It turned out that life in the coven did improve slightly at the very least. I was thrust into my new position, often given jobs and missions to complete on my mother's behalf if she was busy. Although many other times I was on missions with my mother. We often had a number of Coven Scouts with us as well. The coven scouts followed my mother's commands unwaveringly they were loyal to her. They also followed my orders, but I knew it was simply out of obligation. Even with my mother and the help of the coven scouts, the missions didn't always go according to plan. Lilith always willingly took the fall and brunt of what came when we failed a mission. Even when it was my fault the result had been a failure.

I'd stand outside the doors of the throne room, waiting for her to come out after delivering the bad news to the Emperor and Kikimora. After hours and hours, she'd finally emerged through those double doors. I'd always be standing there waiting for her, waiting for a scolding, punishment anything that I surely deserved. Yet, she just always bent down and gently place a kiss on my forehead followed by her murmuring that she loved me. She would tell me she had things she needed to attend to and If I needed her that she'd be in her office. She'd gently touched the side of my face like she always did to comfort me before leaving to go to go on her way. I'd be left standing in front of those doors watching her walk away, feeling ever so empty.

It was my failure my fault, I should be the one to have to face the fire, not her. My mother made countless sacrifices in the name of protecting me, to ensure I never had to stand in that throne room before the Emperor and his malicious assistant. The love and care she had for me was beyond my reasoning or understanding. It willed her to jeopardize her position as Coven Head time and time again...

~Lilith's Birthday~

Etta stared at the wood carving of a raven in her hand, It was a gift for her mother's birthday. She had painted it last night and had originally been planning to give it to her mother that morning. But, before both of them could even arrive at breakfast they had been given a mission to complete. Forcing the two of them to grab a quick breakfast to go and head out for the day with several coven scouts companying them.

The mission was at the Knee, things went wrong when one of the coven scouts accidentally angered a Slitherbeast by getting too close to its cubs. Etta in the hope of distracting the beast from the scout got its attention and attempted to lure it away by flying. The beast however managed to knock her out of the air. She sustained an injury in the process and was seconds away from possibly being killed. If Lilith had not stepped in and taken the blow instead. The remaining scouts managed to will the beast back into a deep slumber using their combined magic. Etta desperately did her best to heal her mother using her artificial staff, she was able to stabilize Lilith, long enough to get her back to the castle so that Hettie could heal her. Lilith had remained unconscious the entire time. Lilith was placed on bed rest and was asleep in her bed in front of Etta.

Tears welled in Etta's eyes as she placed the small statue on her mother's nightstand by her bed. Unable to stay strong any longer tears fell from her eyes and she placed her head on top of the covers on her mother's lap.

"I'm sorry, I'm so sorry Mom. This is all my fault," Etta sobbed her voice breaking more and more after each word. Etta then felt a hand gently stroking her hair followed by a kind soft voice saying, "Don't cry my little Etta,"

Etta raised her head and saw her mother's mint green eyes gazing back at her. "Mom, it's all my fault I'm so sorry," She said. Lilith gently brushed her thumb over her daughter's cheek and said, "My little Etta, what kind of mother would I be if I had not protected you,"

"What kind of daughter continues to fail her mother!"

Lilith sat up in bed the expression on her face turning to one of concern and she said, "Etta, you have not failed me as my daughter,"

"I've failed the coven over and over again! Leading to you having to stand in that throne room taking the fall for myfailure!" Etta cried guilt dripping from every word.

Lilith's eyebrows creased as she gently held her daughter's face in her hands as, she replied, "What the coven expects from you is very different than what I expect from you. You are my daughter and you have yet to fail me or lose favor in my eyes. I am the Head of the Emperor's Coven but I am also you're mother and caretaker. You my little Merletta tie me to both and remain as my most treasured and prized result." Lilith closed her eyes and rested her forehead against her daughters as she finished speaking.

Tears streamed down Etta's cheeks as she closed her eyes as well. She opened them when she felt Lilith place a kiss on her forehead. Lilith smiled at her daughter and let out a laugh and said, "Well the good news is it seems the rest of our day is free," she gently brushed her thumbs across her daughter's cheek to wipe away her tears. And said, "We can spend the rest of the day in here. Just the two of us hidden away."

Etta grinned and she then retrieved the raven statue from her mother's bedside table and gently handed it to her. "That sounds amazing, but first I made you this for you! Happy Birthday, Mom!"

Lilith smiled as she inspected the Raven statue. "This is beautiful Etta! You even painted it to match me! This must have taken you ages!" The raven statue indeed matched Lilith. The feathers were the same blue as her hair and the eyes the same minty green.

Etta smiled and said, "I kept having to hide it when you came in to wish me goodnight. Once in utter desperation, I hid it behind one of my spare blocks of wood,"

Lilith laughed and she tapped Etta on the tip of her nose and said, "My my aren't you clever,"

"Only thanks to you Mom," Etta replied and she hugged her mother tightly. Lilith hugged her daughter back holding her just as tightly. Knowing at that moment she held in her arms the most precious gift she had ever received.