Blind Devotion

Chapter 23: Blind as a Bat

"May I speak privately with Seraphine?" Miranda spoke after a silent moment.

"Absolutely not." Alcina chuckled at the ridiculous question.

"Anything you wish to tell me, you can tell Alcina as well." Seraphine calmed down slightly, the presence of her love was all she needed.

"Fine. So be it." Miranda waved the rest off, like she usually did after a family meeting, giving them permission to go. But nobody moved. Donna, Violet, Karl, Alistair and little Angie looked to Alcina, and waited for an answer. She frowned slightly when she realized that they looked to her now, as the leader of the family. She gave them a small nod, telling them they may go. They promptly left the room, with Angie flipping Miranda off before scurrying away.

Seraphine took the blindfold from her eyes and wiped the green paste Violet applied to her. Her eyes looked moonblinked, milky white with no pupils.

"Can you see anything?" Alcina took her hand gently and kissed her fingers.

"No, love. Just darkness." She sighed, holding Alcina's hand close to her cheek.

"You're strong. And I'm here for you." She leaned over and kissed Seraphine, ignoring Miranda's groans.

"Speak up, Miranda.  I am exhausted." Seraphine hummed. She felt sadness coming from Miranda, and Alcina could see in her expression that she felt something.

"I wanted to apologize. To both of you. You'll need my help if you want to stop Genoveva and her lunatic of a daughter." Miranda went quiet all of a sudden, turning her head to hide her tears from them.

"What the fuck? Alcina?" Seraphine called, hearing someone sobbing.

"Miranda? Are you crying?" Miranda was quiet for a moment, trying to stop crying.

"She... abused me. Mentally and physically... she made me turn against my own family."

"What? Why haven't you said anything before?" Seraphine was still skeptical, not trusting her for one moment.

"You would have been killed. Genoveva would have killed you."

"Is she telling the truth?" Seraphine whispered to Alcina.

"Yes. She is, love." Alcina couldn't help but feel guilty, and empathetic towards the woman.

"I didn't tell you anything because I wanted to keep you away from her. But I... I want my family back!" Miranda cried, burying her face in her hands. Seraphine sighed audibly, getting up and feeling around with her tail. She clicked her tongue and slowly made her way to Miranda.

"Love?" Alcina followed her slowly, watching her every move.

"It's alright. I'm not going to do anything." Seraphine smiled. Miranda flinched when Seraphine hugged her, definitely not expecting that from Seraphine.  Even Alcina was surprised, smiling softly when Miranda frowned at Seraphine.

"I am sorry you had to endure that alone. Truly I am." Seraphine stepped back, allowing Alcina to move closer to Miranda as well. She bent over and looked into her blue eyes, with a sorrowful expression.

"I am sorry for being such an awful person, Alcina. You deserved better." Miranda whimpered.

"I forgive you." Alcina sighed, allowing Miranda to wrap her arms around her shoulders, hugging her softly. Alcina was happy, but she just wanted to get out of the room, not sure if Miranda was playing another game with her. But she did feel strangely at peace, with herself and with Miranda.

"I know it will take a long time for you to trust me again, but I'll make it up to you. I promise. We need to stick together as a family."

"I agree. But you're going to have to speak to Alistair. He is still very upset with you." Alcina let go of their embrace and smiled softly. She walked back to Seraphine and ran her hand over her shoulder.