A/n: Hello my readers! Hope you all have been well.
Sorry for the delay in this chapter. Life, am I right? Lol!

Hope you all have been well and enjoy this next installment. Don't forget to vote and comment!

Enjoy!

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Lilit sighed as she rolled over, nuzzling into the arm under her head. She felt the strong muscles flex as the arm moved, coming up to wrap around the front of her shoulders under her chin as the warmth behind her shifted and drew her closer. A deep purr lightly massaged against her back as lips placed soft kisses to her bare shoulder, his free arm wrapping around her middle. His tail was already draped over her thigh.

“Good morning, Käraste,” Mountain’s husky sleep riddled voice whispered in her ear. “How did you sleep?”

Lilit hummed and shifted closer to him, a blush rising to her cheeks, feeling his hardness against her ass. “Really well. Good dreams. You?”

“The best dreams.” He chuckles and kisses the side of her neck.

“I can tell.”

Mountain laughs softly, pulling back a little. “Sorry, love. It’ll go away in a few minutes.”

Lilit lightly bit at her lower lip as she slid her hand over his arm around her middle until she could lace her fingers through his. Well, best she could since his hand dwarfed hers. “You don’t have to apologize. Not the first time I've woken up with a boner to my ass, and it won’t be the last.”

He laughed a little louder as he shook his head. “I’m still sorry. Let me go hop in the shower. You can rest here.”

She tightened her grip on his hand as he went to pull away, instantly stilling him. She shook her head and rolled back to rest more against him, sighing contently when he tightened his hold on her once more.

“Just hold me, Mounty. I’m feeling needy and clingy, and you’re not nearly close enough.”

“Did you sleep well?” He asks softly, breathing in her scent, noticing the subtle changes in it. A little sweeter, more earthier. A hint of him mixed within the soft undertones of moss and lilies. How fitting for his little one. No, he couldn't call her that now, could he? She was his little witch, and growing inside her was his little one.

“Very well. I thought we covered this?” She giggles lightly, grinding back against his hardness, making him groan softly. “Just like how I know you slept well.”

“Don’t tease, Käraste,” he huffs.

“It’s an invitation,” was her whispered reply. Mountain opens his eyes and looks down at her, seeing her flushed cheeks. On his next inhale, it was there. Her arousal. Oh, how it drove him wild, yet at the same time, he was scared. How could he not be? She wasn’t past her two months yet, when the risk of losing their kit would lower significantly. He wouldn’t take that chance, no matter how much he wanted her.

“We can’t. You know that.”

“Mounty,” Lilit sighs as she shifts in his arms, rolling over to face him. Her hand goes to his chest, trailing up it until her fingers dance over his neck to his cheek, eyes lifting towards his face.  “We had sex up until we found out. I’m wanting. I’ve been wanting. Having you here, this close to me but without having you… It’s been torture.”

“And it hasn’t been for me?” Mountain sighs and pulls away from her, laying on his back as he looks at the ceiling. “I want you. Every minute of every day I want you. But I won’t risk it. I won’t risk you or our kit for some pleasure.”

Lilit climbed on him then, straddling his hips and making him hiss out in restrained pleasure when he felt her heat press against his straining erection with only the thin fabric of his boxers to separate them. His hiss turned into a low growl as he looked up at her.

"Aether never said we couldn't. I've been patient knowing how scared you are about everything. How you think one wrong move… I'm scared too. But I need this. I need you.

“Please, Mounty,” she whispered, leaning forward with her hands braced on his bare chest, fingers sliding over his toned muscles. Shivers followed her touch, and he hissed again as she circled her hips, fighting to keep his resolve. She was begging him, and he could never resist her begs. “You’re always so gentle with me when you need to be.”

“Lilit..”

“Please…”

She was on her back then, gently laid against the pillows as he flipped them over, holding himself above her. Behind him, his tail swayed slowly as he looked down at her. His mate. Glowing and beautiful. Ready, willing, and wanting. His lips cut off her next words as he pressed his to hers in a deep kiss, a groan rumbling low in his chest. Propped up on one hand to keep his weight off her, his other slid down her side in a gentle touch, feeling the shivers that followed his fingertips as he trailed them lower until they slipped under the hem of her nightgown. He could feel her hot desire before he even touched her, and when his fingers danced against her folds, he moaned at how slick she already was.

“So wet for me already, Käraste,” he whispered against her lips before trailing his kiss down over her jaw and neck, nuzzling under her ear as he breathed her in again. “I just don’t want to risk…”

Lilit raked her fingers through his hair, scratching her nails lightly against his scalp where his horns protruded and he let out a shaky moan, his cock jumping with need as a pleasant shiver raced down his spine.

“It won’t. I promise you it won’t." Fingers tangled in his hair she gently pulled his mouth back to hers where she kissed him deeply. Lost in the kiss she didn't register him shifting between her legs, forcing them wider as he freed himself from his boxers.

"If.. if anything feels off or wrong… you tell me. You tell me right away and we stop," he tells her as he strokes his length, willing his glamour to change him so his cock is more human-like. Smaller. It wasn't by much as he was still longer and thicker than average, but it eased his mind about this, especially since he couldn't knot if he had his glamour on.

"I will."

Her breath catches slightly when she feels him rub the head of his cock along her slit, slowly slipping past her folds in the teasing way she likes until he's pushing into her. His movements are slow, tentative and careful as he sinks into her with a low moan.

"Oh, Lilit," he sighs as he fills her, enjoying the silky wet heat of her squeezing his shaft once fully seated within. It took all his willpower to not claim her like before, to fuck her hard and deep like he knew she liked it. Instead, he moved slowly, pulling out until just the head remained before sinking back in just as slow, hearing her soft moans as he filled her again and again.

“Mounty.. Kiss me.” Lilit wrapped her legs around his hips, feeling his hand slide down to hold her thigh, hiking her leg higher and opening her more for him. His lips found the curve of her shoulder and she giggled lightly, fingers tugging at his hair until her lips met his, kissing him deeply even as he chuckled. He shifted then, lips still locked together in a slow burning kiss,  angling his thrusts until she gasped into his mouth. Her legs tightened around him, urging him to move faster, deeper, but he kept his slow steady pace. “Right there…fuck.. don’t stop.”

Mountain groaned, his lips back on her neck where he kissed and nibbled gently, working his way down to the mark she bears. The mark he gave her when he claimed her as his mate. “I feel you, quivering around me. How tight you’re getting. Will you cum for me, my little flower?"

"Yes!" She moans softly. "I'm almost there, Mounty. So…so close. Ah!"

Her soft sounds were music to his ears. It would be a lie to say he hadn't missed this, her under him, around him. The way her body reacted to his, fit around him like she was made for him.

She was. His true mate, just for him. Satanas, he almost came thinking about it.

"Sing for me, my blossom," he moaned in her ear, his cock twitching inside as he neared his own release. He could feel how close she was, the way her walls trembled and squeezed him. She needed just the slightest push.

He released his hold on her thigh, moving his hand between them until his thumb circled over her clit. Her eyes rolled back and she gasped, arching off the bed as her walls clamped tight around his pulsing member. She clung to him, nails digging into his back as she whined.

"Fuck!  Y-yes..! Yes! Mountain!"  She came undone under him, her release crashing over her making her clamp tight around him.

He was nearly there himself, thrusting through her orgasm when a sudden gasp drew his attention and he turned his head with a low warning growl to the door where he saw Annie staring with wide eyes. She was frozen for the briefest moment, her face turning as red as her hair and she eked out an apology before slamming the door shut. He heard her quick footsteps followed by the other door and upon hearing it close he turned his attention back to Lilit, moving slightly faster with an urge to claim her as his. It only takes a few more thrusts then he's filling her with his seed, his release crashing over him while he groans in pleasure.

Coming down from their post orgasmic highs, he nuzzled into the side of her neck, placing soft kisses against her heated skin as their breathing and hearts eventually slowed. He stayed in her until he softened, finally pulling out of her with a groan, hearing her own soft whine.

"I hope," he whispers, lips trailing over her collar bone as he inches down her body. "That you are satisfied, Käraste. Everything feels okay?"

Lilit giggled and laid her head back on the pillow, a lazy smile on her face. "More than okay. I've missed this. Missed you."

Mountain purred softly and nuzzled between her breasts a moment before carefully shifting so he laid next to her, head resting on her abdomen just below her breasts.

"I have, too. But," he laughs softly, his cheeks flushing now. "You should probably know. Annie, uh, walked in on us."

"She didn't!" Lilit sits up and casts her eyes towards him. "Oh Goddess. We probably scarred her for life."

He laughs and gently nudges her with his head until she lays back down. "Yeah, probably."

Lilit hums softly, sliding her fingers through his hair. Her free hand slides across her stomach and she exhales a sigh. "I can't help but feel kind of sorry for her, though."

"What do you mean?" Mountain tentatively places his hand on her stomach, looking down to where it rested next to hers feeling the slightest trace of firmer roundness under his palm.

"All that love Copia showers her with, that he has left to give, and she can't get past her trauma. Can't enjoy her mate freely like I can with you."

It was Mountain's turn to sigh before shifting further down, moving his hand to place a kiss where it once rested. "We enjoyed ourselves a little too much. This little one is proof of that."

"Mhmm. As scary as this all is, I don't regret it for one second."

Mountain hums softly and kisses her belly once more, his purr sounding loud and clear and it makes her smile. They cuddle like that for a while, content in the easy silence that falls between them. Eventually, though, Lilit yawns widely as exhaustion takes over.

"I need to nap, hun."

"I'll stay as long as I can, but I have practice later."

"Hmmkay." She brushes her fingers over his cheek before shifting slightly to a comfier position, relaxing against her pillows. She's asleep shortly after, Mountain closing his eyes as well. His purr continues, soft and low in his chest as he gently nuzzles her belly. So tiny inside her, yet he knew that, beyond the uncertainty and fear, he already loved their little one so very much.

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'I can't believe that just happened!' Annie thought to herself, her face hotter than fire as she quickly walked back to her rooms. 'Goddess I'm so embarrassed!'

She let herself into the main room, Copia jumping slightly from his spot on the couch as he hadn't expected her back so soon.

"Amore? Is everything alright?"

"Huh? Yeah… yeah everything's fine." She walked into the kitchen and refilled the kettle before placing it on the stove, lighting the burner with a snap of her fingers. "Why do you ask?"

"Because you just left not but a few minutes ago." He turned fully to face her, quickly setting his book down seeing how she had one arm wrapped around her middle, the other raised and trembling where she held her face. Her face, which he noticed, was bright red. "What is it? What has you back here in such a state?"

"It's nothing, hun." She gives him a small smile as the kettle starts to whistle. "Go back to your book."

Copia sighs and hefts himself to his feet, making his way over to her. "You are bad at lying, amore."

"It's really nothing. Just…embarrassing."

"Eh? What do you have to be embarrassed about?" He wraps his arms around her middle as she stands on her toes and reaches up into the cabinet to grab some tea, her blush deepening before she sighs. 'Might as well just tell him,' she thought. 'He'll just keep asking.'

"I thought they were asleep," Annie replies as she lowers herself so her feet are flat on the floor, tea canister in hand. "They didn't say anything when I knocked. And when I went in, well…they weren't asleep."

"Weren't asleep?"

She sighs again, rubbing at her eyes as her blush darkens. "Yeah…"

He's quiet, chin resting on her shoulder while she prepares her tea as he tries to decipher what she meant. It hits him a moment later and he laughs loudly, the movement jostling her lightly and she peeks over at him with a pout.

"You mean to say, you walked in on them in a moment of intimacy?"

"Yes, okay! Ugh!" Annie groans and rubs her forehead. "I'm so embarrassed. Saw way more than I ever wanted or needed to and I feel so silly about it."

"Oh, amore," Copia chuckles again and kisses the side of her neck. "Accidents happen. I'm sure they are not mad about it."

"Mountain might be mad. He growled at me."

"He is a Ghoul. They tend to do that, mad or not."

Annie sighs again, leaning her head back against his shoulder. "It's still embarrassing, though."

Copia holds her tighter, nuzzling into her hair lightly. "It will pass. They will probably forget about it, so why don't you try to do the same?"

She nods and closes her eyes, worrying at her lip with her teeth.

"You have something else on your mind?"

"I…" Annie sighs. "Yeah. Kinda."

"Tell me?"

She pats his arm and he releases his hold on her allowing her to grab her mug of tea and walk over to the couch. He follows and sits where he had before, in her normal spot at the end, before she hands him her mug to step onto the cushion next to him where she turns and sits with her legs tucked comfortably under and to the side of her. This position lets her easily lean against him without pulling on her back or side and once she's settled with her mug back in her hands he wraps his arm around her shoulders, propping a foot up on the coffee table, handing her her tea. 

"Will you tell me, amore?" He gently asks after a few quiet moments.

"As embarrassing as it was, seeing…seeing how.. gentle and tender he was with her in that moment…" Annie sighs and tightens her hold on the mug. "Well, it eased me. To know for absolute certainty beyond just words, promises and assumptions that nothing has…that she has…"

Her words trail off and Copia feels her begin to tremble. Focusing fully on her he hears her breath is halted and short, like she was trying to keep it steady and was failing. It worried him, even more so when he leaned forward to get a better look at her face and he saw tears rolling down her cheeks.

"I l-love m-my sister and I n-never w-would wish anything ill t-towards her," she manages, barely above a whisper. "But it's…it's not fair. W-what s-she has. W-what she h-had f-for her first… love a-and tenderness..  I s-should've h-had it, too. Instead, it w-was stolen by f-force and n-now…"

Copia gently takes her mug and sets it on the table, wrapping both arms around her to hold her close as she cries. He doesn't know what to say, so he just holds her and places soft kisses to the top of her head. It's a few minutes before she's calmed, her breath not as ragged or rushed and he turns his head to focus on her when she finally speaks once more.

"I'm sorry. I probably sounded…sounded selfish, or that I resent them." She reaches up to press her palms to her eyes as she sighs. "I'm happy for them. That she's had the experiences I never could."

"What else is on your mind..?" He gently prods, knowing she had more she wanted to say. She sighs again and rests her head against his chest, turning slightly to snake her arm around his middle.

"I think about how different things would be. If our paths had crossed even a little sooner. They almost did, you know." She laughs softly, giving her head a small shake. "Did you know that when we were here, when I was a toddler, I somehow knew you were close by?"

"What do you mean, cara?"

"Ma wrote that I was speaking in tongues after a Bishop from Italy arrived. There was some big…meeting or something and others came, even Alessandro. She knocked you down in the hall on her way from the garden, but was so panicked at what was going on with me she didn't stop to help you up."

He looks at her in confusion a moment before his eyes widen slightly. "That was your mother? Si, I remember. It happened all so fast. I had hoped to see her again and tell her it was alright, no harm done, but I never did."

"Apparently I would call Alessandro Aladro. I had him and Papa wrapped around my little fingers. I wonder why…" she trails off, brows furrowing slightly.

"Ah, amore?" Copia asks softly as he shifts to look at her more. She turns her head towards him and hums in answer. "There… There is something I have wanted to ask you for some time. Since the night your powers did that thing."

"What is it?"

"Ace, they said you were arguing to nothing. Yet your cardigan moved, and when you thrust your hands out the wall cracked and they heard someone groan. Then, when I tried to reach out to find you… I heard.. well." He sighs. "I heard Alessandro. He told me where to find you. Was he truly here, amore?"

Annie looks at him, her eyes softening seeing the hope shining in his. Finally, she nods with a small sigh. "If what you said is true, then yes. He was here."

Copia turns away, bringing his hand to his face while his elbow rests on the arm rest. He hadn't imagined it. But it made no sense.

"I..uh.." Copia looks over at her again, seeing her worry her lip and twist her fingers in her skirt. "I didn't…didn't say anything sooner because I wasn't sure it actually happened the first time."

"What do you mean?"

"In the chapel. At Beltaine. I wasn't talking to myself when you found me." Her voice is soft, afraid of what his reaction would be. "I was with Alessandro."

"But you were alone?"

Annie shakes her head. "I wasn't. I saw him as clear as I see you now. We talked. He felt colder than ice."

"How..?"

"The veil between worlds was thin. He came to me, showed me what happened to him. To the others." Tears build in her eyes as she talks, remembering his freezing touch on her cheek. The images of his life, and eventually his death. "He was trying to tell me something about me. Something important. I wish now I had listened."

"Why did you never tell me?"

"He told me not to. I don't think you were ever supposed to know."

Copia eases off the couch, standing to walk over to the hearth where he holds onto the mantle with both hands, looking down into the flames before lowering his head. Annie watches him, biting harder on her lip.

"I..-"

"Why would he do this?" Copia cuts her off, his voice soft. "Hide from me? Make you keep this from me?"

" 'The memory of me as his friend is painful.' That's what he told me. He didn't want to cause you pain."

"Questa è una stronzata!" Copia yells and Annie flinches, his grip tightening on the mantle until the wood creaks under his fingers. The flame flashes and dances higher on the logs.  "Come osa supporre… Fottuto bastardo!"

"V-vincenzo.." Annie says softly. He turns his head but doesn't look at her. She's never seen him upset, certainly not like this, and it scared her.

"He was my best friend," he finally says, his voice softer as he eases his grip. "It pains me to no end that he would keep this from me. Hide from me."

Annie stands then, slowly walking over. He flinches slightly when she sets her hand on his back before relaxing when her arms snake around his middle. He exhales a sigh, lowering an arm to hold her hand.

"Forgive my temper, amore. It was not directed at you."

"You're forgiven. I'm sorry. I should have just told you sooner."

He shakes his head, easing from her hold to turn and face her. His hand lifts to brush the backs of his fingers over her cheek and he gives her a sad smile.

"No, he told you not to and you were respecting his wishes."

"There… there's more," she says softly, turning her eyes away.

"What else is there, amore?"

Annie bites at her lip, worrying it a moment before speaking. "That day that shadow monster…thing.. attacked me, Alessandro was who I heard that scared it off, who I saw before I passed out. He wasn't alone but I couldn't see who. Just blazing purple orbs. I don't know how I got back here, either."

"Si…you were already changed and in bed when I got back from mass. I thought you had just been too tired to wait up for me." He frowns lightly, brow furrowed in such a way Annie could tell he was thinking about something.

"What's on your mind?" She asks softly, drawing his attention back to her.

"Many things, Annie. None of which I really want to trouble you with right now. I have to get ready for practice soon."

Annie looks at him, her own brows furrowing but she nods, slowly pulling back. "Did.. you want me to come with?"

Copia smiles down at her, fingers lifting to stroke her cheek again as he leans forward to place a kiss to her forehead. "If you want to. I'm sure the others would be happy to see you."

"How long until wet have to go?" She asks, stepping closer once more as her hands slide up his stomach. "I wouldn't mind some more cuddling if we have time."

"I think we have enough time. Come, amore. It's more comfortable on the couch."

Copia leads her back over to the abandoned couch where he stretches out along its length. His head rests on a pillow against the arm rest and he extends one leg along the cushions, the other bent with his foot resting on the floor. Annie waits until he's settled before she lays between his thighs, her head on his chest where she tilts it up, chin resting on her hand as she looks up at him.

"What is it?" He asks softly, fingers brushing stray stands of her hair away from her face. She turns into his touch, sighing lightly.

"It's just a shame you can't truly have the day off."

Copia laughs softly, all earlier traces of ire gone as he gives her a warm loving smile. "And why is that, amore? Some…devious or, quite possibly, sinful ideas swirling about that mind of yours?"

Her blush was answer enough, even as she turned her eyes away with a huff. It drew another chuckle from him and he gently prompted her to shift from how she was laying until she straddled his hips, both of his legs up on the cushions now as she settled back on him with her head against his shoulder this time. His arms wrapped around her, holding her close.

"We have time," he says with his lips against her forehead. "All night, in fact. But I must go to practice today. After that it is up to you."

"Would you be upset if I asked Aether to join us for dinner again tonight? I'll even cook."

"Why would that upset me? Aether is my closest friend. I would enjoy his company."

"Then…maybe after.."

He quirked an eyebrow, tilting his head to look at her as she trails off. "After..? What? You can say it."

"We'll see when we get there."

He inwardly shakes his head though his smile doesn't leave his face and tightens his hold on her. "I suppose we will."

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Copia and Annie snuggled on the couch until the bells above tolled the quarter hour at which he needed to leave for practice. Annie went with him, sitting to the side as she watched them practice. It was nice seeing them all so calm and relaxed, having fun instead of being overly serious like they were the last time she had interrupted their session.

Instruments put away, they slowly scattered off to do whatever they had planned for the evening. Annie caught Aether on his way passed and invited him to join them for dinner. This time he agreed with a happy smile. Now Annie just had to figure out what to make.

She left ahead of Copia to make a stop in the kitchens to gather some ingredients before heading back to their rooms to prepare dinner. She had just finished plating the food when Aether knocked. She would have been done sooner, however Copia kept distracting her, flirting or sneaking kisses. He even paused her to pull her into a dance as his radio played soft music like normal when either of them cooked.

"I think you're trying to get me to burn this so I can't hold that over your head anymore," she laughs, nudging him away with her hip once again when he came back to 'help' her.

"Che cosa? I would never!"

Annie laughs and shakes her head, flicking some flour she wiped from the counter in his direction. "Mhmm why don't I believe you?"

His laughter was his only reply.

"Dinner was absolutely delicious, love," Aether told her as he sat back in his seat. Annie smiled with the slightest hint of a blush as he continued. "She can bake. She can cook. She's a wickedly powerful witch and one of the most beautiful and kindest women I've ever known and she's all yours. You're one lucky man, Copia."

"Sì, that I am, amico." Copia replies softly, looking at Annie with a gentle smile as he reaches over to take her hand, her blush deepening. "Mia bella Dea."

"Enough, you flirts! I don't know which of you are worse," She laughs softly as she stands and starts collecting the plates before Copia stands and stops her.

"Amore, you cooked. We will clean. Sit and relax."

The two men worked together to clean and wash up from dinner, Annie watching them from her chair at the table. It was so nice seeing Copia as relaxed as he was, laughing and joking with the ghoul who shared the wide smiles and laughter. If only things could be as easy as they were today.

"Tell me, Annie," Aether said, drawing her attention back to the two. "Has Copia here ever told you about the time when he was a Bishop and he-"

"Ay! No! No embarrassing stories-" Copia lunged at the ghoul to try and cover his mouth, his ears already turning red. Aether easily avoided him as he continued.

"And Terzo tried to prank Secondo-"

"Per favore caro!"

"Why? It's funny."

"And embarrassing! You do not see me telling her your mishaps."

Annie watches them, one brow arched with amused confusion before she laughs softly. "Oh, now I'm curious. What happened?"

Aether laughs and looks at Copia, his eyes bright and pleading. "C'mon, Copia. Let me tell her."

"Please?" Annie asks, lip turned out in a small pout.

Copia looks from Aether to Annie and back, mouth opening and closing before he throws his hands up with a defeated groan.

"Oh! Very well! And you…" He turns to Annie, a smile on his face as he shakes his finger at her. "How dare you turn to such tactics. You know I cannot resist when you are so adorable."

Annie giggles, biting at her lips as she looks at him with as innocent of an expression as she can muster. "Me? I'd never."

"Lies!" Copia laughs again, tossing the towel he used to dry his hands into the counter before stepping over to her to place a kiss to her forehead.

"So.. what happened to Copia and Terzo?" Annie asked, turning back to the smiling ghoul.

"Well," Aether pulls out one of the stools and sits, laughing softly at the memory. "There was a big sermon and ritual that was taking place. They altered a robe that was to be worn for it and laced it with itching powder. What they didn't know was that Papa Nihil decided at the last minute he wanted to lead it! So not only was Papa absolutely swimming in this robe, but he couldn't stop scratching!

"You should've seen their faces, love. One of the funniest things I've witnessed. Best part?" He leans closer, his smile widening. "They mucked up and got the itching powder on themselves too, so they suffered through it while trying not to scratch."

"Oh grazie inferno," Copia sighs lightly with relief as he picks up his wine glass. "That was not the one I thought you were going to tell her."

"I could tell her about the time you two knuckleheads put hair remover in Cardinal Devereux's face wash, mixed up the bottles and ended up taking your own eyebrows off instead."

"He did what?" Annie laughs with a wide smile, looking over at Copia who was slowly turning redder, coughing after nearly inhaling his drink of wine.

"Aether!"

"Don't you give me that. Compared to some hijinx you two pulled, that was tame!"

"What if I told her about the time you tried to phaze without knowing your destination and ended up in Imperators personal chambers. While she was undressing, no less!"

Aether makes a face and shakes his head, groaning lightly. "I'd finally forgotten about that. Thanks for reminding me!"

Annie watched the two banter back and forth with a warm smile, laughing at their reactions to each other more so than the stories they told. It was beyond amusing.

"Help me out here, cara!" Copia's desperate vice cut through her thoughts and she raised her brow as she took a drink of her wine.

"I don't think she was paying much attention, caro," Aether laughed.

"Not entirely. Forgive me?"

"Bah," Copia laughs as he refills his glass. "Nothing to forgive. Me and that stronzo just got lost down memory lane. So many memories."

"Well, when you're as old as us there are bound to be."

"Don't you give me that," the Cardinal smiles, refilling Aether's glass as well. "You're practically ancient compared to me."

"In a way. Though you know we're essentially reborn when summoned. So that makes me both older and younger than you."

"What do you mean?" Annie asks, looking towards the ghoul. He shrugs and takes a healthy drink of his wine.

"When ghouls are summoned, it's, well.  It's not a pretty process."

Annie gives her own small shrug as she looks down into her glass, swirling the liquid inside. "Well, I don't know how ghouls are summoned. I assume through some ritual but beyond that I have no clue."

"I'll tell you another time, if you'd really like to know, love," Aether says, finishing his wine. "I should probably head out. We've got that Ritual tomorrow and you're off to the next coven. Which one is it, again?"

"Midnight Shade."

"And you know where about you're going?"

Annie nods and finishes the little bit of her wine, setting the glass on the table. "They're somewhere in the Black Forest."

Copia sighs and gathers the empty glasses to take them to the sink. "I do not have a good feeling about tomorrow, amore. Something is nagging at me that I don't let you go."

"I have to do this, though. You know that."

"Si. I know. Which is why I am not stopping you in doing this." He turns to her, leaning back against the counter.  "Are your four ghouls enough?"

"They're already too much. I'm grateful Sage asked to come along, though," Annie says as she stifles a yawn. Aether laughs softly and stands from the stools to walk over to her.

"I'll head out. You need your beauty sleep, and so does he." Aether holds his arms open in silent ask for a hug to which Annie smiles and nods, standing and closing the space to wrap her arms around his shoulders as his circle her middle. "I'll see you in the morning. Sleep well, Annie."

"You, too, Aether."

Good nights bid, Copia walks Aether to the door to see him out and they give their own half hug of farewell before Aether pulls on his mask. After watching the ghoul walk down the hall Copia sighs and shuts the door, turning the lock as he takes a deep breath. Something kept nagging at him but he pushed it aside.

His shirt was off before he made it to the bedroom, pausing to turn off the lights, and when he entered the room Annie was already changed and braiding her hair for the night. Feeling a bit warm he opted for just a comfortable pair of sleep pants which he changed into after using the restroom and washing his face. Annie was already in bed then, rubbing her neck as she yawned.

"Are you alright, amore?"

"Hmm?" She looks over at him and smiles, her hand coming to rest over her breast. "Yeah, I'm okay. Just tired. Come cuddle?"

He smiles at her, crawling onto his spot with a kiss to her cheek. "As my Dea commands."

He turns off his light, and Annie does the same before shifting down and rolling onto her side so she's facing him. His arm under her and her head comfortably on his chest she listens to his steady heartbeat letting it calm and soothe her.

"I'm sorry I got your hopes up earlier."

"Hmm? What do you mean, amore?"

"I thought I might be up for…after dinner, but I'm really tired."

"Annie," Copia laughs softly, holding her closer. "No apologies. Sometimes these things do not pan out. I do not sit and wait and expect us to partake in anything. You know I am more than content simply holding you over anything else. If more happens, it happens. If not, I am just as satisfied."

"I love you, Vincenzo," Annie says with a soft smile, leaning up to kiss his cheek.

"I love you too, Levanna. So very much." He holds her closer, turning to capture her lips in a deep gentle kiss. "Sleep well, mia Dea, and have even sweeter dreams."

"With you holding me? They'll be the sweetest."