FORSAKEN

"We dance, we kiss, we schmooze, we carry on, we went home happy at the end of the day." Envy raised one shoulder in a relaxed shrug and playfully waved away the fact an evil him wreaked havoc on his relationships. "Technically, have done a lot of practice waiting on the sidelines watching while my brothers got what they wanted. Patience isn't my strong suit." The Prince plopped down on the couch and stretched his feet on the coffee table, taking another drink from his crystal tumbler, "Maybe a lot concerning, yeah. It's not like her jumping on the ruthless queen train so quickly, but I have to support my wife. She takes the job of First Mother seriously. But you, Belly Well," Envy used Sloth's nickname for the woman, pointing a finger at her, "You're also taking the whole 'staying out of it' business seriously."

Bel rolled her eyes as she moved to sit next to Envy, folding her legs underneath her, gently swirling the liquid in the glass. "Look at you now, though, father of the lost and grossly cute husband to a newly minted First. Your patience is still shit, but I say you've come a long way from the sidelines." She took another sip of her drink, humming lightly. "I will give you a little relationship advice, not that I'm well-versed in it, but after going through what I've recently gone through, I have some unique perspectives." The witch turned to look at the Prince, gesturing to herself. "If I wasn't taking the 'staying out of it' business seriously, if I made even one move to insert myself into the fray and take onto my shoulders any more responsibility than I should, your brother would be the first person to stop me. He would be the one to remind me what that almost cost me the last time I held the world's problems in my hands." Isabel paused, placing a gentle hand on Envy's cheek. "Sometimes the best way to support your significant other is by not supporting them. Especially if you have the clarity to see how this might impact her in the long run."

"Thanks. I know you're the best." Violet politely slid into the chair at the table, placing her palms along the cool surface while snippets of the vision surrounding the psychotic Azriel flashed by on repeat. "The exiled kidnapping from the King. That one created a schism between two Princes." Even back in her original timeline, she could see into their lives. Always watching as the gods would. Vi's gaze found the woman again and nodded her confirmation. "It's why he and Gianna are intent sending the Weaver to my uncle's realm. His madness has consequences, Isabel."

"I try to be, honey. I try." It was a long road coming. Even when she was a child under her father's tutelage, Bel still had to fight for her father's approval. Then her purpose became marrying Colin, and at one point, it was what she wanted. Then everything went downhill, and she lost herself so severely that there was always a threat of relapse on the corner if she didn't have her safety nets to steer her straight. "I think I will always carry the guilt of being a catalyst for Azriel and Lust's split. It was never what I intended, and now they may never have the chance." It was a depressing thought. Bel turned to the boiling water, stirring in various ingredients to make a stronger draught before turning back to the witch. "Consequences that aren't just for Azriel, I know... it's how the Foxwoods operate– they will all go down together if they let it. I don't think your father or uncle will let her die. Not if it's not her time."

"Yes, multiple times in a variety of ways. I obviously would be one of your favorites second only to either Beau or Quinn."

Good, I would be so inclined denying anyone access again who may have clamored for your help in something so destructive to your progress. You've had a few patients come and go recently, one I noticed was Sloth. He looked...uncomfortably happy.

The people who have visited have only wished to have my listening ear; they know that the delicious guard dog that you are would have their ass if they crossed a line. I have– the number of pregnant women in the family has officially expanded by one, but your brother wasn't here to see me for my specialties. He... offered to help open a clinic. A gift that I would be an idiot to turn down.

And what about his other hundreds of children seeking revenge for their father after their golden son brother fucked them over? I am thinking about my survival, Bels-...okay, let's say that I'm not stupid for argument's sake, the worst will come for me no matter where I go logically speaking. But fine. I have a few loose ends to tie up and then I'm going before Henrik flays me.

There's a multitude of what-ifs, honey, and what-ifs that are not your problem if you would just listen to me. You'd better tie up those loose ends quickly. I do not want to have to bury you. I love you, Colin, I do, but I would risk breaking the timelines more to bring you back just so I can kill you myself if something happens to you.

I'm gay, Isabel, not blind. That's all anyone's repeating to me is taking care of myself. I got it, my safety's still a priority with a bitchy goddess.

I suppose I can add 'catnip to the gays' to my ever-expanding list of amazing qualities. Yes, your safety is a priority. Your brother will never forgive himself if something happens to you when he can't be here to help protect you.

He can die hiding for all I care. Oh, Isabel, you have a demon Prince wrapped around your fingers? That's hot, but I'll let you know if my boredom overtakes me and I'll crash at your place. Whatever it was that we were to each other, he's holding back and really not talking. Just stares like he's seeing a ghost or something. Anyway, even if I do find Finnian attractive, getting involved with the coven leader in any capacity sounds messy, Bel. My father would find some way using this against me.

I don't wish death on a lot of people, but he's an exception. I've healed too many of you that were hurt by his hands to not want to see him snuffed from existence entirely. It is pretty hot, but it also came at the price of almost having a severe mental breakdown to the point of no return. If your father has a First on his tail, he's not going to live long enough to use it against you unless you let the voice he put in your head control you from the grave. When he's dead, don't let him control you like that. You deserve better than him. You deserve a hot ass First if you want him.

Lust nodded his head multiple times as if attempting to convince himself that the Azriel he knew was still the same Azriel he loved. Whose soul he returned, whose company he kept when he really should not have tempted fate. The Prince leaned back further in his chair as his gaze followed the witch, knowing the brother that bottle of booze belonged to, yet not really caring where it came from. "It's as much as I'll ask from you, I swear, Bel." Lust reached for the glass and took a small sip before tipping it back again and draining every last drop. Alcohol scorched, yet, it did not hold the same effect on him as it did others. "That's the slight problem with his siblings, though, is exactly how far to save him?" Did it make a difference when he would pay the same price? "I know you'd fix him up like you always have. There's a possibility Az won't come back whole."

"I would change things if I could, and you wouldn't even have to ask for it." It was a fine line that she walked, carefully staying out of the drama while managing the fallout. The Foxwoods were uncontrollable to a fault, but it was their endearing quality as much as it was their most frustrating. The witch didn't hesitate to refill Lust's glass before sitting at his side, laying her head on his shoulder. "We both know how far they would go, honey. Murder and mutiny if people stand in their way." The more frustrating quality, but... it wasn't her problem. She slowly turned the glass in her hands, straightening up so she could look her brother in the eyes. "It's a high possibility, but if it's something that I can't reach, then I will find every damn specialist to fix him."

He has a secret shrine hidden in his closet somewhere. You're anything but chopped liver, but I doubt your little Princely Pride will appreciate a new houseguest. All right, I guess? The new coven leader actually paid me a visit, you know, First Heir looking to locate my dad. I got this weird vibe from him like...fuck, like maybe he knew me more than he let on. He wasn't bad-looking to look at either, I'll admit.

It's probably in whatever hellhole he's decided to hide in. Don't tell Pride that I said this, but technically right now I'm calling the shots, and all I have to do is bat my eyelashes. So, if you get bored with living on your own, just let me know. The Heir probably does know you more than you let on, honey, but even I know he's more than not bad-looking, and I haven't met him. I might have beef with the First family, save for a few, but their genes are impeccable.

"Beau's not the only sibling who can bestow fucking adorable nicknames on her loved ones. I am the far more entertaining of those in your life, Godmummy."

"I hope your version of me has expressed how much she loves you and your family, because you're already one of my favorites."

No one ran a tighter ship than you did wearing tighter dresses that actually were a little flattering on your frame. She's cooking and she's cooking when the time's right much to Hartley's dismay.

I always knew you had a little tiny straight bone in your body for me, Kai. A goddess of chaos that's cooking anything up is not a good thing, I don't have to tell you twice to take care of yourself.

I really hope no one has approached you to help majorly in this war, my love, and they may find themselves hosting a problem directly from me.

No, my Prince in shining armor, no one has dared to ask me for help. I just know that there's war on the horizon, and I'm the best damn healer there is currently, so I can't just sit around and do nothing.

What corner of the world would Henrik not possibly sniff me out and karate-chop my head off anyway? We aren't opening the debate whether Mikki cares about me regardless, Bel, I would want to take him with me if running was my only option. It sounds stupid and pathetic, but I can't live without knowing he's safe.

Henrik won't leave this city alive, Colin, and he won't have time to chase him if you leave when you have the chance. I need you to think about your survival, and staying in this goddamn place is going to make sure the worst comes for you. Running is your only option. You're not being pathetic, but you are being fucking stupid.

I used to take them a long time ago, but the amount no longer works, so maybe a little. You mean Azriel Delacroix. Visions of him scream just as loud as the goddess. The painful unraveling is spinning faster and faster with each passing moment. Good things remembered become bad. Yet, bad is good for him.

"Alright, so baby elephant sleeping draughts it is– I'll whip you up a few," Isabel responded lightly as she turned to grab some ingredients, motioning for the girl to sit while she brought a pot to boil. The witch's brow rose the more that the other witch spoke. "I was talking about him... I had to drug the shit out of him a while back." Not her proudest moment. Bel crossed her arms, mulling over Violet's words. "Kai told me a little about the situation with his brother, but it sounds like there's a lot more collateral than people are thinking."

A real father of the year. What, and go stay at another house I'll feel alone in with friends I don't have? This place is actually quiet when he isn't hurling insults at me.

I'm surprised that he hasn't built a monument to himself with the title. What am I, chopped liver? I get it, though– probably feels like a vacation. Has the coven been treating you okay?

"You know what they say, speak of the devil and he appears. Or in Envy's case, the devil's son." Mabel grinned, whipping up another quick drink with a wave of her hand, setting the glass in front of Isabel. "I cross my heart and hope to die I won't let you get too sloshed so it does not worry your Prince."

"I've had enough of any form of devil, sons or no, popping up in my life, that we'll just have to nip that thought in the bud." Isabel wrapped her hand around the glass, lifting it in a cheer. "You'd better keep your word, girly-pop. Hell hath no fury like me scorned– or a Pride guard dog." She took a sip of the drink before waving a hand in Mabel's direction. "You might as well spill on what has you so stressed. If it's anything more than the goddess-slash-vampire team-up– that I'm well aware of."

When we are alone with our thoughts for a period, Miss Bishop, the only thing we can do is self-reflect and humble ourselves. I realized that my stubbornness and lack of action when I'm meant to help as a god led certain events into fruition. You had every reason staying away after the ordeal with Angelus and I'd have done the same as Pride if Jade were in your shoes. And in case you were wondering, I haven't been possessed.

Well, you aren't wrong in that thought. I'm glad you've finally understood that. My leaving wasn't abandoning anyone or anything; it was to keep myself alive. You also know that this means I won't allow myself to get dragged into any more messes that require me to put my health and sanity on the line. I will help as a healer, but I cannot step in to corral every single person onto the straight and narrow and away from making bad choices like last time. It's a good thing you're not possessed, because I honestly don't know what I would do hearing about another person potentially harboring a shit-eating alter-ego. In your case, a nice, apologizing alter-ego.