*Seraphine's POV *
I can hardly believe my eyes as Samael steps before me, blocking me from view and harm. Grief practically emanates from his pores. That's when it clicks. Mom. Despite all of his sins against her, he still loved my mother. But he has never loved me, has he? Why start now? He could never stand to be near me, and over the years I had stopped trying to make him bond with me. I don't quite know what to say to him, how to thank him or if I should, so I just hug him from behind. His arms shoot up in defense, and he stiffens for a moment to glance back at me. He reaches across his opposite shoulder to tap my head.
"Ivara loved you. She always did, even before she knew you." He stalls for a second, knowing that we are safe with Narius charging. He will have their attention for a moment. "You are an alright kid." I squeeze
I watch from a distance as Ezekiel and Axar ease her onto the floor from her feet. Her sides heave and she seems injured and tired. She will live though, unlike my brother. I can't understand how this all happened, and I find it even more ludicrous that she would have me believe that Samael came to her aid. I want to go to her even still, but the look of grief across my parent's faces snuffs the idea. Still, I need to address her. I have to call her on her misdeeds.I excuse myself from my family, and I make my way over to her. Axar and Ezekiel have been healed by her hands save for Ezekiel's deeper wounds. The two work in tandem on Seraphine's now. I notice with her hiked top that her sides and stomach are bruised and welted. She appears to have a gash on her throat. Her arm is bruised and swollen. Her face is swollen."Seraphine." She looks up to me with vulnerability in her eyes. I'm certain to mask mine. I look blankly down on
Behind Ezekiel's massive palace, lies a huge and intricate garden. We had followed him outside and through the labyrinth of pebble and stone paths. The flowers, having died this season, were replaced with greenery and shrubs that are winter hardy. Beside me, Seraphine pulls Axar into her body and rubs his arms to keep him warm. "You're a great mother, Seraphine." I lean to the side to whisper, careful not to drop Samael. She stops to look up at me, nearly yanking Axar over. I use my free hand to raise her chin and I lean down to give her a chaste kiss. "Never again will I ever doubt you. I'll spend the rest of my life to make this up to you." Her eyes are swollen and her face pale from grief and exhaustion, still the smile she gives me might be the most beautiful sight I've ever bore witness too.  
The past couple months have flown by. After leaving Ezekiel's home, we came back to mine with the agreement we would visit him weekly. I wasn't sure he was going to miss most, Seraphine or Axar. Or even me. He has gotten noticeably closer to me the past few weeks, even coming to visit us instead and helping with the nursery. Often he would mess with Axar and swat a nail straight through the wall with his hand. Seraphine continues struggling to adjust to her limitations. She often becomes aggressive after being denied the ability to mop for the third time in a day or being told not to raise the furniture up to check beneath it. She has removed every speck of dirt or lint that could have existed here. She's also removed half the food, constantly starving and never quite full enough. Her stomach has doubled now and she's quite uncomfortable.Several times we have taken her into the city to
It is summer again, the months have flown by since Seraphine so valiantly pushed our son into the world. The sun beams overhead and a gentle breeze whistles through the branches of lush trees. Noxodion is shaded at his mother's breasts, having pulled up to nurse. I watch our boy as he feeds on wobbly legs, like a little fawn. His hands clutching Sera's blouse and his favorite lock of hair. A grey checked blanket is spread beneath us, and a basket of foods Seraphine I repaired sits opened from our lunch. I had suggested a picnic to lighten her mood. She has been down hearted all morning since Axar went to stay the week Ezekiel. He's becoming quite smitten with females, and he begged me in private for a week away from mama Sera's watchful eye. Seraphine is still not completely trusting of Ezekiel alone with the kids, and her nerves have been frayed every since. She believes he is pulling away, and worries he feels left out
I walk the streets among the mortals, cold winds whipping snow flakes into my face as I scour the street. I pick up a barrage of interesting scents. I catch fear, anger, misery, lust, envy even. I can work with these, any of these. I'm starving. I feel particularly ravenous today.I want blood today. I need it. My body aches as the hunger intensifies. I want quick, easy prey. I pass a few homeless, huddled in a shanty in an ally. I focus, and soon I can read their minds. I typically do not read minds unless I intend to feed from memory or emotions, but I only want to eat one. I do not wish to put them all on alert. So I call out to one, the one who suffers most. I become mist, and I materialize behind their tent in the back of the alley, before vanishing again in wait. Soon, an old and crippled man emerges. He wanders the
I followed her to her apartment, still invisible, and watched as she hurriedly got dressed. She slipped into a black velvet dress and curled the ends of her hair, pinning the top half up haphazardly. It was all I could do not to touch her body as that velvet dress inked down her body and over her luscious curves. She tugged tendrils loose around her face, and perfected her makeup. Dark greens and blacks lined her eyes, and a flesh pink on her lips and cheeks. Her dark brows full and arched. A splatter of freckles stun atop her nose and cheekbones. It's her birthday. I rummaged her thoughts. She's meeting a boyfriend for dinner. This stirs a weird emotion in me. She doesn't even know I'm here, but I feel ignored. The thought crosses my mind to splatter her dress in bleach or trip her on the stairs, but I refrain. I don't know what I need her for after all. She spritzes cheap perfume as she leaves. I notice
"You wish I were real?" I ask her, intrigued."Yes. I guess I'm disappointed really. It's all weird. The nicest thing anyone has ever done for me, and it's a damn dream. On a lighter note..." She looks at me. "Thank you. Even if it's a dream, it's nice to feel appreciated and have a full belly of good food." I remember eating Henry this morning. "Indeed it is. I myself had a nice breakfast." She smiles."Can't relate. Also, I wasted my lunch trying to help a hateful old bag. Should've left her in the street." She huffed. She watches me curiously."See something you like?""I was watching your eyes." She states. I leer at her, knowing how my appearance affects women."Do you like them?" I probe."It's so neat how they change colors." My face drops."What do you mean?""They were light green earlier
I am still debating the pros and cons of my hasty idea. One should never make big decisions under the influence of lust or hunger. I could have, should have killed her but spared her. She states me, keeps me full, and amused. Her low maintenance and appreciation of the smallest things captivates, as much as her aura and appearance. Something about her makes you feel soothed in her presence. I guide her with the arm draped over her body. She's almost puppeted by my arm and the shifting of my body. The sun glistens on her hair and several children stare at it's deep forest hue. She smiles at them timidly, and a little boy flushes up to his hair line. I herd her into the department store beside her workplace, not yet wanting to take her in there and have her more confused. "Sera, I want you to pick out some clothing and items you might