Lady Dimitrescu and Hekate's Follower

Chapter Thirteen: Είναι μακριά. (She Is Just Away)

Alcina couldn't cry anymore, she had no more tears left. They had all but dried up. She slowly walked up to the Dimitrescu mausoleum, carrying Melania in her arms, her long black hair waving in the breeze. Before she knew it, Alcina started singing to her lover.

"Stars shining bright above you,
Night breezes seem to whisper I love you.
Birds singing in the sycamore tree
Dream a little dream of me..

Say night-y night and kiss me,
Just hold me tight and tell me you miss me
While I'm alone and as blue as can be
Dream a little dream of me

Stars fading but I linger on dear,
Still craving your kiss
I'm longing to linger till dawn dear,
Just saying this....

Sweet dreams till sunbeams find you,
Sweet dreams that leave all worries behind you,
But in your dreams whatever they be,
Dream a little dream of me... "
(Doris Day - Dream a little Dream)

Absent-mindedly she pressed her middle and index finger on Melania's neck, looking for a pulse. Nothing. She knew she was dead, not exactly sure why she just did that. Alcina carefully placed Melania on an unoccupied marble table, slowly lighting all the candles in the room. Daniela, Bela and Karl brought jasmine flowers, Cassandra was still asleep in her room. They placed the flowers all around her body, surrounding her with white flowers. She looked like she was asleep. They each stood around the table, and silently paid their respects.

"I cannot say and I will not say,
That she is dead, she is just away.
With a cheery smile and a wave of a hand,
She wandered into unknown land,
And left us dreaming how very fair
It's needs must be, since she lingers there.
And you - oh you, who the wildest yearn,
From the old-time step and the glad return
Think of her fairing on, as dear
In the love of there, as the love of here.
Think of her still the same way, I say,
She is not dead, she is just away."
(A poem by James Whitcomb Riley)

Alcina recited a poem, barely able to contain her tears. She looked so beautiful in candle light, surrounded by flowers. Somehow tears started falling down her cheeks. Through her long life so far, she's seen many people die; very few she actually cared for. But seeing the life leave Melania's eyes, broke her. Almost as if she was her old self - cold, unloving and aggressive. But much worse this time. She took as seat next to the table, and sat there crying. Her two daughters gave her a hug, and Karl placed his hand on her shoulder.
"Please, leave me be." she said softly, the three of them exchanged worried glances. They said nothing.
"Please." she asked again, a frown forming between her eyebrows. She wasn't angry or annoyed. She was begging to be left alone. She wanted to mourn alone. They silently left her, not wanting to upset her any further. All alone in the mausoleum, surrounded by bodies, she takes Melania's hand and rests her head on her shoulder. Silent sobs accompanied her. With her eyes closed, her head down, she doesn't notice all the candles in the mausoleum blow out, all at once...

*************************************

A/N: Hang in there guys. The chapters will get longer again.

🖤🖤🖤