RAVENNA PIERCE

Chapter 10

"Where... did you go?" Ravenna asked as xorax came into the room, her voice barely audible.

Xorax approached her, his expression neutral. "I went in search of food," he replied, his voice firm. "Master ordered food be brought to you as soon as possible."

Ravenna's gaze drifted away,

After a short time, Xorvath arrived with a large, roasted animal. He dropped it onto a nearby table close to where Ravenna laid and departed without a word.

Xorax gestured, "Eat," he said, his voice firm. "You must regain your strength."

Ravenna slowly sat up, her movements weak and unsteady. She looked at the food, then back at Xorax, before beginning to eat. Xorax watched her, ensuring she consumed enough to sustain herself.

**********************************************,

Ravenna's eyes fluttered open after she fully regained her strength, her gaze locking onto Xorax's as she tried to sit up.

Xorax watched her with an unreadable expression, "You should not exert yourself," he said, his voice firm but not unkind. "You are still weak."

Ravenna's eyes narrowed, her mind racing.She had a limited amount of time to fulfill her quest.

"Xorax, How many....How many days have already passed?" Ravenna asked.

Xorax's expression changed.... why do you ask Ravenna?. "Well you have been here for seven days if I'm not mistaken, Ravenna," he replied.

Ravenna gasped, her mind racing with the calculations. She had 193 days left to fulfill her quest. It was a daunting task for her.

"Why did you ask that question?" Xorax asked,

Ravenna hesitated, unsure of how to respond.

"It's nothing," she said finally, her voice dismissive. "I just... lost track of time."

Ravenna sensed a flicker of skepticism behind his eyes. He seemed to know that she was hiding something, but he did not press the issue.

She knew that she had to be careful, that she could not reveal her true intentions to Xorax or anyone else apart from Lilith in the underworld. Not yet, at least.

speaking of which Xorax,.... how is Lilith? Ravenna asked. Has she been freed from the cell to face judgment?

"Lilith?" Xorax repeated,

Ravenna nodded, "Yes, Lilith. We were imprisoned together. I was wondering if she... if she was okay."

without responding, he stood up to leave the room, leaving Ravenna in awe.

#####################################,

The human world:,—––

************************,

"Dimitri, my son," his mother called out.

"Don't you think it's high time you stop bothering yourself about Ravenna's health. she hasn't improved for almost a week now, son." After all, you never loved her anyways she was just a bride I and your father arranged for you.

Dimitri's expression remained neutral, his eyes fixed on his mother. "You're right, Mother," he said finally. "I didn't choose Ravenna, and I don't have any feelings for her. She was just a convenient arrangement."

His mother nodded, approval in her eyes. "Exactly, Dimitri. And now that she's... incapacitated, it's time to move on.

"Dimitri, don't forget that your father's will is very clear. You must be married before you can have access to his wealth while he is still alive."

Dimitri's jaw clenched with the familiar frustration. He had heard this reminder countless times before.

"I know, Mother," Dimitri said finally, "I'm not likely to forget."

Dimitri. "You must secure a suitable marriage, I mean, you can pick another wife from one of Lucas's daughters. remember I'm very good friends with his wife Victoria."

He nodded curtly, Miranda, perhaps?

Dimitri's thoughts turned to Miranda, the youngest of the sisters. He had seen her at the wedding , and also at the hospital, She seemed like the kind of woman who would make a perfect society wife - elegant, refined, and well-bred.

"I suppose she could be a suitable substitute bride," Dimitri thought to himself.

After all, marriage was a business arrangement, not a romantic partnership.

She was the youngest of the sisters and the most suitable match.

Dimitri's thoughts were interrupted by his mother's voice. "We'll need to make arrangements for the wedding soon,"

"I'll go ahead and make arrangements with Lucas and his wife.

"Isn't that a bit premature, Mother?" Dimitri asked, a hint of hesitation in his voice. "Ravenna is still in the hospital, after all. And she's still... unresponsive."

"That's exactly why we need to move forward with the arrangements, Dimitri. We can't just sit around waiting for Ravenna to wake up. She may never recover, and even if she does, you'll likely be married to Miranda already..... anyways I think Ravenna is psycho. I mean, who stabs themselves on the day of their wedding? "She asked sarcastically."... "I shall make a call across.... "she concluded. before she picked up the phone and dialed a number, her eyes fixed on Dimitri as she waited for someone to answer. After a moment, a voice came on the line. her expression transformed into a warm smile.

"Lucas, dear," she said, her voice dripping with sweetness. "It's I, Natalia. I hope I'm not interrupting anything important."

There was a pause as Lucas responded,

"I'd love to have a little conversation with you and Victoria," Natalia said,

"Would you both be available to meet tomorrow afternoon?"

Another pause, and Natalia expression remained friendly.

"Excellent," she said. "I'll send a car for you both tomorrow at 2 o'clock. Looking forward to seeing you then."

Natalia hung up the phone, a satisfied smile spreading across her face.

"It's all set," she said, turning to Dimitri. "Lucas and Victoria will be here tomorrow at 2 o'clock."

"Mother, I still think this is too early," Dimitri said,

"Aren't you worried about what people will think?" he asked, "I mean, Ravenna is still in the hospital, and now you're arranging for me to marry Miranda.

Natalia's expression remained calm, "Let people think what they want, Dimitri," she said, her voice dismissive. "We're not going to let gossip and rumors dictate our actions. We're going to do what's best for this family, and that's final."

"And if that means making a few sacrifices and facing a little gossip, then so be it.

"Ravenna is still in the hospital, mother. And we don't even know if she's going to..."

Natalia's expression turned stern, her eyes flashing with a hint of warning. "Dimitri, we've already discussed this," she said, her voice firm. "Ravenna is no longer a viable option for you.

Dimitri's jaw clenched, his mind racing with objections. "But Mother, this was the exact same way you acted when you forced me to marry Ravenna.

Miranda is never going to agree to this," he said, "She despises me, and I don't blame her. After what happened with Ravenna..."

"That's enough, Dimitri," she spat, her voice cutting. "I've made up my mind, and I won't be swayed. You will marry Miranda, and that's final."

"You'll do as you're told and marry Miranda, and that's final."

"Get out," she ordered, "Leave my presence now."

Dimitri's knew better than to argue with his mother when she was in this mood. He turned and strode out of the room, the sound of the door slamming shut behind him echoing through the hallway.