"It's been a busy day." She said, standing up and pulling the book along with her. He hummed, his feet carrying him to her with an aura that felt like hesitation on the first couple of steps before it faded away completely and he pulled off his mask, a tired smile on his face. His lips grazed slightly against her forehead with a gentle kiss, that lasted for only a second because she was pulling away as fast as possible, stumbling away from him so she would be able to get to the door without any obstacle, go to her study and continue her mission already.There was just so much to read and so little time, so many places that the book listed. She could only visit one place per night with Alaris' magic, so she would be needing a lot of coins to travel and make the best use of each night. "The report reaching me is that there have been no attacks since the soldiers got to their locations." Eli's voice snapped her out of her train of thought. "There are still no traces of the witch eithe
The light in the bathroom was really dim but it was enough for her to see everything that she needed to see.Eli was in the bathtub, his head downcast as the glow of the candlelight glowed on the visible upper part of his naked body.She took a couple of steps closer and heaved a sigh of relief when she realized that he was alone. Why would she think that of him? She needed to work more on trusting him. By Ignas, why had that thought even cross her mind?That he would cheat on her?Never. The sound of water trickling as he moved slightly in the water made it to her ears, and she felt the need to suddenly turn around and leave. They've never had a bath together, he was either helping her clean after sex or something else, even that had been for quite a while, so even though they had been intimate a number of times, this felt like she was invading something private. "I wanted to see if you were okay."She wished. She wished that had been it and not some other thoughts she shouldn'
Repulsed?Where was that even coming from?"I don't understand." She said as she turned around. He had that look he had in the bathroom again, broken and overwhelmed. What was this?"What can I do, so that you can stop being repulsed by me.""I'm not---" she dropped to her knees, cleaning the bloodstains around his nose, the meaning they held dragging a dagger through her heart and making her hatred for Kestra grow stronger and stronger. A frown pulled over her face, the hatred bitter on her tongue. "I'm not repulsed by you. I love you, Eli."The frown on her face wasn't really convincing to him, the fact that her focus was on his nose that had bled a while ago, made him feel even worse."I want you to want me again, want me as you used to before I told you all about," he closed his eyes, gritting his teeth as if his next words were too heavy to be spoken. "My curse with Kestra. I haven't been her ever since I met you, I swear on Ignas."Belladonna was stunned. So, that was it?Tha
Belladonna's gown slipped off her body with ease, her gaze fixed on Eli who was leaning on an elbow so he could look at her. Eli was the one always initiating their intimate moment, he always took the lead too, so right now, she was just doing whatever her lust-driven brain was telling her to do. She moved to him, climbing up the bed and over him, her face hovering above his. She could still see the doubt somewhere in his eyes, she wanted it to become non-existent. Right now the thoughts of Alaris and her mission were far away. So far away. The body pressed against hers with warmth was all she could think about, the person under her was all her mind could think of. "Donn---" she didn't let him finish that, her lips sealed against his, consumed his in the best way she knew how to. She moved against him, the curves of her body melting against his own, his length pressed against her in a way that caused her to wriggle. She pulled away from him, pressing her hands against his che
Belladonna couldn't remember how many rounds they went, they had both been greedy and now she was sore and tired, but the Blood Moon was approaching, her life was on the line and so were the lives of many others. The faster she could kill Kestra, the safer it would be for her. It would be bad if that so-called Nahiri got to her before she could take out the obstacle the Nahiri wanted to defeat. She would give anything to just lay here in bed with Eli, but even as she was looking at him like this, she was reminded of his dying state. His scales looked drained of color, black circles around his eyes, and he looked lean.Eli was sick. Her eyes welled up with tears. He didn't tell her but she knew being with her had not helped his health. He most likely thought it was because their aura didn't match but Belladonna was certain it was that wicked Kestra of a witch. She wanted to tell him, but if he was carrying a whole Alterer without his knowledge of the effect it had on his people, B
"Have you found anything on him yet?""I'm working on that too. Just ensure you keep staying away from him. What about the bottle, did you give him any of that?"Belladonna suppressed a scoff. "He hasn't given me any need to do that yet.""Great." Kestra leaned back. "Just ensure to do as I say. Exactly as I say." She emphasized. "I will not lead you astray."Astray. That word.Astray.That was exactly what she wanted to do though. All this while that she had been preparing her for the sacrifice. The 200th bride. "Of course, I know I can trust you, Lady Kestra."She could see a flash behind her own eyes, her reality clashing together, her gaze became fixed on Lady Kestra's neck, watching every movement, blood running hot in her veins and her heart pounding more in her chest the harder she focused. The needle in her hand would sink straight into that skin, puncture something and that would be it. All their problems, gone just because of one needle. She should do it. "Yes, you
Collin rushed around the room, a goblet in his hands as he approached Kestra who was pacing around barefooted, bumping against some things as she did.The sound of the muttering from her lips clashed against her farts that ruptured through the room. "Stupid child." She muttered, her hand resting on her belly."This should help," Collin said, handing a glass over to her, and she swallowed all the content of the goblet in one gulp, yet her stomach was still a rumbling mess.It might take some time for the medicine to work. The foul smell had completely taken over the room, if Collin didn't feel a deep sense of duty towards Lady Kestra, he would not be here enduring all this."She put something in the tea, I'm sure." She stood up from the edge of the bed she was sitting on. "I should have her executed for this."When Lady Kestra had disrupted the meeting with the rumbling sound that had come along with that life-threatening smell, Collin who had been at the door, rushed away from the m
Nadia bit her lips, nodding to herself vigorously."I thought so too. That wouldn't have been good."This felt unreal. It was like watching a different person that had features of Nadia, but it was Nadia that was standing in front of her alright, just a different version of her that Belladonna had me seen. "My grandmother said I have I fight to fight back against bullies and Lady Kestra is a bully." She moved her shaky hands through her hair, her gaze moving from Belladonna to the trees some distance behind her. "I was so brave then, while I was putting something in her tea," a corner of her lips lifted in a smile, before it quickly disappeared, "but now, I'm so scared. Lady Bell, what if the King feeds me to his mad dragon for this?"Belladonna moved closer to her and held her shaky hands, giving her assurance that wouldn't happen, before quickly shifting to the topic that she was interested in knowing more about."That is a great lesson from your grandmother. She must be so fun."