one of this council,” the Ghost High Being turned to her sharply, “so keep your voice out of the decisions.” Belladonna's eyes widened. Two tests! So Eli—- Ah by Ignas, she had been right. Where was Eli? Why hadn’t they let him come in yet?Ama smirked, “Still holding a grudge, Phosi? I see.”“Passed the two tests? It is obvious that she has failed. The rules are the rules,” The Sea High Being spoke, “she has failed. Pass the judgment, I have places to be.”Failed? Belladonna felt that painful jolt in her heart. What were they even talking about?!The hall seemed to share the same confusion as Belladonna, they whispered amongst one another. “Failed?!” Luna snapped. “How did she fail? It is not her fault that her soul didn’t align——““The rules are the rules! And you are not a part of this Council, stay out of it!” The High Being of the Sea snapped. “End this already,” he said to the Fates,
The days that followed were fast and the training was tedious, Luna helped as much as she could, probably more than any mentor ever would. Life in the Moonrealm was wonderful, but for the things that shattered her peace. After training in the Moonrealm for two moons, Luna had not-so-pleasant news for her. Eli was to undergo a test too, a single test.“He has to fight the UnderLord and defeat him.”“Who will train him?”“The UnderLord.”There was no way the UnderLord would train Eli enough to be able to defeat him. “He chose him to be his master.”Belladonna paused. Eli was definitely plotting something.“Also, the failure of one is the failure of both of you.”Belladonna blinked, the times and the trails were against them but Eli was no fool. He definitely had something planned. ——-——-[TRIAL DAY]The first thing Belladonna saw when she stepped into the hall was a woman on her knees screaming in agony, while three faceless people with the staff in their hands stood around her, the
Preparation“It is believed that holding the title of the Kore is a curse and there is a reason for that. Everyone that becomes the Kore always has a terrible end.” Luna paused as if considering her next words before she finally spoke. “Reincarnation should be beautiful, not filled with so many problems. Reincarnation and second chances, do you not think so, Belladonna?”Belladonna nodded, wanting to know about the Kore already, but instead of continuing with what she had to say, Luna drew a line in thin air, and a floating lightly illuminated map unraveled between them. There were different floating objects on the map, probably to signify places. “For your third test, you must be chosen as an apprenticeship for one of the Realm Lords.”“Chosen?”“It is quite tricky as it is your soul that chooses for you and if the Realm Lord of the one your soul along with thinks you are fit, then you will have passed the third test.”“I don’t understand. Something seems to be missing. What about t
“What?!” Belladonna yelled, grabbing Ama’s wrists tightly with rage. “How could not tell me?!”“How dare you disrespect me?!” Ama snapped her hands away from Belladonna’s grip, fury blazing in her eyes as she started getting bigger, losing the frame she had fitted herself into. Belladonna stayed firm, her anger refusing her to feel fear. How dare they drag Aniya into this? How dare they? If she had known, she wouldn't— By Ignas, she wouldn't have done this!To ruin another’s life for the sake of her happiness? Never!No.Then Ama stopped, looked at the castle, and was back to normal in a flash as if a thought had flashed into her mind to make her reconsider. “I will spare you the wrath of my mate only this once. You will not disrespect me again,” She said firmly but those were words Belladonna couldn't hear.They sounded like echoes in the background. Anger changed into fear, not for her but for Aniya.She fell to her knees and wept. “You must reverse it. Please, I am begging. Ask f
“Eli.” Tears were streaming down her face now.Finally, they could touch but this moment wouldn’t last forever, and they intended to exploit it for as long as they could.“Do you love me, Donna?” His hand cupped the side of her face.“You know I love you.” She slipped her fingers through his hair which had grown longer than she remembered. She had certainly not seen all of the real him when he possessed Jyris’ body. Now, he looked so different. “By Ignas, I do. I love you, Eli.”“And I love you too. No amount of this torture, nor of passage of time will take that away. I grant you the permission to forget me. You need not feel any guilt, it will be the best way of loving me.”Belladonna wiped her tears away. “It is ironic, you begged me to choose you in Gaya’s garden and I did not, and now that I want to choose you, you are begging not to.” The words spilled quickly out of mouth, as they tried to make the best use of their borrowed time.A glimmer of a smile snaked into his eyes. “It
The journey to Eli’s dungeon felt like a repeat of past events, it was like a flash of what had happened after the Red Moon Ritual, a reminder of the time Alaris had led her to his dungeon. She had followed Alaris with worry and love for him in her heart, then she found him in chains and finally, she left his presence betrayed, sad, and a grounded hatred for him.It felt sickening to be in this type of situation again though under different circumstances. She wished it was over, she wished she had seen him and saved him. She heard his voice before she saw him. A shout filled with agony. Her heart clenched with pain as she prepared herself to see the worst. Ama stopped walking and Belladonna who was following her did the same. Why had they stopped? She couldn’t see Eli anywhere, in fact, she could barely see her surroundings; she could still hear his voice though, and that in itself was too painful to bear. What type of torture were they putting him through? Suddenly, the growls of
The next thing Belladonna knew, her blindfold was ripped away from her and she was tossed roughly to the floor, her hands and knees bearing the brunt of the action. She expected pain but that never came. Oh, of course.The room was lit with red dim lights, however for Belladonna who had stayed in the dark for too long, the light felt blinding. The structure of the hall seemed like a throne room but it was of such an intricate design that she had no time to access it, the only thing that caught her eye was the strange, massive, dangling bed-like structure with curtains, connected with a chain to the roof of the hall; she could only assume that, it was too dark to see into the distance above. She rose to her feet and froze when she heard growls and gnashing behind her and she turned to look back, frightened. This beast, she had seen it before. Four-legged with three heads of mighty wild dogs, rough rocky skin with visible maps of the lava contained within. Vicious and ready to kill.