The Rules of Blood

Volume Two ; Chapter 92 (308) - Women in the Black Grass

There was one issue Blanc had overlooked. And that issue, well… was his elder sister.

Or, more precisely, her body.

“We’ve barely walked half a day and a night, sister,” Blanc muttered with a weary sigh. “We need to get out of this Domain as soon as possible.”

“Wait a damn moment, Blanc,” Sera groaned, collapsing onto the black grass, her exhaustion visible. “I barely have a few Marks on my body. I couldn’t even see in the dark. I had to cling to Velakia the entire time.”

“That’s what happens when you spend your days complaining about not being married instead of hunting,” Blanc said dryly, "Kael and Lune have more Marks than you do."

“Don’t remind me,” Sera clicked her tongue. “My priorities were in the wrong order.”

A small stab of guilt pricked Blanc’s chest.

He sighed, softer this time. “Fine. I’ll set up the tent. Once it’s done, I’ll call for you and wake you in a few hours.”

“Why argue about it if you were going to do it anyway?” Sera shot back.

Blanc didn’t answer. He simply pulled the packed tent from his bag and walked to a bare, straight patch of dirt, hands already moving.

He left Sera behind with the others, and the strange roars of the Domain, and its Dragon Manors.

“He did not lie when talking about how you two are,” Velakia smiled, sitting down next to Sera. “It is good to see that you two have a good relationship.”

Sera sighed, looking towards Blanc as he started setting up the tent’s arms, “I prayed for salvation, yet now that it came, I feel bad.”

“Why would you say that?” Velakia muttered, “Do you know how much Blanc has-”

“I am aware,” Sera interrupted, her voice calm as she watched him, “And that is exactly it. Hearing all that he has gone through, hearing all that he has achieved, and a month after finally reuniting with most of our Blood, he left again, leaving behind his pregnant wives, siblings, and mothers for me, who almost died by my own hand.”

“That’s the exact reason why he’s here,” Velakia grabbed Sera’s hand, “Because he understands. Because he wants to. He wasn’t ordered; he wasn’t pushed outside the door; he left because he wanted to bring you home, Sera.”

Sera stood silent, grabbing a strand of grass with her free hand.

“Listen,” Velakia smiled, “Do not blame yourself. Do not look down upon yourself. You aren’t dragging anyone down, nor inconveniencing us. You chose a different path for yourself, but now that all will turn somewhat close to normal, you will have time to adjust, spend time with your loved ones, and get enough Raw Vita to see in the dark and get stronger.”

The story has been illicitly taken; should you find it on Amazon, report the infringement.

“But I did not say anything about that,” Sera muttered.

“No, but you were thinking it,” Velakia replied, “I know how it feels to feel powerless when all you could ever want is strength. It feels…”

“Empty,” Sera completed her sentence.

“Exactly,” Velakia nodded, slowly moving her eyes towards Blanc, “But… with time, things do get better.”

Sera matched her sight, looking towards her little brother, “Let us pray they do.”

“They will, I promise,” Velakia tightened her hand around Sera’s, “So argue, yell, laugh, cry, sit, walk, run, Sera. He will not blame you for any of those, and neither will I.”

Sera smiled lightly, turning towards Velakia, “I can see why my brother fell in love. You are a good woman, Velakia.”

Velakia grinned, placing a hand on her abdomen, “Some things have aided in that. But do not worry, I will keep tormenting Blanc as I’ve done until now, regardless of how I’ve changed.”

“Why?” Sera laughed, “The poor man has enough on his plate already with me.”

“To make sure he will never forget me,” Sera matched her laughter, “I sure won’t, so why should he?”

“But you will get engaged either way, no?” Sera asked.

“We will, at some point. We’ve made that statement during the negotiations, after all,” Velakia nodded, “But many things have to happen first.”

“The baby?” Sera asked in a whisper, making sure Blanc did not hear her.

“Well, that too, but first I have to get home, get my parents up to date on all that has happened, then send an official summons to Blanc, and wait for him to get to Iskahul; that alone would take a year,” Velakia sighed.

“And by then…” Sera muttered, looking at Velakia’s stomach.

“Yes, by then I would have given birth, which complicates things,” Velakia moved her hand along her lower abdomen, “Especially since I will not be able to hide the identity of the father.”

“Would it not be dangerous to summon Blanc to Iskahul, then?” Sera frowned, “Will he not be punished?”

“Do not worry, I will make sure he won’t,” Velakia smiled, “I have enough ways to pressure my parents into accepting it, if the story of how it happened is not satisfying enough.”

“Okay, but then comes the question of how you will hide the child from him,” said Sera, “He will not forgive you if he finds out.”

“I’m still thinking on that matter,” Velakia smiled sadly, “Whether I tell him or not.”

“I worry what Celine and Miyanna would do when they find out,” Sera sighed, “The situation really is compli-”

“Oh no, they know,” Velakia interrupted casually, “I’ve told them about it without Blanc’s knowledge.”

“Tell them what?” Sera questioned.

“I’ve told them about my relationship with Blanc weeks ago via a letter, then told them about the pregnancy through the Daughter once I found out,” Velakia explained.

“And what did they say?” Sera asked, worried.

“I don’t know,” Velakia shrugged, her eyes moving towards the woman accompanying them for part of the journey, “But hopefully, they will send word soon.”

Following Velakia’s gaze, Sera’s eyes fell upon the Daughter, kneeling in the black grass, her stare without focus, fixed on nothing as though the earth itself had stolen the light in her eyes.

Only for steps to come from behind them, drawing their attention.

“It is done, sister,” he said, “I’ve prepared the bed for you as well. Go rest, and I will wake you up by noon.”