Picking Petals:

Chapter 19: A Well of Wishes

I had been in and out for a week straight my body so weak it needed to regain its strength, not to mention I was still in shock. Never once did the thought of Gregory being possessed crossed my mind. Finally able to stay up long enough, i got out of my bed and stretched as Rone ranted on.

"I dont know what to do, the demon is persistent on staying in Gregorys body. It even knows your name Nadia they've been watching, learning. They're not as dumb as we thought," he said bitterly."Your father has been hard to control, he tried interrogating the demon but ended up beating him pretty bad. This demon Nadia, he's obsessed with you he plays mind tricks and games. He knows how to get under the skin," he seemed to know all too well.

"Have you interrogated him?" I asked sitting back on my silk spread bed, trying to regain control over my sore limbs.

"Yes, the king and queen as well apparently he wont answer to anyone but you, he refuses to cooperate," Rone ran a hand through his disheveled silver hair, I noticed the dark circles forming underneath his flawless skin. Rone didn't even care to shave his incoming scruffy beard, although I think I liked it this way It made him look more manly, not that it was even needed.

I shuddered, "I'm going to have to talk to him." Gregory was pushed aside, fighting to regain his body but most that have been in his position never do not until the demon decides to leave.

Rones face shifted in maybe regret? "I won't let you do anything you don't want to-"

"We don't really have a choice, we can finally get answers and hopefully save Gregory," I said numbly. "I'll talk to him tonight, for now I want a few more minutes with you then I need to see the Queen," I said.

"For what?" Rone asked as I fumbled with my ruby necklace Rones father gave me.

"Just something I need to ask her," I said, something she might not want to hear neither Rone.

He shrugged, "Keep your secrets," he teased. "I missed you a lot Nadia, I wish I could have gone."

I smiled lightly, "Careful what you wish for, its not fun out there."

"I know, but you were out there in the woods, I felt useless Berella had to stop me from sneaking out to find you."

I swatted him roughly, "Stupid man."

He didn't seem to regret it as he caught my hand and kissed it before we could continue, my mother and my brothers came strolling in without a word. "Hey there warrior," Noel said as he sat next to me on my bed lifting Simon up with him. "The whole towns talking about you, how you went out and saved Gregory, getting yourself into trouble as usual."

"Is it true he's a demon now?" My mother asked her frail body tense, her frigid grey blue hair catching the light.

"Yeah," i said weakly.

"How are you doing?" My mother asked coming to sit beside me, Simon crawled out of Noels lap and into mothers, he seems to be doing fine, a bright smile still on his face as always.

"I'm feeling much better, a little nervous to talk to the demon," I said. "What could he possibly want with me?" I asked.

"Thats what you need to find out," My mother said, she put her cold hand in mine squeezing tight. "But right now you need to get something in that belly of yours, Simon brought some apples and crackers."

I took the bag of food from Simon, "Thanks buddy, I've missed you all," I said sadly. I didn't realize how disconnected i've been feeling from my family. Simon was only four, but the past few months i swear he's got taller, Noel had a baby on the way last I heard his wife is about 6 months pregnant. I always knew Noel would be the one to marry, to have a family. I had yet to figure that out for myself.