Revenge, and A Little Bit More

Chapter Ten: Thanatophobia

Alcina sat and watched Lilith sleep, the amount of blood she lost almost killed her. She ran her eyes over her body, littered with scars, and stopped over a new, pink scar over her ribs. Alcina frowned, looking at the different scars, wondering what the witch went through. She was satisfied with the good work Donna did, cleaning and stitching the massive wound.
"Alcina, stop worrying. She'll be fine." Donna said softly behind her. Alcina frowned at the comment and looked at Donna.
"How many times, do you think, can a heart break?" she almost growled.
"Alcina..."
"Enough. I'm not worried. I'll be in my study." she snapped. Something changed within Alcina. She might have fallen in love with a witch in a very short time, but when she saw Lilith collapse, her eyes rolling back in her head, scared her to death. She was not ready to deal with that kind of loss again. The lump in her throat grew as she made her way to the study. She was trying very hard not to cry, she had to stay strong for her daughters. Losing someone she loved scared her so much, that she'd rather push them away than to watch them die. She decided to focus on the wine business and her daughters only, even ignoring the threat from Miranda.
"Mother?" Cassandra walked into the study.
"Yes, my darling? Are you alright?" she asked, turning and smiling at the young woman.
"Yes, we're all fine. Bela asked me to come and call you. Lilith is awake." she said. Alcina's smile slowly faded away. Her heart told her to rush to Lilith's side. She wanted to. But decided against it.
"Thank you, draga mea. But I'm quite busy." she said sternly, turning back to her paperwork.
"But mother, I thought..."
"No, Cassandra. Make sure the maidens take proper care of the witch. Please, leave me be. I'll come and find you girls later." Cassandra's heart sank at the words 'the witch'. But her mother's tone made it clear that there will be no arguing.
"Of course, mother." she answered flatly and swarmed out of the room. Cassandra understood her mother. Not blaming her for how she felt. Losing someone you love, does something to a person. They break. Cassandra was walking with her head low, finally reaching Lilith's room.
"I think mother is broken." she said, her voice cracking from sadness. The others in the room looked at her whith understanding, except Lilith, who frowned deeply.

Weeks passed, and the tension in the castle was nerve wrecking to everyone. The animosity between Lilith and Alcina actually affected the others, leading to more fights and arguments. Donna and Angie had since then moved into Castle Dimitrescu, upon learning that Mother Miranda destroyed her home. Lilith recovered quickly and tried on numerous occasions to speak to Alcina. One gloomy, gray day, she managed to corner Alcina in the library, after days of Alcina successfully evading her. Alcina growled as she tried getting away, not in the mood for her antics.
"Would you stop?!" Lilith yelled, throwing her hands up in the air out of frustration.
"What do you want, mistress Blake? I am a very busy woman." she said, no hint of emotion in her voice.
"Blake? What? Wha-? Alcina, why are you acting like this? I thought we-"
"We what? Look. There is nothing. There was nothing. There will be nothing. You're just a silly little witch with a silly little crush. Now leave me be." she snapped harshly, shoving Lilith's smaller frame easily out of the way.
"And do refrain from calling me anything other than My Lady!" Lady Dimitrescu yelled and slammed the door shut behind her. When she turned a corner, she clutched at her chest, trying to stop the tears from escaping. She failed, the hot tears streaming down her face, so she ran to her bedroom, not about to let anyone see her break down. Lilith stood in the library, looking up at the massive stained glass window, different colors painted her face through the light of the sky outside. She wasn't mad, but eerily and deadly calm. She heard the door open, not bothered to turn around.
"Lilith? Are you alright?" Daniela came in, followed by her sisters.
"Oh fine. Beautiful day isn't it?" she said in a soft, calm voice. The girls looked at each other.
"Gorgeous. But we're not here to talk about the weather, idiot." Cassandra said.
"I'm fine, girls. Thank you. I think I'll just... Go to bed."
"But it's two in the afternoon? Why don't you come and hunt with us?" Bela suggested. The girls walked closer, knowing she loved hugs, trying to comfort her. But she pulled away from them quickly, almost as if she would burn to their touch.
"I'm sorry, girls. I'm not feeling well. I'll see you at dinner." she mumbled. The girls nodded as she left the library, not making eye contact with any of them. She headed upstairs. Since her bedroom was just opposite Lady Dimitrescu's, she could hear almost everything happening in there. She heard sniffing, but found herself not to care. Not even a little bit. She climbed onto her bed, and stared to the ceiling.