The Bones of The Rabbit

Chapter 19

You felt Lady Dimitrescu gently touch the area around your eye, her cold fingers soothing the burning heat. "She hit you hard, but you're lucky she didn't break anything." She spoke softly, frowning at her daughter's actions. You gave a small laugh, smiling. "Don't go punishing her. She's had a rough time." You kept your playful tone, gently touching her hand. "She shouldn't take her aggressive out on you though, I can't have her breaking what's mine." Lady Dimitrescu kept her tone from going cold, disappointed in her daughter. "As long as she doesn't eat my pizza bagels, I don't mind. Then, it's war." You joked, turning your head and kissing her hand. "She could kick your ass." Lady Dimitrescu warned, kissing your cheek. "Oh I know."

Leaving the room to get a drink, there was a trail to Cassandra's room of crumbs and tiny pepperoni squares. Following them, that's where you caught Cassandra in the middle of her crime. All your pizza bagels, gone. You and Cassandra made eye contact, seeing the rage in her eyes. Almost like a reflex, Cassandra spat out the par-chewed pizza bagel and threw the first punch. Although she wobbled, she still had good aim. "Cassandra-" you couldn't finish your sentence as you tried to get up, feeling her weight pin you down. "I'll never forgive you!" She growled.

----

Cassandra aimed for your face again, her rage going from her jaw to her fists. You tried to stop her, but she kept throwing punches. She stared at you, hearing you whimper in pain and for mercy.

I need to teach you a lesson.

Cassandra threw another punch, then another. Your nose was bleeding, but she didn't care. She wanted you to feel her pain. It was only a matter of seconds when you caught her last strike, pushing her off and holding her fist. "You don't get to punish me." You croaked out. Cassandra, with the sleight of her hand, grabbed her sickle and pulled you into a hug. "I will punish you." She whispered, teeth bared in anger. "You replaced Moira, I can replace you too." Cassandra whispered, the alcohol on her breath hitting your face. "And you'll bear the mark of her death." Cassandra hissed.

You'll never forget.

---

You felt the pain of something sharp pushing into your right shoulder, digging down to your left hip. "You're disposable. I yearn for the day mother finally eats you, pathetic rabbit." Cassandra whispered, letting you fall to the floor. "You'll never be enough." Cassandra whispered, her words lingering in your head as you passed out from the pain and blood loss.

It was a few hours later that you found yourself in the infirmary of the castle based off the noise. You couldn't see and you couldn't smell. You could hear Bela and Daniela stirring and calling for Lady Dimitrescu with urgency in their voice.

You may hate me, Cassandra. But I'm not going to let you be punished for your rage.

Lady Dimitrescu pulled the bandages off your eyes, your vision blurry but you could see her. "Who did this to you?" She demanded. You could barely make out streaks of where tears fell. You licked your lips, thinking. "The lycan, the one that tends to sit at the table." You mustered out, subconsciously biting your mind for the lie. Behind Lady Dimitrescu, you could see Cassandra's eyes widen in shock at your lie. You could hear a threatening growl well up in Lady Dimitrescu's throat, then she clasped her hand around yours. "Would you like me to punish him?" She asked, her touch gentle.

"No. It's in his nature. He can't help it."