warning(s): Betrayal/Friendship betrayal, Kidnapping, Drugging (for the kidnapping)
requested by: SquishmallowEnjoyer2
reader uses she/her pronouns
Plot: Betrayal — shitty friend kidnaps reader. the reader escapes and tells the dimitrescus. Cassandra kills the, now ex, friend. (took a little liberation with this one and had cass and isa rescue the reader while she was trying to escape that's the main reason for the title too ❤️)
You smiled and stretched your arms over your head, the thought of meeting up with Jordan — your friend of eight years — after having not seen him since you started working at the castle filled you with excitement. So much so, that it caught the attention of lady Cassandra when she walked by. You glanced over when you heard her stop walking, sending her a confused head tilt when you noticed her staring at you.
"Just curious to know why you're so happy."
"Oh!" You giggled before returning to wiping down the table. "Your mother agreed to give me a half day so I can go visit an old friend. He's finally back in the village — he left to travel for a bit shortly after I started here."
"...Oh," Lady Cassandra breathed, making you glance at her again. "...Then I hope you have fun. Let one of us know when you return so we don't have to hunt you down."
"I will, my lady, I promise."
Two Hours Later
You hummed as you adjusted your jacket — now that autumn was here, the chill in the air was harsher, especially on the mountain. Before you left the castle, you made sure to tell Isa, the head maid, that you were leaving and when you were estimated to return. They, in turn, reminded you that they would look for you if you were late.
As you walked down the path, Isa's warning rang in your head — it's not the first time they've threatened a maid with that, you were no stranger to it too, but something about this time made you feel on edge. It was almost as if they knew something was going to happen. 'Don't think too much about it. Their sister is a bringer of madness, I'm sure she taught them a few things... Yeah, that's all it is.'
When you reached the village, the usual side glances and whispers reached your ears. Being the only person that didn't need mother Miranda convincing them to work for the castle, a lot of the villagers saw you as a traitor. Your face lit up when you saw Jordan — racing over to the man you saw as a younger brother.
"You're back!" You laughed as you hugged him, relaxing at the sound of his laughter. "We have a lot to catch up on."
"Yeah, we do!" He laughed before motioning to his house. "How about over some tea? I'm sure you're exhausted from the walk and work."
"I'd like that, yeah."
You followed him inside with a smile, listening as he told a story about his travels the moment we were inside. He continued speaking as he made the tea, motioning toward his table for you to take a seat at. You sat and listened attentively — having not heard him like this since you were teenagers — and made a mental note to ask him about the different species of flowers he encountered, wanting to know if there were any you could get from the Duke to surprise the ladies.
Isa had mentioned that they wanted to get new flowers in the castle, so it would save them trouble as well, meaning Hunter won't have to work overtime. 'I swear, those two work more than anyone else in the castle — it's hard to keep up with them, but they say I'm a huge help to them... Still, Isa's words were ominous.' You were brought out of your thoughts when Jordan sat down, placing your cup of tea in front of you.
"Whatcha thinkin' about?" He questioned with a smile before sipping his tea.
"Work," You laughed as you lifted your cup to your lips. "What kind?"
"Oh, uh, Jasmine — Green tea."
"I thought it smelled familiar."
The two of you laughed and talked until you finished your tea, and a sudden wave of dizziness washed over you when you stood up. Anxiety ran through your veins — causing your heart to race and your breathing to quicken. The words Jordan spoke were muffled in your brain, only further increasing your fear.
You leaned against the wall as he rushed to the kitchen — 'Probably to get me a glass of water... I felt fine earlier, what's happening?' Before you could think further, Jordan returned and helped you move to his couch. You let out a shaky sigh of relief once you sat down, your consciousness still fading despite your fighting it. 'At least Isa and Cass know something will have happened — there's no way I can return in time like this.'
Isa POV
I sighed as the clock ticked passed the time [Y/N] was supposed to arrive, the familiar buzzing of Cassandra reaching my ears as I stepped off of the ladder I was using to clean the windows. When her eyes landed on me with a look of pleading hope, I could barely bring myself to shake my head. 'Poor Cass,' I internally sighed as hatred quickly filled her eyes. 'Alcina won't be happy about this... I should look-.'
"CASSANDRA?!" I yelped when the door was flung open, the chill in the air getting a pained hiss from Cassandra before she was gone. "...Oh, your mother's gonna kill me..."
"Isa."
'Speak of the devil,' I groaned and glanced over my shoulder at her. "I'll go after her, don't worry. Just make sure someone has blankets for us when we get back... Cass will need them."
"Hurry. I have a bad feeling about this."
"You sensed it too then? I'll be as quick as I can — your daughter won't be out there for long."
I stepped into a shadow — the familiar step-like descent into the darkness coming like second nature to me. Once enveloped in darkness, I took a few steps to the northeast before the darkness faded, revealing a trembling Cassandra in the forest. She shot me a glance before pulling me toward her, an annoyed huff leaving her.
"Fine, if mother's going to send you with me, I'm going to use you as a heater."
"Whatever keeps us all alive," I grumbled as she tightened her hold on me. "Careful! I can still feel pain."
"She's in that cabin. I need you to-,"
"I'm dealing with any threat-,"
"Isa," I sighed at her commanding tone, holding my hands up in surrender. "Sometimes it is very difficult to work for this family."
"I'm telling my mother you said that," Cassandra grumbled before pulling me along. "Come on."
The cabin, for the most part, was empty. A table and two chairs, some food, and that was about it. Cassandra turned into her swarm before rushing to a door and flinging it open — prompting me to take off after her. My eyes landed on [Y/N] immediately. She was chained to a bed in a cell — trying to escape, it seemed. I made my way over to the cell as Cassandra attacked the man, her angry hisses causing [Y/N] to stir. I glanced back to make sure Cassandra was far enough away before melting the bars of the cell, shooting [Y/N] a smile when her eyes shifted to me.
Second Person POV
Your gaze landed on Isa the moment there was commotion in the room — the last you remembered being waking up to Jordan working on something — distracted. Relief flooded your body as Isa got closer. When the sounds you were hearing processed in your head, your eyes darted to the source — panic filling you when your eyes landed on lady Cassandra. 'There's no way Isa and the lady let her leave... Did she break out of the castle to find me? It would explain why Isa looks so on edge too... I thought she only tolerated me because Dani and I are friends.'
The struggling stopped the moment Isa melted the chains keeping you chained to the bed, making you thank them and lean on them for support as they helped you out of the cell — careful of any injuries you might have. Once you were out of the cell, Cassandra swarmed over to you and pulled you in for a kiss — shocking you and Isa in the process. Before you had the chance to return the kiss, she pulled away and shuddered, a quiet curse leaving her in the process.
"We need to head back," You whispered and grabbed her arm. "Now."
"I normally don't do this with more than one person, but I'll make an exception," Isa sighed and stretched before offering their arm. "Hold on tight. Close your eyes and don't open them until I say."
"What'll we see if we don't listen?"
"...The most gruesome and gut-wrenching deaths. Deaths that make even Mel sick to her stomach."
"...Oh," You whispered and grabbed their arm, shutting your eyes. "We're trusting you."
"Have I ever let you down?"
A rush of cold air swept over you — prompting Cassandra to move closer to you in search of warmth. The next moment, Isa was saying you could open your eyes again. Relief washed over you when the familiar warmth of the castle engulfed you — followed by a blanket a second later.
You nearly fell over when Daniela engulfed you in a hug, her muffled sob breaking your heart as you returned the hug. 'She was probably so worried that I ran away or something happened...' Your grip on her tightened until her mother cleared her throat, causing you to jump and break the hug, sending her a sheepish smile. She didn't mind you hugging her daughters — she knew about your feelings for Cassandra and how close you were with Daniela, so she didn't mind — she just had something she wanted to say first.
"Cassandra?" When her questioning tone was directed at her daughter, you sent the middle child a confused head tilt.
"I'd like to speak to [Y/N]," She managed out despite her intense shivering. "A-alone, please."
"You all heard her," Lady Dimitrescu hummed, sending you a warm smile before leading everyone to a different room. "Let's give them some space."
Once everyone was gone, Cassandra moved closer to you before wrapping her arms around your waist, burying her face into your neck in the process. You slowly wrapped your arms around her — everything finally processing and weighing heavily on your heart. Cassandra shifted the moment a silent tear slid down your cheek, her lips kissing away the tear.
"Let's go sit down," She whispered and grabbed your hand, concern swirling in her gold eyes. "I'm sure this is all finally hitting you?"
"Mhm," You managed to respond — albeit minimally, it was still a response.
Once sat down, Cassandra pulled you against her, letting you bury your face against hers. "Cry if you need to, I'll hold you until you feel safe again."
"Thank you," You whimpered out, tears falling freely after her sentence ended.
'I love you,' You silently sobbed against her, the urge to say those words surfacing — especially after such a scary experience. 'It's just three words...'
"I know you're still upset, but there's something I need to say — something I was afraid I'd never get the chance to say when I realized you weren't back."
"Wh-what is i-it?" You asked between hiccups, trying to calm down enough to focus on her words.
"I don't know when it happened... But I've fallen deeply in love with you. The thought of losing you... That's why I raced out of the castle. All I cared about was getting you back."
'Fuck it,' You thought before lifting your head, connecting your lips with Cassandra's — internally giggling at her squeak of surprise. 'Got you back, dummy.'