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m-r-nicely · 8 months

Text

Still With Me?

Bela Dimitrescu x OC

Word Count: +40k

Bela loves her family with all her being, and lately the eldest Dimitrescu finds herself falling into her memories as she reminisces about how she and her lover came to be together. Looking back on the hurdles and hurricanes they've been through to get to where they are now brings her wave after wave of nostalgia. It can also, however, bring about the fears and emotions she tries to hide about their situation, and the reality of mortality.

Bela screws up, meets someone she connects with, and this is my attempt at their story.

Bold is in the past.

She crept down the regal hallway. One breath or step too heavy and someone would surely find her. Playing hide and seek tag with one vampire would have been foolish enough. But playing with three was practically a death wish. Top it all off with a talking doll and playing the game in a spooky, yet fancy, castle and one would find themselves in Seraphine's situation. Technically, she does have the unfair advantage of survival, considering the personal connection she holds with said vampires. Seraphine holds her breath to listen for any telltale sounds of buzzing flies, clicking heels, or laughter to gauge the distance between herself and the sisters. Even as she strained her ears, she failed to hear the blonde stalking silently behind her, like the experienced predator she is. The eldest sister's presence only comes to Seraphine's attention when an arm wraps around her waist, with the other moving to pull a section of hair behind her left ear. She recognizes exactly who the embrace belongs to, knowing that neither younger sister would dare to perform such an intimate gesture with her.

"Found you, little one." Bela's breath fanned over her lover's nape as she spoke.

Her lips placed a kiss upon her human's crown, making their way to her temple, moving to her cheek, and planted a final kiss on Seraphine's forehead as the latter tilted her head back. A comfortable silence falls over the two as the vampire slowly and gently sways herself and her human.

"Who's it?" The question draws a hum from Bela.

"I think I saw Angie chasing Adrianna into the kitchen," her words barely above a whisper as she thought.

Seraphine slightly smiles and leans her head back on Bela's chest, as the crown of her head reaches just a smidge above her shoulder. She could feel the rumble on the back of her head as the vampire hummed their tune.

"Keep that up and you will lull me to sleep," she whispers.

In response, Bela tightens her embrace and increases her volume.

"How much time do you suppose we have?" Seraphine asks as she rotates to hold Bela as well.

The vampire seemed to be studying her lover's eyes, but she knew Bela well enough to spot the subtle twitching of her brow that occurs when she's lost in thought. Bela answers after taking a deep breath and pressing her lips once again to Seraphine's forehead.

"Not enough," she felt Seraphine chuckle at her solemn tone.

"We could always find a more," she makes a point of glancing around while moving her hands up to drape around Bela's shoulders, "private place to hide away. Until the game is over, at least."

Her lover's suggestion was tempting as ever, but Bela's eyes caught a glimpse of the bandage on her human's neck in her peripheral. The memory of drinking from Seraphine last night as the human sang to her was brought to the forefront of her mind. Even without any words being spoken, Seraphine understands the clear concern in her lover's eyes. Bela has always made sure Seraphine regains her strength after a feeding.

She gently pulls her hand down and cups the vampire's cheek, and Bela leans further into the warm touch. They share a smile of equal reassurance and gratitude. The two rarely ever need words to communicate anymore, with their love being so genuine and sincere that they only need to trade a few glances and, somehow, they both knew what each other meant to convey.

As Bela leans down to breathe a kiss onto Seraphine's lips, her mind races back to how she met the love of her life.

It wasn't the first time the eldest had gone on a hunt without her sisters, sometimes it's nice to have time to herself, but never had she encountered so many lycan at once while alone. The beasts were by no means a challenge to dispatch, but it was mid, leaning to late, fall and Bela had underestimated how cold it would be. She couldn't swarm so the fight took a toll on her, covered in cuts and gashes that should have been easily avoided. The growing crystallization around her wounds was painful enough on its own, but the knowledge that she was too far to make it home before it consumed her caused Bela to, for the first time in decades, fear death.

Bela fell back against a tree as the crystals reached her jaw. She lowered herself to the ground and set her gaze upon Castle Dimitrescu. What she thought was to be her last wish was for Cassandra and Daniela to never make the same mistake, lest they find themselves in a similar situation. Bela was so caught up in her thoughts, as her consciousness fades, that she did not hear the sound of approaching footsteps.

She didn't expect the pain to still be there when she woke up. Actually, she didn't expect to wake up at all. Bela barely registered the softness wrapped around her or the warmth to her left. Her focus was on the walls left barren with the exception of some cabinets and a few large, embroidered blankets nailed to the wooden surface. Bela sat up, which was annoyingly a struggle with her wounds, in a bed large enough for merely one person. A few meters away was a furnace stove, explaining the warmth in the room, with a pot sitting on top. Her eyes panned across the space that she estimated to be half the size of her own bed chambers. Yet this room seemed to have most expected living necessities. Besides three doors, this appeared to be the entire home.

Regardless of still being in pain, Bela stood up and made her way to one of the doors. Even out of bed the room was a cozy temperature. She felt foolish as she pressed her ear to the wood surface before her. She was in an unfamiliar place without her sickle while injured, so this small act of caution would be permitted.

Nothing.

Bela heard nothing on the other side of the door. It made no sound as it opened either. Her original plan was to peek through enough to look for clues as to where she was before someone came and found her snooping. The vampire hated being at a disadvantage.

It would seem, however, that the world had another plan in mind. She gasped in surprise as the door was swung open by a gust of wind, followed by her crying out in pain as the heat rapidly seeped out through the entrance as snow steadily piled in. A separate door opened behind her, then quick footsteps, and finally the door in front of Bela slammed shut. A lock clicked and the individual standing above her turned around and, although she couldn't see it, Bela felt the silhouette's eyes examining her. A voice much more melodic than she expected pierced the tense silence, though she wasn't quite sure what she expected in the first place.

"Hey," the voice was gentle, "you still with me?" It pained Bela to realize all she could do was slowly nod with a frightened doe-eyed expression.

"I never thought an apex predator could look so meek," spoke the woman. Her tone held a hint of both amusement and taunt.

Bela stood, knowing she would have the advantage of height, in an attempt to be intimidating after the embarrassing look that had plagued her face just seconds before. The human crossed their arms stepping away from the door and further into the light. Bela masterfully held a straight face as she took in the curly inferno hair lazily pulled into a bun and the chartreuse eyes that made her want to both let her guard down and feel slightly sorrowful. The emotions conveyed by this person's eyes alone nearly willed Bela to step back more than a few paces. A plethora of calm, unimpressed, distrust, disappointment, and concern were all topped off by stubbornness. The last look she knew well, as she often saw it in the eyes of her sisters.

Yet there was one. There was still one thing those eyes expressed that Bela could not, for the life of her, place. It made her grow frustrated as she studied the look. She hadn't even realized the human moved to stand less than a meter away.

"Your poker face isn't as good as you think."

Bela jumped slightly as her thoughts were interrupted.

"Go sit down," the soft voice held more authority than one would expect, "let me clean this up and I'll check your bandages."

She stepped into action while Bela simply stood there, watching with an intensity that would make anyone else cower. In reality, her mind was racing with a million questions a minute. Where is she? Why is there snow? Who is this human? Why does she seem unaffected by Bela's presence? She needed answers and she only saw one way to get them.

As the stranger came back with a warm towel Bela grabbed her by the throat and slammed her into the wall, feet at least 20 centimeters off the floor. The grab clearly caught her off guard and the initial impact knocked the breath from her lungs, likely to leave a few bruises as well, but she still kept up the appearance of being merely unimpressed by the vampire's actions. This only fueled Bela on.

"Where are we?" Bela spoke low, almost in a growl.

"My home," the stranger quirked an eyebrow in challenge. How dare she.

"And where is that?"

She tilted her head slightly, almost unnoticeably, in consideration before answering, "Close enough to the village to make a day long visit. Too far for you to make in this weather, let alone in your condition," her voice never wavered once.

Bela took in the last of what she said. The stranger was right. Bela had begun to rapidly crystallize with just the door opening. She didn't want to think about what would happen if she were to take even one step outside.

"Now," Bela looked back at her eyes, "go sit down and I'll answer whatever questions you have. I'm sure there are quite a few blanks you'd like filled in. No?"

After another moment, Bela relented and dropped the woman, who caught herself with ease. She made her way back to the bed, welcoming the increased warmth of the furnace, while the woman made her way around performing menial tasks that Bela would simply have a maid do. A few minutes later the woman opened a door that led to what looked to be a hallway with stairs at the end. This place must be larger than Bela originally thought. The stranger came back in and moved to grab a chair, which she placed in front of the vampire.

"Perhaps you two should find a less 'in the open' place to hide," the voice pulled Bela out of her memories.

Donna was mostly soft spoken, like Seraphine, and Bela had come to appreciate the stark difference compared to her sisters. It was nice to have Seraphine and her Aunt Donna as that occasional escape.

"That's what I was saying," Seraphine chimed with a delightful smile, "I guess great minds really do think alike."

Bela pulled back to look her lover in the eyes, "If you're the great mind then what am I?"

"Have you ever heard of the brains and the brawn?" Seraphine burst into laughter, Donna letting out a small chuckle when Bela's eyes widened, and the vampire scoffed in faux offense.

Donna was the first to recognize their crucial mistake. She raised her finger to hover over her veil where her mouth would be. Seraphine was next as she bit her lip trying to stifle what giddiness she still had. Bela was the last to realize the mistake, but she was the first to hear the consequence. Throughout the hall echos the signature maniacal laughter of the ever-approaching middle Dimitrescu daughter, followed by her voice.

"Oh, dearest Sera! Could you be hidden down this way?"

Donna barely has time to step aside as Bela throws her lover over her shoulder and takes off in her swarm. As she weaves around corners and through doorways her mind is taken back. Remembering how, even from the start, Seraphine has always had that quick wit that Bela loves so much.

"Who are you?"

The woman huffed out a single chuckle. "You don't waste any time."

"You said you'd answer my questions," Bela sounded calm but this human was pushing her limits.

Said woman raised her hands, which held fresh bandages and medical ointments, in surrender. "Alright, fine. My name is Seraphine."

Bela quirked a brow, "Seraphine-" she drawled, indicating for the human to continue.

"Oh, no. Seraphine is all you get. Ask another question." She spoke as she brought up scissors to cut away the old bandages, which Bela allowed.

The vampire took a second to think while watching Seraphine work until she had her next question, "How did I get here?"

Without missing a beat Seraphine retorted with, "A pixie carried you here and your fairy god mother asked me to help until you could lick your own wounds." Bela surprised herself when her only reaction was a flick to Seraphine's forehead. The woman had a devious smirk as she peered up then rubbed her 'wound' with a pout. Bela simply sent her an unamused glare.

"You're no fun," Seraphine concluded with a sigh. Oddly, this sudden childish manner reminded Bela of her sisters. "I found you in the midst of dying out in the forest, so I heaved you onto my hunting sled. You're heavier than you look, by the way. Then again, you were four-fifths statue at the time."

Bela almost laughed at the comment as it was certainly not what she expected.

"When I got you back here, I thought of using you as a decoration. Unfortunately, you started to thaw before I could find a suitable spot."

This did make Bela let out an amused huff.

She let Seraphine think she didn't notice the victorious glint in her eye or quirk of her lips as she focused on putting a warm balm on Bela's smaller cuts, and a cooler salve on the larger gashes. Despite the touch being from a stranger, it was gentle and soothing as soft calloused fingers rubbed the medicines into Bela's wounds.

"I thought to lay you in my bed, but it was too cold in my room. You weren't getting better fast enough. Even when I put warm cloths over your forehead or piled all the blankets I own on the bed. So, I decided to improvise," Bela was genuinely curious now, since the room seemed to be a nice temperature, in her opinion, "I moved you to the couch so I could bring my bed out here. I left you next to the furnace and a few days later," Seraphine gestured to Bela with her hands, "voila! You're awake."

"Wait," Bela processed the information, "you moved your bed from your room? On your own?"

"No. My lycan buddies came and did the heavy lifting," Seraphine deadpanned, as she was the one who looked unamused now, "Yes. I moved it on my own."

Within no time, Seraphine had finished treating and rebandaging the wounds on Bela's front. She got on the bed and sat behind her guest to treat her back.

"How long have I been here?" There it was. The question that had Bela on the edge of her seat, figuratively.

"A month," Seraphine tentatively stated, as if bracing for impact.

To her surprise, Bela remained calm. It was significantly less than the vampire would have thought. "It could go faster. I just need-"

Seraphine cut her off, "Blood?" Bela simply nodded.

She didn't detect any falter in Seraphine's voice, or judgment. If she was honest, she didn't know if that lack of fear was admirable or frightening. Before she could contemplate further, Seraphine had casually thrown her medical ointments down the bed and sat in the chair in front of Bela again. The vampire hadn't even registered that Seraphine finished patching her up.

"Take mine."

Seraphine flopped onto a soft surface as Bela shut the library doors. She readjusted herself on the cushions, thankful for her pants preference, so her legs weren't hanging off the side of the furniture. Bela walked around, skimming the titles and authors to find a particular book.

"Looking for this?" Bela turned around at the sound of the youngest and her cheerfully taunting tone.

Daniela held the Bethany Wiggins book in her hands. She made sure not to open it, not wanting to see what would happen if the bookmark fell out of this particular book. Bela was going to say something, but her sister had already moved to plop down next to Seraphine on the couch. She draped her arm around the human's shoulder.

"You don't mind if I read with you, right Sera?" Daniela batted her eyelashes at Seraphine, causing her to smile mischievously.

She leaned her head on the youngest Dimitrescu's shoulder. Her words were spoken innocently but had a playful and devious undertone, "Actually, would you read it to me Dani?" She dramatically laid her arm over her forehead and raised the pitch of her voice, "I am suddenly feeling quite faint."

Bela wanted to be upset at the two for very obviously trying to instigate her, but then they would have the satisfaction of their games working. She rolled her eyes and made her move toward the sofa. Upon approaching she saw there was no space to sit.

As if on cue, Daniela gasped, "Oh my. Sera...it appears we are on the loveseat," Seraphine was practically snickering as she already knew where this was going. "Does that mean you are," a dramatic pause, "in love with me?"

Bela had Seraphine on her lap before Daniela even finished the word love. The two younger women laughed at the reaction they inevitably got from the eldest Dimitrescu. Bela huffs, knowing they mean no harm and she actually tends to enjoy their light teasing. Seraphine snatches the book from Daniela. Bela allows her sister to lay her head on half of her lap as she shifts so Seraphine would be more next to her with the human's legs draped over her own. She runs her fingers through the youngest Dimitrescu's hair as Seraphine opens Stung to the bookmarked page and begins reading aloud.

Bela blinked in response. She understood, but she didn't understand. Why would prey offer their blood to a predator? While Bela initially was shaking her head, Seraphine would remain steadfast and, as Bela predicted before, stubborn.

Another month passed with this back and forth of Seraphine offering her blood and Bela telling her off. Why Bela was refusing something that, in normal circumstances, she wouldn't have hesitated to take with or without permission, she herself had not the slightest of clues. Maybe she felt guilty for the bruises on the human's back, or the one around her neck. This particular human did save her life, so not killing her would just be common curtesy.

Over that month Bela had observed the human cook, clean, go hunting, travel into the village, give her guest a tour of her home, show her how to keep the water warm and not freeze when bathing, and then she finally trusted Bela enough to give her back her sickle.

With all of this, Bela had learned to calculate the average amount of time each of the usual tasks took Seraphine to complete. While cooking, cleaning, sleeping and bathing would vary, she noticed the woman never hunted past dusk and never stayed in the village for over six hours. Having learned this, it sparked some concern in Bela when it had reached late into the night and her host had yet to return from hunting. It was beautiful weather in the early morning, but there was a rather sudden blizzard in the evening. She was pacing in the living space while she contemplated what might have happened to the woman. Should she go out to find the woman? No, how would Bela help Seraphine if she herself was dead from the cold?

Bela needed something to distract herself so her mind would stop coming up with scenarios in which Seraphine did not return. Despite not liking how attached she had become to the younger woman; she made her way to the woman's room. There was a shelf with some books displayed upon it, at least one had to pique her interest.

Turns out the two women had similar taste in what they chose to read. Bela had already read most of what Seraphine owned, but two books stood out as unfamiliar titles.

The first was Tick Tock by a Dean Koontz, a title and author the vampire was unaware existed until now. The other had a bookmark peeking out from between the pages. It was Stung by Bethany Wiggins.

As tempting as the latter was, Bela wanted to know what exactly Seraphine was reading, she respected that it was likely off limits at the moment. She remembered one time when Daniela had chosen a book Bela was reading and she forgot to put the bookmark back in after it fell out. Bela ignored the youngest for two months. So, the vampire picked up the Dean Koontz novel and left to sit down at the table in the living area.

Surprisingly, the book held her interest for about three more hours, her attention only diverting when the door to the house swung open.

The first thing Bela could smell was blood. She wasn't unfamiliar with the scent, but this was particularly potent.

Fresh.

The hunched figure was clearly in pain as they pushed the door back into place. Bela put the book down, not caring that she'd lost the page she was on, moving slowly towards what certainly smelled like Seraphine.

The human in mind turned around to expose her shivering and bloodied form. One hand clung to her coat so tight her knuckles were almost as pale as Bela's skin, while the other was pressed defensively over her chest. The blood was not only soaking through her clothes but also dripping onto the wooden boards beneath their feet. This was the second time Bela found her thoughts being easily predicted by this human.

"It was a lycan," voice hoarse and strained, "I left behind the doe I had to get away." Seraphine hobbled further into her home as she spoke.

Seraphine made her way to the bathroom and shut the door. Bela took this time to clean up the blood and snow that had dripped onto the floor. Why she felt the need to clean like some maid, she refuses to even try to fathom. After waiting yet hearing no sounds of water run, Bela was hesitant, but eventually she lightly tapped her knuckles against the door.

"Seraphine?" she questioned. There was some muffled shuffling behind the door.

After a full moment without a response Bela announced she was entering the room and took in the trembling form standing in front of her. Where was the snarky and confident woman that she had become so familiar with? What exactly happened out there? Bela reached her hand out and Seraphine kept her eyes fixated on the movement. The human winced but did not object when Bela, as gently as she could manage, pulled the coat and shirt from her body.

A deep gash starting from the sternum that traveled down slightly to the right and hooked back around to just under the left breast. It looked to have been caused by a single clean swipe.

What did this? A lycan should have left a bite, a rough or torn scratch, and definitely some bruises. There was no way a lycan caused this, even with a weapon.

Bela had sat still that first day she woke up and allowed Seraphine to treat her wounds, so she saw no problem in returning the favor by doing the same for Seraphine now. When she moved around the woman to draw a bath, she could feel the human's eyes follow her. Making sure the temperature was one she knew Seraphine deemed good enough, not thinking about how she knew, Bela allowed the tub to fill. She turned to find the smaller woman stock still and watching every move she made. What Bela thought was a bit odd was how she didn't feel uncomfortable by the staring. Bela moved slowly, to allow Seraphine the chance to refuse the assistance or the touch, as she carefully undressed the trembling human standing in front of her.

When the tub had filled to a reasonable amount Bela stopped the water flow and gestured for Seraphine to step into the bath. The human made no move to do so. If anything, it seemed like she took a tiny step back. This didn't upset Bela, who prided herself on her patience, but she needed to get the woman into the tub to clean her wounds before treating them. Moving slowly again, Bela tried to gently lift Seraphine, who was shaking even more at the action, into her arms and turned around. Lowering the woman into the warm water was easy. Bela was pretty sure she heard a knock but ignored it.

Being unsure of what to do next Bela asked, "Would you prefer me to let you bathe on your own?" She saw Seraphine's eyes glisten with gathering tears as the woman subtly nodded her head.

Bela feels soft finger pads run from her temple to her cheek. She let her eyes focus on what was in front of her.

"Hey," Seraphine whispered, "you still with me?"

Bela turned her head, "Of course," and lightly nipped at the fingertips resting near the corners of her mouth.

Daniela had fallen asleep to Seraphine's soothing voice and Bela's fingers running through her red tresses. The sight made it easy to forget how chaotic her sister can be. She turned her sights back on Seraphine. Leaving her and the youngest Dimitrescu daughter together in a room will always end in mayhem. Bela would take the earlier teasing over having to help her mother chase the two down for taking her hats and walking through the halls pretending to be her...again. Surprisingly, the five times that it has happened were all times Bela finally saw her mother genuinely smiling and laughing after long and stressful days. Seraphine just has that effect on people. It almost seems impossible to remain mad at her, and Lady Dimitrescu was clearly no exception.

Bela feels her human bury her head into her neck. She feels the soft breaths of her lover as she yawns against the vampire's cool skin. The book had been placed on the side table to their right. Bela ran her hand up and down Seraphine's back as she got comfortable.

"Hey," Bela mumbles against her hair, "you still with me?"

In return, Seraphine let out a simple and tired, "Mhmm."

Bela let her lover drift into sleep as she silently reminisced their time that winter.

The following week was rough. Seraphine hadn't spoken the entire time, and Bela found herself missing her voice. When asked if she'd like to do anything to pass the time, she got a homemade chessboard from a room she asked Bela not to go in when she had shown her around the house. It piqued Bela's interest as to what else might be in the room, but with Seraphine taking up her recent vow of silence it would be difficult to get answers from her. Bela glanced up at Seraphine after making her first move and noticed the very confused look gracing the other woman's face.

With a hint of amusement and tilt of her head Bela asked, "Do you know how to play?" and she received a small shake of the head in response.

The dynamic between the two changed drastically after that night, and Bela only then noticed how much tension was in the room before. She thought back and found she could pinpoint all the times Seraphine had so obviously been untrusting in the vampire's presence. Even as she returned her sickle, she made a joke about waiting until she was certain Bela wouldn't slice her jugular in the night. Looking at her now, attentive in learning but relaxed in posture, it warmed Bela's heart in a way she hadn't experienced before.

Bela found herself unable to sleep during the following nights. It was strange considering she felt absolutely exhausted. As time progressed, she would begin having cold sweats and find her legs would shake under her own weight when she tried to walk. Seraphine took notice on the third day when she saw Bela with deep bags under her eyes and a glazed look in her eyes. The vampire knew what was wrong, but she refused the thought of what she needed to do. To her surprise, it was Seraphine that started the conversation. The human sat on the side of the bed and placed a warm cloth over Bela's damp forehead. She hummed a tune Bela would come to cherish.

"Drink from me."

The sudden return of the woman's voice caught Bela off guard but made her smile none the less. Her smile faded as soon as it appeared once she processed Seraphine's order.

"I won't do that," she said, barely able to raise her voice to more than a raspy whisper.

"I'm not asking," her tone was soft but was still backed up by that hint of authority, "you need blood. I happen to have plenty to spare."

"I'm not going to f-" Seraphine cut her off.

"Bela," she loved hearing her name roll off Seraphine's tongue, even in this circumstance, "it's too cold for you to hunt. I cannot use my bow since I'm still healing, and even if I could, I would not hunt a human. Even for you."

She gave her words a few seconds to sink in before adjusting how she sat next to Bela. She gestured to her throat, "So you're only option is my blood. I'm willing to provide for as long as you need," her next words made Bela feel tears come to her eyes, "I trust you."

After a moment of consideration, Bela sat up. She let Seraphine help her maneuver into a comfortable position. She kneeled behind Seraphine on the bed and moved the human's hair behind her shoulder. She made each movement slowly, in case Seraphine changed her mind, though she remembered that glint of stubbornness in her chartreuse eyes when they first met. Delicately, her teeth sank into Seraphine's flesh. She felt the slight flinch and stopped moving until she received confirmation that the woman was okay.

"Saebelyn," Bela stopped to let the woman speak, "My maiden name is Saebelyn."

As she continued to feed, Seraphine resumed humming the tune from before. Bela wondered which of them she was trying to comfort. Two words kept repeating in Bela's mind as they sat there.

Seraphine Saebelyn.

The eldest Dimitrescu had far more control than her sisters, but in that moment, Seraphine's blood seemed to be the best she had ever tasted. It made her want to have it all. Had it not been for Seraphine's body gradually going more and more limp in her arms, Bela was unsure if she would have remembered to stop.

"Hey," Bela whispered while tucking some of Seraphine's hair behind her ear, "you still with me?"

Seraphine blinked slowly and took a deep breath before responding, "sure am."

She lifted the nearly unconscious woman and tried to make her comfortable on the nearby couch. One feeding had Bela feeling better, and she was going to use this energy to repay her gracious host. Bela put balm and a bandage over the bite to help sooth any pain the human would feel when she woke up. Then she started, after checking what ingredients they had, making a meal that she observed to be one of Seraphine's favorites. While it was cooking, Bela moved the bed out from the living area back to Seraphine's room after changing the sheets and blankets. She moved the woman to her bed and began cleaning the mess that was made from treating Bela earlier. While doing this, she once again thought back to the day she first woke up just over two months ago and how she thought less of the human for doing these menial tasks. Now she felt herself enjoying the domesticity it all had. Even if she had much to learn in the art of cooking, considering the meal she made would have burnt the house down had Seraphine not woken up to the sound of boiling oil. Bela has enhanced hearing and she cannot tell the difference between oil and water boiling. She received a gentle chastising and a ban from attempting to cook without her host present.

The following month went by much too quickly, in Bela's opinion. They had set a routine of Bela feeding from Seraphine one night a week as the woman hummed the same tune, and Bela would refuse to let Seraphine do much for up to two days after each feeding just to make sure her strength had returned. Actually, the vampire had become quite clingy towards the human, to her own surprise. When Seraphine teased her about it, she would simply say it was out of protection and wanting the 'fragile human' to be safe, but she knew that was only half true.

The sudden closeness wasn't one sided. Seraphine made a point to show she trusted Bela more. She told her how the house belonged to her and her husband, and the forbidden room was the one they shared. About how they had an arranged marriage planned when they were just ten years old, and how they were wedded at the age of nineteen. She shared that her sister in-law, Marissa, taught her everything she knows about hunting, and she had taught her husband, Inigo, the same things when they were young. Seraphine explained that she and Inigo were coincidentally both homoromantic, so considered each other housemates unless it was convenient to use the terms husband and wife. Technically her name is Seraphine Wriktor but not even Inigo and Marissa referred to her as such. It's easiest to refer to him as her husband now to explain she is a widow.

Inigo died after a fight broke out in the tavern over the cost of a piece of land that she, Inigo, and Marissa were going to purchase to build a larger home on, in which they could all have their own families while remaining a family with each other. She took the first few hits, even getting some good ones in herself, before Inigo pulled her out of the way of the man, who suddenly decided he wanted more money for the land they already purchased, that pulled out a gun. The two people she held closest to her heart died with Inigo passing a week after the fight from being shot thrice and Marissa passing a month later from gangrene after not properly treating her stab wounds and not coming to her until it was too late.

She tells Bela how she wept for months. Barely able to eat or sleep. Her father in-law came to collect his child's body both times, since both died in the bed in the forbidden room, and had them buried. She attended both of their funerals.

When both her in-laws died four years ago, she inherited a vast array of their familial belongings due to her being their remaining next of kin, and everything remains packed away in that room. Still in the boxes they arrived in.

Bela managed to shed tears for the fate of these humans since they clearly meant a lot to her friend. It did make her wonder exactly how old Seraphine is, and upon asking she discovered her dear friend is on the verge of turning 32 years of age in two weeks' time and has spent just over half a decade in relative solitude, other than going into the village when necessary.

"I am effectively," she stated, "a hermit."

Bela asked about the house she was going to build with her family and if she needed more lei, or for the eldest Dimitrescu to frighten the man into giving Seraphine the land they paid for. Seraphine explained that part of the reason to even purchase the land was for the three of them to have a place they could call home and freely be themselves as a family, and she saw no reason to build a home without any family left.

Her in-laws knew of Inigo and Seraphine being homoromantic two years after the wedding because the pair sat them down and explained why they still had no grandchildren even though both always spoke of wanting children of their own to raise and watch grow. Neither knew they would be so accepting.

"That was the day we learned that Marissa was born Maurice," she smiled as she reminisced, "and her parents accepted her the same way they accepted us. With open minds and loving hearts."

There were entire days of Seraphine finally just opening up to Bela, and the eldest Dimitrescu could not have been more elated. Even after all their talks and her stories, Seraphine still refused to go in that room for extended periods of time. She had opted to continue using the single bed, that Bela so kindly returned to her, she and Inigo built for when Marissa would spend nights with the pair.

Bela was happy to spend the human's birthday with baked goods, books, and the chessboard between them. She asked why no cake was made and found it was one of few things Seraphine did not like baking.

Then came spring, and with it came the warmth. The women knew their time together was coming to an end.

If she was fully honest, Bela did not want to leave her human friend. Not to mention, there were still questions she had yet to get the answers to. The two had come to a state of silently understanding the other in the setting of Seraphine's home. With the woman having somewhat successfully taught the vampire how to make the fearsome Bela Dimitrescu's new favorite food: Blood Glazed Profiterole. At first Seraphine wondered why she wanted to learn to make the puff pastries, but she realized Bela was worried if she would ever get a chance to see the woman again, or if some tragedy would take the life of her new favorite human before their next meeting. She wanted an excuse to either spend more time with Seraphine or have something to remember her by. If Bela chose to remember her with her favorite dessert, then so be it.

Eventually, the time did come for Seraphine to see Bela off. It was still rather cool out on that afternoon. Bela wanted to stay until the weather was warmer, but she knew the human could see she really just wanted more time with Seraphine herself. Due to this, none of her ideas worked.

It was too cold? Bela was handed an extra, albeit short, fur cloak. She doesn't know the way? Worry not, for Seraphine has many maps. She would get hungry on her way home? Bela was offered a chance to feed shortly before leaving with a basket full of profiterole for the journey.

"You cannot seem to be rid of me soon enough," Bela joked.

Seraphine looked at Bela and the vampire could once again see that unidentifiable emotion. Except now it was stronger. When Bela heard Seraphine speak, she knew exactly what the emotion was, and why it was growing. Why she was pushing Bela away.

"I just think your family have thought you dead long enough," her words were sincere and caring, but they were delivered with an apathetic and empty voice.

How she achieved such juxtapositions will forever be lost on the eldest Dimitrescu.

Bela saw it, and now she heard it. Her heart hurt for her friend. What Bela saw hidden in those captivating chartreuse eyes was loneliness. Everyone good who had come into Seraphine's life had left, in one way or another, and now Bela was doing it too. Seraphine was too caring to ask Bela to forget about going back home. To stay. So, she was pushing her away instead.

The doors to the library open and Angie waddles in. She completely ignores the two sleeping women and addresses Bela.

"Hey blondie!" the doll said very, very loudly.

Daniela sat up at the sudden noise and looked around for the source. Bela put a hand on her shoulder to get her attention and tilted her head in Angie's direction. The doll waved to the younger sister, who promptly waved back after pivoting in her seat, and made its way to the sofa the women were sat upon. She holds her hands up like a toddler, or like when Seraphine wants to ride on Bela's back, to make it clear she wants to join them on the couch. Daniela lifts the doll thinking she would peacefully sit on the couch with them. That was proven incorrect when Angie wriggled out of Daniela's hold and, with chaos in mind, all but tackled the sleeping Seraphine to the floor.

"Angie!" The sisters yelled. One in surprise and the other in frustration. Both in fear.

Seraphine is awful to deal with if she is, quite literally in this case, rudely awakened.

Speak of the devil, and he doth appear.

Daniela and Bela both brace for the incoming onslaught of absolute attitude. Even the village's Goddess has found herself cowering at the fury that will inevitably be faced if those gentle chartreuse eyes open too soon.

"Mother Miranda wouldn't dare cross you, sleeping beauty," Lord Heisenberg once said. Nobody truly knows what happened, but if Karl ever has any more remarks about her attitude, he keeps them to himself.

The library is deathly silent. Even the sisters' flies are stilled from their usual humming buzz. Nobody dares to move. Yet all things must come to an end, but it would seem fortune is on their side. The one who would be destined to be first to fall victim to Seraphine happened to be the one person who did not care about the attitude. Someone who had a heart big enough to understand the frustration and the only person who has ever extinguished the flame that makes chartreuse burn.

Donna walks in, since she was following Angie, and can sense the fear in the two vampires. Angie seems to be waiting in anticipation for the show only she has ever found fun. She truly does love watching her playmates in misery if she doesn't win a game. Donna waves her hand in a shooing motion and Angie sulks back onto the couch. Seraphine starts to sit up and she already has the death eyes activated. She doesn't know who woke her up, so she doesn't have a target yet. Then Donna moves a few paces into the room and lowers herself to eye level with Seraphine.

The dollmaker's voice is hushed as she speaks softly and gently to Seraphine through her veil. The latter glares at the dollmaker for five minutes, secretly trying to match Donna's slightly exaggerated breathing, before standing up and walking right out of the library. The three individuals sitting on the sofa relax. The sisters let out breaths they had been holding to be as silent as possible, and the doll fiddles with her wooden thumbs knowing Donna isn't pleased with her lack of foresight.

"Angie," the dollmaker chastised.

The doll threw her arms above her little head, "I didn't know grumpy pants was sleeping!"

"Daniela and Seraphine were very clearly asleep when Pinocchio came in."

All heads turn to look at Cassandra who is casually flipping through a random book she picked up. She let her gaze move across the room before settling on the doll.

"As much as I enjoy some chaos, Sera is one of the few people who even I won't push. You woke her up on purpose."

Angie did not appreciate the accusation, regardless of it being true. "I most certainly did not! It was an honest mistake!"

"Your nose is growing," Cassandra mumbled to herself.

Thanks to Angie, Bela now has to figure out how to calm the beast before dinner otherwise Seraphine won't eat. She cannot keep food down when she's upset in any way. Since she was fed from by Bela the night before, the vampire was concerned that her lover wouldn't feel well in a rather short amount of time. After all, that is the reason she's so tired today.

"Where do you think she went?" Bela asked her aunt.

Donna took a minute to think, "Perhaps she went to your chambers to rest."

It's the most reasonable thought. So, the eldest sister stands up and makes her way out of the library to find her human. As she follows the familiar path, she lets her mind drift back to her memories.

The castle seemed oddly quiet when Bela walked in. She was so used to her sisters running around taunting the staff but now she heard none of it. She couldn't hear her mother's heels echoing either. It all felt so strange when quiet. Then she heard the faint buzzing of the flies that made up herself and her sisters. This buzz was sad and curious. A few flies descended from the second floor and circled her a couple times. Not a split second later, Bela was tackled to the ground by Daniela while Cassandra remained in her swarm, buzzing happily around Bela's face.

"You're home!" the youngest sobbed into her older sister's shoulder.

The redhead could be emotional at times, but the way she was losing all control of herself as her body shook with every hiccup and every sob had been entirely new. A side of Daniela that had never been shown before. Cassandra disappeared for merely a few moments, giving Bela time to stand herself and the youngest upright, then returned. Forming into herself, Cassandra hugged her older sister. Bela swore she saw unshed tears in the middle Dimitrescu's eyes, but Cassandra would never admit it.

"Welcome home," Cassandra whispered to Bela as her chin tucked over her shoulder.

A second later she had pulled away, taking a still crying Daniela in her arms. Rushing footsteps were loud and clear with no question as to who they belonged to. As if on command, Alcina threw open the doors that stood between herself and the daughter she thought lost. Her eyes were red and had dark circles under them. Alcina had nightmarish visions of what could have befallen her eldest child every time she closed her eyes. The sight of her daughter standing in front of her brought tears to her eyes once again.

It was Alcina who closed the distance, regardless of her shocked state. She wasted no time pulling Bela into an embrace the daughter didn't realize she missed so much, but she was a bit distracted. It ended too soon, however, when Alcina realized how healthy Bela was. She was well fed and had not a single speck of crystal on her body. Her wounds had healed and left no scars in their wake.

"The human spoke the truth?" Her question, no louder than an exhale, confused Bela, but one sister seemed to understand and came to the same conclusion their mother did.

"What human?" She asked and her mother pulled her into another embrace.

"I will explain later, my dear daughter. For now, we need to rest. Neither your sisters nor I have been able to have a peaceful slumber since your disappearance. I can only imagine you must be tired of your journey from wherever you've come home from."

Her mother was correct. Bela was very tired because even though it was spring, and she had accepted Seraphine's fur cloak, she was still cold. Thinking about it later, she would begin to realize it was not a physical coldness, but an internal one. Why did her heart hurt so much? It was only a few months, yet she felt as though the human had been her friend for a lifetime. She wanted to go back and see Seraphine regardless of only just returning to the castle and her family. Why was she so attached to this one human? What was so special about her? Could it be that she showed the vampire kindness rather than judgement while knowing who she was, or maybe Bela had simply gone soft while not being able to kill?

Whatever it was, it kept that one particular human from leaving Bela's mind as she tossed and turned in her bed.

Strange.

Her own bed felt so foreign now, almost uncomfortable. She missed the furnace that warmed the small home. She missed the food that she ate out of courtesy, and definitely not because she enjoyed it, even though it gave her no sustenance. She missed the voice that would talk about everything and nothing all at the same time, a voice that carried an irreplicable melody. The chartreuse eyes seeming to gaze into her soul when she lied and saw through her every time they landed on her own. The smile she found taking her breath away when she was granted the honor of seeing it grace the most perfect lips she's ever seen. The quick wit that kept the vampire on her toes in a way not even her sisters' rather unique rebuttals could.

Bela missed it all.

Bela missed her.

The following afternoon, Bela found herself pacing the length of the hall outside her mother's study. The eldest had tried to approach the Lady for answers that morning, but she insisted her daughter go feed beforehand. Alcina did not know Bela had taken up the human's offer to feed once more before leaving for home. As her teeth dug into the neck of a man-thing in the dungeons Bela found herself humming her new favorite tune, creating an almost unhinged look for herself in the eyes of her victim.

The taste of the blood was off. It hadn't gone bad, or stale, but it was not the blood she found herself craving. Bela would have spat the crimson liquid out if she knew her mother and sisters wouldn't know.

"If you keep that up," Alcina called from behind the door, "you shall wear down the flooring and dig a hole to the room below."

Bela took a breath and finally stepped through the threshold. "You should be resting, my dear Bela."

"Who was the human you spoke of upon my return?" Her question was clear, but she knew her mother well enough to not expect a clear answer.

"Just a human. One who paid the price for what we thought was a lie."

They were silent as Bela waited for her mother to elaborate, "Why are you so interested in this human, dear?"

"What did they say?" Her anxiety was building as her patience disintegrated. "Was it a man or a woman? What price did they pay?"

Alcina sighed as her golden orbs traced her eldest child's form. She was deflated and tired. Eyes filled simultaneously with sorrow and determination.

"It had been just over two months since you went missing," her voice expressing defeat, "and we were still freshly mourning having lost you. A knock echoed from the entry doors at midday, so I asked Liadis to send whoever it was away. They came back explaining a woman had made her way over the drawbridge, made the trek up the property, and stood waiting in the cold, all just to have an audience with me. I was irritated but still obliged," Alcina dropped her gaze to the papers on her desk, "It was no secret that one of you had gone missing. The villagers spread the word like it was the grandest news they had heard in their miserable, mediocre lives."

Alcina locked onto Bela's attentive eyes once again. "Mother," the eldest said, "what did she say?"

"She said you were alive," her voice barely reaching a whisper, "and that you were safe. I grew angry and demanded how she could have possibly acquired this information and be so certain of it."

Bela watched the Lady take a large gulp of her wine in an attempt to stall. "She mentioned something along the lines of you staying in her home and some other things, but at the first word I lost all patience. She managed to evade my first two attempts at her life, the spry little mouse, but she could not avoid Cassandra's blade as it cut through her chest. She turned in time to not be...decapitated...but had she turned any more half her chest would have been nothing but bare muscle and tissue."

The pieces clicked together in Bela's head, but she didn't want to believe Seraphine had lied to her about this. What reason would she have to lie?

Bela thought about the look on Seraphine's face when she returned. The first time since they met that she really saw terror in the woman's eyes. Bela respected that Seraphine preferred to not talk about what happened, other than a lycan managed to catch her with its axe, but at that moment Bela wished she had questioned her more. Wished she acknowledged the fear clouding the chartreuse she fell in lo- she loved looking into. Wished she inquired as to why, even after having been trembling in the vampire's arms, Seraphine let Bela help her. Now she was simply more confused.

"I chased her back out into the vineyard. The storm had begun to pick up so following was a chore, but my rage and her blood led me through the forest for a duration before my fire faded to embers. If I went any further, I would certainly be lost until the snow died down," Alcina finished her explanation by settling into the back of her chair. She awaited her daughter's reaction, any reaction at all, but Bela was in a world of her own.

Why did Seraphine lie?

The following years were spent with Bela's heart and mind battling each other trying to decide on a purpose for the woman's deception, yet she came up with none. She had become but a shell of herself as Bela was gradually driven mad with the fact that she both resented Seraphine for lying but yearned for the woman's presence.

It did not matter that it had been two years, time is not one of the vampire's main concerns, she knew what she wanted to do. What she had to do.

Bela left to visit Seraphine.

The door to Bela's bed chamber is shut when she arrives. She slowly creeps into the room hoping she can avoid making any noise that would irritate the person creating the lump under her duvet. Her flies are as silent as she can maintain, and her footfalls remain feather light. Firey curls are splayed across the pillow beneath the human's head. As Bela sits, she practically hovers while trying not to disturb the mattress' stillness. Soft breaths are heard from the body next to her, but they are shallow and full of unspoken emotions. The vampire hesitates, questioning if she is taking the correct course of action, before she rests her hand on Seraphine's shoulder.

Raging gold turns to glossy chartreuse as they meet pastel dandelion when Seraphine turns to acknowledge her disturber. Just seeing the threatening tears pulls at Bela's heartstrings because she knows her love is in pain, but she doesn't know what to do specifically to help. Quiet seconds pass of the couple surveying each other's expressions for their silent conversations. Seraphine rotates as Bela moves to get under the sheets. She buries herself in her vampire's arms as sobs begin to wrack her body.

"I'm so tired Bels."

"I know," Bela's hold tightens.

"It hurts so much."

"I know, my love. I know."

Bela begins to massage the human's scalp as an attempt to sooth Seraphine's discomfort. She cannot help but feel guilty. This is happening because of her feeding last night. It's because she almost gave in to the ever-present temptation. Her human would not be in this condition if the vampire hadn't nearly drunk her dry the night before. The lack of blood is causing her fatigue, and the way she was breathing when Bela entered the room is a sign of her anxiety rising. The pain could be from potential dehydration, Bela would have to see to getting water delivered for Seraphine. Currently, however, her focus remains on the love of her life and her desperate need for comfort.

Bela continues her stroking and begins to hum the familiar tune; the one she has come to know by heart. She grins to herself as she recalls the circumstance of discovering what exactly the song is.

Bela was unaware of the swarms stalking her own, too focused on making her way to the house sheltering the woman she has longed to see. Perhaps she was too eager to return to the small home, but perhaps she wasn't eager enough considering it took her two years to do so. She took form outside the cabin, pondering whether she should knock or enter unannounced. Patience held her to being polite and rapping her knuckles against the wooden panel. The door swung open and the woman on the other side was clearly surprised to find who her visitor was. Even more surprised when the vampire moved past her and into the space behind her unprompted.

It was just as warm as she remembered. The smell of boiling potatoes, onions, and leeks in stock flooded her nose, a dead rabbit already skinned on the cutting board, empty bones from using the marrow to create a broth, and fresh bread on the small island. The door shut and Seraphine walked past Bela to continue the process the vampire had witnessed, and even helped, her perform countless times during their time together. This is what Bela missed. The warmth, the scents, the woman, the domesticity. She missed all of this. Why hadn't she returned sooner?

"Are you going to stand there all day, or do you want to help me cook?"

Bela's neck could have snapped with how fast she spun around. She had come to enjoy cooking with Seraphine very much, and the latter clearly knew that. She had observed the process of that stew several times, enough to be confident in her knowledge as to what had to be done next. Bela reached for the beet and a knife, but a warm hand gently tugged her wrist. Oh, how she missed this touch.

"Wash your hands," the stern look she received left no room for argument.

The vampire did as she was told and the pair fell into a silent rhythm, aside from the familiar tune the human hummed, within the confines of Seraphine's kitchen. In no time at all, every ingredient had been chopped to the appropriate size and piled into the meal. Bela sat down at the table and sipped at the tea provided by Seraphine, who was leaning her hip against the island with lemonade. She wanted to postpone the inevitable conversation for as long as possible.

"It's been quite some time," Seraphine broke the silence.

"Indeed, it has," Bela shifted slightly, "You should be more careful."

Seraphine almost choked on the ice she was chewing. A habit Bela noticed and adored.

"Excuse me?" The human sent a glare to her guest, but the joy in her eyes betrayed her. "What exactly did I do that should have required more caution?" Seraphine playfully inquired.

"I could have attacked you when you opened the door."

Seraphine quirked a brow, an indication her wit was about to be played to her advantage.

"Oh, how foolish of me. I am unarmed in the presence of the Big Bad Bela Dimitrescu. My life is flashing before my eyes."

The woman's antics and dramatics caused a warmth to sprout in the vampire, but she had a point to make.

"What if I had been a bear?" She thought she had the human cornered. A small quirk of her lips indicating her believed victory.

Seraphine scoffed, "Since when do bears knock?"

The eldest rolled her eyes, mostly at her own comment. When did she start saying such foolish things? She was Bela Dimitrescu, however, and she refused to lose an argument. Even one as trivial as this.

"A lycan then."

"I ca-" Seraphine's rebuttal was cut off as two swarms formed into the middle and youngest Dimitrescu daughters. Had they been listening for that entire time? How did Bela not hear their buzzing?

"Ooh, dear sister. Who might this be?" Daniela teased, leaning down and inhaling deeply as she smelled the human she had formed directly behind.

Cassandra hid her shock and decided to play along, despite recognizing the human in question, "A snack maybe?" Her malicious grin gave away all the intentions behind those words.

Both vampires found it quite odd that the woman talking with their sister hadn't even batted an eye at their sudden arrival. Not detecting the desired reaction, Cassandra let her sickle touch the woman's abdomen and slowly travel up to hook into her chin, a symbolic gesture, and threat, only the two understood. Nothing happened. Cassandra was growing frustrated with the lack of fear in this human's eyes. The tip of the blade pressed harder into the soft flesh and a drop of blood trailed down the curved blade.

The smell of Seraphine's blood acted as a catalyst for something in all three Dimitrescu's because the next few seconds found Bela drawing her sickle to defend the human as her free hand was holding back Cassandra. Daniela had avoided the commotion and backed Seraphine up until she was pinning her against the wall next to the stove. She took the woman's chin between her thumb and index finger, tilting it slightly upwards, with full intent on tasting the alluring crimson gradually pooling into another drop. Seemingly milliseconds before her tongue would have made contact to gather the metallic liquid, she dispersed into flies as Bela's sickle slashed through the space she had been occupying. The middle child smirked at this new discovery, as if contemplating which ways to best use the woman's potent blood as blackmail against the eldest, while the youngest buzzed joyfully in her swarm.

Bela was seething, but that only fueled her sisters on.

"Aww. Why can't I have a taste?" Daniela mocked, "they say sharing is caring. You do care about me, do you not, sweet Bela?"

"You always keep the best ones for yourself," Cassandra added with a nod and equally mocking pout.

To all of their surprise, Seraphine spoke before her vampiric defender.

"You are welcome to make yourselves at comfortable, but it is quite rude to enter my home so suddenly without introducing yourselves."

Cassandra cocked her head to the side and Daniela let her jaw drop. Bela knew it was not the words, but the intended challenge in the tone that had caught her sisters off guard. Cheeks grew red when Seraphine decided to test her luck even more and send the women a bold smirk paired with a quirked brow, showing her control over the situation. It was rudely disrupted when Daniela was in her face again, this time with a less threatening smile and more curiosity filled eyes.

"My name is Daniela! So," the youngest drawled while she studied the chartreuse calmly staring back at her, "are you Bela's lover?"

Both human and vampire sputtered in shock and confusion. Why would she think such a thing?

"You are who she spent the winter with, right?"

Cassandra spoke up again, managing to hide a twinge of guilt, "Of course she is. Why else would Bela visit a human home. Let alone so secretly."

"Actually," Bela stopped the bickering before it could begin, "I came here to ask her a question. Then I was going to return home."

Neither sister believed her.

Bela turned to get Seraphine's help, but she was looking quite amused herself. The nerve of this human will never cease to amaze her.

"Well?" Bela had not realized she had been staring at Seraphine for nearly a full minute until Cassandra voiced her impatience. "What is this query that was so important you had to leave without telling anyone? Again."

"Uhm..." the eldest tried to make something up.

She had to ask Seraphine about the scar when they were alone. At that moment she needed a quick excuse that would make enough sense to fool at least Daniela, and hopefully Cassandra. There was no doubt in her mind, however, that Seraphine would see right through her. The woman always could.

An idea sprung in her thoughts, "I wish to know the song you seem to enjoy so much. I have had it stuck in my head and want to know what it is."

Seraphine nodded subtly, eyes sparkling with interest as she, of course, caught the vampire's lie. "The Salley Gardens," she explained, "an Irish folk song my father learned when traveling before he settled down in the village again. He sung it to me while I was young whenever I had nightmares. Now it is...simply part of my everyday routine."

Bela nodded, not expecting an actual explanation to go with the answer and thought of any way to make her stay last longer. Her eyes scanned the room until landing upon the stew. Seraphine followed her gaze and caught on immediately. Bela can thank their silent communication for it later.

"Why don't you three stay for a quick meal? I can answer your questions," Seraphine gestured to Daniela and Cassandra, "while blondie over here uses the time to put together a better excuse."

Cassandra snickered behind her hand causing Bela to glare at her. Daniela slowly tilted her head from left to right both in consideration and observing the woman still stood between her sister and the wall. After finding what she appeared to be looking for, Daniela gave a single nod before stepping away only to begin walking around the living space. Her eyes scanned the walls for anything potentially interesting to ask about. Cassandra grabbed a rag off the counter then pulled a chair from the table and sat down to clean the line of blood from her sickle, it being a reminder of what she had done.

Bela glared at Seraphine, who nonchalantly shrugged her shoulders and moved back to the pot of stew upon the stove to dish four bowls. How could she be so relaxed in the presence of 'The Daughters Three of the Lady D,' as she once referred to them? Known for their cruelty in the castle and savagery on hunts. Bela once again found herself wondering if Seraphine's lack of fear was impressive or foolish. Based on her sisters' reactions it seems to be the prior option, so far at least.

The human pulled herself impossibly closer to her vampire. Bela adjusted herself to accommodate the movement. After being plucked from her thoughts yet again, the eldest found herself enjoying the warmth that she always associated with the woman sleeping soundly in her arms. A warmth she remembers feeling when waking up in the cabin, from the brief moments Seraphine's fingertips would graze her skin when replacing Bela's bandages, when she first helped Seraphine cook a meal, the night Bela took care of her human's wounds, every time she held the woman in her arms after a feeding.

Bela remembers how the warmth became more intense, more noticeable, after that night. The way she wanted nothing more than to be at Seraphine's side when the woman made trips into town. How Bela longed to look into the eyes consisting of her new favorite color. She would wait hours on end, humming the song she came to cherish, waiting to hear the melody that taught it to her.

Looking back upon it now, in this moment, the eldest daughter found it was her aunt that pointed out what that warmth means. What it represents. Why she feels it whenever her mind drifts to a certain woman.

Eight months passed with 'The Daughters Three' visiting this enigma in their lives, each visit more casual and comfortable than the last. If Bela was leaving to see Seraphine, one of her sisters would ask to come along, or rather Daniela would ask and Cassandra would simply invite herself. Sometimes they would have meals together, Seraphine actually taught the two younger sisters how to cook. Who would have guessed Cassandra Dimitrescu could flay a human with her eyes closed, though what fun would it be if she couldn't watch their agony, but could not skin a potato if her family's lives depended on it.

She sometimes sat with the sisters and retold the story of herself, Inigo, and Marissa. Just like her older sister, Cassandra offered to visit the man who was supposed to sell them the land. Other times the sisters would take turns teaching Seraphine how to use their favorite choice of weapons. Occasionally their new favorite human had to travel for work, her being a tailor, and their mother would often find them doing small and peculiar activities they discovered Seraphine liked until she returned.

That was how Daniela started listening to Bela read books Seraphine could not finish with the youngest herself. She was, by far, the most entranced by the woman's voice and wanted to hear it as often as she possibly could without annoying the human. It was Seraphine that proposed the idea of reading to Daniela twice a week if they both had time. Soon enough, the middle child caught word of these little rendezvous' and decided that Daniela getting one on one time with Seraphine was unfair. She didn't know how to approach asking for time with the human, so she just started sitting outside the windows while Seraphine read a book to Daniela.

On a few occasions Cassandra had fallen asleep. Once it started getting colder again, the woman would wake up with a blanket draped over her and a bowl of stew with a note inviting her inside. Still, it took another few visits after the first time for the middle sister to swarm under the crack at the bottom of the door. Quickly after that, as if sensing what Cassandra was wanting, Seraphine suggested having one day with Daniela, one day with Cassandra, and a third day where they both visited. This seemed to work for the two and a schedule was put into place.

Bela loved her sisters getting along so nicely with her hu-the human. She'd have been lying, however, if she denied being jealous of the time the other two got with Seraphine. That was when the nighttime visits began.

Daniela and Cassandra got their time with Seraphine during the daylight hours, but Bela would make her way out to the cabin once the sun began to set. She made sure to eat dinner with her family, lest they grew suspicious, but then she would leave the second she got the chance. Once a week turned into twice, which turned to four, and soon it became visits every other night. Most nights the pair would lay in the grass or upon the cabin roof and watch the stars. Bela listened as Seraphine listed and traced each asterism her mother had taught her. The vampire would lose herself in a daze while watching the human enthusiastically recall nights of herself and the siblings as children, either doing the same activity or catching lightning bugs to put into jars.

"We would turn it into a game," Seraphine explained while watching the glowing insects bob and flicker in the shrubbery, "The winner was whoever could catch the most before our parents called us for bed. They always got the first choice of game we played the following day."

Bela tried several times, she really did, but she always hesitated when trying to confront Seraphine about that night. Everything was going so well, and she didn't want to ruin that because of something that seemed so insignificant. Was it insignificant? Seraphine lied to her. She lied to Bela's face and didn't come clean after all the time she had to do so. Why couldn't Bela just ask her?

The eldest needed to hear an outside opinion, and it was quite clear her sisters were biased on the matter considering they were getting along so well after meeting her. Her mother would certainly find a reason to kill the human if Bela went to her. Uncle Sal wasn't the best at keeping secrets, especially with how excited he would get when someone included him in something. Uncle Heisenberg was reliable at keeping secrets, he certainly kept a lot from her mother, but he didn't seem like the best to go to with this query. Mother Miranda certainly was not an option, with her recently getting Eva back and helping the Winters with Rose, adoring having babies to handle again.

That left two people up for debate.

Duke could keep a secret if she paid him well enough. Even if he didn't stay quiet the chances of anyone understanding the way he practically spoke in riddles were little to none. He would listen to anyone speak for hours and give them invaluable advice for...well, life in general.

The other option, or rather options, was Aunt Donna. She, like Duke, would listen to her family talk and rant for ages. The difference was that Duke was a socialite and Donna was a recluse, only interacting with the world outside her estate through the Lords, her nieces, and Duke. It didn't help that Angie was a talker and could somehow let something slip out when droning on about s topic completely unrelated. Nobody ever knew what to expect to come out of the little doll's big mouth.

Still, with Duke holding conversations every day, he could accidentally give something away albeit he could play it off as if nothing was said to begin with. Bela finally came to a conclusion. Her only truly trusted option was her beloved Aunt Donna as long as Angie didn't hear.

The daughters knew they were always welcome at their aunt's estate, though she often received a call from their mother beforehand, and usually the entire trio visited. Donna was wearing her veil, therefore hiding any surprise she may have when her eldest niece appeared upon her doorstep looking distressed and worse for wear. Of course, Bela was invited inside and eagerly greeted by Angie while her aunt left to make tea. The daughters were vampires, yes, but they could become ravenous towards each other over who would get the first cup of Aunt Donna's tea.

Bela drank the warm liquid as Donna gradually groomed the disheveled vampire's appearance back to something presentable. Angie was speaking a million miles a minute until Donna waved her hand and sent the doll to go play with her friends. She sat across from her niece and waited for the woman to collect her thoughts.

"I have a problem, and I don't know what to do."

Donna nodded, "I gathered as much." Bela deflated a little and her aunt made a gesture with her hand indicating for Bela to continue.

"I made a friend recently," she began to explain, "and she lied to me. She is unaware I know she told the lie. I want to know why she lied to me...yet whenever I get the chance to question her, I cannot bring myself to ask."

Bela had not looked up from her cup since she began talking. Donna reached out to place her fingers lightly under her niece's chin to make her look at her aunt. Bela hadn't noticed Donna had taken off her veil until her aunt lifted her gaze. Her eye held a comfort the daughters had grown to associate with their aunt and Bela relaxed.

"Are you afraid of what her answer will be?"

"I could be. Perhaps she had regretted allowing me to stay with her and lied to cover it all up."

Donna's lips quirked into an amused grin, "So it involves that human..."

Bela was both confused and worried, "That human? You know about her? How do you know?"

A gentler expression took over her aunt's face. Donna tilted her head slightly to the right while she contemplated how to answer.

"Your mother called all of the Lords, years ago, when you went missing. She demanded to know if any of us had seen you in our territories. Upon receiving only negative answers," Donna continued to explain, "we all mourned, but your mother and sisters took your loss the hardest. Alcina sent out her samca, Karl sent out the lycan, Salvatore searched with his varcolac, I had a few dolls scuttling about the forest and even Mother Miranda ordered her crows to search for you, or what could be left of you."

Bela winced at the thought of her mother being brought back her crystallized corpse.

"The villagers theorized something was wrong when neither a flying samca nor a passing lycan or varcolac attacked anyone. It took an entire month for your sisters to convince your mother to stop sending the creatures out only to return with the same lack of results. Another month passed by and Alcina had not killed any maids within her castle walls. Your sisters had not gone on any hunts due to the cold. Suddenly, a human knocked on the doors asking for an audience with Alcina. Whatever the woman had said caused Alcina to lash out and chase the human into a storm. Liadis called us this time, requesting we look for an orange-blonde woman with curls in her hair, freckles, and gold-green eyes. If we spotted her, we were asked to either capture her and bring her to Alcina herself or kill her on sight. Alcina was told none of us saw the woman after she lost her that night."

Bela continued to listen attentively, having finish her tea.

"To my knowledge, Mother Miranda managed to follow the smell of blood from above, yet she did not act upon finding the human when she saw the woman being cared for by you. She made repeated visits, but only found you and the human safe. Alcina was to never know about the woman's whereabouts, as Mother Miranda trusted you would make your return when you were ready."

As her aunt explained the events from her mother's end, she couldn't help but think about how frightened and worn Seraphine seemed when she returned that night. Originally Bela thought it was just the blizzard, and she never believed Seraphine when she told the vampire the wound was caused by a lycan, but as she learned more and began connecting the dots, Bela grew more irritated at the limited perspective.

If it was something as simple as going to the castle, for the love of Miranda, why did Seraphine lie?

Bela came out of her head when she felt her aunt using her thumb to smooth the crease between her eyebrows. "What are you thinking about libellula?"

"There was no reason to lie," she huffed, "I need to speak with her."

"You are always welcome to invite this friend of yours to have tea. Angie and I might even look forward to it." Bela's only response was bemusement.

"Why would you want to meet her?" The vampire asked as her cheeks warmed and she broke eye contact with her aunt.

Donna's smile was still gentle as she slightly shook her head.

"Are you quite certain the woman is just a friend?"

Bela opened her mouth to retort but was cut off by Donna's comforting voice.

"It's okay if she means more to you, libellula."

Bela feels the gentle breathing along her collarbone. One glance shows Seraphine is in a peaceful slumber. Bela dares to move one hand to the woman's face to trace the streaks left behind by the tears. She wishes she could take all her lover's pain away. Bela can hear one of her sisters buzzing outside the room, and the failure to remain silent regardless of the clear intent to do so indicates it's Daniela.

"She's asleep," the eldest says with a sigh, "you can come in."

Daniela sheepishly opens the door with a small smile, "Hey."

"Hi."

"I was coming to check if either of you need anything."

Her seeing her younger sisters' concern always warms her heart, "I think Seraphine may be dehydrated. If someone could deliver a glass of water for when she wakes again, that would be wonderful."

Her sister nods but stays put for a few seconds. Then she sends her flies to carry something over to the bedside table. Bela looks over and sees Stung sitting there with the bookmark still in the appropriate spot. Turning to thank Daniela, she finds her sister is gone and the door is closed.

Minutes pass of Bela appreciating the beauty that is her human. Seraphine's eyes flutter under her eyelids reassuring that she is in a deeper sleep than before. More evidence supporting this appears when Liadis, the grand chambermaid in charge of all staff in the castle, enters the room with an entire pitcher of water. They also have a set for making tea, likely handpicked by Donna, with sugar, honey, milk, teabags, and even some blood if Bela wishes for it in her own cup.

"Thank you, Liadis." They simply nod their head in acknowledgement of the gratitude.

"Would you like me to wait and pour her drink once she awakens?"

Bela smiles, "That won't be necessary. I can take care of it."

With that, Liadis leaves the women alone. Bela sighs and lays her head back down against the pillows. She lets her mind delve back into the past.

Sudden and quick footfalls caused Seraphine to jump. She hadn't been expecting anyone since Daniela and Cassandra would've been spending time with her the next day and Bela visited the previous night. She stilled her movements and kept her breathing calm while eyeing her knife. She would have made a dash for the blade had she not heard Bela calling out for her on the other side of the door.

"Seraphine!"

"What do you need?"

"Where are you?"

The rapidness in her footsteps was Bela searching the house for Seraphine, and she followed the direction of her voice. As she asked the question, Bela walked into Seraphine's room. The vampire froze when she saw the woman changing.

Sure, she had seen the woman naked before...but that was nearly three years ago. Now the human had a more seasoned frame...especially in her abdomen where her muscles were now apparent. Or did Bela simply not notice them up to that point?

Bela found herself wanting to take a moment to appreciate the figure of the woman standing before her in just her undergarments, but she spotted the hooked scar as Seraphine buttoned her shirt and remembered why she was there to begin with.

"How did you get that?" Bela was pointing at Seraphine's now covered chest.

"I bought it from the Duke a couple months ago. Why? I can get you one if I know your si-" Bela cut her off.

"Not the shirt, Seraphine!" She knew if she didn't make her frustration clear then her friend would never give her the truth. Yet she still didn't expect this to all come across so exasperated.

"Tell me what happened that night."

"You'll have to be more specific."

"You know what I'm talking about."

"I don't."

"Oh my-yes you do!"

"I am not a mind reader, Bela. You've spent countless nights visiting me. I don't know which night you're talking about."

"Three years ago, Seraphine! The night of the blizzard. You came home half dead and with that gash in your chest. What happened that night?"

"You took care of me. Do you not remember?"

"I mean before you came home. Before you got injured. What happened?" Seraphine started to open her mouth, but Bela cut her off again, "And I swear to Mother Miranda, if you tell me it was a lycan that did that one more time I will give you a new scar to match."

The threat got through to the human, and for the second time in all their time together Bela saw shadows of fear hiding within Seraphine's chartreuse orbs as she stared back at the vampire. She hated to say such things, and she didn't believe she had it in her to hurt the woman in front of her, but it hurt to see that Seraphine didn't know that. Something about Seraphine actually believing Bela would harm her instead of calling her bluff like the several times before made an invisible hand grip her heart in an icy hold.

"From what point do you want-"

"Start when you left the cabin."

Seraphine nodded, "Well I did go out to go hunting. As the sun began to reach its apex I shot a doe, but she was only injured so I tracked the blood. When I found her, she was being eaten by a lycan. I assumed it smelled the blood and followed the trail as well," she briefly hesitated to give Bela a chance to process the information. Then she continued, "I tried to back away. I know better than to screw with a lycan unnecessarily. I also know better than to believe there is ever just one. I turned around to another stalking up behind me. I froze in place, forgetting almost everything Marissa had taught me."

Bela wouldn't have believed her if she couldn't read her so well. The look in her eyes was fear, but it wasn't directed at Bela anymore.

"I snapped out of whatever world I went into when it roared and lunged. An easy tuck and roll got me out of its way, but the commotion drew attention from others nearby that I couldn't see. So, I ran," Seraphine sighed, "but I knew coming home wasn't an option. Either the distance would be too much, and I wouldn't make it, or they would follow me all the way and attack the house which, in turn, would leave the house broken. The heat would seep out and we would both freeze to death. You sooner than me. In my determination to catch the deer I had ventured awfully close to the castle and decided it was my best, if not only, chance."

Seraphine took some time to put some pants and socks on. It also gave Bela time to fully take in and process everything said so far.

"I made it across the draw bridge and the lycans seemed to stop chasing me, though they clearly wanted to continue. I took some time to breathe, just happy my lungs didn't burst from the cold, and then realized I needed to wait until the lycans were gone. So I started walking out of their line of sight and further towards the castle doors," Seraphine tied her shoes to take a moment to stall, "I honestly don't have a reason as to why I decided the best course of action would be to approach a mother mourning her child and tell her that, surprise," Seraphine makes unenthusiastic jazz hands, "that child she thinks is dead is actually alive, but cannot come home yet to her mother's waiting embrace. Obviously, something wasn't right in my mind at the time."

Bela can recognize the stalling and is struggling to convey her impatience with just her body language.

"It's no surprise that Lady Dimitrescu was upset that someone, a human no less, entered her home and told her that her months of mourning were unnecessary. Things got heated rather quickly, and I found out the hard way as to why no trespassers leave the castle grounds alive."

Bela knew part of the exchange from the two other sides she'd heard up to that point, so unfortunately this was nothing new or helpful.

"I managed to get off the chair in time to avoid the first swing of your mother's claws...nails...blades? Whatever they are, she missed. The second time almost took my head off as I was opening the door to the room we were in..."

This is where Seraphine pauses, and Bela can see the conflict of whether or not to tell her the truth. It hurt, to be honest, to know Seraphine still doesn't feel she can be honest to Bela, and her seeing it just makes it hurt so much more.

"The third time she swiped at me, I wasn't so lucky. I had just gotten the doors to leave partially open but had to dodge, and I felt more than saw my mistake of moving directly into Cassandra's reach. Her sickle sunk into my middle left rib region. Obviously not too deep, since it didn't really puncture anything inside, but it was enough to make me jerk. That caused it to be dragged slightly to the right, which hurt like a bitch, and then I turned again to finagle my way out through the ajar doors. That final movement pair with her fleeing from the oncoming cold made it pull hard to my left once again."

Seraphine recited all that while tracing over exactly where her scar would be visible if her shirt weren't on. Going off of how it sounds and how the scar looks, Bela assumes it all happened much faster than Seraphine can explain, but she believes her re-telling of the events. Her mind briefly returns to when Cassandra had put her blade to the woman in the kitchen, understanding the underlying meaning. That all still leaves Bela with an unanswered query, however.

"Why did you lie to me?" Seraphine tilts her head down just a tad but doesn't look away or hide her face. She looks a bit sheepish, sure, but she doesn't answer. So the vampire asks again, "Why did you lie about what happened to you? About how you got the injury?"

It takes a moment for Seraphine to respond, "I didn't know how you would take it-" Bela cuts her off.

"I've been alive for nearly thrice as long as you, Seraphine! I can handle hearing my mother and sisters hurt someone! It's not like I haven't done the same a countless number of times!" She feels bad for yelling at her friend, but she gets frustrated when she doesn't understand something.

Like now, Bela is standing here yelling at her, yet Seraphine doesn't seem to care about the hostility. It's like when she first met Bela and her sisters. Bela had her pinned against the wall by her throat, Cassandra had pierced her skin with her sickle, Daniela was overly touchy and almost licked her blood; that memory making Bela's jealousy strike up; and even now Bela is practically screaming at her, yet Seraphine is completely unfazed by it all! If anything, she once again seems unimpressed. As if she's done this before with...someone...else.

Oh.

Could Inigo or Marissa have been easy to agitate? None of her stories tell of either being short tempered. If anything, Seraphine always described herself as the most dramatic of the trio. She did let it slip that Marissa was bullied quite a bit growing up, and that she usually stepped in. Never one to jump into violence, but not one to sit back and let others fall to the mercy of someone cruel. When Cassandra and Daniela had first started asking to hear about her life, she said she met Marissa when she first stepped between her and another kid's incoming fist at the age of seven. She got many bruises and scrapes for her over a few weeks, and she introduced her new friend to her family. She never understood why her parents didn't approve of her friendship with Marissa yet wanted to arrange a marriage between her and Marissa's younger brother, who was her same age. She never stopped jumping in to take blow after blow, physically or verbally, for either sibling growing up. She began to cry once again when reciting what happened the one time she let them take a hit for her instead. Surprisingly, it was Cassandra who told Seraphine to not blame herself for what happened to her friends.

Perhaps she finds the Dimitrescu daughters' threats to be insignificant to what she dealt with growing up. Whatever it is, it has been confusing Bela since the day she met this strange woman, and she doesn't understand why it's so important to her. Why she's so important to her. She's so frustrated that she could just-

Without any indication or warning, Bela marches forward and locks her lips with the ones belonging to Seraphine. It takes both of them by surprise, considering the blonde was just screaming bloody murder at the flaming haired human.

It only lasted a second because Bela, who felt it lasted an eternity, didn't feel Seraphine reciprocating. She pulled away to find her friend still in shock. And when Seraphine finally processed what had happened, not even a fly remained in the cabin with her.

Another knock on the door draws Bela's attention.

"Come in."

None other than the young Eva and Rose run into the room, their little pattering feet almost silent to not wake up the sleeping mood bomb. Following behind them are their parents. Ethan and Mia have been getting help from Miranda when it comes to teaching Rose to control her powers. The Goddess seemed thrilled, as if once she got Eva back a switch flipped, and she gradually became more...human again.

It's no surprise the girls want to see Seraphine. She babysits them when Miranda and Mia are held up at work in the clinic they opened with Salvatore, and while Ethan is working under Adrianna's supervision in the garden. It's a step up from the private lessons he was getting from Donna when she apparently saw potential in how he handled her plants when accidentally stepping on a corner of her garden once. Bela won't say it aloud, but he's actually not too shabby with flowers and herbs. Just because he can handle managing them in the gardens doesn't mean he is allowed anywhere near them in the kitchen. The father couldn't cook if his life depended on it.

They are technically twins after some type of body duplicating ritual Mother Miranda did, so Ethan wouldn't kill her other children who definitely knew she cared. Rose is tall, like her father, so she stands a few centimeters above Eva. As any good individual who has the advantage of height over a companion would do, Rose knows how to point things out that Eva cannot quite do yet. Like reach the second shelf in the refrigerator or reach the back of the counter. It only backfired when Seraphine caught the two eating extra sweets after lunch and debunked Rose's claim that Eva got them by pointing out that only Rose was tall enough to reach the bowl of candy.

She uses her height at times like this, where only one of the girls is tall enough to climb onto the spacious bed without help. Miranda walks up and lifts Eva just enough so she can feel like her effort to climb was not in vain. Both girls are used to maneuvering around a sleeping Seraphine and easily make haste in getting themselves comfortably snuggled between Seraphine and Bela. As they do this, Miranda makes her way to sit on the edge of the bed and do a small and subtle checkup on Seraphine.

"I see the water, but when was the last time she actually drank any?"

Bela responds with, "I'm not sure. I know she had some during breakfast and lunch, but we were all running around the castle between then and now."

Miranda just gives her a nod and continues to check small things on the woman. Mia sits at the end of Bela's side of the bed.

She asks, "How long has it been since she fell asleep? That'll give us an amount to start with."

Bela thinks it over and looks out the window to track how far the sun has fallen. "Around three hours since she fell asleep in here," she looks back to Mia, "but she and Daniela were asleep in the library for at least a quarter of an hour before Angie woke them up."

At hearing that Miranda halts her checkup, which she has finished and has simply turned into fussing over the woman, and shakes her head with a sigh. Even she knows not to wake Seraphine without a good enough reason, otherwise the magnitude of the wrath someone would face is on par with the terror of Donna's illusions. Except this is most certainly real and everyone will suffer the consequences if she is not appeased quickly.

Mia can see Miranda having an internal debate on whether or not she should tell Bela something that Miranda and Salvatore discovered recently. She signals for Ethan to pick up the now sleeping Rose as she takes Eva, and leaves the women to talk, giving Miranda a supporting pat on her way out.

It had been three months since Bela last visited Seraphine's cabin. Cassandra and Daniela were constantly updating the woman on their sister, and vice versa. Eventually the two younger Dimitrescu siblings had to start avoiding any conversation with their mother pertaining to the topic of what might have affected Bela so much that it has been causing her to sulk for an entire season.

"Bela," the youngest calls from the other end of the hall at her sister, "Cass and I are going to see Sera today," the nickname they decided to call Seraphine, "she said we're going to go through the boxes in the room she shared with Inigo. It would mean a lot to her if you were there."

She gets no response. At least not one other than Bela turning to continue walking. With that she swarms off to meet Cassandra at the cabin.

The door opens to an extremely clean room. The daughters were expecting some semblance of dust but there is none to be found. As hard as it is for Seraphine to be in the room, she would never let anything holding such strong memories and emotional attachments fade into the past and become caked in dust. Instead, the room looks as if it has been lived in for the past ten years.

Cassandra sits next to the first box she sees and motions for Seraphine to do the same. The human sits and opens the box the middle Dimitrescu daughter has chosen. The first thing she sees is a book series she remembers well. Marissa would write short stories and then let Inigo and her illustrate what they interpreted from each part. When there were enough piled up, Marissa and Inigo asked their parents to tie them all together with twine and help name the book.

"In The Eyes of An Open Mind? That's a weird name."

"Oh please. You've read books with worse names than that, Dani."

Daniela gasps at Cassandra, "I said it was weird. Not that it was bad."

"Neither did I-"

"You said worse, meaning you think the name is bad," the younger Dimitrescu accused.

"No! Seraphine that's not what I meant! I swear!"

Seraphine chuckled at the sisters' bickering, "We were kids. The title of a book wasn't our top priority. It's okay,"

"But that isn't what I-" Seraphine put a hand up to stop Cassandra's whining, but the smile on her face shows the amusement she got from it.

They continued to pull memory after memory after memory from each box. They found drawings, books, clothes, board games and pictures. Seraphine continuously found herself looking towards the open doorway, hoping to see a certain blonde standing there with a smile, laughing along as she recalls more memories, each specific to the next item pulled from the box. Every time she looked, she saw an empty portal to everything that lays beyond the past. The more she lets herself reminisce, the less she wants to ever leave the room. The less she wants to return to her lonely life as a recluse on the very outskirts of the village she was supposed to call home.

Then she hears the laughter of the two younger Dimitrescu daughters, and she remembers that her life isn't so lonely anymore. So she keeps opening boxes, and she continues to tell the tales of her past and the people she loved throughout it. With all that, she keeps herself from sinking in the ocean of emotions just being in the room brings her. From the roaring tides brought by the eldest Dimitrescu that would pull her under and force her to admit the one thing that caused her so much heartbreak to begin with. To admit that she has found herself letting someone too close. To admit that she has let herself love someone again, let her heart open to more, and she is afraid to accept she has a chance to have, to lose, another family.

The trio finally gets to the last box and find it's rather small. At first it seems to be some of Inigo and Marissa's baby clothes. The women adore each item, and Seraphine can picture each article of clothing on their respective sibling.

Then they find a binder. When opened, it's revealed to be a photo album. Seraphine loves the pictures of the siblings as babes. The day Maurice was left behind and Marissa was able to truly be herself. The moment Inigo learned to walk. A time Inigo threw his second birthday pound cake at a four-year-old Marissa for shits and giggles. Then they started drawing forth her tears as well as her smiles. A photo of the day Marissa brought Seraphine home as her new friend, one of Seraphine feeding Inigo after he broke his arm falling from a tree that the girls told him not to climb, even one with the siblings holding Seraphine during a thunderstorm. She's shocked to see someone managed to snap a photo of her standing between her friends as she puts them in time out for fighting with each other. It encourages her to continue flipping through until she reached a point where the pictures end.

The final photo being of an adult Marissa and Inigo each sleeping on one of her shoulders as she read them In The Eyes of An Open Mind as if it were some bedtime tale.

Thinking that they've gone through everything, the women begin getting up to leave the room. Cassandra makes a show of stretching after having complained about her limbs going stiff after not moving for so long, even though she was the one to get up to grab every box. Daniela just rolls her shoulders, causing a few satisfying pops and cracks, moves to hug a still tearful Seraphine, then leaves after reluctantly refusing to stay for the dinner the human was going to make, since the trip down memory lane took all day.

Taking a deep breath, Seraphine goes back into her old room. She planned on finding homes throughout the room for every piece of memorabilia she got to rediscover today. That plan went out the window when she noticed a leather folder on the bedside table. It was the reason Marissa had come to her home, and Seraphine found her sister in-law's health more important than what was in the folder. She continued to stress to Seraphine over the last three days she was with her how she should open the folder. That she needed what was inside in order to move forward with her life. After the death of Inigo, she had all but shut the world out. Her family by marriage were the only ones she accepted communication with, her own parents having died a year before she and Inigo were wedded. She would see her in-laws once a week for a full day before returning home.

When Marissa died, on her death bed, she said her final wish was for Seraphine to forgive herself. For her to know the only one blaming Seraphine for the fight a month prior was herself. Marissa hoped the younger woman could one day understand that she doesn't always have to be the one taking the beatings, and it was Marissa and Inigo's choice to take the hits for her because it's okay for her to lean on someone else. That their deaths were not on her.

It takes all her emotional and mental strength to take each step towards that folder. To lift it and open the fabric casing. Then to read the documents inside.

All her dams break at once, and her sobs don't end until late into the night, when she has finally cried herself to sleep. The next day she leaves after having packed for a week-long trip. Leaving a note behind for the Dimitrescu's next visit.

"You shouldn't feed from her anymore," Miranda says. Albeit very quietly.

Bela huffs, not in annoyance, but in slight exasperation. "She's not going to like that," the vampire sighs, "she tends to be a bit...possessive of my fangs and who they bite into."

Miranda chuckles lightly. She is well aware of how jealous the human can get when Bela feeds from another individual. Drinking from a cup, even if it is just blood directly from another person, is fine, but Goddess forbid if the vampire even makes the slightest of imprints with her fangs on someone else. Bela has found herself sleeping on the couch on several occasions. Her apologies fall on deaf ears unless it comes in the form of homemade profiterole.

"Do you remember the test you two asked Salvatore to run at the clinic?"

Bela nods, "That was five years ago."

Miranda leans forward and brushes a strand of hair from Seraphine's face. Then she turns and places her hand on Bela's, "We have been continuing the tests with her recently," Bela sits up with a threatening fire in her eyes, "at her request. She asked us to keep trying different methods in case one worked."

Bela shakes her head, "Okay, but what does this have to do with our feeding routine?"

Mother Miranda looks into Bela's eyes with such intensity the vampire almost wishes to cower away. Holding her vehement eye contact, Miranda says one word;

"Everything."

Still confused, but getting the point, "How long can't I drink from her?" Bela asks.

The Goddess sits up straight again, "Preferably, until further notice," she ends with a gentle smile.

The eldest Dimitrescu daughter prides herself on her intelligence, so she will never admit to anyone that it took three quarters of a minute to process and understand what Mother Miranda had just said. The moment of realization is clear as day, however, as the confusion falls from her face and several emotions show themselves before her features decide to settle with hopeful sorrow, and she looks at her sleeping lover. She feels anxious anticipation for the conversation that will likely ensue later in the evening.

The last year have been hectic for the younger Dimitrescu sisters. Whenever they could get out of the castle, other than to hunt, they wasted no time. Both seemed excited for different reasons. Since they continue their game of very poorly dodging Lady Dimitrescu's questions of what has captured their interest, she has not the slightest clue as to why they are so excitable as of late. Alcina does, however, believe it has something to do with Bela's sulking.

The eldest has returned to venturing further than her chambers, the dining hall, and the library, but she still lacks the joy that used to reside in her eyes. Bela finds herself star gazing and humming as ways to pass the time, but she stops once she realizes the way it reminds her of a particular woman. Ultimately resulting with the opposite effect of what she has been trying to achieve.

Alcina knows Daniela and Bela had a dispute over something near the end of the previous year. Well, less a dispute and more the youngest swearing to never speak to Bela again. Arguments with similar outcomes have happened before, so the matriarch saw no reason to intervene. Usually, Daniela's will would have broken after a few weeks, and she'd have begun interacting with her sister again. If her sweet Daniela has held off communication this long, then whatever led to the fight was clearly a cause for concern. Now, it has become their mother's duty to solve this before it becomes a situation only Cassandra has pulled off, which was an entire decade of just silence toward her sisters.

Is this what she and Heisenberg are like? She must think of how Mother Miranda handles their feuds.

First things are first, Alcina has to figure out what the problem is and listen to both sides of the argument. Currently, her younger girls are gone to wherever their ventures have been taking them. Liadis is in the village on their day off and Adrianna is staying with Donna for the following few days to tend to her gardens since the doll maker recently received a rather large commission.

That leaves her eldest. Bela has often been found in the foyer by the fire with several books at this time of day. Just as expected, the same is true for today.

"Bela," the matriarch's voice draws her daughter's attention as she approaches, "I ask that you please tell me what has happened as of late."

The eldest sits upright, "Well, the staff have survived much longer than any others up to this point. It is likely due to Cassandra leaving so often. It could also potentially be due to Daniela focusing her attention on Adrianna. She seems happier now that they've made their relationship official. That an-" her mother hushes her.

Alcina smiles, appreciating how observant her eldest daughter is, as she takes a moment to better the wording of what she wishes to ask.

"My apologies. It seems I was not clear," Bela tilts her head, " What I mean to ask is, how have you been as of late?"

"I have been well, Mother," her smile is bright, but does not reach her eyes.

"That is wonderful, dear, but what of the situation with Daniela?"

Hesitation. Bela's internal debate on whether or not to open up to her mother. If the Lady is being entirely honest, knowing her daughter is even having this conflict hurts. What could be so bad that she doesn't want Alcina to know? She has to know her mother would help with whatever it is.

"Do you remember," Bela starts twisting her hands together, "when you informed me about the human? The one that told you I was alive," Alcina nodded as she sat on the couch next to Bela, "And do you remember how Cassandra, Daniela and I would leave on a regularly scheduled basis?" Her mother can already piece it together, but she allows her daughter to continue, "When we were gone, we were visiting that same human."

Bela avoids making eye contact in anticipation for a reprimanding, but it never comes.

"Is this human the cause for your recent sulking about?" she gestures to the room, trying to indicate the entirety of Castle Dimitrescu.

Bela's jaw drops and she sputters, "I have not been sulking!"

Her mother leans her head back to let out a boisterous laugh, "Except you have been, my dear. Would you tell me that I have perceived your behavior as of late incorrectly?" Bela gapes for a few seconds before settling with crossed arms and a pout.

"Tell me, sweet Bela, why have you not been visiting your human friend?"

She takes a moment to consider how to word her answer, "I may have...messed up," Bela looks to her mother, who motions for her to continue, "We got into a fight over...no, I started a fight over something that I have come to see has..." another moment of consideration, "minimal impact, on our friendship."

Alcina takes in what her eldest has said, "What was the cause of this fight?"

"She lied to me."

"About what, darling?"

"I mean, people are supposed to tell others the reason they get hurt," Bela exasperates, ignoring her mother's question, "Especially when the other person is taking care of them! Yet I have to find out through someone else the real cause of her injury! What if I did something that made it worse because I was unaware?"

Bela stands and begins pacing, her hands flailing around as she vents her points, "Then, when I confront her about it and ask for the truth, what does she do? She acts like it doesn't matter! I mean, she didn't say that it doesn't matter, but she wasn't even acknowledging that I was upset with her. Even as I was standing there yelling at her! And, yeah, maybe I can look past the content of the fib itself. She still lied to me, she didn't kiss me back, and she still doesn't l-" realizing what she said, the eldest cuts herself off.

"She doesn't what?" Alcina watches patiently as Bela begins collecting her books.

"Nothing."

She huffs when she drops one.

"Could it be," Alcina leans forward and lifts the fallen book, standing before offering it to her daughter, "you are not upset at her for her reaction to the fight?" Bela takes the novel, "Perhaps, you are not upset with her at all?"

That night Bela left her chambers after much time was spent hyping herself up. She made her way through the castle quietly, not letting a single fly give her away. Once outside she clutched tightly to the cloak Seraphine gave her, now wrapped around her again as she followed a path, still surprisingly familiar, through the forest. She got half a kilometer from the cabin, able to see it in the moonlight even from a distance, before she felt something was off. Not anything dangerous, at least she hoped, but there was something which made her falter. In the blink of an eye, she had swarmed the rest of the way to the home.

Nothing.

No food, no sounds, no lights, no breathing, and only her own heartbeat. Bela tried to open the door only to find it locked.

"At least she took my advice."

But she didn't have the patience to knock and wait, especially with her anxiety picking up, so she did the first thing she could think of. Bela kicked the door in. Looking back, swarming in would have been better, but she was in a hurry!

Nothing.

Only the appliances and kitchen remained where they had been installed. All of Seraphine's limited furniture and decorations were gone. Dust caked everything as Bela walked through the cabin. It was obvious nobody had been in this place for quite some time. She made her way from room to room, hoping there was a clue as to where Seraphine had left to, until she stood outside the old bedroom.

Only this time, the door was wide open.

It was clearly the intended master bedroom, if its size was any indication, compared to the room Seraphine had been sleeping in for the past years. It had clearly been a while, but Bela could still smell the woman throughout the house. The scent was surprisingly strongest in that room, meaning Seraphine had either moved herself back in when sleeping, or she had simply spent most of her time there during the day.

Thinking about it made her eyes burn with gathering tears.

"I'm sorry. I am so sorry I wasn't here."

As much as she wants to allow her lover to sleep, Bela has to wake Seraphine so she can be sure she eats and drinks. She starts by gently shaking the woman, which accomplishes a grumble of annoyance.

"You must wake up, my love," she whispers.

Another grumble followed by a displeased huff. Progress.

"Svegliati e mostrami il tuo bel viso" the vampire coos, "il mio piccolo bombo."

This new attempt brings Seraphine's head up to playfully glare at Bela.

"What did you just call me?"

Bela lands kiss after kiss on Seraphine's face until the other woman is giggling quietly. In between the affectionate pecks, she says, "My lips are sealed, so I guess you'll have to confer Donna."

Once certain her human is in a good enough mood to not verbally rip someone's head off, Bela pours the woman a very generous glass of water. She needn't tell Seraphine to drink twice, as soon as the first sip of water hits her throat the entire glass is gone. If anything, Bela has to remind Seraphine to slow down before she inhales the liquid. Something she has a habit of doing.

"I had a conversation with Mother Miranda recently," she watches for any reaction, but Seraphine only lays her head back down and looks up adoringly at Bela as she listens.

"Why didn't you tell me you were still testing with the mold?"

"I wasn't sure if it would work. I had hope but nothing was definite," Seraphine gave as a short and simple explanation.

Bela nodded, filling two cups with tea Liadis had so kindly reheated shortly before Bela woke Seraphine.

"Well, something must have happened with one of the recent tests, because now I have to get blood somewhere else."

She expected at least some initial reaction to the news about the tests, but Seraphine was immediately on Bela's lap leveling her with look that just dared the vampire to do what she had implied. Even Bela's attempt to soothe this newfound possessiveness, which was gently running her hands over the woman's thighs and obliques, she stubbornly ignored for a full minute until Bela leaned up to press her forehead against her own. She waits for Seraphine to take a few breaths before she reiterates her point from before.

"The first tests showed you were incompatible for the Cadou," she waited for an acknowledging hum, "but the more recent ones have shown you're DNA will make you a preferable host for the mold, if you undergo a specific process. Apparently, the mold is a more convenient parasite for your body than our Cadou," the vampire says, "but it is entirely possible that it could backfire. Ending our time together sooner, potentially immediately."

"How much did she explain?"

At this point, Seraphine is fully relaxed into Bela again, her previous comment forgiven but not forgotten, as she takes in what she's been told.

"That about sums up what she told me. She'll visit us in a couple weeks, when you're stronger and have had time to think this over, to walk you through what would need to be done. Only if you're sure this is what you want."

Seraphine took a couple seconds to consider her options. Her hesitation didn't go unnoticed but was also to be expected with the given circumstance and risk.

"It's okay to want to live the rest of your life without this," Bela reassured, "At least without it we're informed about how much time we have and prepare accordingly. This would be a new uncertainty, and it's okay to be afraid of that."

Before she could get an answer, a knock echoed around the room. Liadis entered the room to inform the couple of the meal ready at the table, but they immediately stopped upon seeing what they would have thought to be a compromising position had the women not been fully clothed and holding cups of tea. Upon an amused eyebrow raise from their sister in-law, they gracefully recovered by taking the tray of drinks along with prying the one being held by the vampire's hand. It was enough indication for Bela to understand, but her lover was on her way out the door at the smell of food.

Liadis found every interaction with the woman enlightening. This time they discovered that she would stop everything, including Bela, for food. She was still carrying her tea.

Bela returned home in a far sullener state than before. She failed to spot the figure watching her make her way to her chambers. Her shadow managed to stop her before she disappeared behind her door.

"Bela," Liadis spoke up from halfway down the hall, "may I ask what has you down on such a lovely night?"

The grand chambermaid had survived a decade in Castle Dimitrescu by following three methods.

First, they kept to themself unless approached, avoiding being drawn into the antics of others' and getting themself killed.

Second, they never backed down when the sisters challenged them. If the daughters began to instigate, Liadis would not let them win their little games. Never drawing enough attention to be annoying, but always making enough of a presence to assert that they will not play games while working.

Third, Liadis showed the family affection and care, even when they were threatened with an agonizing death if they told anyone about seeing the middle Dimitrescu daughter crying. The affection was slowly and gradually reciprocated until making Liadis the grand chambermaid was the closest Lady Dimitrescu would get to making Liadis part of the family.

At least until Cassandra began courting them, eventually to be married after half a decade together. Accepting the Cadou at the age of 57, they voiced they wanted to stay with their wife of 25 years longer than a human lifespan would allow.

The voice of Liadis was a comforting sound, though they often remained silent. Their silence grew after receiving the Cadou, the placement causing the parasite to wrap its tentacles around their jaw makes it quite painful to speak. Thankfully, the parasite did not affect them in any other way besides changing the color of one eye which the Cadou just barely managed to reach, leaving them with one yellow iris and one periwinkle iris, allowing them to go about their day regularly.

Bela could admit to her recent lapse in judgement, what with the whole Seraphine situation, but she knows that Liadis being awake at this time means Cassandra, ever vigilant, is also awake and likely nearby.

"I think you would have heard the conversations by now," Bela sighed, "Cassandra had to let it slip in your presence at least once."

Liadis nodded and walked closer. They opened their sister in-law's door and gestured inside, offering an ear to listen.

The two spoke for hours into the morning. Actually, Bela spoke after much encouraging from Liadis while the latter listened intently and gave helpful input when necessary. When the time finally came for their conversation to end, Liadis only had a few hours to sleep before they had to work. Technically, it would be overlooked by Alcina if her daughters' partners skipped a day of work, but Liadis is quite fond of their job. Leaving as tired as Bela was, they make their way back to their chambers they share with Cassandra, who swarms to their side not five steps from Bela's door.

Going through her usual routine, Bela ends up sleeping only an hour before she begins her daily schedule of chores. With Liadis' help, she deduced that Seraphine's belongings missing must mean she is alive, just relocated. She was looking forward to her next conversation with Liadis, since they agreed to ask Cassandra where Seraphine had gone. If that didn't work, then she would have to face Daniela about the topic.

The middle Dimitrescu can be just as allusive about answers as her mother. Not to mention, she isn't exactly pleased with Bela's recent behavior. At least the youngest could be pressured into talking if Bela managed to corner her.

Thankfully, Cassandra was open to discussing where she and Daniela had been running off to. She offered to ask her younger sister if Bela could come along on their next venture.

Daniela refused.

She began bickering with Cassandra about the issue until the latter went to Adrianna, Daniela's girlfriend. She then received an earful about how ridiculous it was that she of all people was giving her sister the silent treatment when she absolutely sobs to their mother when her sisters do it to her. After being threatened to have to sleep in the parlor, Daniela reluctantly agreed to letting Bela come along.

Bela didn't really know what to expect, but a manor in a field with a greenhouse, a stable and a shed was not what she would have guessed she'd see.

In one garden within the greenhouse seemed to be fruits, like berries and watermelon, and vegetables, like peppers and roots and greens. In the other appeared to be arrangements of flowers.

Grazing in the part of the field fenced off and connected to the stable was a beautiful black horse.

In the shed, which was open, looked to be a workshop specifically for leather working and tailoring.

Seeing this made the conclusion easy to come to, but it was made certain by the sight of Seraphine moving between the different stations within the shed. She appeared to be cleaning.

The sound of buzzing was normal for Seraphine now, due to bees and beetles flying about. As it grew closer, she looked over her shoulder to see the swarms of the Dimitrescu sisters. Her heart began to race for a split second when she noticed three rather than the usual two.

Bela had finally come to visit once again.

Entering the dining room, Bela's eyes immediately found Seraphine sat next to Adrianna with an open seat on her other side. Sitting down, she felt a kiss placed upon her cheek before Seraphine returned her attention to the conversation she was having with Eva and Rose, who sat across from the couple.

Although they were technically staff, Liadis and Adrianna were sat at the table with the rest of the family.

Silence settled around the table as the meal was served, conversations picking up again once the rest of the staff had cleared from the room. Quiet chittering and chatter gave the room a feeling of home and warmth.

The two just stood in silence.

After Seraphine had invited the trio inside, Cassandra and Daniela left her with their sister in the entryway, each knowing they had respective rooms in the manor.

"I'm sorry," both women uttered at the same time, causing each other to chuckle.

"I should have told you the truth," Seraphine takes the lead, as per usual, "It wasn't fair to keep something that important from you. Especially for so long," She began moving through the house.

"It really wasn't that big of a deal once I really thought about it," Bela said.

Seraphine guided her into the kitchen, which was much larger than the space in the cabin "It involved your family. That seems pretty important to me."

Bela shook her head, "You were injured and afraid. Knowing it was my own mother and sister that caused the injury in response to the news I was alive, plus thinking back to how we met, I don't blame you for being afraid of how I might react," she tried to reason.

Seraphine was getting out materials as Bela stood awkwardly in the doorway. She tried to see what the human was preparing to make.

"Technically, we met when I lugged you back to my home," Bela could hear the smirk in her voice, "I had no idea I would end up fostering a lost feral kitten."

"I thought I was going to end up as a decoration?" Bela playfully bit back.

"Well you kind of forced my hand when you started melting into my shelves," the ingredients were finally recognized by the blonde as Seraphine turned to face her, "couldn't have you causing the wood to rot. Though I did consider putting out fly traps."

The last bit made Bela scoff, but with a smile. She gestured to the ingredients and materials the shorter woman had gotten out.

"Can I help?"

"Sure. If you remember step one."

Bela rolled her eyes as she removed her gloves and began to wash her hands.

A hand grasping Bela's shoulder brought her back to the present. She turned to her right and looked into the concerned eyes of Cassandra.

"Are you okay?" the middle child whispered, "You've been sort of out of it today."

Cassandra rarely showed this side of herself, caring and concerned, due to keeping up her appearance of being the deadliest of the daughters. Bela explained to Daniela decades ago that their sister was so dangerous because she cared so much and would do anything to protect those she loves. It took a while to sink in, but Daniela eventually accepted that Cassandra keeping up her reputation was her way of showing affection. It wasn't until Liadis captured her heart that she began letting her emotional side out more, but only in more private moments.

Seeing her sister checking in on her was something she only began doing after they learned of Seraphine's condition. It's no longer unusual and has always been comforting. Though comforting is something neither sister ever thought they'd use to describe the other.

Focusing back on the moment, Bela gave her sister a small smile.

"I'm fine, Cass. Just thinking a lot lately."

Cassandra raised an eyebrow, "Here I thought you do nothing but think," and Bela laughed.

The melody of her lover's laughter caught Seraphine's attention. Turning her head, she allowed herself a moment to appreciate Bela's smile while the sisters conversed.

Daniela creeps down the stairs. She approaches the kitchen slowly, rounding the corner at the bottom of the stairs only to find Cassandra waiting for her.

"They're doing alright?" the youngest asks, "No fighting?"

Cassandra shakes her head, "Not unless you consider water a weapon," They both listen to the laughter of the women in the other room.

"I told you so."

Daniela pouts at her sister's taunt. She had argued so adamantly that leaving the two alone on this visit would be a terrible idea. Yet here they stand, listening to their sister and friend talking about old memories made back when they had first met. Seraphine will quiz the eldest on different meals and pastries, then the conversation will turn around when Bela questions the human on different chess strategies.

They converse about books, food, music, anything and everything that comes to mind. The dynamic seems to return with ease, but they both can feel the tension between them. Not the feeling of friends who feel more for each other than they're saying, nor the old distrusting feeling that once filled any room they shared. In terms of their friendship, they both have some rebuilding to do, and even then things may never be the same as they once were.

"So what were you working on when we got here?"

Seraphine looked over from the plate with the cabbage rolls, "Not actively working on anything at that point. Just some preparations for a commission I got."

This caught the vampire's attention. She stopped washing the pan the rolls were baked in and turned toward the other woman, "Commission? You don't hunt for a living anymore?" she questioned and Seraphine shook her head.

"Nope. Once we got my workshop put together I set up a deal with The Duke with what clothes I had made over the years," Seraphine explains, "He sells what I provide on his travels, gets twenty-eight percent of what that makes, I get a discount on the materials I require so I can buy in bulk and I'm allowed access to his more exclusive stock of prints and fabrics. On top of that, he picks up and delivers commissions for me in exchange for fifteen percent of whatever the customer and I agreed upon for payment."

Bela listens with fascination. She knew of the small room her friend once had dedicated to the hobby. She always thought the woman was talented, or just well practiced. It brings her a sense of joy knowing Seraphine turned something she loves into a career. Then her mind went to something else she saw when she and her sisters arrived.

"Did he also give you that horse?"

The woman smiled, "Yeah," she answered, "he got Thea somewhere in the Netherlands when she was a year old. According to him, her personality reminded him of me."

"Oh yeah? And how did he identify that? Stubborn?"

"Bela," the woman turned to the vampire holding a platter stacked with cabbage rolls, "are you saying I have no personality?"

The eldest picked up the second platter of fruits and cheese. "That's not what I'm saying. It was just your first trait I could think of."

The light conversation continues as they travel through the back door and to a moderately sized gazebo. Seraphine goes back inside after placing down her platter, then she returns a moment later with a drink tray and the two younger sisters in tow. On the tray was a jug, four glass cups, a sugar dispenser and what looked to be several other garnishes. Daniela is the last to make her way up the steps and to the table, getting there just as Seraphine starts pouring the first drinks. She hands the first one to Bela, the next to Cassandra, the third to Daniela, and set the last one down in front of herself. Bela hadn't even noticed the plates on the tray until Seraphine handed them out as well.

"What is this?" Bela inquired after taking a sip of her drink, only briefly noticing the smell indicating there wasn't sugar in the sugar dispenser.

"Mango lemonade," Seraphine responded, "something we recently discovered your sister has acquired a taste for."

Bela looked confused, so the woman tilted her head towards Daniela who had all but finished her drink already. The youngest smiled sheepishly and put her glass down. The human refilled it without question then gestured to the sugar dispenser Cassandra was holding. Bela watched as Cassandra tilted the dispenser and let the crimson liquid drizzle into her lemonade.

The eldest looked back to Seraphine in shock. It didn't smell like her blood, but she wasn't the type of person to hurt someone else. So how did she get this? Unless it is her own blood. How long has it been since Bela has last seen her?

"Cassandra is usually able to bring the finest of the spare maiden blood for her and Daniela," Seraphine states after reading the eldest's expression, "and now for you as well."

She thinks about all the times their mother would question her and her sisters about where the extra blood had gone. It only took about one week for an entire shelf to disappear from the cellar. Then again, Cassandra and Daniela were leaving frequently as of late. Assuming this is where they were going and the blood started depleting thirteen months ago, it's safe to say they have been having these visits for at least that same duration of time.

Bela tunes back into the conversation as she hears her name mentioned. Apparently, this is the first time Seraphine is hearing about Daniela ignoring Bela. Come to think of it, the youngest hasn't said anything to her eldest sister since the moment they left the castle.

Dinner eventually came to an end and the guests began to leave. Before entering their respective carriages, Eva and Rose both gave Seraphine hugs until the latter promised she was feeling better. Bela waits by the horses. She tried to suggest they stay in her chambers for the night, but Seraphine assured her lover that she could make the ride back to the manor without issue.

On the ride back, Thea is calm as she guides the shay back down the trails she followed earlier in the day. Bela tries to relax on the ride home. She is naturally expecting something to go wrong while in the forest at night, so she stays vigilant. Seraphine is aware of Bela watching everywhere the light from the lamp isn't illuminating. The human knows all too well how dangerous it is to have a bright light when there could be lycan in the nearby area, but she lets it burn slightly brighter just to help give the vampire some peace of mind.

To their relief, the ride back is entirely uneventful. Bela helps Seraphine put Thea in the stable for the night and move the shay around the back of the shed. They go inside and immediately head to the master bedroom. As much as Bela wants to continue their conversation from earlier, she wants to sleep equally as much. The pair get ready for bed at their own paces, meaning Bela taunts Seraphine for being so sluggish to put on her night-clothes and the latter doubles down and goes even slower in rebuttal.

They end up falling asleep with smiles on their faces. Even with this ease and happiness, Bela cannot seem to calm the nerves setting her anxiety ablaze.

Waking up tangled with Bela never ceases to make Seraphine's heart flutter. She attempts to blink the sleep away so her eyes can gaze upon her lover. Instead of seeing the woman she fell asleep next to laying beside her, she found an empty bed. As quickly as her curiosity rushed to fuel a search, she also simply desired to stay in bed.

Stretching her limbs into hyperextension, Seraphine remained sprawled out as she relaxed once again. Thinking about everything she had to work on during the following week gradually popped into her mind. Getting more materials for new blankets she decided would make suitable gifts for Rose and Eva the next time she watches them. Speaking of blankets, Thea is going to need a new one after Cassandra's attempt to...well nobody really knew what she was trying to do. Whatever it was, it didn't work and she apologized profusely for the damage. So that just adds to the materials Seraphine had to get from The Duke on her next visit. Then there are the gardens she has to manage.

Before the woman can get too far along in her new rabbit hole, the bedroom door swings open. Bela carries a tray of what looks like her best attempt at reimagining a battlefield with breakfast foods. The bowl on the side caught Seraphine's attention as she sat up. Bela handed the tray to Seraphine to settle on her lap before moving to sit beside her lover.

They stayed relatively quiet, Seraphine making exceptions to thank Bela and comment on how she thought the gesture was sweet. That was, until she tried the contents of the bowl.

"Darling," Seraphine said. She had Bela's full attention. Mainly because the tone of her voice was inquisitive, and considering it came about after eating something made by the vampire she knew it either wasn't good or something entirely random. She got her answer in the form of her lover's next question.

"In the name of all that is holy," Seraphine turned her head to look Bela in the eyes, "how did you manage to burn soup?"

The vampire deflated with a comical sigh. If there was one thing she constantly debated might not be worth all the happiness of dating this woman, it would be her constant ability to poke at Bela's cooking. Even though she tried to frame her critiques as fun or lighthearted questions and teases, it still saddened Bela to know she served her lover food the latter couldn't fully enjoy.

Per their usual routine with these things, however, as Bela reached to take the soup Seraphine dodged her and began consuming the contents of the bowl with a passion. With one hand the human moved the tray off her lap and proceeded to roll out of bed. The Dimitrescu could smile at this display. Despite any comments, Seraphine was determined to always eat everything made for her if it was made with love. Regardless of her joy, Bela moved in tandem with the other woman as she got prepared for what would likely be a chase around the master bedroom.

It quickly turned from Bela chasing the woman to get the bowl to Bela chasing her to stop her from choking. Sometimes these things could get out of hand as this morning had just proven, as Seraphine leans on Bela's shoulder and has a coughing fit. All caused by a mix of laughter and eating and running simultaneously.

When they've calmed down enough, Bela grabs the tray from the bed and leaves Seraphine to get dressed with a kiss.

After around a week of some catching up, Bela was back to making regular visits to see the human. Her mood had improved dramatically as well. All except one detail had seemed to get better. Despite the human forgiving Bela for her absence, Daniela held onto her anger.

If she was being honest, Cassandra was getting sick of playing messenger between the two. Her annoyance came to a peak in the form of the Cassandra Dimitrescu asking for help. She first sought out the help of her spouse, but Liadis found amusement at the uncommon sight of the middle child practically begging. Deciding they will be no help, Cassandra moves on to her mother who makes an unhelpful suggestion of asking them to talk to each other. Next she went to Adrianna to ask if she could please talk Daniela to finding another way to communicate her feelings. She told her that she would talk to her...in a week when she has her next few days off and can actually sit her girlfriend down for a conversation.

At first the middle child thought she was out of options, then she remembered a certain human who all three Dimitrescu daughters found quite sensible and easy to talk to. So she set out one night to the manor, fully aware this was her last hope to have something done soon.

It was late when she arrived but some lights were still on. Figuring that meant the human was still awake, Cassandra knocked on the door. Waiting a moment gave her a chance to look around and admire the handiwork she and her younger sister had when helping the woman build her home. Even with the diminishing light Cassandra spotted a miscolored beam down the fence that Daniela had accidentally dropped paint on. The youngest was in tears because they were supposed to finish the fence that day. Instead of being upset, Seraphine took a brush and painted the rest of that one beam.

"What are you doing?" Daniela had asked, tears still in her eyes.

"Finishing the fence."

At the silent query from both sisters, Seraphine elaborated: "We could treat this like a mistake and cover it up, but I don't want to do that. Mishaps happen. They're a part of our journey in life. This one piece being a different color will forever serve as a reminder of this journey we shared together."

That was all it took for Daniela to begin helping her with the paint. Since she remembered what had happened that day, Cassandra couldn't help but think Seraphine was right. About it standing as a reminder of their time building the home. At least that part of it in particular.

The door she's standing in front of opens and Seraphine stands with a welcoming presence. Greeting each other, the human lets the middle Dimitrescu into her home.

"I don't know what has her still so angry," Cassandra explains after an hour of talking, "but she can't even be in the same room as Bela long enough to have a family dinner. She always has her food in her room or the library. I've asked for help from others and it's been useless so far. I've also asked what's bothering her but she tells me nothing is. Which is clearly a lie!"

"And so you can to me because...?"

"You're easy to talk to! Maybe next time she comes over you could talk to her. You don't have to say that I said anything," this statement makes Seraphine smile at how much Cassandra doesn't want to seem soft, "but if you could just try getting her to talk I think it would help everyone in the long term."

Seraphine debates this in her head. To begin, she thinks she has it figured out but would actually have to speak with Daniela to confirm. Perhaps do some explaining if she was. For now, she notices how dark the outside world is and how tired Cassandra looks.

"I'll talk to her," she says, bringing relief to the vampire, "How about you spend the night here? It's probably gotten cold out at this hour."

She phrased it like a question, but the command was clear. Seraphine wasn't about to risk yet another Dimitrescu having to spend a winter away from home due to a bad decision.

Liadis of course noticed their wife having not come to bed the night prior. Despite what some people may think about how the family each spend their time, Cassandra arguably has the best sleep schedule of them all, including her mother. This being said, it was very odd for her to not return to their chambers by at most midnight on a busy day.

The first half of their day was purely spent searching for the middle child. They didn't like waking up without their morning kiss, but if something had truly captured Cassandra's attention then she'd be forgiven. Before they get to search the cellars, which they have to clean anyways, they return to their chambers to retrieve an outfit that could withstand the consistent blood and grime that seemed to always coat the cell bars and walls.

They don't even get one foot into the room when they spot their wife.

"Sneaking in through the window like a teenager now, are we?" Cassandra froze at her spouse's voice. Liadis moved to grab the clothes they had originally returned to put on. Knowing it's best to let Cassandra mentally plan out everything she wants to share as of this moment, Liadis simply begins changing. They're well aware of their wife ogling their body. Cassandra had always asked about their comfort after the Cadou and if she could help in any way.

Cassandra finally decided she wanted to start the conversation with, "So I technically spent the night with another woman."

Immediately Liadis and Cassandra were both bursting into giggles. Liadis knew there was really only two places their wife would be overnight. One being on a hunt during the warmer times of the year and the other being with Seraphine. They remembered her from years ago and honestly thought she was kind, and smart, for not leading a raging mob to the castle in retaliation for what happened.

"She agreed to talk to Dani."

They nodded along as they moved toward Cassandra with a lint roller. Understanding the reason, she helps them run the roller over their back and legs while explaining how the conversation went. Liadis planted a kiss on Cassandra's cheek with a promise to talk more later. Then they were on their way to the cellar.

As she was washing the dishes, Bela would occasionally spot Seraphine moving about outside. First she got a brief acknowledgment when the woman passed the kitchen on her way to the door. Then she saw her lover at the stable with Thea. The next time she looked out she saw Seraphine inside the greenhouse. Twenty minutes later the woman was flitting about her workshop.

Seraphine knows Bela still wants her to take it easy today, so most of what she's doing is counting stock and what she needs to get on her next trip into town. A brief glance into all her current supplies and then some quick cleaning were all she'd do with Bela watching her. She should be writing this down because she's likely to forget it all with how her mind has been wandering. If she were more attentive she would've noticed how she incorrectly counted the last two boxes holding rayon and lyocell respectively, and she would have noticed Bela standing in the doorway with an amused expression on her face.

"What's on your mind?" the vampire asks.

Stopping at Bela's question, Seraphine takes a deep breath and holds it for a second before she lets out the heaviest sigh and Bela has to hold herself back from cackling at her lover's dramatic reaction.

"I have an order that needs to be completed by the end of the month, but the customer has yet to pick a material. I recommended some which would be the best for them financially while still maintaining the texture they want."

Seraphine hung her head. Not in defeat but exasperation. Bela moves behind her and gives a short-lived but much appreciated shoulder massage. Then the vampire makes a trip inside, using her flies to be quicker, and returns with a notepad and pen. She hands this to the other woman before going through the workshop with Seraphine again, making the human write down everything she counts.

Not being told anything that was happening never stopped Alcina Dimitrescu from finding out what was going on within her castle. She was entirely aware of Bela's improved mood, but she started to become perplexed that Daniela was still ignoring her sister. To be fair, what was originally ignoring her entire existence has turned to avoiding her at all costs unless Alcina called all her daughters into a room at once. So at least there was some improvement on her youngest's part. Daniela had, however, continued this behavior for nearly a full year at this point and it really did worry their mother.

What she had been able to deduce was that the problems both her oldest and her youngest had been facing recently mostly stemmed from something to do with their excursions outside the castle. It took some deeper investigation and a bit of eavesdropping to figure out the next time one of her daughters was leaving to visit the human. As it turned out, the next visit was made by Bela.

Following her oldest daughter through the forest was no easy feat, but she still did so gracefully while managing to keep pace and remain out of sight. The area she was led to looked to be out of a painting she would have purchased in her human years. It was beautiful. She wondered how long this had been just a short distance from her own home.

The matriarch stopped along the tree line as she observed what was going to happen. Bela's body materialized just a step away from the front steps. Alcina noted her daughter clearly making her footsteps louder as ascended the porch stairs to reach the door. By the time she knocked, the blonde only had to wait a few seconds before the door swung open.

And there she stood. The woman who had tried telling Alcina, all those years ago, that her eldest daughter was being sheltered in a safe location. For only a moment, the matriarch allows her mind to drift to what might have happened had she believed this human. While it was foolish to think of what ifs, perhaps her children would never have reason to be feuding as they are now. Just as quickly as she lets it enter her mind, she lets the thought drift away. Upon focusing her gaze at the door, Alcina makes eye contact with the woman guiding Bela into the home.

She takes a minute to examine where she had been standing after the door shuts. Even in her current attire she should have been hidden from the average human eye. Then again, she had attacked this woman before so she may find it easier to spot her than the villagers. Still, the idea the woman had already been looking at her intrigues her to some degree.

However, now that she has the route to this human's home memorized, Alcina heads back to the castle to plan what exactly she should say when she next visits.

Bela was quite confused at the situation she was currently in. Mostly because she had absolutely no indication as to what was causing Seraphine's behavior.

The human in question had spent the better portion of five minutes anxiously pacing to and from the windows, going in circles around the house.

"So are you going to tell me what's got you on edge or am I just supposed to take a gander?" Bela asks as she hands Seraphine a glass of water she prepared nearly four minutes ago.

Taking her time to calm down, Seraphine collects her thoughts without looking her companion in the eyes. This is highly concerning to the vampire whom is trying to remain respectful but also attempting to gauge what the woman standing in front of her is thinking.

"I would have appreciated a heads up," Seraphine finally states.

Despite nothing in her tone giving it away, Bela still senses something accusatory from the woman. She found herself completely dumbfounded at how to respond. Mostly because she still had absolutely no idea as to what had set off Seraphine. Her best clue as to how she should approach this is that the woman in front of her is clearly calming from a spike of anxiety, and that something outside had caused the reaction. Trying to investigate without leaving Seraphine alone, since she doesn't know how the woman would react, Bela sends a few flies to peek out any windows they can find.

"Um," Bela stalls for time since her flies proceed to find nothing lurking outside, "what exactly did you not expect?" The look of exasperation Seraphine gave her made her feel even more clueless. Not wanting to risk an argument but not knowing how to avoid one, Bela decides to explain what she knows as of this moment: "As far as I know, you've been allowing us to visit on a pretty loose schedule. I don't ever recall a requirement for contact prior to the visits. Is this just a case of bad timing? Was I supposed to come at a different time? What's going on that caused," Bela gestured to Seraphine's body to indicate her behavior, "this?"

Letting what the vampire said sink in, it easily dawned on Seraphine that Bela was unaware of the uninvited, and quite frightening, guest who was behind her. At this realization, the woman just laughed. Bela was fully taken aback at the sudden change, but was relieved to have a smile sent her direction rather than a scowl.

"I guess now would be a good time to let you know you were being followed."

"Hey," Bela places her hands on her lover's jaw, one moving up to brush a few hairs behind her ear, turning Seraphine to face her, "do you need to sit down? I can do the rest of this if you need a break."

Seraphine shook her head very slightly. It had gotten quite late and the human's eyes were drooping. That paired with her increasingly sluggish movements told Bela all she needed to know. The couple were preparing dinner; they had previously found something to occupy their time and accidentally skipped lunch. Bela wasn't about to let her human miss another meal, so sleeping was currently off limits. Bela wasn't about to risk having to run away from an angry Seraphine if she had to wake her up for dinner, especially since she was the direct cause of her lack of energy this evening. Unlike yesterday, however, the vampire is quite proud of it this time.

Despite her attempts to keep cooking, still only slightly trusting Bela to not burn everything to the ground while unsupervised, she felt hands grasp her waist and guide her away from the ingredients. No fight was put up on her part as Bela sat Seraphine down at the table. She did let out a couple huffs of air, though nothing too disgruntled.

Bela easily moved through the kitchen and gradually, with some pointers from the sleepy woman behind her, a meal started to take shape. Wanting to feel helpful, Seraphine refused Bela's attempts to grab the dishware from her as she set the table. Bela dished out the food, stopping Seraphine from burning her mouth as she tried to eat as soon as it was placed before her, and the two enjoyed their meal with some casual conversation. Everything was seemingly fine throughout the night, until the following twilight.

Early, before the day could even dawn, banging echoed from the entryway. Neither woman wanted to get the door, but both knew it wouldn't stop until someone did. This knocking was very specific. Someone who, for sanitary purposes, wasn't supposed to be in the house wanted to visit at such an early hour. Eventually it was Seraphine who rolled from her side of the bed, resentful that she lost a thumb war with Bela as she wrapped herself in a spare blanket. Hearing the noise become louder and louder as she approached was on the verge of giving her a headache. Finally she reached the door and swung it open, revealing Lord Heisenberg waiting impatiently in the moonlight.

He waltzed into the house, not commenting on the bags under the human's eyes. This behavior was usually accepted by the couple because Bela loved her uncle and Seraphine usually got something for her workshop from his visits. He made his way into the lounge with the property owner sluggishly keeping pace behind him. She cringed internally when his dirty boots made contact with her rug, but he was carrying a box and she was interested in the contents so she stayed silent. He sat on the sofa and began his seemingly mandatory explanation as to why he was there. Something along the lines of cleaning shop and finding things he no longer needed.

"You do know you are welcome to just visit, right?" Karl's head snaps up to Seraphine as she walks around him, snatching his cigar in the process, to grab a glass ashtray from a nearby cabinet, "You don't need a reason every time you want to see your niece."

"Well that's too bad, cause I happen to have a reason," he grumbles out.

"Every time?" She cocks an eyebrow as she puts out his cigar. Sitting down in a chair adjacent to the sofa, she sets the ashtray down on the table.

The lord grumbles some more, "Maybe not every time," while adjusting his glasses and hat, "but this time I do."

He gestures to the box. Unsure of what he's expecting, Seraphine looks to the box and back at him, then at the box again before ending with a long stare at Lord Heisenberg. Being slightly understanding of her lackadaisical stare, because even he knows this is an ungodly hour to visit someone with something potentially mundane, Karl opens the box and begins explaining the use of each item inside.

Seraphine gradually took on a softer and more grateful expression as all the tools and equipment revealed from the box seemed to have a common purpose. They were all related to a hobby she had shared at dinner at Castle Dimitrescu she was finally planning on working for profit alongside what she currently did. Her glass jewelry was still just something she did for fun. Occasionally she has made something for people close to her, one even went with a special commission years ago. That was the third time she had ever worked with a tektite.

Now, sitting in her living room, Karl Heisenberg was explaining to her what actually classifies a glass. He was digging through a case of vials holding pieces of obsidian, gold, lead, and he even managed to get the tiniest amount of rhodium, knowing how much the look of the platinum family of metals fascinated her. She figured he didn't know he let that detail, that he remembered some of their first conversations, slip while carrying on his spiel.

When he provided more and more information on what techniques would work best for the size of her workshop she stopped him with, "I actually don't do that in my workshop."

Karl thought for a moment, thinking about the layout of her home, then asked, "Well where the hell do you do it then?"

Bela had managed to fall back asleep before Seraphine returned to bed, but it was highly unusual for her to wake up and find the other woman gone. She thought nothing of it, for a few seconds at least, before she remembered the banging on the door from the early morning. Now her mind is racing with what could have happened when she opened the door. Gathering herself in a still somewhat drowsy haze and speeding her way down the stairs, Bela searches the entire house to find it entirely devoid of anyone but herself. She panics and opens the door, hit with a cold gust of morning breeze when she steps outside.

She searches everywhere. In the stables, where she tends to Thea, in the greenhouse and she checks the workshop. The fact Thea is still in the stable means Seraphine didn't go on a ride somewhere without letting Bela know. It also means she didn't go into the village to visit the Duke. By the time Bela returns inside she is panicking at where her lover could have gone.

Before she gets a chance to phone her mother, Bela hears clattering...from somewhere in the house. She does another bout of searching before concluding she has gone insane. Yet, before she can spiral even further she hears another clatter. Deciding to follow the noise, Bela makes her way into the main hall where she waits. Another sound echoes from one of the adjacent rooms, Seraphine's personal studio, though it doesn't sound like it's coming from that room directly. Bela enters and hears more noise. As she looks around for where it could be coming from she admires some things within the studio itself.

While there were gifts lining shelves that her sisters had given to Seraphine, her favorite thing she saw was a stained-glass artwork that Seraphine had done of the entire Dimitrescu family. Not just her mother and sisters but also her in-laws. She remembers how Seraphine had explained what she was doing and why she wasn't able to put smaller pieces together to make larger pieces that would then all get put together like a puzzle. The woman was so patient as she explained to Bela that in her head that would fit together because she was thinking of it as a premade puzzle instead of something that was currently being created.

Following the noises she was hearing, Bela eventually noticed something about the bookshelf containing the Dimitrescu artwork. The rug in front of it had been moved slightly and she could see a gap between the floor and the bottom shelf, but there were no legs the shelf was standing on. Investigating further, the vampire found a latch just behind the artwork that was locking the bookshelf to the one next to it. The stained glass was positioned in such a way that either the shine from the window would be just right to hide the latch if it was sunny outside or the latch would be hidden in complete darkness if it wasn't bright enough in the room. Bela had to actually look behind the artwork to see the latch since she couldn't see the device through the glass.

Unlocking the shelf allowed Bela to easily slide it to the right and walk through. Behind it was a spiral staircase that the woman had never seen before. Since the sounds were louder now, she ventured down and down and down.

All three daughters knew their mother was the apex of the four predators living within Castle Dimitrescu and that she could easily out-do them in any regard: be it stealth, despite her heels; environmental adaptability, since they couldn't be in cold weather; lasting without food, she could go nearly a year before anything would change while they get fatigued after a few months; speed and reach, her limbs are longer; senses, regardless of using reading glasses she still has better sight, hearing and smell.

All three of them know this is how much more efficient their mother is, yet Bela is still reeling at the thought her mother followed her for several kilometers and the eldest had no indication of her presence. The fact that the matriarch would put Cassandra's hunting skills to shame was at least a humorous plus side.

"You still with me?" she heard from Seraphine. The latter was watching the eldest Dimitrescu sister practically rethink all her life choices. Simply frozen in shock.

"Yeah," she said quietly when she could finally form a response.

"Hey," Seraphine offered, "at least she didn't come charging at me weapons drawn, right?" The optimistic tone the human adopted was quite unlike her.

With that reasoning, however, Bela could see the brighter side of what this may entail. Her mother already knew she and her sisters were visiting Seraphine, she's not an idiot after all, but for her to actually be there as well was still concerning. As sensible as her mother could often be, she was equally unpredictable if the circumstances allowed it.

"And you're sure you didn't just see a weird tree?"

Seraphine chuckled, "Not unless trees suddenly disappear after you look away," she thought for a moment, "Well-"

"Don't even start," the vampire dramatically rolled her eyes.

"If you look away and don't see them anymore," the woman paused to give Bela a mockingly thoughtful look, "are they even really still there?"

Bela's forehead made contact with the table. Here she was, having a serious crisis, and Seraphine had the gall to tease her for a single hopeful thought.

Even now, however, the sound of the human laughing made a smile spread on the vampire's face. She looked at the other woman from where she was, and Seraphine completely lost control at how strong the side-eye she was receiving from Bela was. Her insistent laugher caused Bela to start laughing as well.

The room Bela walked into at the bottom of the staircase was vast. Mostly because it wasn't just a room, it was an entire basement. Down there was a variety of projects that seemed to be a mix of different styles of glass artwork. Littered around several counters and tables, in a seemingly organized mess, were stained-glass pieces, kilns and furnaces, different foils, metal dusts and wires, large chunks of glass, and some other equipment the vampire could not identify.

At one of the tables was a hunched individual. Upon closer inspection, or a few more seconds of looking, Bela recognized her uncle. Karl was busying himself with something small on the table, sparing her a glance and pointing to the side before returning to what he was doing. Following his direction, Bela turned her head and simply sighed. Curled up on a chair with Heisenberg's coat draped like an impromptu blanket was none other than Seraphine.

Her eyes were closed but the bags underneath them plus Karl still being here told Bela everything. She gently picked up the sleeping woman, hooking one arm under her back and the other under her knees, and turned to her uncle.

"Breakfast will be in half an hour, give or take."

It took all but a few minutes to maneuver her way up the stairs with Seraphine in her hold. Once she was clear of the stairs she faced a separate problem.

Bela had not the slightest idea as to how to open the bookcase door from behind.

Not wanting to be stuck until Seraphine woke up, and thinking she was smart enough to figure it out, she started looking for a matching latch. It took a solid minute before she actually tried just putting pressure on the door. This, shockingly, worked. The bookcase opened with ease and Bela pushed her way through using her back. Shutting the secret door with a small push from her hip, careful not to knock over the Dimitrescu glass portrait, and made her way up to the bedroom.

Having left Seraphine to sleep in peace, Bela entered the kitchen and immediately got ingredients out. She's made breakfast before, Seraphine said it was the easiest meal to make unless you're overly tired, but at least she's confident nothing will go wrong.

Small victories.

Bela got back to the castle during the early evening. She and Seraphine had come up with a plan to figure out why the matriarch of House Dimitrescu was lurking at the edge of the human's property. Was their plan to simply ask Alcina about her intentions? Maybe they would wait until she revealed her thoughts and plans on her own time?

No and no.

Like scheming children, Seraphine offered Bela up as sacrifice when she suggested the vampire to spy on her mother. This was immediately after unexpectedly confirming that Alcina was the superior hunter, meaning she would likely know her eldest daughter was stalking her around the castle.

There were several ways they had planned for Bela to acknowledge the behavior without giving away her own intentions. First was the approach of claiming it was "hunting practice" like the sisters used to do early on after they received the Cadou. Another claim could be that she wanted to spend time with her mother but was too proud to ask. Lastly was to simply make an attempt at pretending she was looking for something and happened to cross paths with her mother quite often.

There were really only three problems with these options: Alcina Dimitrescu is not dumb and may easily see through her daughter's fib; if Daniela or Cassandra catch their sister in the act they will likely rat her out, Daniela may do it specifically out of spite at the moment; and the very clear fact that Bela Dimitrescu was terrible at lying.

It's not like she has any obvious tells in her body language or voice. Nor is she overly stingy about being completely truthful all the time. The eldest Dimitrescu sister is just genuinely bad at lying. Lacking in that specific field is what Seraphine was worried may be the downfall of their plan. She even had the vampire practice with her for nearly two hours. What was arguably the worst, in Seraphine's eyes, was that Bela wholeheartedly believed she was a good liar.

So now, the blonde tries her best to casually walk through the halls of the castle while listening for her mother. If Seraphine could see her now she would shake her shoulders and scream at her that her having to try to act casual is what gives away something is off, but Seraphine isn't here and Bela is on her own. At even the slightest of sounds, the eldest Dimitrescu jumps and flinches. She has made this task so much harder for herself and put herself on edge by repeatedly thinking about what could happen if she gets caught.

"What are you doing?" Bela jumped at Liadis' voice behind her. She had been so in-her-head that she failed to hear their footsteps.

For a moment the two just stared at each other. Neither spoke a word. Bela had already begun thinking of what the castle's grand chambermaid could have seen. How long were they watching her before they spoke up? Had she been paying attention, she would have noticed that they had started following her out of curiosity the third time she had paced past the foyer. Her behavior was already off but her lack of awareness for her surroundings gave away she was doing something she probably shouldn't, and Liadis planned on figuring out what it was.

Heisenberg stomped into the dining room.

"Satisfied with your little project?" Bela asked as she poured the two of them some water. "Or did you just smell the food and decided to take a break?"

Karl shook his head as he chugged his first glass of many. He then responded with, "Firstly, I kept track of the time. Secondly, it's not a project."

Bela refilled her uncle's glass. She then looked at the time, "I said give or take," causing Karl to hum in agreement. She then asked, "If it wasn't a project then what were you two doing down there?"

"I'm setting up a couple furnaces so Saebelyn can work with the metals I've given her," the lord explains, "plus I also fixed one of her old kilns she never got rid of. Something about a family heirloom."

Eventually, the smell of food did attract the other household resident. Seraphine tiredly crept her way down the stairs and into the kitchen, bypassing the dining room. Bela and Karl just watched her pass them before Bela excused herself for a moment. She followed behind the human until she caught up with her and stopped her from interfering with the food.

At her persistence, Bela joked, "You really distrust my ability to cook so much you'll try and step in even when you're half asleep?"

She gets a mumbled response that she cannot hope to understand and lightly chuckles. Placing her hand on Seraphine's back, she guides her out of the kitchen and to the table. Then she returns twice, once to get water for the three of them and the second time to bring the food to the table. The three of them ate, Heisenberg practically inhaling his food, while Seraphine gradually woke up more and eventually carried out a conversation with Karl over what exactly he had done while she slept.

Seraphine had finished one part of the most recent commission that she had gotten. The dress was complete and she had managed to make the ring that was also asked for but she wasn't sure if the small Prince Rupert's Droplets would hold up until the actual ring was able to be afforded. Now she had to wait to see it everything went as planned before she could even begin to construct the second and third parts. So she packaged the dress and began preparing for the delivery.

She had asked Duke about this long before she started working on it. He was polite in explaining that he was quite done being the mediator between her and the Dimitrescus whenever she wanted to send them something anonymously, especially now that she and Bela were on speaking terms again. The businessman in him was drawn in by the boisterous amount she was offering to deliver this commission, but he still declined. Dooming her to make all the deliveries herself. So she lightheartedly curses his name as she mounts Thea, ready to head to the castle.

As she stands before the towering structure, which looks both sturdy and as if it were about to crumble in on itself due to age alone, she takes a tentative breath. As if the very shift in the air would alert the matriarch that she was nearby. To her credit, she lasted all of twenty seconds before she turned around and began walking away. The weight in her arms from the packaged dress was just enough of a reminder that she absolutely could not turn back. This was something much bigger than her fear of the Lord who lived within the walls of the relic now stood behind her.

The huffing of a horse and several footfalls of someone pacing to and from the front door caught someone's attention, because of course it did. Unfortunately for Seraphine, that someone happened to be the one person who was not supposed to see the delivery. Her voice gave her away and Seraphine rushed to grab her backup plan because she was warned to be prepared to distract the recipient of the gift. She just barley got the new books she'd gotten from Duke earlier, pre-wrapped and ready as they had agreed, when the doors to the castle swung open and a swarm of flies fled from the confines of the stone walls.

The flies congregated before her to reveal none other than Daniela Dimitrescu in an outfit that showed she was on her way out the door already.

"I thought I was coming to you?" the youngest questions, but her smile gives away that she's not displeased.

Taking a few seconds to think of what day it was made Seraphine mentally face-palm. It was Friday. The day that Daniela was scheduled to visit. The very day she was supposed to find a way to figure out what was holding the youngest back from speaking to her sister. Now she stood before the castle with a complete lack of thought behind her deer-caught-in-headlights look.

Trying to pull herself together, she makes something up on the spot: "You know, it completely slipped my mind," the truth, "but I saw some books while I was shopping today and thought you might like to read one or two with me."

Now lets be clear, Daniela Dimitrescu is not dumb or oblivious. Far from it. She may have the most dramatic reactions and the most exaggerated explanations for some of the things she does, but she is possibly the most observant of her sisters.

Cassandra's observations are mainly kept to hunting habits and to tell if a newcomer is a threat to herself or her family. She doesn't allow things to slip by her until she trusts someone fully. It's why she was keeping her distance from Seraphine when she would visit her home in the earliest months.

Bela's observations are assessing a situation and acting in a way which gives her most control so things don't get out of hand, mostly with her sisters. She tried doing this when she first woke up in Seraphines cabin and didn't know where she was. She noticed she was taller and stronger than the human and decided to use that to her advantage, but the human happened to be more stubborn than her at that moment.

Daniela's observations are to take everything in, to conduct herself in a way to get reactions so she knows how far someone can be pushed without causing them to snap, she waits and watches and acts because she wants to understand the people and world around her. It's why she prefers to get up close with people since it's easier to see their micro-reactions from a closer distance, but most people assume she is always trying to befriend everyone she meets. One of the first things she tests when encountering someone new, however, is how to tell when they're lying.

She knew Alcina was worried about Bela despite telling her daughters that everything was fine.

She knew before anyone that her mother regretted attacking the human, and feared what may happen if she doesn't make amends.

She knew Bela missed wherever she was and whoever she was with.

She knew Bela wasn't angry with Seraphine and was actually only minorly upset about the lie, despite using it as the excuse for avoiding the woman.

She knew that Seraphine wasn't fine when Bela didn't show up that day despite not shedding a single tear over the matter.

She knew that Seraphine still hadn't forgiven Bela and that her sister was completely unaware.

And she knew that Seraphine was lying in this very moment.

Yet she said nothing in regards to what she knew. Instead she smiled and happily pulled the human inside as she asked about the books. She asked a passing maid to take Seraphine's horse to the stables. Daniela played into what Seraphine thought was a successful ruse as she contemplated what to do about her sister and what could be so wrong about visiting the castle that Seraphine would make something up. What she remained unaware of, however, was that Seraphine had slipped a note to a different maid to alert Adrianna about the delivery that was now strapped to Thea's saddle and on its way to the stable.

Daniela took everything her current companion said into consideration and noticed she was constantly switching between lie and truth. From what the youngest had gathered, Seraphine had thought of her when she bought the books but she hadn't bought them that day. The books weren't the reason for her arrival at the castle, but they were for Daniela and Seraphine did want to read together. So Daniela was trying to get a good look at the woman's clothes to see if she could spot anything thinking maybe that could tell her about the purpose of the visit instead. She noticed that Seraphine wasn't in an outfit she would wear when riding Thea for anything other than business, so she very well could have been shopping earlier. Except the time she usually leaves when visiting Seraphine aligns with when the Duke opens his shop because she likes to stop by on her way to grab some stew, which on her way back after the woman she gifts it to has eaten it she returns a freshly cleaned bowl. She knows Seraphine will only do shopping with other villagers if absolutely necessary, like when she got sick and needed medicine but the Duke wasn't in the village at the time. So either Seraphine left very early so she could catch Duke the moment her opened and didn't have to wait for the lines, but she wasn't a morning person by any means so Daniela found that hard to believe, or she wasn't in the village at all today.

Seraphine had never really gotten the grand tour of the castle, since the only time she was here before she ended up being chased out with her own blood running down her front. Due to this, the library was new to her. She'd heard stories from the sisters when they'd speak about it but she hadn't really tried to visualize it. Mainly because she never thought she'd ever be in the castle again.

If she had pictured anything in her mind, it still wouldn't have matched what she was seeing now.

"So," Daniela asks as she turns to see her guests reaction after opening the door and guiding her in, "what do you think?"

Seraphine took a moment to look around, doing a full spin to really get at least a glance at everything. She then responded, "It's quiet and quaint."

Daniela's smile widened just slightly, feeling genuine joy that her friend didn't hate the room she most often found herself in, but she still waited. As if she was expecting a stronger reaction. This room meant a lot to her after all. Seraphine took the hint, thankfully, and continued to elaborate on specific details about the room she found interesting.

"The circular structure to the room is a nice touch," she adds, "and you can get lots of natural light with the windows and skylight." Seraphine pauses for a moment to contemplate, "But don't you get cold in here without any fireplaces? How do you stay warm? Surely blankets aren't enough to keep you safe."

This was Seraphine's attempt at guiding Daniela into a conversation she could gradually add bits to which would hopefully give her the bigger picture as to why she isn't speaking to Bela while framing it as concern. To her credit, she actually manages to throw the youngest off guard for a few minutes. Mostly because her concern is genuine, she's just using it to garner more information.

As more time passed the two had sat down and Seraphine tried to coax something out of Daniela.

"I've never seen something so..." Seraphine hesitated as she tried to find the right words, "painful for someone to go through. I actually thought I had seen it all until I found your sister that evening. I just don't want to risk seeing you go through that." Daniela had a solemn look in her eyes after Seraphine explained her reason for bringing up why the matriarch should invest in some form of heating method for the library.

"Speaking of your sister," Seraphine gives the youngest time to react to that segue so she could pick how directly she should dive in, "Cassandra came to see me recently." Daniela visibly relaxed at the mention of the sister she does not currently have issues with. Then, "She told me you haven't been... at your best lately." To her surprise, Daniela nodded to confirm that Cassandra was correct. So Seraphine pushed on, "You know you can talk to me if something's bothering you, right? I understand that there are others and I may not be your first choice, but I will always make time for you if you need me to."

That last sentence convinced Daniela that she had discovered the reason Seraphine came to the castle that day. She figured that if Daniela had gone to her house and didn't like where the conversation was going then she could just go home, so Seraphine came to her home so maybe she would be more likely to share. As incorrect as she was, Seraphine was unfortunate enough to receive a powerful stare from the youngest Dimitrescu that made her want to slowly creep away, as if to not spook a sleeping predator. It wasn't one that was threatening, unless you're weak of heart, nor was it meant to scare her. It was a stare that held innocence and mischievous joy as it wordlessly explained, "I know what you're doing." Proving to the woman that Daniela Dimitrescu was terrifying in her own right.

As if the misfortune couldn't hold itself back from throwing something else at Seraphine today, the library doors opened. Both occupants of the library turned their heads at the sound of the door paired with the sounds of the outer world being let in to disturb the silence. They watched, one in worry and the other in silent and masked horror, as the Lady of the house made her way through the door.

They watched as the hat entered the room first, covering her head and face from view, followed by her hunched form before she got all the way in and stood to her full height. She had a leisurely smile on her face but her eyes seemed to sparkle slightly at the sight of the guest. Alcina hadn't planned on approaching the human so soon, but by the silence she heard from her youngest she knew the current guest might need some help. Alcina tries to take on the least intimidating appearance she can, but her height and reputation paired with the last interaction she had with this particular human diminishes any attempts she makes. Regardless, she's determined to show hospitality to her daughters' friend.

"Well," Alcina sighs, "why didn't anyone tell me we had a guest?"

All Seraphine can think of is how she wished anyone else had walked through that door. Daniela, on the other hand, quickly got up from her seat and began bombarding her mother with excuses as to why she didn't say anything. One of which was the tour they had yet to complete. Based on her mother's growing grin, Daniela knew she just screwed up while Alcina just found exactly what she needed to bond with the woman who saved her daughter all those years ago.

Unbeknownst to either Dimitrescu in the room, Seraphine happened to look just past Alcina to see Bela making her way down the hallway as casually as she could. She seriously struggled with making it seem like she wasn't up to something. The two locked eyes and shared a mutual confusion and worry over what was going to happen. Bela debated trying to sneak into the library through another entrance and getting Seraphine out of there, but she was stuck making the decision while Alcina had already decided on what to do next.

"Daniela, my dear," she said while gently brushing her fingers through her youngest's red hair, "why don't you and your sister go figure out what we'll be having for dinner tonight."

The fact that she didn't pose it as a question, rather a suggestion, indicated that it was neither their choice nor optional. Only at her acceptance of this command, thinking she would be going to fetch Cassandra, did Daniela notice the eldest was standing just out of her view behind their mother. She was in the midst of preparing a protest when Alcina silenced her with a single look. Accepting her fate, Daniela made her way past her mother and immediately picked up her pace to annoy Bela, which succeeded as the eldest was caught off guard by suddenly having to chase after her sister.

Turning back to a very concerned Seraphine, Alcina asked, "Shall we?" while gesturing toward the hallway.

Seraphine did her absolute best to hide the fact her heart had dropped and kept her voice steady as she responded, "I guess we shall."

While the woman trailed behind the matriarch, carrying herself in a way she hoped didn't look timid, Adrianna was arriving at the stables to find her package. She cut a few apples in half before making her way outside so she could give the horses a treat as she passed them. She got to Thea and scanned the area before taking the chance and entering the stall.

Not even halfway through her search for the saddle, which the stable hand had taken off the horse, she got startled by an unexpected voice.

"What exactly are you doing?" Cassandra asked as she leaned against the doorframe.

Nearly jumping out of her skin, "I could say the same to you," Adrianna responds.

Cassandra nodded and gazed around the stall, "I'm one of the ladies of the castle. I don't really need a reason to come and visit our horses, but it you really want to know," she paused as she made eye contact, "I was inspecting why our gardener was making a visit to the stables. Considering," she stopped leaning on the frame and took a few steps toward Adrianna, "we don't have any flowers on this section of our property."

Adrianna wasn't afraid of the middle child by any means, not anymore at least, but she really wanted to just grab the dress and go. Instead she had to converse with a one of her employers and had no ready excuses for why she wasn't working. She couldn't possibly tell anyone about her plan, though if anyone in the castle could keep a secret it was Cassandra.

"I was only taking a small break," she said as she backed up a little, "thought I would take some time to visit these gentle giants." She gestured to Thea, who was behind her at the moment, but was actually trying to look around the stall a little more.

"Looking for this?"

Turning to the Dimitrescu in front of her, Adrianna saw the package being held out to her. Taking it, albeit cautiously, she contemplated opening it in front of Cassandra but remembered she was in a place that posed a high risk of damaging the dress if she dropped it. She thanked Cassandra and made her way out of the stables. The middle child was obviously quick to follow as she questioned what it was and why it was so important.

"How did you even know about it?" Adrianna asked as they entered the corridor to the maids' dorms.

"I was on my way down the adjacent hallway when Seraphine gave the note to Irene," Cassandra explained as she was let into Adrianna's dorm, "I made Irene show me what the note said before she left to find you. From there I just happened to beat you here."

"Did you threaten her?"

"Obviously," the middle child genuinely seemed confused at why that was even being questioned.

"Of course you did," Adrianna sighed.

Cassandra sat at the desk on Adrianna's side of the room as the gardener sat on her bed and opened the package. She stood up and laid the dress out on the bed when she had it opened. To her immediate panic, the ring fell to the ground, on the droplet, when a gust of wind caused by the dress lowering quickly led to the bag flying off the bed. Cassandra picked up the undamaged ring and examined it.

It was obviously made of glass, that much was clear. What she couldn't wrap her head around was why it looked like a... like a...

"No," Cassandra exhaled in amazement as she realized what she was holding.

"No?" Adrianna panicked as she thought the Dimitrescu standing before her didn't approve of the plan she just discovered.

"No!" Cassandra yelled before trying to correct herself, "Wait, I mean... this is amazing."

"So you approve?"

Cassandra smiled at the gardener, "Of course I approve!"

The two spoke more about a potential plan before Cassandra swarmed off to get everything prepared.

Bela sat and watched her lover work as she worked. She's said it many times before, and she'll continue to tell her until the end of time, but Bela thinks Seraphine's beauty transcends all comprehensible levels when the woman is focused on something she's passionate about. Like now, she is testing some tactics Lord Heisenberg had suggested for her to use when she first starts working with metals.

"And why do you have to use the longer tube when using metal?" Bela had been asking questions she wasn't truly interested in knowing the answer to so she could have an excuse to hear Seraphine talk about her work.

Like she'd always done, Seraphine calmly answered and explained, "The metal is more of a liquid when it's melted down and will take more time to solidify when it cools. If my water is too cold it will damage the metal as it hardens. Therefore, Karl said I have to have the perfect water temperature to provide the quickest cooling while also having enough space for it to remain suspended long enough to not splatter on the bottom of the container."

"Why doesn't the glass need as much space though?"

"Most metal is heavier than glass so a single drop will sink faster. Especially when it's as dense as it is despite being so small. Plus the glass has a specific property that makes it more malleable when hot instead of becoming a liquid."

Bela watched as Seraphine did her best to give her vampire the attention she was in need of while staying focused on the notes she was taking. Karl told her to experiment to see which specific methods work for her so she can have an easier experience working with a new material.

All work had to stop, however, when Bela heard a fluttering followed by silence then a knock on the door. There's only one person that could be and both women knew who. So Seraphine carefully cleaned up her workspace, making sure nothing that could produce heat was left on so no fires started while she was gone, and followed Bela up the stairs.

Miranda waited patiently at the door while the couple made their way through the house. She listened to their conversation as best as she could from outside, chuckling at a few things she heard as the two bickered about what to serve Miranda while she was here. She unmistakably heard Bela ask, "Does a goddess even need to eat anyway?" only for Seraphine to retort with, "Of course she eats... how else does she keep such an amazing figure?" followed by the sound of Seraphine fleeing for her life from an angry vampire.

The human was the one to open the door, albeit a bit frazzled after getting the shit smacked out of her, with a smile.

Before she could greet the village matriarch, Miranda spoke first, "Hello, Miss Saebelyn. I hope Bela didn't hit you too hard."

Her face went red up to her ears as she gestured for Miranda to come in. The latter entered the abode and followed the woman to the lounge. She was able to see the signs of recent cleaning having been done on the furniture. That paired with the faint aroma of smoke and chemicals gave away that her eldest son had recently been at the home. The goddess hadn't been sitting down for more than a few seconds before Bela made her way into the room with a tray of tea.

They fell into conversation about the children and village events that would be happening in the near future. It took a bit of coaxing before Miranda was able to direct the topic toward Seraphine's condition, something the latter wasn't very opposed to. Her vampiric lover, on the other hand, was full of overactive nerves and needed her emotional support human to deal with the discussion.

"We've done numerous amounts of tests to predict how your body may react to the mutamycete," Miranda started, :but we have very limited data. There are many variables that we still have to consider before we can move forward."

"What exactly do you need for further testing?" Seraphine inquires. Miranda took a moment to take a breath and glance between the two women before continuing.

"Firstly, we would need a piece of your flesh," this causes both women's eyes to nearly burst from their sockets with how wide they went. Miranda was quick to explain, "It would be similar to a punch biopsy-"

"You want to punch her?"

The silence spoke wonders as Miranda and Seraphine shared a look of unsurprised disappointment. They knew Bela was stressed out, but not to the point she would misinterpret a term her mother has used multiple times in the past when discussing potential vessels for Eva with her heir. Regardless, Miranda still took the time to explain what a punch biopsy was, watching as recognition spread on Bela's face.

Only when the vampire had calmed down did Miranda continue, "We would only need one or two samples since there are only a couple methods we have to apply the mutamycete to organic material."

"And what would be after that?" Seraphine asked, "Whether that works or not, where do we go from there?"

"After those tests," Miranda took a moment to consider, "we'd have to move on to testing living tissue."

Seraphine nodded, understanding what it meant, but Bela was worried about what the goddess meant. Rather, she was worried that it meant exactly what she was thinking.

"So," Seraphine concluded, "the final tests would be direct application."

"I don't care what you want," Cassandra whispered to her older sister, "tonight has to be special so just let Dani choose the meal."

The blonde rolled her eyes at her sister, not knowing what was supposed to be so special about tonight. Cassandra was refusing to elaborate on what was going on, just that their younger sister was supposed to have her way with the food.

As the two were arguing, a maid entered the kitchens with a note written by their mother with a specific plan for the human guests that would be attending dinner. The cooks don't waste any time preparing since they finally have something confirmed to work with. They were all stressing over what they should make when Daniela and Bela continued to change what would be served. Surprisingly, in an impressive feat, Daniela still managed to participate in the argument without directly addressing Bela. During the argument between her older sisters, Daniela had decided on having pan-seared liver with a glaze made from caramelized onions and bell peppers all with a side of roasted root vegetables with a blood infused dressing. Of all the woman in the Dimitrescu family, Daniela avoids vegetables the most but she knows her mother would not be very happy if the youngest didn't follow the rule that dinner always had to incorporate at least one fruit or vegetable focused side dish. She never understood this rule since Alcina and the girls didn't need the vegetables like the humans did. She didn't mind the fruit as much since it tended to be sweeter, but neither provided them any sustenance.

Daniela practically skipped out of the kitchens, knowing that she got to choose instead of Bela, and she took all but five steps when Cassandra suddenly grabbed her and began leading her away. The middle child spun some story about needing her younger sister's judgement on something she'd found in the woods near the back of the territory. Once they were gone Bela was left on her own. She figured she might as well try to find Seraphine and her mother, and maybe save the former if necessary.

"Absolutely not!"

Seraphine sighed. She knew Bela would be opposed to the idea. Mia finishes suturing the last 5mm opening as she listens to her patient have a lovers' quarrel.

"I get where you're coming from," Seraphine tries to explain, "and I know you want what's best." Bela nods to confirm this assessment so Seraphine continues, "Well I happen to think this is the best course of action."

Bela shakes her head and begins pacing, "You can't just jump into this, okay Sera? We don't know what could happen-"

"I know," Seraphine cuts her off, "We don't know if this will work or not. If it does then we still have a plethora of possible outcomes. It could cure me. Hell, I could become immortal."

"That's my point! We don't know if it will work at all, let alone what it'll do if it does! My mom was 'cured'," she does an air quote gesture, "but the price of that cure is having to consume blood, flesh and bone and being a highly inconvenient size for the world around her!"

Seraphine doesn't say anything. She nods along to let Bela know she's listening and truly considering her concerns. What Bela has learned, however, is that Seraphine has something she does as a substitute for yelling. The last time she ever yelled was when Marissa died. She screamed, cried, begged and yelled her heart out that day but has barely gone as far as raising her voice since then. Instead of yelling when she gets upset, Seraphine goes silent. Sometimes it takes the form of her stumbling over her words, maybe only managing to get a few sounds out but no discernable words. The worst to come across is her absolute silence, though, because it means she either doesn't want to waste her energy on fumbling an argument, would rather spare all parties involved from her incomprehensible fury, or she truly feels the best course of action is to disengage for the time being before she manages to say something she'll regret.

The tension was high as Mia gave Seraphine some supplies that will be of use to healing the extraction sites, informed Bela that Seraphine may require assistance when applying the ointment and made sure they both were aware that the extraction sites, although closed, were not to be submerged in the water for the time being. The two left after they got all the necessary paperwork and Mia finally had a moment of peace. According to Miranda, the couple had been discussing how soon Seraphine would be willing to do the final tests. Their calm discussion gradually turned into an argument when Seraphine refused to back down from wanting to do it as soon as reasonably and logically possible. Bela implored her to take some time to consider if this was even what she wanted and even tried to declare that she wouldn't let Seraphine do this if the risk was too high. That caused a rift to practically fill the room and Miranda made up an excuse to leave.

Mia understood the concern from Bela's side since she was currently the only one of her family of three to not be currently connected to the mutamycete, plus she remembered how horrible she felt while under Eveline's control, but she also knew that regardless of what she chose, Seraphine was running out of time and options.

When Lady Dimitrescu says she's going to give someone a tour of the castle, she means it. Seraphine has found herself on the receiving end of a very detailed explanation and history of every single room they have entered and every piece of art they passed. She arrived at the castle to deliver the dress and ring to Adrianna in the late morning, yet the Lady of the castle had managed to keep her there, despite her attempts to create an excuse to leave, well into the evening.

"It's getting quite late," Alcina observed as she heard the kitchens bustling, "why don't you stay for a meal?"

Seraphine still wasn't sure of what exactly the matriarch was up to, so she began to refuse, "Oh, well I wouldn't want to impose. Especially at such an hour."

"Nonsense," Alcina interjected, "If it was a burden then I wouldn't have asked you to stay."

As if securing her fate, the matriarch turned the corner only to run into her middle daughter.

The brunette was on a mission. In her determination she would've marched straight through her mother if she could. Cassandra didn't notice Seraphine was still there. Instead she immediately began speaking to her mother about specifics surrounding how dinner would go that night, though she left out major reasons as to why.

Lady Dimitrescu apologizes to her guest as both of them follow the middle daughter around like animals chasing carrots. They pitch in their help from time to time, but overall it is Cassandra who orders the maids around and directs them to what the dinner setup should look like. She races around faster than her mother can stride behind her and the amount of buzzing coming from her flies worries Alcina more than anything. She'd seen that level of buzzing from her eldest when she was extremely stressed or becoming anxious and needed to step away. Instead she watched as her middle child threw herself into a pile of work that left the matriarch clueless.

Meanwhile Seraphine was trying to find any way she could sneak away to leave the premises. She helped where she saw that she could but was generally dragged along by the Lady of the castle. After she overheard some of the decorations Cassandra was asking for she knew exactly what was going down and felt her presence might throw everything off. She tried to remain as small as possible and actually almost got away at one point, but then the brunette spotted her and her eyes went wide. Her mother was busy helping hang something off of the chandelier above the table so Cassandra approached the human guest.

"What are you still doing here?" she asked Seraphine.

"I'm as confused as you," Seraphine retorts.

"I thought mother would have escorted you out ages ago," the Dimitrescu says in exasperation before giving an apologetic side glance to the woman, "No offense."

"None taken."

"Cassandra darling," Alcina chimes in, "I don't know what all this is for, but could you please show our guest to the dressing room and find something that suits her?"

"What?!" both women shout in equal panic.

"Well, you seem to know the most of what is going on with tonight's dinner. So I thought maybe you would know what would be best for our guest to wear."

"I can't!" Alcina quirks a brow at her daughter's voice crack, something that only happens when her middle child is very nervous. The matriarch waits for her child to continue, "I need to make sure all the right decorations are put up and that they're in the right places and-"

"Cassandra," the Lady stops the brunette with a simple raised hand, "you have not asked for any new decorations for the last hour. I heard all of the placements and will make sure they are to your liking once you return if they are not in the proper places already. Go."

"But," Cassandra tried, "this is so last minute for a guest to attend. She won't have anything to wear."

"Which is exactly why we must provide it for her."

"Best case scenario we will have to tailor the clothes for them to fit and our tailor is currently on her day off with her family. Even if we asked her to return she wouldn't make it in time to alter any clothes and have them presentable by the time we eat."

"I'm actually quite talented in tailoring," Seraphine said, as if her desire to be useful outweighed her desire to escape from the castle. Cassandra sent the human woman a look that made Seraphine question all of her life choices, not just the recent ones.

"There you go," Alcina smiles warmly, with a tinge of smugness knowing she'd won this bout, "Now off with you two."

Seraphine will admit that Cassandra made a couple good points, but otherwise she'd never seen someone fumble on their own argument as much as the middle Dimitrescu just had. She made sure to tell her as well.

Neither woman had spoken to each other since they had gotten home. Both knew this was a bad time to communicate, since they had argued the entire way home, and had retreated to their respective personal hobbies until Seraphine brought Bela a plate of food. Now she knew for sure something that one of them said had truly rubbed her lover the wrong way. Seraphine had always nagged Bela, even just playfully, about always eating the last meal of the day together so for her to purposefully skip that time together meant a lot to Bela.

The vampire ate her food, she even had a complementary blood infused gravy to enjoy, and then she made her way to the master bedroom after taking care of her plate. Seraphine spared her a brief glance over her shoulder when she heard the door before going back to preparing for bed. Bela stopped at the wardrobe for a moment, almost falling into her nightly routine, then decided to press the issue at hand.

Bela approaches Seraphine and wraps her arms around her waist, silently gauging her lover's reaction to the contact. She doesn't get brushed off or pushed away so she asks, "Penny for your thoughts?"

Seraphine huffs a light laugh, "We don't have pennies here, love."

The term of endearment was a good sign, but something was still clearly off. She placed a kiss on Seraphine's nape, drawing a sigh from the woman in her arms, and rests her chin on her shoulder. As much as Bela wants to outright ask what specifically is causing this tension she feels between them, she knows Seraphine cannot be pushed for answers too much or she will close up more. She has just poked the bag with a needle and now needs to wait for the water to trickle out on its own. Seraphine knows Bela is concerned and is waiting for answers so she'll collect her thoughts then find her words.

In the meantime, the couple move to get in bed. Bela chuckles when Seraphine pretends she's going in for a kiss only to lower down and pull back the duvet so she can climb under. Most nights are spent with a moderate distance between them while they make quiet conversation until one of them falls asleep. Tonight, however, Bela scooches herself over to hold Seraphine. The comforting strokes she leaves on her back along with the occasional kiss on her forehead eventually helped coax Seraphine to talk, albeit on the verge of sleep.

"I know you want me to take more time to consider this," Seraphine starts as Bela listens, "and I know something could go wrong. Sal has always stressed to me that even if the results look promising during the testing periods, nothing is guaranteed to go accordingly. Things happen and progress can turn around from a matter of seconds to a few months after the procedure when the Megamycete and mutamycete are involved. With everything I've said today, I also know why this is such a big decision and I promise that I'm not making it lightly."

"Then why rush into this?"

"Because I don't have the luxury of time."

"What do you m-"

Seraphine takes a deep breath before revealing, "It's stage four."

Bela pulls back so she can lean up on her elbow. Her expression is pure shock as she gazes down into Seraphine's eyes, which are already looking back at her.

"Ho-" Bela takes a staggering breath as she tries to form her questions, "How long have you known?"

"Salvatore told me this would be happening soon when I first asked him to run another test," Seraphine remembers fondly, "He always tried to make sure I stayed updated even if there wasn't any promising progress. But to answer your question, I've known for just under a week now. Mia told me as I passed by her at the last dinner with your family."

Bela takes another breath, this one to brace for her lover's next response, "How long do you have left?"

Seraphine waits to answer. She knew Bela won't be to happy with this information, who would be, but she has been having trouble coming to terms with it on her own.

"A few months at best."

Bela was quiet. Her mind was racing with how much she was just told. Only when she felt Seraphine brushing her cheek with the back of her fingers did her mind return to the moment. She registered that Seraphine said something but didn't hear what it was.

"Hmm?"

Taking the cue to repeat herself, "Are you still with me?" she asked.

"Yeah," Bela said quietly as she laid back down, pulling Seraphine tighter to her chest like a child protecting their favorite comfort item, "yeah."

Cassandra made Seraphine turn and twirl in every single outfit she made the human try on as they both decided which one would be best for the now two occasions happening tonight. Making the woman twirl so many times she began to feel dizzy was the only passive aggressive way Cassandra could think of to get her point across. Her point being if my mother didn't need to see you alive and well I would be beating your ass until you beg for mercy because of that stunt you pulled. Regardless of this, they eventually decided on a gold bodice over an rust orange blouse with brown pants. All three garments had to be altered but it was small enough changes to be done in time for Alcina to fetch Cassandra and the guest for dinner.

The time came when everyone found there way into the dining hall. Daniela walked in with Adrianna, the former was wearing the dress Seraphine had delivered that day. At the sight of their extra dinner guest, Adrianna and Liadis grew very confused, though the latter hid it better.

"Guess the stylist decided to stay for the main event?" Adrianna whispered to Cassandra as she passed. The middle Dimitrescu huffed a laugh as everyone sat down.

All three daughters found themselves a bit amused at the sight of Seraphine looking absolutely terrified, but hiding it to the best of her ability, as she was placed directly next to the matriarch.

Bela minded her own business for the most part. She did notice, upon further glances at the dress her sister was wearing, that it held signature details and signs that Seraphine put into all of her work. Sharing some glances between the woman and the dress got her confirmation in the form of a small nod once Seraphine understood what she was trying to silently ask. The brief look of impressed approval Bela gave her made Seraphine's cheeks flush. Something that also did not go unnoticed by Bela, nor was it missed by her sisters and mother.

To the surprise of Seraphine, dinner went just fine with her there. Lady Dimitrescu initiated some small conversations with her, and it finally dawned on her that the matriarch was potentially trying to be kind to her.

The meal came to a close as everyone walked to the lounge and Alcina, feeling a bit devious, said, "Bela," catching her eldest's attention, "why don't you be a dear and show your friend to the guest room."

Bela and Seraphine both froze, looked at each other, then looked back at Alcina. The sight was quite amusing but Seraphine decided to speak up since all of this interaction was a bit too much. Before she could so much as open her mouth there was a very loud scream from Daniela that sounded like it was back in the dining hall.

Alcina rushed back down the corridor and was about to burst through the doors, ready to defend her daughter from whatever caused the scream. Cassandra managed to get in her way and stopped her from barging in on a precious moment. The group waited for what felt like an eternity as only Cassandra, and Seraphine, knew what was happening behind the door. She eventually convinced everyone to continue into the lounge, her daughter being so calm about it helped Alcina relax slightly. She still wanted to know what had caused her youngest to scream in such a way.

The first few attempts to make conversation were very awkward. About three minutes later the doors to the lounge slammed open and in came Daniela with the largest smile on her face in a long time. Very loudly, she announced, "Adrianna proposed!" while Adrianna walked in behind her with a matching smile. The gardener made eye contact with Seraphine and Cassandra and sent them each very grateful expressions.

Daniela moved around the room to show off her new ring. When she got to Bela the eldest told her how pretty it was, but she also noticed something about the details on the ring. It was very small and easily unnoticeable, but Bela saw a similar design detail that matched the dress. She looked between the two for a few seconds. When Daniela moved on to the next person Bela looked at Seraphine with such a gentle expression. Unfortunately for her, Alcina happened to notice this look and recognized the meaning behind it. Afterall, she had once felt that fondness for someone who was close to her.

The eldest walked with Seraphine as she escorted the latter to the guest rooms. Daniela had wanted to celebrate her recent engagement by drinking. For the Dimitrescu's, including Liadis, this was no problem, it took a special ingredient for any of them to really feel the affects of the alcohol before twenty glasses at least. Adrianna was more of a cocktail woman so she could limit how much alcohol she put in her drinks while also getting mildly buzzed. Their guest, however, was mostly sober. The castle just so happened to have her one weakness, though.

Viburnum and sweet pea champagne.

Assuming she would be able to get through the night with just one bottle, it shocked the matriarch to learn that two bottles had been emptied by the start of the second hour. The castle had plenty to spare, so she wasn't concerned about the amount lost, but she did wonder about who consumed that much. Her daughters and her stuck to their own wine, albeit steering clear of Sanguis Virginis, but a glance at the guest in the room gave her answer without any questions required.

There sat Seraphine, seemingly staring off into the distance. In reality she was quietly watching Bela from afar, giggling to herself whenever the latter spared her a glance. At this point it would be very difficult for anyone to tell if the flush of her cheeks was from the alcohol or the moments of eye contact with the eldest Dimitrescu daughter. Once seeing the state the woman was in, Alcina cut off her alcohol consumption and had the servants deliver water. Either the human was too drunk to notice of too drunk to care.

The night was eventually brought to a close. It was obvious that Seraphine was too drunk to make the trip home, so Alcina asked Bela to help the human to a guest room. Thinking it would just be a simple walk with a slightly more clumsy version of her friend, Bela took up the task. If only she had known.

Seraphine was either leaning on Bela or the walls for most of the journey. Rarely did she stand up straight long enough to take any amount of steps on her own. Bela felt foolish as she coaxed her friend down the hallway, at one point inadvertently discovering that Seraphine became a peculiar type of bashfully bold when she was drunk. As if the very things coming out of her mouth shocked her as much as they shocked those around her.

They made it to the guest room that had been prepared just as a maid was exiting. She eyed Seraphine up and down, likely not expecting to see someone this drunk. Bela said a few choice words and the maid went on her way. She thought getting Seraphine into the room was going to be the hardest part of the night, due to the latter literally clinging to the doorframe like a child clinging to the freedom of daytime. Bela was relieved once she got her friend through the doorway, but this quickly faded away as she came to the realization that Seraphine was currently lacking any night garments.

Thinking she could leave the woman alone for just a moment, Bela swarmed off to her own room and grabbed two night outfits. She rushed back to the room and sighed at the sight before her. Seraphine was sitting upright, but she had contorted herself into a clearly uncomfortable position to attempt to get the bodice off. Chuckling under her breath, Bela pulled Seraphine from the bed so she could help her properly undress. Seraphine distracted herself with the two sets of garments Bela had grabbed from her room. One was a camisole-like gown that would come to rest just above Bela's knees and the other was a silk top and bottom matching pair.

"Which one would you prefer?" Bela asked, thinking of it as a simple question. She began to second guess that when Seraphine began slowly looking between her and the garments.

After a thoughtful hum she heard an incoherent mumble.

"What was that?" She grew confused as Seraphine's cheeks grew red.

"I'd prefer you in the gown," Seraphine repeated herself.

Suddenly, the eldest Dimitrescu daughter felt her own cheeks flushing. It was amusing, she'd admit, to see Seraphine being so bashful after saying something that she wouldn't think twice about making jokes and quips toward on any other day. On the opposite end of that feeling, Bela wanted to smack Seraphine for being so adorable in a moment that already had Bela a bit nervous.

It took a Seraphine trying to stand for Bela to realize that her friend had removed her shirt entirely. She wasn't sure if her face could get any more red, already sure it had consumed her entire being at this point, but Bela felt her skin grow hotter regardless. Despite her head screaming to turn away and respect Seraphine's privacy, Bela couldn't look away. She was a bit caught off guard by Seraphine's... improved frame when she had walked in on her changing before, and the same effect seems to have taken place after all the time they had spent not seeing each other again. Bela saw muscles, not super toned but still defined enough to notice at a glance. She saw scars, fresh and faded, and stretch marks. She couldn't pull her eyes away, at least not until it was clear that Seraphine would be taking off her pants as well.

Having focused her gaze solely on the bed, Bela noticed patterns on the guest bed duvet that she'd never noticed before.

Soon enough, after some shuffling, she felt the bed dip again. Looking up showed her Seraphine dressed in the gown. Bela was in awe as it came to rest about an inch under her friend's knees, clearly too large for the shorter woman, though Seraphine would argue Bela and her sisters were simply abnormally tall.

Realizing it was her turn, the eldest tentatively stood to begin removing her own clothes from that day. She felt Seraphine's eyes on her, yet she found herself enjoying the feeling of her gaze as much as it made her want to hide behind a dressing screen.

Seraphine mumbled something once more.

"What?" Bela asked as she tied the belt of the silk pants to keep them in place.

"Perfect," Seraphine said a bit louder.

Nothing was larger than the swelling of Bela's heart at hearing Seraphine describe her with that one word.

Both women were silent as Bela finished dressing herself. She helped Seraphine get comfortable under the covers, quite literally tucking her in, before walking toward the door.

She felt a tug on her pants and stopped.

"Would you mind staying?" Seraphine asked in a quiet voice. The smile Bela had to fight down was enough to have her questioning her resolve.

Bela changed course and got into the other side of the bed. There was enough space for a third person between them with how much they were trying to respect each other's personal bubbles. Someone had to give in, however, and all previous tension faded entirely when Seraphine reached back and hooked her pinky finger around Bela's.

"I'm still sorry, you know?" Bela said nothing as she waited to see if her friend would elaborate, and she did, "I know it was wrong to lie to you. I just didn't know how you would react to anything other than the parts about the lycans. I didn't know if you'd attack me for going to the castle and daring to mention your survival without bringing any proof. If you would try to leave the very next day to confirm your living status to your mother to try and save me," there's a pause, "If you'd be too upset at your family for hurting me to go back home."

"Why would I not go home?"

Seraphine gave a single sarcastic huff of a laugh, "You can be quite spiteful when you're upset with someone."

Bela knew what she was talking about, but she said nothing.

"I asked them to invite you," Bela could hear the emotions in her voice, "I knew you would come to talk if you were ever ready to, but we spoke about going through that room since before the spring you went back home. You had every right to be mad at me, but I never thought you'd punish me like that. I was angry at myself for ever lying to you. I thought that I'd brought your absence on myself."

The tears could be heard through Seraphine's whispers and quietly contained voice cracks, "I hated myself for the longest time, but then I remembered that there could've been a chance that they forgot to tell you. I hoped that they forgot to tell you," Bela could only shake her head, already knowing where this was going and very much disliking it, "Then you showed up one day, years later, and we got along like nothing had happened. Until you mentioned being sorry for missing that day." Bela closed her eyes as her own tears fell, "At that moment, I knew it was your choice. You chose not to come, which I understand because you were still angry at me, but I hated you for it. I wanted to get along like no time had passed, like we did the first time, but I just couldn't take how much it hurt every time you left. I felt so... like we were..." Seraphine couldn't finish her thoughts, so Bela did it for her.

"Broken."

On any other day, Bela would have gotten up before Seraphine and started her day. Today, however, she laid in the bed and watched her partner. Sleeping peacefully as if she wasn't literally dying on the inside. A storm she knew was there but didn't even realize her lover was trying to battle alone.

"It's rude to stare," Seraphine mumbled as she peaked one eye partially open.

Bela smiled at her slightly and received a small one in return.

The day was meant to be a productive one. Both women had plans for what they were going to do around the property that day, but neither could bring themselves to be the first to break the momentary peace they had found. All good things must come to an end, however, and Bela was immediately on high alert when Seraphine made the slightest signs of discomfort.

It started with the slight shifting of her lower body, the tumor on her spine causing a pinched nerve, to the small wince at stretching a bit too far, to the full on grimace and coughing as her body jerked away from the sharp pain sent down her back and leg. Bela hovered slightly, rubbing her lover's shoulder until she was able to relax. Placing a kiss on Seraphine's head, she moved to go get the ointments ready. Seraphine got herself out of bed and made her way to the bathroom, just to find Bela already preparing what looked to be something Seraphine absolutely refuse to accept.

A sponge bath.

She literally tried to run from the situation, willing to take her chances in the wilderness over this humiliation. Alas, she happens to be dating a fly hivemind vampire being of a girlfriend, so she didn't manage three steps before being caught. Try as she might, Bela was going to make sure she sat through this. She'd be lying if she said it didn't bring her some semblance of joy to see how pouty Seraphine got.

"I don't know why you always seem so surprised," Bela speaks as if Seraphine is in any mood to listen, "This is standard procedure after every doctor's visit. Plus the doc said no submerging the openings in water."

"I could have just showered," Seraphine says.

"That would require some form of submersion if the water found a path that flowed directly over any of the openings. So that's a no go," Bela sent a smile at her lover, who glared up at her. The vampire chuckled in return.

Not once was it ever questioned by the maids that entered the room. They simply came in and tidied up the place. Only when the door burst open and Daniela happily buzzed in did anyone really stop to notice the eldest and Seraphine laying in the same bed. As much as the servants saw it as none of their business, Daniela saw it as everyone's business. If her initial screech hadn't woken up every occupant of the castle, then her maniacal laughter as she rushed to get to Cassandra's room, preferably before the now awake Bela managed to grab her, certainly would.

Seraphine was left dumbfounded. She felt groggy and slightly sick, but the most painful part of this morning was the light peeking through the curtains. Never has Seraphine hated the sun more than today.

Dragging herself from under the covers, Seraphine finally realized where she was. Or, rather, she realized where she wasn't. She had no intention of staying the night yet found herself in a room larger than her old cabin, and in a bed providing comfort of which the only equivalent comparison would be a cloud. All evidence of her clothes from the previous day were gone, even the ones she had borrowed. Instead, at the end of the bed, three outfits of differing color palettes were presented with a note by each one.

First was a blouse and slacks pair with a mix of light maroon and a dark sea foam green colors. The note beside it was in the neatest handwriting. It read, 'I must apologize for allowing the night to get as far as it did. You have been a gracious guest in my home and my daughters wish to compensate you for your kindness. I'm told by Cassandra that you do not prefer material items due to fear of potentially ruining or losing them, but please accept these articles of clothing as our gifts to you.'

Next was a dress that looked very much like something the youngest had picked out, with it's soft fuchsia patterns along the sleeves and bodice accentuated by the very bold marigold of the rest of the dress. It seemed very light as if it were a spring garment. To Seraphine's surprise, the note next to this outfit was in Cassandra's handwriting and read, 'I know I didn't properly thank you for what you did for Daniela and Adrianna yesterday. Or for the rest of us throughout the years, in all honesty. Despite my attitude toward you during your self-fitting, I am very grateful that you took the time to make such meaningful gifts. Plus, I never really enjoyed wearing this dress so you might as well have it.' The last sentence made Seraphine role her eyes.

The final outfit was very similar to the one she had worn to dinner the previous day, simply in a different palette. Instead of an orange blouse and brown pants, the articles were indigo and sage respectively. Replacing the gold seemed to be a silvery silk-like fabric. Lining the bodice itself were small intricate patterns in pastel greens and periwinkles. The note for this outfit read, 'Our tailor and seamstress both got here early today, so Cassie thought we could have them refit some of our clothes so you can wear them. Mother picked something from the dead maidens' wardrobe. She thought it was a wonderful idea! Adrianna also told me about the very talented tailor who made the dress she gifted me yesterday, whom she's very grateful for. I wonder who else could have had a project that they kept secret from all their visitors, especially me. I guess we'll never know the identity of this mysterious tailor, only sending them our immense gratitude in spirit. Anyways, I hope you like the outfit I chose!' The note ended with a smiley face.

Seraphine liked all three outfits, but she didn't want to offend anyone by not choosing to wear the garments they chose. It took her quite a bit to decide.

Bela kept an eye on Seraphine all week. The small wounds seemed to heal rather quickly since they made sure to take proper care when tending to them.

The vampire thought about how her lover has been acting. Trying to find any signs that she should have noticed that it had progressed as far as it has. Not once did Seraphine openly complain. She always has either a smile or neutral expression unless someone does something she doesn't particularly like. Nothing ever gave it away. What's worse, however, is that Bela cannot decide if she sees Seraphine as strong for taking this on alone, or as weak for hiding it.

For the entire week, the moment Seraphine needed something she would hear flies buzz around and see it had been done by the time she faced the direction of the noise. The help was appreciated, but Bela could see the growing aggravation of her not letting Seraphine tend to things herself. So, as much as her mind screamed to be at her lover's every beck and call, Bela held back a bit more. Seraphine could be seen visibly relaxing at the lack of help.

"Why must you always do that?" the human asks one day.

"Do what?" Bela tilts her head to look up from the book she was reading.

Seraphine sits down on the other end of the sofa, curling her feet under herself, "You always roll your eyes when I actually manage to do something myself," Bela rolls her eyes to get a laugh from Seraphine, "I'm sorry my lack of helplessness disappoints you, my love."

That gets a genuine eye roll from Bela, and a louder laugh from her human, "It does not disappoint me, Sera. I," she lowers her book and gives Seraphine her full attention, "I simply wish to help you as much as I can. But I would never dream of taking away your independence."

Seraphine leaned backwards into the side of the sofa and opened her arms, allowing Bela to move into her embrace as they laid together.

After some silence as Bela read her book and Seraphine played with her lover's hair, the latter asked, "What if I start asking you to help me with some tasks? Would that ease your mind a bit?"

A moment passed as Bela thought about that offer. Then she nodded and went back to reading. Happy to come to a solution that seemed to please both of them, Seraphine tucked her arms around Bela in a way which would lock them in place and allowed herself to doze off to the peaceful silence.

Had Daniela been faster, she may have gotten away from Bela before getting tackled to the floor. Then again, she also may have barged in on Liadis changing which would have her running from both of her sisters.

The breakfast table had finished being set by the time Bela made if back from changing in her own room. She was about to enter the dining hall before she heard footsteps behind her. Turning around with the expectation of chastising Daniela again, she stopped when she saw Seraphine. Never had she thought a dress looked so good on someone.

The look on Seraphine's face screamed that she either remembered what happened last night and didn't want to be faced with it, or she was so nervous to be in something other than pants in front of everyone. As time ticked by, Bela realized her starring was not helping ease her friend's nerves. If anything, it was causing Seraphine to fidget more as her face grew uncomfortably hot.

Opening her mouth to say how nice she thought Seraphine looks, Bela turned around when the dining hall doors open, not even processing that Liadis had just walked past them after descending the stairs.

Seraphine rushed past Bela with her head bowed. When Bela passed Liadis at the door the latter said, "Close your mouth," and carried on their way with a smirk as Bela snapped her jaw shut.

As much as Seraphine wanted to be invisible, despite when she was thanking the other three Dimitrescu's for their gifts, it seemed impossible for Bela to take her eyes off of the woman. Cassandra could be heard teasing Daniela about how Sera chose to wear my gift despite how much she denied caring when pestered further.

Seraphine had spent quite a bit of time over the last few weeks in her hidden workshop, and Bela wanted to know why. Of course she knew that Seraphine wasn't doing anything suspicious but the curiosity was eating away at the vampire. So she checked on her occasionally, usually under the guise of bringing her food and water. Nothing. Not a single paper or project that she could find in those brief moments gave away what Seraphine was doing down there.

So Bela waited a couple days and checked her commission papers and found... nothing. Well, in this case, nothing was something. She had absolutely no commissions, and further searching revealed why. Seraphine had written a notice to all her regular clients, a few still on her desk since she hadn't sent them yet, that her business will be discontinued and she hopes they enjoy what has been delivered up to this point. Some of her work will still be in the Duke's shop, but once he runs out of stock that will be the end. At first this confuses Bela, since Seraphine hasn't shown any signs of wanting to stop tailoring, then she finds another letter buried beneath the rest. This one is addressed to their home.

Dear Seraphine, I hope this letter finds you well. Miranda and Salvatore have worked with me to try all methods of application that we can for the mutamycete. All tests have been successful. As discussed prior, the only other test to do would be a living sample. We can have everything prepared at a moment's notice if you'd like to give us a call before coming to the clinic. Sincerely, Mia Winters

Rushing down the stairs, Bela doesn't find the woman. Instead, on the largest table in the room she spots something. It matches the one that Seraphine had made years ago, except at the top of the golden ring sits a ruby colored Prince Rupert's Droplet surrounded by finely cut obsidian. She wouldn't have been able to identify the pieces had there not been a checklist nearby of what was needed and how much. Also on the table was a note, which Bela would have overlooked had she not seen her name written within.

'I don't know how much longer I'm going to be alive. If I have the next few months or the following centuries. Everything is unknown to me right now, except for one thing. My dearest Bela, I know for certain that I love you and it is without question that I want to spend the rest of whatever time I have left with you. If you will have me.

The various scribbles in the margins of the paper makes Bela think this was a speech Seraphine was practicing. Her mind, however, drifts back to the letter from Mia and she grabs both the note and the ring.

She swarms back up the stairs and out of the office. Checking the entire house proves to be fruitless, so Bela races out to the outdoor workshop. Not a single sign of the human in question. The stable is nearby, so Bela makes her way there and finds it empty. She searches the field before mentally declaring that Thea is definitely gone. Still, she tries to remain in denial about Seraphine having gone to the clinic.

Regardless, she takes off in her swarm. Hoping for the best, but tells herself to begin preparing for the worst.

At the insisting of her mother, Bela helped Seraphine pack the other outfits she'd been gifted. In all honesty, she wouldn't mind seeing the woman in the other ones either. It was just such a shock since she'd never seen her in a dress before.

Suddenly, after saying their goodbyes of course, Cassandra and Daniela both seemed to have other obligations. At least Daniela was speaking to Bela again, though not as much as the eldest would like. As Seraphine would say, however, progress is progress despite how small.

So Bela found herself helping saddle Thea, as the horse wouldn't let anyone other than Seraphine put the new saddle she was borrowing on. Eventually there came a point when Seraphine just, sort of, stood there. She stared at the saddle and would shuffle her feet slightly before huffing. It took a moment to click, but once it did Bela laughed and earned a glare from the human.

"You don't know how to ride side saddle, do you?"

Another huff, "No."

Bela chuckled, trying to stifle what she could. She instructs Seraphine to remove the saddle from Thea, since neither horse nor rider were familiar with it, and had her put on her usual saddle. Then she mounted Thea, reaching back to help her get on behind her. From there it was a matter of helping keep Thea at a comfortable pace while also making sure Seraphine didn't fall off. The trip wasn't particularly long, but there were moments when Seraphine asked to stop because she didn't want Thea to have so much weight on her for too long.

On one of these stops they ended up by a river, so Thea took a moment to drink. Seraphine was constantly fixing invisible flaws on the dress as she felt Bela's eyes on her.

"How many times have you picked non-existent lint from your arms?" Bela asks.

"How many times have you looked at me?" Seraphine retorts without a beat.

Bela smiles, "Once," she says as Seraphine looks at her surprised, "It's just too hard to look away." She saw Seraphine's cheeks go red again, and for the first time in quite a while the woman had nothing to say.

They say nothing else as they continue on their way, making it to Seraphine's house just an hour before noon.

"Would you," Bela waits as Seraphine grabs her sleeve, "I can... I could make us lunch if you'd like to stay for a while."

"I'd love to." Bela accepts, enjoying the smile she causes.

Seraphine guides her into the kitchen and Bela waits as she begins making a broth. Recognizing the ingredients, Bela decides to help. She makes eye contact with Seraphine as she washes her hands, getting a laugh at the point she's making. That being 'Yes, I remember step one'.

The stew takes the majority of the afternoon to make. At one point Bela says, "I guess you owe me the lunch you promised, huh?" and earned herself a face full of water droplets, which was just the beginning of a food war that lasted even further into the evening.

By the end of the day the two had eaten and were comfortably chatting as they lounged on the grass. Eventually they both fell silent. Bela looked at Seraphine relaxing as the crickets played an orchestral backdrop to an image Bela wanted to burn into her brain. Seraphine ended up taking a glance at Bela, after feeling eyes on herself, and they locked eyes.

They both knew what was going to happen. A moment of understanding passed between them. A moment to allow the other to back out if she wanted. Neither did.

Their lips locked. This time it was a mutual collision and the flames of desire roared. Seraphine leaned up, granting her leverage for a few seconds as she cupped Bela's face. The latter reached behind the woman above her and undid her bodice, letting the top of the dress loosen. She panicked for just a second, thinking she was going too far, as Seraphine pulled away. She saw the woman stand before reaching her hand out. Now understanding, Bela took Seraphine's hand and followed her up to her bedroom. Barely being able to keep herself from lunging at the woman in front of her as the door shut, Bela watched as the dress fell from Seraphine's body. She kept her eyes on her as the woman pulled off her undergarments. Once her clothes were off, Bela moved Seraphine so she could gently push her down onto the bed. Taking her own clothes of as quickly, but as seductively, as she could proved to be the way to go as she regained eye contact with Seraphine, as the latter blushed at being caught ogling Bela's body. When they collided again, this time on the bed, it was perfect.

The morning light poked through the gaps in the curtains. Bela opened her eyes to an unfamiliar ceiling, but gave herself time to process what had happened the night prior. Once she was aware enough to understand where she was, she turned her head to see Seraphine sleeping soundly next to her. Hair mussed and cheeks still slightly pink. Her lips parted as she softly snored, something Bela was never close enough to realize the woman did. Tucking a strand of hair away from her face woke Seraphine up, and Bela got to watch her human come to the same conclusion she had just minutes prior.

Seraphine looked up and couldn't hold back her smile, despite trying to do so by biting her lip.

"What?" Bela asked softly, not wanting to ruin the peace with too much noise.

"I lied," Seraphine said, getting Bela to perk up with a rush of worry, "Now you're perfect."

And just like that, any thoughts Bela may have had dissipated with a single statement. Knowing neither of them regretted it put her mind to rest.

Bela sat at the bedside. Everyone had had their time with Seraphine, including the children. Now the room was empty other than Bela and her now fiancé.

When Bela had arrived at the clinic she was out of breath. As much as she swarmed when hunting, she'd never travelled so far nor as fast as she was trying to go. It was on par with Cassandra's speed when swarming.

Salvatore was already waiting for her, which screamed bad news in her mind. Her uncle guided her past the empty waiting room. Knowing how efficient everyone working here was gave her hope. The second she saw the forlorn look on Miranda's face, all that hope faded.

At first she begged. Pleaded for it to not be true. Even going as far as wearing the ring and promising that they'd be married soon and this would all blow over.

Then she destroyed everything and anything she could get her hands on. Any object was left in pieces once she was done with it. Every maid in the castle ran at just the sight of Bela Dimitrescu rounding a corner leading in their direction.

She asked if there was any way to reverse what had been done. Maybe they could put her in a state of hibernation, suspended until they could find a vessel like Miranda was able to do with Eva and Rose.

Silence. Bela said nothing. She couldn't even look in the direction of the castle corridor that led to Seraphine's guest room. She avoided the topic in any conversation for as long as she could, even explaining herself by saying, "I don't want to say goodbye because this one means forever," but Cassandra finally got fed up and practically dragged her down the hall. Leaving her alone just outside the doors to Seraphine's room.

Now she was next to the love of her life, humming their song to provide a form of comfort, as the mutamycete consumed her.

Miranda told her how the mutamycete gave promising results upon it's initial application, but within minutes it had begun working as a catalyst, paralyzing everything under her midriff and accelerating the rate at which Seraphine's cancer was killing her. The results were promising just long enough to make sure the outcome was irreversible. It was always a potential threat, but she'd never seen it change it's effects so quickly.

"W-" Seraphine tried to say something. Everything had become harder as the hours ticked by. In most cases it was Cassandra and Alcina helping her. She usually only needed help with moving around, which she couldn't do at all anymore, and those two happened to be the best at lifting things. The thing in this case being her.

She tried again, "Would y-" but she wound up in a coughing fit.

She tried one more time, "Would you hold me?" and was successful.

Bela moved to get in the other side of the bed, wrapping her arms around Seraphine but making sure she was comfortable.

"Does it hurt?" Bela asked.

Seraphine took a raspy breath before answering, "The cancer? Yes. Dying? Not as much as you'd think."

Bela switched from humming their song to singing it. She heard more cracking and rasps for air as she sang each verse.

When she reached the end she was silent for a second before she asked, "Are you still with me?"

She got silence as her only answer.

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