It felt like they had only been asleep a couple hours before Copias internal clock nagged him to wake and start his day. It took him a few moments to become fully aware of his surroundings, to register he was naked, laid sprawled on his back with an equally nude witch partially laid atop him, her leg hooked over his thigh and arm around his middle with her head resting on his chest above his heart, which stated fluttering and beating faster as he felt her warmth against him.  He couldn’t linger like he normally did, not with her so tantalizingly close to his. The temptation to touch her, to kiss her. To wake her and claim her body with his mouth…

Quickly shaking his head to clear it he carefully untangled himself from her, somehow not waking her in the process, and went to shower and change for his day, forgoing his cassock as it would be a hindrance for what he had planned. 

Stopping at the bedside he ensured Annie was covered and comfortable, gently brushing her hair from her face with his leather clad fingers to place a kiss to her forehead and cheek as he did every morning before leaving for his day. 

Annie woke up a couple hours later, gentle morning sunlight shimmering through the fluttering curtains, feeling well rested and content even though longing tugged at her, missing the strong scent of leather and incense, the feel of strong arms around her and a gentle heartbeat under her ear. She knew later she could get her fill, but for now she had to start her day. 

A quick shower to wash her hair, she dressed and set off to Lilit’s room to check on her, finding her younger sister awake and more alert than she had been, a wide smile on her face as she hungrily devoured her breakfast. Mountain leaned against the counter, sipping from his steaming oversized mug as he watched her with a warm smile feeling relaxed and worry free seeing his mate in better spirits today. Ace and Mysti met her in the hall once her short visit was over and they walked down to the refectory for their own breakfast, joining the others at their usual table. The only abnormality was the lack of Kali. Her multi ghoul brother was nowhere to be seen and the others hadn’t seen him this morning either. Worried, she tried to listen to her friend’s assurances that it would be alright before they went their separate ways for the day. 

She ran into Seth on her way to the gardens and he joined her, asking her what she’d like him to cover for the classes she’d miss. There wasn’t much to do, really, but she did have some notes prepared with a list of various properties to add to what they already knew about the plants she had already shown them that she promised she’d get to him before the day was done. Finished in the garden and laden with some useful herbs she would use today they went to lunch where the usual gathered again, minus Kali. Mountain was more than likely with Lilit, as he was every spare moment he had, but for Kali to miss both breakfast and now lunch?

Annie sighs and tries to focus on her friends and her lunch, going through her lesson plans with Seth for the days she would be gone. They walk to class together where she tells her students the week's plans, vague about the reason for her absence, before starting today’s lesson. She really loved her students- they were understanding and wished her luck on her search.

After her class she checked on Lilit again, spent some time with her when she was found to be awake and told her about her plans before Lilit dozed off into one of her naps, barely managing to tell Annie to be safe followed by something Annie could make no sense of.

“Be careful in the circle of shade. It will burn you before truth is seen.”

Shaking her head, Annie covers Lilit and gives a kiss to her forehead before leaving her to rest. Returning to her rooms Annie checks the kitchen looking for ingredients to throw together a dinner for herself and Copia. Aside from their leftovers and some snacks, there really was not much available to put anything together for a proper meal, so with a sigh Annie gathers up her papers for Seth and sets out down the hall where she runs into Ace and Mysti goofing off on the stairs, the taller of the two ducked down in a headlock and laughing as Mysti prodded at their side with her free hand. The pair jumped apart seeing her and gave embarrassed apologies that Annie waved off with her own laugh before continuing to the kitchens, her friends following her.

Taking a detour, they stopped at Copias office first. The door was open and Seth was alone, sitting behind the desk busy at work going through a stack of papers. How Copia always had so much work Annie never knew. 

He looked up with a smile when Annie cleared her throat, pushing back from the desk as he rose. 

"Annie! Nice to see you again! Are those papers for me or more to add to the pile?" He asks with a laugh. 

"For you, for the class," she replies, handing her small stack to him as he rounds the desk. "I did say I would get them to you before the day was done. Where's Copia? I wanted to ask him what he wanted for dinner."

"Ah, he's, uh…busy. Even as his assistant he doesn't tell me everything."

Annie shifts her weight to one leg, hands resting on her hips as she looks at him. Seth peeks up at her and gives a nervous smile before turning back to her notes. 

"Why don't I believe you?"

"Probably because I'm bad at lying to you," he sighs. "I truly don't know where he is though."

Annie nods and gives him a smile, one he returns when he peeks up at her once more. He sets the papers on an empty corner of the desk and sighs. 

"Copia told me about the covens. Which one is first on your list?"

"Black Crows. I've got a rough idea of where they're at, at least the nearest town," Annie says with a sigh. "Ma didn't really go into much detail about them so I have no idea what to expect with each of them."

"You'll have the ghouls. They'll protect you."

"I know. Still, it's a bit nerve wracking."

Seth nods and pushes off where he leaned against the desk, stepping forward with his arms open. "Hug?"

Annie smiles and closes the distance, wrapping her arms around him in a gentle hug. He's careful with his arms, hands fisted and not touching her back as he returns the embrace.

"As for dinner," he says as they separate. "I'd personally go with a nice steak and a light side. He likes his medium rare. I’m sure Sage will be able to help you if you head to the kitchens."

“That was my plan.” Annie gives him another smile, stepping back to the door after Ace and Mysti head out to wait in the hall. “Take care, Seth. And good luck with the class. Everything should be easy to read for you but if you have any questions just ask when I get back.”

“Will do, Annie. Take care.”

Annie waves and heads out down the hall towards the kitchens, linking her arms with the ghouls on either side of her as they walked. They stayed with her as she cooked with Sage, the tall Earth ghoul helping her with the steak to make sure it was perfectly cooked while she worked on the side salad. It was close to seven by the time they made it back to her rooms, Ace holding the covered tray containing the food, and Annie was confused when she saw Copia wasn’t back yet. He’d had long nights before yes but he usually was home around this time, so she bid the ghouls goodnight once the tray was set on the table telling them to rest well and be prepared for anything tomorrow.

Door closed and locked, Annie lit the fire in the hearth before heading to the bedroom to change into a dark cotton nightgown with short sleeves that reached to above her knees, the hem and bust accented with light lace accents. Comfortable and changed, she sat at her vanity to brush through her hair, humming softly. Even after the tedious task of brushing through her long hair and plaiting it in a simple braid to get it off her shoulders Copia was still not back. She did not want to eat without him, but hunger was nagging almost painfully in her stomach so she caved and ate her meal after reheating it. Her appetite sated, she pulled her mothers Book of Shadows from its slot on the shelf and started flipping through it, taking the time to look at the pages that had, like usual, changed from the last time she paged through it. 

It was shortly after the bells tolled nine that she finally heard the lock turn and the door open and when she glanced over the back of the couch she caught a glimpse of Copia as he turned to close and relock the door. His shirt was severely crumpled and damp, dirt and dust staining it and his normally slicked back and tame hair was loose and wild looking. Overall he had an aura of exhaustion about him and it caused Annie to frown.

“Vincenzo?” Annie calls over, closing the book and setting it on the couch. He looks over towards her with a tired smile. “What happened? You look awful.”

He laughs softly and looks down at himself before shrugging, wincing slightly at the motion. “Long day, amore.”

“You’ve had long days before but never looked this disheveled.” Annie rises from the couch and walks over to him, reaching up first to brush hair from his face before cupping his cheek, noticing faint nicks and scratches that were just deep enough to bleed along with a forming bruise on his other cheek. “And you’re injured?”

He sighs and nods, holding her hand to his cheek as his eyes drift closed. “It is nothing though, amore. Nothing serious. Today actually went a lot better than expected, all things considered.”

Annie leads him over to the kitchen, setting him on one of the stools before turning on the overhead light on her way to her shelves that hold jars of already made ointments and herb mixtures, selecting a couple jars of ointments before walking back over. Knowing it is pointless to refuse her aid, Copia sits still as she gently cleans his face with a warm wet rag before turning it this way and that to see it in a different light to map all the nicks, cuts, and bruising. Sighing lightly she turns to her jars and grabs one of them, smearing the thin gel-like substance on the worst of his cuts as she bites gently on her lip. Copia can’t help the small smile seeing her intense look of concentration as she fusses over him, finding it adorable and it makes his heart flutter and swell. 

Her hand pauses as she catches his eyes and she gives her own smile, eyes squinting ever so slightly in confusion at the look on his face. “What? Why are you looking at me like that?”

“Just thinking about how much I love you. How caring and compassionate you are. How you’re mine and I am so thankful for that.” His hands reach out and grab gentle hold of her hips and he pulls her closer between his parted knees, seeing a blush bloom on her cheeks. “And about how much I want to kiss you right now, but I did not want to interrupt your fussing over me.”

“I’ll give you a kiss if you tell me what happened today that brought you back to me in this state,” she says with a soft sigh, worry in her eyes again as she reaches for the other jar. This one contains a thicker cream, more like a lotion, that she takes a small smear from before gently working it into the skin over his bruise. 

“I…” He sighs lightly and closes his eyes as she works the lotion into his skin, a faint tingle under her fingers as she does. “I unbound Kali. It took a lot longer than I had anticipated. I’ve never unbound a ghoul before, and the process is so very complex.”

Her fingers pause and she looks at him with her brows furrowed with deep set worry. “Did he do this to you?”

“Si… and also no. Most of this is from the powers that flared. Kicked up dirt and stones. I’d rather not explain the details; it is an almost violent ritual and I worry it may upset you. Just know he is well and resting right now, and he will be able to accompany you tomorrow.”

When she says nothing, hand still on his cheek, he opens his eyes to see her looking at him with a soft smile, a few tears falling over her cheeks. He quickly reached up to brush them away.

“You freed my brother…” she sniffles lightly, leaning unto his fingers as they caressed her cheek before wrapping her arms around him in a tight hug, nuzzling the side of his neck lightly. “Thank you.”

“Amore,” he sighs. He wanted to tell her there was no reason to thank him, but knowing her she would insist there was. “You’re welcome, Levanna. You need your brother should anything happen here or to me. I’ll see about your other friends, Ace and Mysti, later. It will take time, though.”

Annie nods and pulls back just enough to turn her head and press her lips to his in a gentle, lingering kiss he was quick to respond to. They parted with a soft sigh as they felt their pulls flutter to life, not wanting to encourage them. It was late and they were both tired, especially the Cardinal. 

"I made dinner for us. Forgive me for not waiting, I didn't know when you'd be back."

"I wouldn't have wanted you to wait. Forgive me for being so late."

Annie laughs softly, reluctantly pulling from his arms to store her jars and reheat his steak after washing her hands. Setting his plate on the counter in front of him she looks him over a moment, earning her a confused look in return before she reaches over and begins to unbutton his shirt. 

"Cara, what are you..?"

"Your shirt is wet and dirty and would get in the way," she explains, pulling the now open shirt from him, tossing it haphazardly onto the back of the couch before moving to stand behind him. His next question is cut off by a soft moan as she begins to gently rub and knead at his tense shoulders. 

"Hush now and eat." 

With a compliant nod, Copia digs in on his dinner as Annie massages at his shoulders, working through the tense knots with a gentle touch he relaxes into. By the time he’s done with his food he’s all but melted under her hands, swaying slightly as she works down his back until she prods at one spot a bit off center on his side and he jumps with a small sound of surprise. Hands paused, Annie watches the back of his neck redden and she knows he’s blushing.

“You okay there, hun?” Annie asks, trying not to giggle as she resumes her massage.

“Eh, yes cara. This feels really good. You may put me to sleep if you keeEEP!” He jumps again, letting out a small shriek as he flinches away from her hands when they find that sensitive spot once more. 

“I think someone is ticklish,” she giggles and gives into temptation, purposely prodding and tickling at that spot making him squirm and choke out sounds of protests between laughs as he tries to turn and grab at her hands. 

“Amore! Smettila, per favore!” He laughs, eyes squinted from his wide smile when he finally turns and grabs tight hold of her hands, pulling them to his chest to stop her tickling him further. 

“I’m sorry, hun. I couldn’t resist. I never expected you to be ticklish.”

Copia sighs and lifts her hands to kiss the backs of them, half smirking with bright eyes as he looks at her. “I never expected you to find that spot. Only one other ever has. He liked using it to his advantage, bastardo sfacciato.”

Annie looks at him in question, curious, but does not press it. “Well, I promise not to exploit that you’re ticklish. Even though I liked the sounds you made while I was.”

“Is that so, amore? What sounds, hmm?”

Annie bites on her lips as she smiles, pulling a hand free to prod at his side again. He jumps and lets out another strangled shriek before laughing loudly, grabbing her hand again. 

“Those. Sorry, sorry. I’m done now.”

He grumbles softly in Italian as he shakes his head, standing and pulling her into his arms before pressing a kiss to her forehead. 

"I'm going to shower, amore. I'd ask you to join me but your hair is still damp so I know you have already taken one."

"I can come wash your back if you'd like?"

"And give you the chance to tickle me again? I think not!" 

His face is serious for only a moment before he's laughing with a wide smile, Annie joining in and nudging him gently. 

"I'll be out here reading. I'll come to bed once you're done."

Copia leaves her with another kiss to her forehead disappearing into the bathroom to shower. After cleaning up their dinner plates she settles on the couch to page through the book once more until she hears the water shut off and the bathroom door open. Returning the book on the shelf she turns to see Copia leaning in the doorway, arms crossed lazily over his bare chest and she blushes seeing his low slung pajama pants clinging to his hips, feeling a warm flutter low in her stomach. 

"Cuddles before we retire?" He asks, reaching out his hand towards her. She walks over and takes it, lowering it to her hip as she steps into him lightly pressing him into the doorframe. Her free hand slides up his stomach and over his chest and he looks at her with a raised eyebrow, lips quirked in an amused smile. 

"Amore?" Copias other hand, not on her hip, reaches up to tuck some hair behind her ear before he trails his fingertips along the curve of her jaw until he holds her chin, gently tilting her head up as his thumb brushes against her lower lip. 

"Sorry," she breathes out, face flushed. "You just look really good right now and I got sidetracked."

He laughs softly, leaning down to kiss her gently. The soft static in her lips makes her stomach flutter and she slides her hand back down over his chest and stomach, the other joining until they rest on the front of his hips where the top of his pants rest. 

"I am thinking," Copia whispers against her lips between kisses, "That someone may be wanting more than cuddles."

"I'm satisfied with just cuddles," she whispers back even as she leans more heavily into him. "You're tired, and we both have long days tomorrow."

He works his lips down along her jaw to her neck, pulling her with as he steps back into the bedroom until he turns and backs her into the bed, pausing only a moment to stoop down and lift her while he kneels on the bed before laying her down gently under him. Her face darkens with a blush and she lets out a sound of protest at his actions that’s cut off by his lips returning to hers once more. 

“Hmmf…Vincenzo..!” Annie whines as she tears her lips away from his, breathing heavier as she slides her fingers through his hair. 

“You are wanting, no?” He asks, kissing back down the side of her neck and over the curve of her breast, his hands sliding down until he was pulling up her nightgown. “I am willing and not so tired that I cannot pleasure you.”

Annie sighs, her protest dying in her throat as he claims her with his lips and tongue, losing herself to the pleasure until she comes undone below him. Only once she returns from the high of her release does he move them so they're laid together under the sheets, entwined in each other's arms where they eventually drift off to sleep. 

____________________________________

Annie was the first to wake the next morning, something which shocked her but she couldn’t help but feel happy. So long he has been the first to rise and disappear before their days started she never really got the chance to enjoy watching him sleep. He looked so peaceful, his face relaxed and looking younger without the usual lines of stress he carried and she hated that she would have to wake him soon. Until then, she watched him, propped up on her arm with her free hand ever so gently brushing her fingers through his hair, moving it out of his face.

“You are making it very hard to wake up, amore,” he sighs, voice low and rough with sleep as his arms snake around her, tugging her close. 

“Sorry hun,” Annie giggles, resting her weight against him as she kisses his cheek. “I never wake up before you so I was just enjoying the view.”

Copia laughs softly and gently turns her face to kiss her deeply, smiling against her lips before he pulls back. "I could get used to waking up like this."

They cuddled together, enjoying the early morning peace until it was time to pry themselves from each other's arms and get ready for their day. After relieving himself and a quick face wash and shave, Copia dressed down in a pair of sweatpants and a faded band shirt, finishing his look with some comfortable shoes and a zip up hoodie. Annie, wearing a long flowing skirt of deep purple with a lighter low cut shirt that cinched at the waist and accentuated her breasts, looked him over with an amused expression. 

"I'll change at the venue. No need to be uncomfortable until then," he explained as he threw together a quick easy breakfast while she braided her hair to pull it away from her face. 

"I suppose. Are you nervous?"

"For the Ritual? No. I am nervous for you, amore. I will worry until I see you back safe."

Annie casts him a reassuring smile as she fastens a wide belt around her hips to which she attaches her hunting knife and a small pouch with medicinal herbs. 

"I will have ghouls with me. They will keep me safe."

"I know." He sighs and goes to her, wrapping his arms tightly around her from behind as he rests his head on her shoulder. "But I will still worry."

Together after breakfast they walked hand in hand to the previously designated meeting spot where Aether and Kali waited for them. Annie rushed to her brother, jumping into his arms where she hugged him as tight as she could, almost knocking him off balance.

"Solros, take it easy. I'm okay," he reassured her as he held her close. 

"I know." Annie whispers as she sniffles and buries her face in the side of his neck. "I'm just happy."

Kali sighs and holds her tighter for a few moments longer as Aether and Copia watch with warm smiles on their faces. Finally he sets her back on her feet and takes her hand, looking at Copia with a small smile.

"She'll be safe with me. I won't let anything happen to her."

"I know," the Cardinal replies as he steps over. Taking Annie's face gently between his hands he looks at her with eyes full of worry. "If anything goes wrong, anything at all, you get out of there, si?"

"I'll be fine, Vincenzo," Annie reassures him, her free hand coming up to rest on his. 

"Promise me, Levanna."

She looks into his mismatched eyes, seeing just how deep the worry goes and she takes a deep breath as she nods. "I promise."

Copia smiles softly, his thumb stroking over her cheek before he leans in to kiss her, the kiss deep and lingering filled with a multitude of love and unsaid emotion. Pulling away reluctantly he rests his forehead against hers, his eyes closed as he sighs. 

"Te amo, Levanna."

"Te amo, Vincenzo," Annie smiles, tilting her head to give him another quick kiss before she pulls back, stepping into Kali's side. "I'll see you after the Ritual. Don't wobble your ass too hard."

He and Aether laugh as he steps back towards his ghoul. "That I cannot promise, amore. The fans, they love it."

Annie smiles widely with a laugh before biting at her lip, nervous apprehension starting to set in. She gives Kali's hand a squeeze and he nods, pulling her closer before phazing them to meet the other ghouls who are already at the location they'll start their search, waiting for them.

Copia's shoulders drop and he lets out a shaky breath when they disappear, his jaw lightly locked as he blinks away tears and tries to calm himself. Aether steps closer resting a hand on his shoulder giving it a reassuring squeeze.

"She'll be fine, Copia. You know they won't let harm come to her."

"I know… It is still unnerving, her going off to do this. I will worry every second she is gone until I have her back in my arms."

"I know." Aether smiles reassuringly before shifting his hold on Copia. "We all will. Now, let's get you to the venue."