The Love of Lady Dimitrescu ((Completed))

Chapter Thirteen: The End of the Game

(( And I'm back. Maybe. I'm trying to function like a human being again, we'll see how it goes.))

Straddling Alcina's waist Catalena watches the countess' face intently. Her own lip is bitten but Alcina's eyes are lidded. It's not the same cause at all. Catalena's lust makes her want to grind her hips to her satisfaction against Alcina's thigh, but she forces that back down seeing the cuts and bruises dotting her body.

"I'll be back."

Watching Catalena dawn her dress again Alcina has to bite back a whine. Ladies do not whine. She would command Catalena to take the dress off again, but the fae woman is kissing her brow sweetly.

"I'll be right back, don't move."

In just a few minutes Catalena is walking through the door again. A little of Alcina's pride is hurt. She hoped that she'd gone for a bottle of wine, but instead there's a mortar and pestle in her hands along with a bucket of steaming water and several soft cloths.

"Something tells me this evening has taken a turn for the domestic," Alcina groans as she sits up. She smiles seeing Catalena fluff the pillows and stack them behind her back so she's propped up on them. Then, once again, the fae climbs into the bed.

Alcina slowly cards her fingers through Catalena's hair and strokes the space behind her ear. She cups her cheek tenderly, rubbing with her thumb, "Does it hurt?"

"Course not love, the spell's broken."

"I mean hiding who you are, what you look like. Does it hurt? Does it take effort?" Alcina murmurs.

For a few moments it's quiet as Catalena takes the washcloth and dips it in the hot water and dabs it over the oozing lacerations. Her dark eyes flick up and the corners of her smile tug up slightly. Mostly she's focused on Alcina's comfort.

"At one point it took thought, but it comes naturally to me now," Catalena replies, "Do ye like me better the other way?"

"I like both equally. I'm just as surprised as you are, I'll admit."

Catalena's smile spreads into a wide grin. She leans up to gently kiss the countess. Her lips are soft and insistent and Alcina melts against the small contact, chasing her lips when she sits back again. Catalena's giggle is shortly drowned out by Alcina's growl.

"Patience countess, I'd rather have you when you're at your best. Relax. Let me take care of ya," Catalena purrs, pushing her hand into the middle of Alcina's chest until she reclines fully.

"I've been very patient draga mea," Alcina growls.

The sound reverberates through Catalena's whole body. She growls back, leaning in close to Alcina's face, "Not tonight."

With her eyes she finds the worst of Alcina's wounds. She points with her dainty finger, "When this is gone, then I am all yours."

"I'll hold you to that."

Little by little Catalena slowly mops up each wound, then gently smears the same snotty, mottled green poultice she used for Bela. Granted she needs to make two more trips to finally cover all of Alcina's wounds. When she's finished that she finds a deep bruise on the corner of the countess' jaw.

"Mother Miranda did this, did she?"

"Please, don't attack her. I made that mistake already," Alcina murmurs, any trace of enjoyment temporarily gone from her features.

"Course not," Catalena murmurs, stroking Alcina's bruise until her hands turn pitch black. At the same time Alcina's skin returns to the familiar silky while porcelain, as though Catalena is absorbing the damage. Once it's gone she moves on to another.

"I haven't survived this long by laying down and taking what was given to me. Granted I'm useless in a face to face fight I am a master of rendering my opponent unable to stand."

One of Alcina's brows tick up accompanied by a smile.

Catalena rolls her eyes, "I break their minds. The mortals have only gotten easier to manipulate. Although those pesky Christians and Catholics are still around, somehow."

Alcina laughs. It's a spine chilling, silvery sound that is rarely heard without bloodshed. Catalena feels a pull at her heart. Joy. Pure, unadulterated delight spending time with another person.

"Miranda is already off kilter, and now that she has something to lose again she'd be even easier to break than the rest of them."

Gently Alcina takes Catalena's jaw in her hand. Rather than imposing more authority the woman nuzzles into her hand, turning her wrist to her lips and kissing reverently. Then nipping with a dangerous, dark look in her eyes.

"Do not bother mother Miranda in any fashion."

"Yes my lady."

Alcina sits up, "Give me your neck."

The way Catalena crawls up Alcina's body and perches with her shoulder and throat so invitingly exposed is no accident. Nor is the way Alcina's finger catches Catalena's breast instead of her shoulder. Each flashes the other a toothy, lidded grin before Alcina's teeth sink into Catalena's neck.