A/N: Henlo!
(This chapter was originally posted in May and I accidentally posted the most recent chapter before this one. This is the 10th chapter and Torn comes after this. Sorry if I made anyone confused, but idk how it happened.)
I'm sorry because I haven't posted in more than a month, but this quarantine is killing me. Idk why, but it just makes me go dumb. This might sound cheesy or weird, but someone very special helped me through my hard times, and thanks to her, I could write this chapter and the whole story, so I thought I should give her some credits because this incredible human being deserves it and that's the least I can do. Her influence on the storyline was actually much bigger than she'll ever admit, but together we worked on a great part of it, mostly the major things and characters like Jezebeth. Whenever I felt stuck, she helped me decide what should happen next. And when I spent too much time with writing, she reminded me to take a break and focus a little bit on myself and the things I should be doing instead. I could sit here until next week and write all the good stuff she has done for the story and for you, dear readers. So a huge thanks to my girl because without her, this story wouldn't exist! You're amazing (and a much bigger Frozen fan than I am)
As the sun began to shine brighter upon the clear blue sky, two women with lost dreams and broken believes found a tiny spark of hope within their shattered hearts, and for a brief moment, they both felt happiness spreading through their veins. For so long, there was only sorrow, depression, and anxiety, but now Elsa and Cassandra are both free from their never-ending prison. But something was still lingering deep inside their chests, the fear of what to do next. While they were in captivity, none of them expected ever to leave the place of haunting memories, and that made both women give up their dreams and plans of the future. They lost each other, their families, everyone, and everything they ever cared about or loved throughout their lives. And now, they are finally free to recover from the past and make new, joyful memories without being afraid.
But there was one problem, an enormous, fatal question demanding a quick answer. Thanks to Jezebeth's evil ministrations, the two women are missing their powers. It was almost like being cursed, but at the same time, they were glad to experience how it feels to be ordinary, average people. When a breeze came and roughly caressed Elsa and Cassandra's skin, a shiver ran down their spine, and goosebumps appeared on their skin. For the first time in their lives, they felt the coldness of the air and the raging hotness of the fireplace. They are finally free from their powers, but the relieving and new experience soon turned into annoyance. It was like they were missing something they never thought they needed until it was gone, taken by force.
Elsa and Cassandra had never spent a moment without their magic until Jezebeth unexpectedly took it from them, robbing them of who they truly are. "I'm serious, Elsa," Cassandra said as she paced back and forth in their room. With the help of the guards, the two women found themselves an acceptable place in an inn where they could prepare to go back to the capital. Their room wasn't big nor luxurious, but it was much better than staying in Jezebeth's cottage. Neither of them wanted to go back to that disturbing place if that wasn't necessary. But there were still many hidden secrets, and they needed answers. "We've spent our whole life living with our powers. It can't be that easy to get rid of them, and besides, as much as I like the idea of being normal, I want it back. We don't know how to live like this."
"But who defines what is normal?" Elsa asked, making Cassandra question her own sanity. Clearly, Elsa's mind wasn't the same as before, but Cass hoped she could recover from what happened to her. The Queen knew insanity too well. Her family was full of crazy people, especially on her father's side, and she wasn't an exception. After multiple times of being captured and tortured without any sign of mercy, there was no doubt Cassandra was at least a little insane. But Elsa was another story. The beautiful blonde spent thirteen years in her room, hidden from the outside world. She never had the childhood she deserved, and neither did Cassandra, and even though they are quite similar, Elsa has always been the more fragile one. She didn't know how it feels to be both physically and mentally tortured, meanwhile this is what Cass' whole life was about. Of course, it affected the blonde differently.
The older woman sighed and shook her head, her heart aching from seeing her lover like that. Elsa was sitting on the bed, her hair still a mess, but at least she finally had better clothes on, and she wasn't dirty anymore, just like the Queen herself. Even though she was different now, Cassandra still loved her. There's no way she would leave her, especially when they need each other the most. Together, they'll get through this, and Elsa will be her old self again, the person Cassandra loved the most. "You know what I meant."
"I do, but..." For a moment, Elsa didn't speak. She bit her lip and tried to think of what to say, but her tortured mind failed her because she couldn't believe what was happening to her. After two months, she was finally free, and she could decide for herself. But she wasn't sure of what she wanted. "When I was in my room most of my childhood..." Her heart ached as she tried to remember her painful childhood memories. "I always wanted to get rid of my powers and just be with my family again. No one can give me back what I've lost, but I just don't know. Is it possible for us to be normal? And most importantly, do we want to be normal?"
"I don't know, Elsa." Cassandra stopped walking, and she faced her lover to look into her magnificent blue eyes. As she gazed into them, she saw nothing but love. "Maybe we just need to think about it a little more. But if you really want to know..." She took a deep breath and collected her thoughts. For a person without magical abilities, it must be impossible to make spells and all kinds of hocus-pocus, and Cass knew that. And she also remembered Elsa's wish. A few months ago, she promised her to find a way to have kids, but it won't happen without her powers. Realizing it made Cassandra feel like she failed a promise, a personal and important one. "I think we should find a way to get back what's ours, and then we'll make the final decision. Right now, I just want to be with you again, to feel you close and make up for the lost time."
A small but sweet smile appeared on Elsa's face, and she immediately seemed healthier and happier too. "I'd like that."
"So, would you like to take a bath? Together." As much as it sounded like Cassandra wanted more than bathing, her intentions were as pure as they can be. She wanted nothing else than to hold Elsa in her arms and take her worries away. And what's more relaxing than a bath? Well, there's probably plenty of things, but that's the only one they can afford right now.
Elsa just continued to smile, a small, genuine gesture, then she nodded towards her beloved. "Of course, Cass." Then both her voice and smile turned playful. "But, are you sure you can prepare it?"
Slightly offended, Cassandra stuck out her tongue and disappeared in the bathroom. Even with a door dividing them, she could still hear a small giggle escaping Elsa's lips, and it brought a familiar warmth to her chest. When they arrived in their room, Cass tried to start a fire in the fireplace and shamefully failed. She tried everything she could, but obviously, it would have been much easier to use her powers. After minutes of suffering, when Cassandra finally succeeded, but she accidentally burned her finger, which was much painful than she had ever imagined. Luckily, Elsa was there to press a small kiss to where she hurt herself, and it immediately made her feel better.
The blonde patiently waited for her lover to emerge from the bathroom. Meanwhile, she wondered if Cass might need some help, and it made her giggle again, but eventually, Elsa decided not to interrupt the Queen of Ovrilon and fire starting. Then Cassandra finally showed up, still in her clothes. She smiled kindly, then extended an arm that Elsa gladly took as she stood up and walked closer to her. The fresh smell of soap filled Elsa's lungs, and she felt warmth spread through her entire body as Cassandra led her inside the bathroom. They both paused for a while beside the bathtub just to gaze into each other's eyes and get lost in the feeling of their lover's presence. Then Cassandra's hand moved up to rest against Elsa's cheek as she leaned down to press a tender, loving kiss against her lips. Their bodies met, and they both sighed from the sensation of beings so close, yet not close enough.
Elsa's thoughts raced as the same hand reached down to bury itself in her clothes. Soon, every piece of fabric fell from her body while Cassandra made sure to brush her finger against her skin, sending a shiver down the blonde's spine. It felt heavenly to be touched gently as the sensation continued to linger on her delicate flesh. And then, she felt Cass' lips inching closer to her neck, the Queen's hot breath tickling her. Cassandra's lips moved on their own as her mouth made contact with Elsa's skin and showered her with slow, open-mouthed kisses. Her breath quickened, and she closed her eyes, enjoying the sensation of the physical affection, and her arms slid behind Cassandra, holding onto her clothes for dear life.
But as Cass realized where things are going, she stopped all of her ministrations. She was no longer leaving kisses on her lover's skin, and their bodies weren't touching, leaving both women yearning for more. But no, not this time. Tonight there's only love because they are too broken to take things further. The next thing Elsa saw was Cassandra taking her own clothes off, revealing her still toned, but now thinner body. The blonde had seen her like that before when the warrior lost all of her memories, and just like then, she didn't look quite herself. But it never bothered Elsa. To her, Cassandra was the most attractive person in the world, and not only because of her looks. Her lover had the kindest heart even when she appeared to be distant or a little rough at times. Besides, with Elsa, Cassandra was like an oversized cat. A single touch could turn her into a soft, emotionally starved kitten.
Cassandra was the first one to climb inside the tub, seating herself at one end as she waited for Elsa to join her. She hissed as the steaming water made contact with her aching flesh, but it still felt like a blessing to her tired body. Slowly, Elsa climbed inside with her lover's help and sat down between Cass' legs, her back pressed against the Queen's bare chest. They stayed like this for a while, and only the gently sound of their breathing could be heard.
Then the raven-haired woman interrupted the quiet moment. "Elsa?" As she was relaxed and exhausted, the blonde only hummed. "Let me wash your back." Then she smiled and leaned forward. What she saw next wasn't what Cassandra expected.
Elsa's back was bruised and marked with a few scratches here and there, and it almost made her lover cry. Her shaking hand reached out to touch an injured area, and it immediately withdrew as she heard a painful hiss from Elsa. Shocked and not knowing what to do, she snaked her arms around the blonde's waist, bringing their bodies close once again. Feeling guilty, she whispered. "I'm sorry, Elsa." She blamed herself for what happened, their captivity, Elsa's pain, and everything they had lost. "I'm so sorry, my love."
A/N: I know, it wasn't my longest chapter, but I found it better to write two separate ones instead of combining this one with what comes next. Still, I hope you enjoyed it! If you did, please leave a review or write me a pm!