Whispers at Witching Hour

Chapter 111

Musical inspiration: The End of the World – Billie Eilish

Taking back her kingdom was demanding, at best. Lilith had to spend more time than she would have liked to in the pit, fighting with the Hordes and re-establishing her rulership. But after how things had gone last time, she had set strict rules for herself, so she would not neglect Zelda again. And that was even more important now that her witch was going crazy with worry about the still missing Sabrina.

When she returned this evening, she found her family and friends wound up after Ambrose, the weird sisters and Roz had found Sabrina – In the hands of Blackwood. She noticed how Zelda always tried to hold on to something to stop her shaking and not embarrass herself in front of the others. At least they already had a plan.

"In three days? Do you think you'll be ready in such a short time?", she asked, glancing over at one of her nieces' frozen, dead body.

"We don't have much of a choice, Lilith", Ambrose pointed out, looking her in the eyes for the first time since all that had happened.

His eyes were calm, but it made her nervous anyway, remembering all the things he had said and that had stuck with her. The hand that had been absently rubbing all the way up and down Zelda's thigh came to rest on her knee, holding onto it.

"Well, can I help?", she proposed, equally distressed about Sabrina's whereabouts.

"With all due respect Lilith", she was not sure if he meant that sarcastically or if he was being serious, "Even you can't stand against the void. And we don't need any stray demons interfering, so I'd be grateful if you stayed in hell."

Should she be offended by his last words? They felt a bit harsh, telling her to go to hell, but there was some truth in it. She hoped the bad blood between Ambrose and her would vanish at some point, maybe after all this would be over.

"Despite, I think your presence would make handling Blackwood riskier than it already is", Zelda added, referencing the issues between the three of them the others did not know about.

Lilith let herself fall back against the couch, exhausted, throwing her arm against her forehead, half covering her eyes and closing them to process. Zelda remained sitting on the edge, refusing to let go of her composed posture while everyone who was not family was leaving, plus Ambrose. When there was only Hilda left with them in the room, Zelda finally let go and leaned back as well, her head falling to the side where it met Lilith's.

~

"Are you sure you don't want me to come with you? Try and hide it as much as you want but you can't fool me, darling, I can see how scared you are", Lilith worried as she held her coat out for Zelda to slip her arms in.

Zelda growled, "I refuse to be scared of him", and put the coat on.

She wanted to move forward but was held back by Lilith who had her arms locked around her middle, pulling her back against her gently. Zelda hit the soft swell of her chest and closed her eyes, placing her hands over Lilith's and taking a moment to breathe with her, who was burying her face in the crook of her neck.

"I wish I hadn't burned the mark... So I would feel when it becomes too much and could come to you."

"Well, you have", Zelda retorted unnerved, removing Lilith's hands.

"Please be careful", Lilith caught her again, but this time for a series of kisses on her mouth, "I'll be waiting right here for you when you come back. And then we can start being a normal family again, okay?", she assured, entwining their fingers, "I'll even cook dinner!"