Breakfast was quick, what happened afterwards though had a lasting effect.
From the dining hall, Eli had led her up the flight of stairs, straight to the rooftop. The height made Belladonna feel a little dizzy and Eli chuckled as he pulled her close to keep her stable.
It was windy, the air was clear and, the houses below looked tiny within the vast view.
"Everything is ours." Eli's voice rumbled in his chest, vibrating slightly against her ear, as she had her head resting against him.
Belladonna sucked in a deep breath of fresh air. It was relaxing to be in Eli's arms and for that moment, her troubles seemed to have vanished into thin air.
It was good to talk about a future with someone whom a future is desired with.
It was good to know they wanted the same thing in that future.
"and our two children, or maybe one."
Belladonna blinked.
No way.
"Four." She peered up at him with a smile, looking straight into his brown eyes and ignoring the mask with the thought that soon it wouldn't have to be there anymore. "It's a good number."
"You might change your mind after birthing a child."
"I don't think I will. I love children and I know birthing a child isn't easy, but it's worth it."
"So, if we can not have one, will that wreak your heart?"
The pause was heavy, the silence strained, before Belladonna disrupted it with a chuckle.
"We will," she said with certainty that caused a spring of nervousness in Eli's veins. He pulled her closer, his arms slipping even tighter around her, as if he was scared the wind would blow her away, and take her from him forever.
"You know, if that ever happens, there is no need to worry. We are enough, we love each other and we are all we need."
Belladonna smiled, the line the conversation had taken quite unsettling.
This was something that Belladonna had never thought about before because to her, it was a normal thing to want children, but there was a high chance that the way Eli's parents had been biased in the treatment of him and his brother while growing up had affected his thoughts on the matter.
"We are going to be wonderful parents and we will love them equally. You have nothing to worry about Eli, we'll do it together." She brushed her hand over his own reassuringly, observing that his leather gloves seemed to be closer to his elbow than the last time she had observed them.
Also, he had a golden staff in his hand, that she hadn't noticed before. She had been too wrapped up in her thoughts of hiding every evidence of what she had done last night, to notice this.
Was he using the stick to aid his walking?
Anger boiled in Belladonna, remembering Kestra's connection to her Eli's weakness.
The weight of the Alterer's summon was wreaking him!
How the witch had ensured that he would be dependent on her, also made her stomach tie in different unpleasant knots.
Her throat felt hot with unspoken words. She couldn't say anything now, there will be too many unbelievable explanations to do. Not after searching for Nadia in Kestra's room without success. Even though that had gone down well, how would she say she found out all this information?
Eli was very observant, and he would somehow link it all up to the Bride Thief. He would ask the right questions and her answers would be suspicious if she tried to hide the truth. In fact, it was pure luck that her involvement with the Bride Thief was still a secret.
She couldn't push that luck too much.
She couldn't risk Eli believing that her mind had been corrupted through her dreams. Everything would be ruined if he were to believe that. He would lead her to her death unknowingly, lock her up in one of those rooms that brought doom to the former brides, like a sheep awaiting slaughter, that is, Lady Kestra's arrival.
The best thing Belladonna could do now was kill the witch.
One more night and the ingredients would be complete.
The Soul Witch's death was a looming one, the truth and the Kingdom's peace resting by either side of it.
Ah, she couldn't wait for tonight.
She couldn't wait for all this to be over.
When Belladonna spoke this time around, her voice was filled with worry.
"Are you still having those nose bleeds?"
Eli gave a short laugh.
"I am fine."
He didn't answer the question, but his actions did, as he turned around to lead them off the rooftop, the sound of the staff clicking against the floor filled Belladonna's ears with the response she needed.
He hadn't used the staff on their way up here, if he had, she would have known that he wasn't fine.
Eli was dying and Belladonna was running out of time to save him.
To save them all.
Something hit her right then. Something she shouldn't have forgotten but had somehow missed.
The writing on the cave wall flashed in her mind.
"The Night of Gain can also be the Night of Ruin."
The image that followed.
The Moon drawing.
The Blood Moon was a needed ingredient to kill the Soul Witch, but the Blood Moon was three months and many days away!
It felt like a gong rang through her brain, with an awareness of her new problem.
Heat raced across her skin and he'd throat went dry.
Lady Kestra would be back in two days with the knowledge of who she was and with only one mission.
To destroy her.
Even if Belladonna were to acquire the Thanatou's Sunflower tonight as she had planned, they would still be lacking one ingredient.
The Blood Moon itself.
By Ignas, this wasn't good.
Was there a way, the Moon could possibly be pulled closer?
Was there a way to tamper with time?
Was that even possible?