Some hours pass by and the day slowly turns to night, Alcina and you picked your books up again but you remain sitting on her lap while she gently runs her fingers through your hair, a habit of hers that you've grown to like a lot.
There is just something so comforting about it and the tenderness of her touch makes you feel warm inside.
It is almost just too odd to you that she is the same woman who has no problems with murdering her maidens to make literal wine out of them.
And just as the thought passes your mind, Alcina puts her book down and catches your attention, causing you to look up to her.
,,Would you mind pouring me another glass?", she asks and you place your book aside as well.
,,Of course not", you say as you climb from her lap and grab the bottle.
,,Mother?".
Cassandra's voice comes from the other side of the door, just after you filled the rest of the wine into the glass and you place the empty bottle back on the nightstand while Alcina calls her daughter in.
,,I was in the basement with Daniela earlier", the dark haired girls starts and clears her throat ,,One of the maidens didn't make it through the night and the other two are growing weaker by the day".
,,Are you sure?", Alcina raises her eyebrows and Cassandra nods.
,,Bela is currently in the kitchen to… Drain the last of her, yes", she says ,,She suggested to give the other two some rest for a few days, but I wanted to talk to you about it first".
,,I don't think that that is possible", Alcina mumbles and you sit in silence, watching their conversation in worry.
You don't even know what she needs the blood for, you are just aware that something might happen to her when she doesn't receive any.
,,We'll just have to hope for the best and continue draining them", Alcina sighs ,,If they die then we'll have to see what to do".
,,Of course, mother", Cassandra nods ,,I'll tell Bela that".
,,Good",Alcina lets out another deep breath and you look at her while the dark haired girl leaves the room again.
Then you reach over to hand her the glass, a thought crosses your mind and you bite your tongue.
,,You know, if things happen to get really bad… You can take some of my blood", you say quietly and she turns to you, a suprised expression in her eyes.
,,Are you sure?", she asks and places a hand on your cheek ,,You don't have to-".
,,But I want to", you interrupt her and Alcina stares at you a moment, her gaze suddenly turning soft and she shakes her head slowly.
,,I don't think you know how much that means to me", she whispers, resting her forehead on top of yours and you feel a wide smile growing on your lips ,,How much you mean to me".
,,I mean, I owe my life to you, in a way", you reply softly. And you're right, who knows who you would be without her?
She took you in, gave you a home and comfort, and now you fall asleep every night, lying in her arms and listening to her heartbeat.
,,Seems like we complete each other, hm?", a smile sounds in Alcinas voice and you lie your arms around her neck, giving her a small nod.
'You truly complete me', you think as she captures your lips with hers and she stops you from voicing your thoughts, yet you definitely won't complain about that.
Two days later the ringing of the telephone interrupts you just as you leave Alcinas bathroom where you exchanged the woman's towels and since the woman is currently not available, she is in the cellar with Cassandra, you pick up the call.
Alcinas wounds had been healing perfectly fine and she is in a good condition again, much to your relief.
Bringing the phone up to your ear surely is a bit nerve-wracking at first, taking in perspective that it could be Miranda, but the second you hear Donna's soft voice your lip curls into a smile and you lean back against the dresser, feeling relaxed again.
,,Hi Donna. Is everything okay?", you ask her and can make out Angie babbling in the background, as always.
,,Oh, Y/N. It's you again. Everything's fine, yes", she says ,,Winters did indeed leave, but I'm not sure where he went and I thought maybe he came back to the castle, did he?".
,,Nope, he did not", you reply with furrowed eyebrows ,,You don't happen to have heard something from… What's his name again… Heisenberg? Or Moreau?".
,,No…", Donna sounds a bit hesitant ,,Should I? Did they say something to Alcina about calling me?".
,,They haven't, I just thought that… Maybe Ethan went to find them next, you know?", you say and hear her gasping quietly.
,,You are right. I hope nothing has happened to them", she sighs audibly and you crook an eyebrow, about to ask what she is thinking when she continues: ,,I haven't heard anything from mother either. Do you… Do you think she is mad with me?".
Your heart sinks a little in your chest and you bite your tongue lightly, taking a second to think about what you should say.
Miranda surely is not fond of the flask being with Ethan now as well and there probably will be consequences, sooner or later.
,,Don't worry about her. She should understand that your safety is from great importance", you say softly and quietly tap onto the surface of the dresser with your finger ,,If she is mad, you shouldn't worry about it. You did the right thing".
,,You think so?", Donna replies quietly and you nod, forgetting for a second that she can't see you.
,,Definitely".
,,I hope you're right", she mumbles ,,Everything's worrying to me lately, if I'm honest. I don't want to disappoint mother, she did so much for me...".
,,And she will understand", you say, adding 'hopefully' in your head.
,,You think? She hasn't visited in some time...", Donna says ,,I haven't had any company ever since Heisenberg monsters overran the city".
,,I'm sorry", you sigh ,,I wish I could do something about that".
,,It's okay. I'm happy that you're talking to me, Y/N". Is that a smile sounding in Donna's voice?
,,When all of this is over, we should have a tea party again. With Daniela, Bela and Cassandra", Donna continues in excitement.
,,And me!", you can hear Angie shout, followed by a light giggle from Donna.
,,And you, yes".
,,I'd love that", you say, smiling widely.
,,Great! Now we only have to wait and hope for the best". Hearing the woman that cheerful truly adds to your mood, there just is something almost contagious about her happiness.
,,But, uh, I probably should get going. The bad man broke some of my dolls and I need to fix them", Donna then says and sighs ,,Sorry. I'd like to chat longer".
,,It's okay. I'm happy you called", you reply softly ,,And I'm glad you're okay. Just call again whenever you have time. I don't really have that much to do".
,,I will. Thank you for taking time for me", Donna giggles ,,And Angie's says hi".
,,Hi back", you let out a laugh as well when you hear Angie snickering in the background and shake your head ,,Good bye, Donna".
,,Bye, Y/N".
You put the phone down and stare into the void for a moment, your smile fading away slowly as you think about what Donna said and you are not sure if you should be sad or angry.
Miranda does nothing but neglect her children, knowing damn well that someone like Donna depends on her and then making her face a person who would have killed her without a second thought.
You walk over to Alcinas bed and sit down on it slowly, twirling the fabric of your dress between your fingers.
If there only could be a way out for all of them, a way out of Miranda's cold, loveless grasp.
You're not sure how she is with Heisenberg or Moreau, yet you're quite sure that she treats the men the same way. She only has one person in mind: herself. And that project of hers.
Now you can make out steps on the corridor and you instantly recognize them as Alcinas, so you tilt your head toward the door and a second later she enters, bending down as usual to fit through the doorframe.
,,Hi", you say quietly and Alcina raises her head, fixing her hat with a smile which fades away within a second when she notices the expression on your face.
,,Love, what happened?", she asks.
,,Donna called", you say as the woman approaches you and she crooks an eyebrow.
,,How is she?".
,,She's okay. But…", you let out a little sigh and Alcina kneels on the floor in front of you, gently cupping your chin when she is face to face with you and giving you an attentive look.
,,She's worried. About Miranda", you say and something in Alcinas facial expression changes immediately ,,And she also said that she misses having some company. So… I thought that maybe we could let her stay in the castle with us…?".
There is a short silence between Alcina and you and for a second you regret speaking out the question. It is dangerous outside, afterall and she surely wouldn't want to put anyone else into danger after everything that happened.
,,That is a good idea", she then says to your surprise and her lips curl upwards just a little ,,Bela, Cassandra and Daniela will be happy to have their aunt around again. I am sure they won't mind picking her up either. Why don't you go and tell them to do that and I will inform Donna?".
,,Won't it be dangerous for them?", you ask slowly and Alcina chuckles.
,,I don't think so. My daughter's didn't have the chance to play around a little for some time now", she says as she gets up from the floor and walks over to the phone ,,You know where to find Daniela, love. Then you can bring me a glass of wine on your way back".
,,Bossing me around again, I see", you say jokingly and Alcina throws a glance over her shoulder, smiling lightly.
,,You're still my maid, darling".
,,I didn't forget", you slide from the edge of the bed until both of your feet meet the floor and laugh ,,Do you need anything else?".
,,Yes. You back here, as quick as possible", Alcina sends you a wink and you turn away from her quickly, a slight blush creeping over your cheeks and you clear your throat.
,,Then I'd better get going", you mumble and her laugh follows you into the corridor, until the door falls close and you walk along the corridor with hurried steps to find Daniela.
(A/N: I know the last chapters were a bit short, so is this one, but that's because something big might happen within the next ones... I won't spoil too much, but let's just say that some good and bad truths will be revealed :) )