The Love of Lady Dimitrescu ((Completed))

Chapter Seventeen: Mother Dearest

In the morning Alcina wakes first. The predator in her rises before dawn to hunt her still slumbering prey. Or she used to. Now she lays blissfully happy with Catalena's sleeping form cuddled up to her body completely naked. Most nights Alcina is in her silk nightgown but sometimes she can be convinced to take it off for some naked cuddling or she's already undressed from, other things.

Catalena is soft and warm and absolutely adorable in her sleep. With her features free of emotion and the stress of conscious thought she is the face of elegance. Her thin lips are perfectly shaped and pale and pristine. Her hair is an utter mess. It seems that when Catalena is asleep it comes alive trying to tangle itself in everything possible.

But perhaps Alcina's favorite thing is when she has insomnia. Some nights sleep simply evades her albeit from growing pains or migraines or other things. Whenever there is any space between them no matter how slight Catalena will snuggle to fill the gap. If Alcina is particularly restless Catalena will wrap around her. The countess swears Catalena's magic works in her sleep to soothe whatever is restless in her and draw her down into slumber.

Eventually Catalena's eyes snap open as though she wakes to fright every morning. Months go by and this never changes. Alcina figures after centuries of living in fear that may be a permanent habit.

At breakfast the pair sit kitty corner to one another, assuming Catalena can walk. If not Alcina will have breakfast brought up to her while she takes stock of how many maids might or might not have gone missing.

Almost no matter what Alcina is doing Catalena will find a way to busy herself while remaining close. Although sometimes her lust gets the better of her and she winds up being the perfect distraction until Alcina's only thought is her.

On the rare occasion Alcina has to leave for business Catalena gathers the girls into one room so she can keep an eye on them. The countess' fear of losing them is infectious.

"Where is Daniela?"

Usually Daniela is the most eager for game nights or Catalena's storytelling. Whatever family nights are she's never been late.

Cassandra and Bela shrug. Cassandra thumbs, "While mother is gone Iulia is cuddling Quentin."

"Tha's fine," Catalena murmurs, "Stay here, I'm going to find your sister."

The castle is strangely quiet and several calls for maids go unanswered. Even when Catalena calls them by name, none respond. She starts her search in the servant's quarters.

All the beds are empty. This might not be concerning if they were a mess, but they're perfectly made. If things were amiss then it could very well be Daniela went on a hunting spree and scared the maids. Instead it looks as though they left in no hurry.

Then the worst possible thing occurs to Catalena. A cold wind creeps up her back.

Ghosting through the walls Catalena shrieks her fear, looking through every room until she finds a store room near the kitchen with the window wide open and Daniela almost completely frozen.

With her are three of the maids. One has a cut hand and the other two are attacking Daniela with a hammer and a knife, cutting and bludgeoning the girl slowly to death as bloody tears stream down from her eyes. At the sight of her the two who can see her freeze.

Catalena's hands shake with rage. She means to speak but instead all that comes out is a shriek that cripples all three women to their knees and to the ground with their hands clutching their ears. When they draw away blood stains their pains and blood drips from their eyes and noses. But this is only for a moment before Catalena slams the first girl into the wall and gouges out deep ravines of flesh with her nails.

The maid's scream of paint is cut short to a sickening gurgle. Catalena's sharp teeth have crushed her windpipe. Whirling around she lunges at the other two. One swipes at her with the knife and misses.

Amidst her attack something else gets Catalena's attention. Sniffling. Whimpers of pain that tug at her heart.

"It hurts," Daniela mewls, "I'm so cold."

Daniela takes priority. The mortals can die later. She leaves them unconscious and bound in another store room.

When she returns Catalena is carrying Daniela who is stiff like a corpse going into rigor mortis. Her sisters are mortified and Cassandra calls for Iulia to come downstairs. Her furry, long haired husband comes with her.

Sitting by the fire Catalena's magic causes the flames to burn hotter as she wraps Daniela in her arms and two thick blankets. She begins shivering and crying, clinging to Catalena's bloodstained dress.

"What happened?" Cassandra hisses.

"Doesn't matter. Do not go near the kitchen," Catalena growls, "I'll deal with them later, the miserable pox."

Impatient of waiting for Daniela to warm Catalena lifts her wrist to her mouth and sinks her own teeth into her arm. With so many of them so razor sharp it leaves a messy, very bloody wound that she then offers to Daniela.

"Drink it lass, you need to keep your strength up so you can heal."

Daniela looks at her in surprise, barely restrained hunger in her golden eyes.

"Go on, a mother feeds her children."

With permission she pounces, gripping Catalena's arm with both hands and lapping up the crimson like she's starving. Usually she'd bleed mortals pale before being satisfied. After a few long moments she draws back licking her lips while her eyelids flutter.

Iulia cleans Catalena's wound and bandages her arm. All four sisters fall asleep nestled around Catalena, Daniela still in her arms and thawing slowly.

When Alcina arrives home in the early morning hours she is horrified to find the whole castle cold and dark.

"Daughters?"

Only her own echo answers back.

"Cassandra!"

Nothing.

Before Alcina begins frantically searching a ghostly soft glow like a fairy appears by her face. It nuzzles her cheek and somehow she knows this is Catalena. She follows it hoping with all her might that this little flickering light is not all that is left of her love.

In the library with the small hearth she finds all four daughters asleep in the light of the embers with her love sitting over them like a tigress. Catalena's eyes shine in the dark with dangerous intent. Only when she sees it's Alcina, her mate, does she relax.

"Hello love."

Alcina closes the door behind her, "Why is it so cold? What happened?" Seeing Daniela wrapped in blankets she really knows already but can't help herself.

"They're all fine, I made sure. The ones responsible are locked up in the store room tied like pigs. The other one is dead," Catalena murmurs.

Their eyes fall to the four sleeping faces. Catalena cards her fingers through Bela's hair and strokes Cassandra's cheek.

"They've lovely girls. Sweet as wolves. If I had children I'd want them just like this."

"Fortunate that you fell in love with them as well as myself because if the choice was between you and them."

There's no need to finish, Catalena knows Alcina wouldn't hesitate to do anything to keep her daughters safe. And at this point neither will she.