"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."
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.