Behind the Mask of Alexandria Drear

A mothers love (Chapter 10)

Within the couple weeks Helena was home, the duchess had taught her daughter new spells. Ones that more than likely wouldn't be taught by the school she was attending, it would be in her best interest to learn the families own creations. After all she was a Drear and that was a tradition, at least one Alexandria could keep alive with the short time they had together. Perhaps later on, she could teach her child more; if they both could make it to that point.

One early morning; before the sun even rose over the hills outside the mansion, the witch had woken up in a cold sweat from a nightmare. Gasping for air and grasping her neck as her mind registered she was alright, sniffing a couple times as she wiped her tears. Her heart was racing a mile a second, or that's what it felt like to her; able to pop out any second. She looked around the dark room and held her hand over her heart, only to have her eyes land on her sleeping daughter. And without another thought she gently picked up her child, cradling her to her chest.

Placing a couple kisses on her head, only to sing a soft a lullaby. Mainly to calm herself in the end, but it seemed Helena was also having a terrible dream." It is alright my little bat, mama is here. There is no need for these nightmares, you are safe my darling." She said softly with a slight smile, knowing in a way she was just fooling herself in all of this. But with her torturer away for a while, things were getting better again piece by little piece. Just to the point it could all shatter again once he returned, but that was in the back of her mind of course. This was the duchesses time with the only person her made her happy anymore, but could also break her heart in two with a snap.

Helena shifted a bit in her mother's arms and yawned softly, bringing her hands up to rub her eyes. Waking up to her mother's voice and feeling something was off, able to feel the era shift in the room.".. Mama? It's still dark out.. Why are you awake again?" She'd asked before yawning again and looked at Alexandria.

"I am sorry I woke you my darling.. I just wanted to hold you again, I suppose I just could not sleep. You seemed to be dreaming of something terrible, so I figured it would help you as well." The purple haired woman replied softly nuzzling their noses together gently.

Helena shook her head a bit with a small smile." Nope." She lied." I just knew something was wrong mama, could we get something to eat or drink? My throats a bit dry and your tummy seems upset." She said softly and moved out of her mother's arms as the woman had nodded.

Alexandria hand out on a long robe to cover her night gown, just before her daughter had taken her hand. The pair walked out of the room after opening the large doors to the master bedroom, walking down the long hallway covered with painted portraits. Lit candles lighting their way, luckily the fire was pure magic; no accidental fires from that and they wouldn't go out. One of the perks of being a magic being, having less to worry about with little tricks and spells. But as the mother and daughter made their way to the end of the hall, the duchess stopped to look at a painting done of herself and her parents. Helena stopping not long after her mother, due to reaching the end of her mother's arm length. The seven year old tilted her head a bit, glancing her mother's saddened expression before looking at the painting. Seeing the couple she'd only heard or read about, wondering exactly what had happened to them; Alexandria never answered those questions, only changed the subject.

"That's grandfather and grandmother right mama?" The woman nodded a bit, but didn't say a word."... I look like grandmother a lot don't I?" Her mother nodded again.".. Maybe I can be like her more when I get older, then you won't have to be sad anymore mama.." Helena said as she looked at the purple haired woman, giving a small smile.

Alexandria gave a tiny smile and knelt down to her daughters height, gently cupping her cheek." No, my darling.. You be yourself, mama will be just fine. She is slowly getting better and it would not be fair to you.. Just keep making mama proud and I promise you everything will be okay.. No.. Actually, you do what makes you happy. I will be on your side with whatever you choose to do, your grandparents let me do the same. You should only have the same thing for yourself, even if I do not understand why you make some choices, I'm always here... Now let us get that snack and some water, we should not waste any more time."

Alexandria kissed her daughters lips briefly before standing up again, taking her hand once more." You really are one of a kind my darling, I love you so very much. I do hope you do not ever forget that, it will never change." She gave a smile and decided to pick the young witch up, even if it was rather difficult on her; but with the muscle she'd gotten back over the weeks it was easier on her.

The magenta haired girl giggled and wrapped her arms around the woman's neck, kissing her cheek." I know mama, I won't ever forget I promise! And I'll make you so proud one day you'll see! I'll get our family's name back and make it all better, no one can change that."

The duchess could only smile and hope that one day it would come true, it wasn't so much about the name as it was just for her daughters happiness. Maybe in the next eleven years away from home, she'd make something big for herself and be able to get out of Nicholas's grasp. The only thing that Alexandria truly feared, hoping Helena's eighteenth birthday would never come. Mainly knowing she had no control over who her daughter would marry, striking more fear in her heart. With the suitors in the young witches age group, the odds where in the Scythe family; being just like Nicholas's family. And of course he'd pick the youngest son to be Helena's future husband, she'd already heard the small conversations and seen letters.

When the pair reached the kitchen, Alexandria gave a soft sigh as she looked around the cabinets and picked out some bread and a few other things. She'd set them on the counter, setting up a stool for Helena to sit on." My darling, how about you make a couple sandwiches hm? I will fetch the water you had asked for alright?" She smiled more as her daughter nodded and got to work as her mother had asked of her. Only then did she grab a pair of glasses, leaving the room to get the water from the cold storage. Having a large supply for any time it was needed around the house, mainly for drinking and washing with.

She'd come back a few minutes later and set a glass in front of her daughter, who had already started to eat. Alexandria covered her mouth as she giggled, seeing little pieces of bread and the condiments around her mouth." Helena my darling, your suppose to eat your food. Not wear it on your face like that, want in goblins name are you doing?" She said before laughing again as her daughter looked away embarrassed.

The duchess grabbed a towel after setting her glass down, gently wiping down the girls mouth and kissed her forehead." You silly silly girl, you truly know how to make your mother laugh do you not?" She smiled softly and brushed the girls hair back." You are so adorable my little one, what would I do without such a funny bat?"

The little witch smiled a bit and reached over to the counter and managed to get a bit of peanut butter on her finger, only to swipe it on her mother's nose and cheek. Laughing at the woman's shocked reaction, only to have her mother do the same." Hey no fair!" Helena laughed as she reached for more, having started a war with her mother. Now laughing and giggles filled the kitchen, with the pair going after any bit they could find. It wasn't until the sun came through the large windows did the two eventually stop, mainly seeing the mess of the room and themselves.

Alexandria brushed her long wavy hair out of her face before using her wand and a simple spell to clean the mess up. Still managing to laugh softly and pick up Helena after the mess was cleaned up, peppering kisses all over the seven year olds face." I think it's about time we take a bath, even if it is still rather early." She said softly and smiled." Though I think we should do that again before you go back to school." The woman giggled with her daughter and rested their foreheads together.

She walked upstairs with Helena in her arms , drawing out a bath for them. Helping the young witch get undressed and into the tub, before doing the same. With a smile she brought Helena into her lap, kissing her cheek again as she held the girl close to her bare chest. She watched the magenta haired girl play with the bubbles she'd added in, keeping her smile.

      Not caring how much time they'd spend in the water, she was just happy to have Helena in her arms and sharing more moments with her. Nothing else mattered, even if some might think it was odd to share a bath, it was her own flesh and blood. Nothing she hadn't seen or done before things changed, nothing would ruin this.