Whispers at Witching Hour

Chapter 76

Musical inspiration: You Are So Beautiful – Joe Cocker

Zelda had noticed Lilith's arms wrapped around her at some point during the night, but when she woke up, her girlfriend was already gone. It went on like this for the next few weeks: Lilith would turn up in the middle of the night, they would fuck and then she would be gone shortly after. There was no room for pillow talk or just being a couple. No more dates, no more talking. Lilith was always stressed and avoided every conversation being too tired to focus. It felt like she had lost interest in Zelda.

Maybe she was tired of hearing about her problems and complaints after what she had went through with her. Maybe she despised the restrictions to their love life Faustus had brought upon them. It was nothing like when they had started and largely it was her own fault. She had wanted power and destroyed everything blocking the path including her relationship.

Once or twice a week, Marie and she would do the ritual and it did help, that she was thankful for. The other nights, they would just sit and talk and work on that one idea she had had. Marie paid attention to her, listened, and never seemed to get bored of her. It was easy to fall for the voodoo priestess – so easy, she could not do it.

They kissed occasionally, whenever Zelda felt needy and deserted. She felt bad for using her like this, but Marie had said she was there to kiss her better and knew full well she was with Lilith. What was she thinking? If Lilith found out...

"Zelda?", Marie tried to catch her attention.

"Huh? Oh, sorry. Got lost in my thoughts."

"I noticed that", Marie chuckled, "What is it that keeps you occupied?"

She swirled the glass in her hand, watching the liquid's circular motions. "Lilith..."

"I see..."

"What are we doing here?", Zelda sighed and gulped half of her drink before putting the glass down and picking up her needle work again.

"Ma chérie, we're sewing a cuddly toy for your pregnant petite amie", Marie stated, knowing Zelda was not referring to that.

Zelda rolled her eyes in pseudo-annoyance. "I know that. I meant, why do I keep kissing you when all I can think about is Lilith being with me?"

"Because your soul is lonely, ma chérie. And I don't mind helping you with that."

"But I bet Lilith does", Zelda said with a raised eyebrow.

Marie nodded and leaned back, moving the piece of cloth closer to have a better view on the seam she was stitching. Zelda had had the idea two weeks ago and had asked her for help as she was not very adept at needle work. She did her best though and amused Marie with her frequent frustrated cursing whenever she managed to accidentally poke her finger.

"How are things in the bedroom?"

"Oh, it gets better with every completed ritual. I'm sure we'll be back to our old ways in no time", Zelda reported openly.

Marie and she had grown close; on the one side because of the ritual that required a great deal of trust and on the other side, the voodoo priestess had been there without exception.

"Why do I feel like there is a 'but' somewhere?"

"Well, I don't know. We're getting it on in the sheets well but at the same time I feel we're coming apart relationship-wise. The constant waking up alone makes me feel so... cold. I'm happy when she comes, but then she leaves again too soon, and I feel so alone. We don't get the chance to properly talk anymore, and Hecate knows we 've got a lot of emotional work to do if we want to build a functional family together."