Aniya had meant every word when she said that her life was now in Inaymi.
Belladonna had told her all about Ikrus and Aniya hadn't been pleased about it at all.
“I will not allow anyone to take me from my son. I would rather die than go to some strange Realm with someone who was sent to kill me. A soulmate? That sounds far too ridiculous to be true.” That had been her response last night when she had finally woken up.
Things had only gotten better the next day.
Aniya hadn't had any unfortunate experience befall her ever since she had woken up.
No more bleeding and no more screaming in pain, or begging for death.
Not only that, but Eli found some witches. They were trying to get the Ringer out of Aniya at the moment and things were looking promising.
Aniya was chained down by silver as the witches tried all they could to summon this Ringer out of her and destroy it.
At a point, Aniya had shifted into a lycan and threatened to kill them all, but the silver restrained her and she was back to herself.
It made Belladonna scared that Ikrus was right. However, Eli had been very reassuring.
“We just have to give it some time.”
After a long day of trying many spells, the witches finally decided to make the Ringer dormant instead.
This took a long time too but it finally worked.
It was an exhausting day.
When the witches left, Zesika took over, because Aniya had passed out once again and as a physician, she had to ensure that her physical health hadn't been damaged by the witches’ exercise on her.
“You need to rest,” Belladonna said to her after she had conducted the first check and ensured that Aniya was alive and safe.
“I will,” Zesika said with a smile, looking down at Aniya who laid on the bed, asleep. She couldn't believe she had been struggling with something like this and she had kept it from her. Zesika couldn't wait for Aniya to wake up so she could fight with her for doing this. Therefore, she was ready to give away all her sleep to nurse her back to health.
An argument was due and an apology was warranted.
She missed her friend so much, it felt like this had been going on forever.
Zesika turned to Belladonna. “This will only take a while and I’ll rest after. Take you for your concern over me.”
“It is to you I owe my gratitude.” Belladonna held her hands with sincerity. “Thank you for being in Aniya’s life. You have done so much.”
Zesika smiled. “I have done nothing. She deserves more.”
Belladonna was curious about what Aniya did to acquire the friendship of someone like this, but beyond curiosity, she was happy their friendship existed.
It was a good thing Aniya had Zesika.
“You should rest, Lady Bell. You look just as tired. I will give you some herbs, that should help.”
“Thank you, Zesika.”
“It is nothing.” Zesika smiled.
___
___
“Sleep, just sleep please.” Lytio was in the sitting room, pacing back and forth and patting Arlo on his back to put him to sleep.
Arlo’s eyes stayed awake like two torches. If Lytio was to lay him down again, he would start crying.
“The sun has gone to sleep. You must go to sleep too. Please, just sleepppppp,” Lytio begged, tears rolling down his cheeks in frustration. There was no way he would wake his pregnant wife up to attend to this, Aniya was of no use in this situation, and no one else seemed to be awake, but he needed rest too.
Arlo giggled and more tears poured.
By Ignas, everything must be against him.
“Are you— crying?” A voice said from the doorway that led to the hallway of the Guest Quarters.
“Bella, this child will not let me sleep. Death might have to receive me any moment.”
Arlo, and clapped. “Babababa!”
“See! He is as awake as light. He has had his bath, I have done everything. By Ignas, what am I supposed to do?!”
Belladonna chuckled. After she had taken the herbs Zesika had given her, she had fallen asleep immediately. Although she still felt a little sleepy, she could still stay awake for a couple of hours.
“Give him to me. You go to sleep.”
“Ah, thank you. Thank you so much,” he said as he handed over Arlo to Belladonna. “My utmost gratitude. How can I ever repay you?”
“You can repay me right now. Do you have some chalk?”
Lytio stared at her in confusion but he was too sleepy to ask her what she needed it for. In a flash, he was gone and soon enough, he returned with some chalks.
Belladonna was on the sofa by now, and Arlo was sitting on her thighs.
“Don't press too hard on them when you write. They are soft. And here is his toy.” He gave her a small jingling toy. “Thank you. Goodnight,” he said as he left.
“Goodnight,” Belladonna replied and she started playing with Arlo.
Arlo moved around the sofa as he continued to play with his jingling toy. Belladonna kept an eye on him to make sure he wouldn't fall.
“I cannot sleep either.” Eli was standing in front of her when she looked up.
He took a seat on the sofa, as he picked up Arlo who quickly found an interest in touching the scales that outlined Eli’s cheekbones. Then Eli distracted him by earning his attention with the jingling toy, then putting it out of his reach.
Arlo was trying desperately to catch, soon he should be exhausted enough to sleep.
Belladonna moved closer to make the game more enjoyable, so she and Eli were facing each other. She would take the toy and Arlo would try to catch it, then she would throw it to Eli and Arlo would go to him. Arlo was always so happy anytime he caught the toy, but it was more fun when he tried to search for it and grab it.
This was probably the most relaxing thing that had happened to her in a long time.
Eli continued to play with Arlo.
Suddenly, Belladonna moved closer to him and her fingers slipped into the unbuttoned part of his shirt, right against his chest.
He froze.
His breath quickened and his heart raced.