A heartfelt connection

Upon entering the home, Alexis took a seat in the sitting room and Hekate went to the kitchen, fumbling for a bottle of Ambrosia due to the shortened human form, returning with two glasses. Placing the bottle and the glasses on a nearby table she took the seat opposite her, shifting a few times as she realized her feet could not reach the floor.

After taking a deep breath she peered into her daughter’s eyes, reaching out to lift her chin when she attempted to look to the floor. “Okay, dear, please now tell me - what has you so worried? Was it the court? Were the members too much?”

Alexis blinked, shaking her head, “no, no, I am alright, don’t worry.”

She released her chin, took a deep breath, and poured a glass before offering it. “Take this dear, it will help relax you a bit.”

The young woman hesitated before taking the glass, watching as Hekate poured another for herself taking a drink. So Alexis took a small sip of the liquor somewhat surprised by the sweet smooth taste of it. Finding herself looking back up and catching the Succubus’s eyes, she asked, “Umm, what is this? I’ve never tasted something like it before.”

Hekate smiled, “This dear is Ambrosia, it was first made by some of our kind that lived in the mortal realm several thousand years ago. When they were **** to flee the realm and return to our Infernal Realms, they brought back the recipe and plants. So you see darling we have had interactions with the mortals since they were first spreading across that world.”

“So, dear, please tell me what is really bothering you. I want you to share it with me.”

Alexis took another long sip of the wine, still looking to the floor. “I promise I will do better, I will be whatever you want me to be, Mother.”

Hekate leaned in sitting her glass on the table, before placing her hands on Alexis’s shoulders. “Now listen here, Alexis. I love you, and I want you to be who you are, not who I want you to be. That is not important, I am your Mother and as such I just want my daughter to find happiness and be strong enough so others can’t take that away. I love you Alexis, and I always will.”

The girl whimpered, “Yes, Miss Hekate, I know, but…” fighting back her instincts to pull away, “No, no it is nothing, but…” Then closing her eyes tightly, she exclaimed, “But you will have a new daughter, you won’t need me anymore.” The first tears rolling down her cheeks.

At that Hekate pulled the young woman into a hug, some of the Ambrosia spilling from Alexis’s glass across her cloak. “Foolish girl, I will always need you. Alexis you are my agent, my daughter, and my lover. Catalina will not replace you, besides she has not even agreed to join our family yet. So please don’t worry.”

Alexis fought back the tears, “But you will, I know you will…., Mothers only have room in their heart for one.” quickly looking down and away.

Hekate blinked agitated that she was unsure what to say to get through to this young woman, she was nothing like she had been as a youth. She always knew her place in society, had always had those around to support her, those who loved her. But what had this girl experienced in her former life, what had those humans done to make her like this. A familiar frustration bubbled within her—humans always seemed to ruin the ones they should have cherished.

And how could she help this girl, damn why isn’t Amita Fidelisa here, she always knows what to do, to say. If only she knew what to say, what to do, and now this girl, no not just a girl, her daughter needs her.

Placing her hands on Alexis’s shoulders, “Alexis, you have your pact with me, so you should be able to feel my heart right now. You know my words are true, you are my daughter and I will always value and love you. You can never be replaced, and you never will.”

Slowly she looked up into her mother’s eyes, biting down on her lower lip, as if wanting to say something, but still afraid to say it.

Hekate blinked this time allowing her aura to reach out and touch Alexis’s, much as what happens when they visit each other’s mindscape. This time though it was as if their souls began to merge, another product of their pact, and deep connection. This joining allowed a warmth to wash over both their bodies, as Alexis released her lower lip a trace of blood where the hint of a fang had penetrated.

The bond allowed them to feel each other's deepest fears and show them that they are not alone and would always have one another. More than Mother - Daughter, More than Lovers, More than participants of a Pact, they were one in two, together being whole, and forever would be.

With this Alexis threw her arms around Hekate, hugging her tightly, as the tears flowed down her cheeks. Her voice hoarse and raspy, “I love you, Mother.”

The two sat together what seemed like eternity, till Alexis succumbed to the sandman, her eyes growing heavy.

Hekate lifted the girl, although it was awkward with this human form, carrying Alexis into her bed chambers, before retiring to her own. But not before placing a gentle kiss upon her forehead, “Sweet dreams, my dearest.”

The drowsy Alexis replied, “I love you, mother, I’m sorry I worried you.”

Hekate sighed. She hadn’t healed this child's wounded heart yet—but she would.