Whispers at Witching Hour

Chapter 102

Musical inspiration: Need You Now – Lady Antebellum

Her mind refused to accept the revelation that had been presented to her. Zelda wandered the room aimlessly, her eyes moving rapidly as she was trying to process this information. Her foot hit something, making her loose her balance briefly. Automatically, she squatted to pick it up; the remains of the teddy bear she had spent so many nights making.

She sunk onto the bed's corner, holding it in her hands in the space between her legs, fumbling with it, staring into the flames through a veil of blur. Her fingers dug into the material, brushed over the surface, then the burned edges. Their son was dead. Murdered by his own mother. Little Adam. Their beautiful baby boy.

It was only then Zelda allowed herself to properly cry for the first time in weeks. The tears were pouring out as she buried her face in her hands, the teddy bear soaking with some of them as she was still holding it in one hand.

What have I done?

A few weeks ago, her life had been beautiful, a future to look forward to. Why did she have to destroy it? It had been her weakness, her self-pity over that one day in the perverse world, and her arrogance – as always – that had led to this.

And now Lilith was gone, probably out to kill Marie and seal their fall once and for all. She should get up and look for her, but she had already given up, accepted that it was likely Lilith had already done the deed. She flung her arms around her middle, another sob breaking free as she pressed her cheek against her own shoulder.

"Zelda?", a husky, warm voice called for her.

She flinched, not having realised someone had entered, making her jump to her feet instinctively. When she saw Marie standing in the door, guiding Lilith by her upper arms, holding the baby doll, she exhaled strongly in relief.

"Marie! You're alive! And... Lilith... What-"

"Don't think too much, ma chérie. I believe this one needs your attention now. We'll talk later."

Zelda rushed to them, taking Lilith from Marie's supporting arms, brushing a large strand of hair aside from the lowered head. Big blue tear-glazed eyes looked at her, all quiet, shy, ashamed even, begging her for... something. Zelda pulled her against her chest, rubbing her back as she mouthed a "thank you for bringing her back" to Marie, who nodded and left.

They stood there for minutes, Zelda's chin resting on top of Lilith's messy hair as she thought of what she was supposed to do next. Because she had to do something; that she knew for certain. They would have to tell the family and only Hecate knew how they were going to take the news. But whatever their reaction, Zelda would take Lilith's side and defend her. She owed her that after the damage she had caused to the woman she loved most. However, now was not the time to think about that. One step at a time.

"Lily, how do you feel about a nice bath?", she murmured in her hair, receiving a weak nod in response.

Zelda pushed her back gently and moved to her side, taking her to the bathroom and sitting her down on the closed toilet lid while she turned the tap on, checking the temperature with her fingers. While the water was running, she returned to Lilith, scared of leaving her unattended for the smallest amount of time now.

She came to stand in front of her, knees touching, Lilith's head on the level of her belly, looking up at her like a puppy whose owner had been gone for too long. Zelda carded through the dark mane, making eye contact, but her expression did not say anything. Her fingers tangled in some knots that she carefully combed through.