A/N: Thank you so much to everyone who has reviewed. I hope you enjoy this chapter :3
Ethan pushes the stunned form of Sofia away from him, protecting her even as he raises his forearm instinctively to block the blow. Pain lances through his body as wicked claws slash easily through his coat, shirt and flesh, blood dripping free and Ethan shouts as a large clawed paw lifts and pins him easily against the wall, long tongue licking out to lap at the blood running freely down Ethan's forearm as he struggles against the strong grip.
"Delicious." Heisenberg chuckles, snarling as he leans in teeth aimed towards his jugular, only to yelp as he is suddenly wrenched back by his scruff and hurled back down the hallway.
Ethan drops heavily to the floor, groaning as he clutches his right side, certain his ribs are bruised, dark eyes squinting through the pain as he pants, surprised to see a whirl of black and red fabric as Lady Dimitrescu stands protectively over him.
"Come now sister!" Heisenberg snarls as he shakes himself off, growling menacingly. "Don't be selfish, share your sweet little blood bag with me."
"I will give you this warning only once, brother - don't touch him." Lady Dimitrescu snarls, her lips pulling back as she bares her teeth threateningly, her jaw elongating; sharp teeth filling her mouth as her claws lengthen and thicken.
Holy shit
"I don't take orders from you!" Heisenberg howls with rage as he flies towards them, meaty paw raised to likely bat his sister aside and finish Ethan off.
Ethan scrambles to his feet, realising Lady Dimitrescu has given him time to escape - time that is rapidly running out as the wolf-man draws nearer.
CRACK
Ethan's mouth drops open with bewilderment as Lady Dimitrescu backhands her brother savagely, sending him through the heavy oak of the bannister, her vocal cords contorting with a roar of protective fury, the fine hairs on the back of his neck raising instinctively at the sound. Heisenberg's claws catch upon the wood as he hauls himself back up, snarling as he now flings himself at his sister. The two siblings fighting fiercely as they roll, Lady Dimitrescu slamming her brother's head against the hardwood floors, the creak of them awful to behold as she pins him down and screams in his face, Heisenberg clawing at her arms, blood running free from the torn fabric of her dress.
"Go!" She shouts at Ethan, golden eyes pleading as they lock with his dark ones, even as he hesitates, unwilling to leave her at the mercy of that beast. "Sofia! Get him out of here!"
"Yes Mother!" The redhead replies as she scruffs Ethan by his jacket, her other clawed hand reaching out to grasp his least injured arm as she drags him down the hallway, Ethan struggling mightily as he sees the wolf-man viciously strike Lady Dimitrescu in the jaw, knocking her off him as he follows up with teeth and claws, the Lady snarling, blood running free from her nose as she strikes him in kind.
"Stop! Let me go!" Ethan demands, heart hammering in his chest as he fights against Sofia's otherworldly strength, determined to go back and help her.
"Mother can handle herself! She's made her choice to save you, Mr Winters, don't put yourself in harm's way now!" Sofia shouts back, hurrying down the hallway as she leads him away from the horrible sounds of inhuman roaring and furniture breaking.
"What's happening?" Daniela shouts as she and Berenice appear in clouds of insects - Ethan's hackles immediately rising as he sees neither hide nor hair of Rosemary.
"Mother and Uncle are fighting." Sofia pants as she maintains focus, not loosening her hold on him for a minute.
"What why?" The blonde girl asks as she follows after her red-haired sister
"Uncle wanted to eat Mr Winters, Mother stopped him," She explains simply, golden eyes locking with Ethan's. "Neither of them are holding back and Mother is already hurt - you need to stop them."
"This is all your fault!" Berenice barks at him before she runs down the hallway they just came down, Daniela hurrying after her.
Ethan, unable to disagree - the sight of the Lady hurt yet fighting her own flesh and blood for his life etched into his mind's eye.
Why would she save him?
They walk for what feels like forever, Ethan wheezing as the pain in his ribs blossoms, burning in his chest as he holds his side with one arm - definitely bruised.
Sofia finally stops and opens a door - a bedroom Ethan realises as Sofia deposits him on a large canopied bed, the golden and cream sheets wonderfully soft and soothing against his bruised flesh.
"You'll be safe here," Sofia promises. "Uncle wouldn't dare come here. Just stay here and rest, I'll send a servant to tend to you - my sisters will need help."
"Wait." Ethan grits out, hissing in pain.
"Rest, Mr Winters, Mother will be here soon enough." She says gently as she pets his hair back from his hairline and removes his shoes for him before tucking him into bed.
She is gone before he can muster another protest, the pain causing him to black out occasionally; vague memories of Sofia and a little opaque vial, a servant with curious eyes helping him change his clothes, cleaning his wounds using gauze and a foul smelling alcohol from a sort of first aid kit she brought with her and finally binding an ice pack of some sort over his ribs while he waits for the only person he really wants to see, dark eyes running over the breathtakingly beautiful mural meticulously carved and painted on the vaulted ceiling.
Ethan perks up, sitting up against the intricately patterned headboard when the heavy dark oak door is flung open once more, his heart in his throat - fluttering like a hummingbird's wings when he finally sees Lady Dimitrescu. Gone is her casual elegance as she madly half crawls, half stumbles into the room; dishevelled and bloody as she swiftly crosses to his side, hastily removing and discarding her leather gloves on the floor as she goes, uncaring where they fall as her red rimmed golden eyes lock with his hazy dark ones and she cradles his face with the utmost gentleness. Ethan's chest aches in a different kind of agony as he drowns in those golden pools, the tenderness and grief, he can now see she is so close, distressing even as he reaches out to hold her hand in his, pressing a warm kiss to her knuckles.
"I'm alright." He murmurs reassuringly, squeezing her pale hand in his, lips brushing tender little kisses over the digits as the pad of her thumb sweeps in a soothing arc over his cheek.
"You most assuredly are not, my dear." She whispers, leaning in to kiss him sweetly on the forehead, her lips trembling against his skin as a few clear drops fall onto the sheets between them and she pulls back.
"Neither are you," He shoots back, his free hand lifting to wipe a bead of blood free of her cheek, the blood diluted to a pale red by her tears. "It's my fault you got hurt."
"You couldn't have known we were coming," She says, her expression clear that she wrongly believes it to be her fault as she peppers more kisses over his face, tongue carefully licking against the little cuts dotting his skin. "I wasn't thinking, I assumed you'd be in the library."
"I was picking flowers with Sofia." He says, smiling gently as she looks at him with surprise, mopping up the blood under her nose with his sleeve.
"Really?"
"Yeah, you're going to be busy with all the flowers she picked out, she's quite excited for Rosemary to have a flower crown of her own." He explains, leaning into her warm touch.
"Oh, of course, I promised her I would when the snow melted." She explains, expression warm and gentle as she kisses the top of his blonde head, a soothing purr rumbling in her chest.
"I'm sure it will be beautiful," Ethan replies, leaning against her shoulder when the blood stiffened material scratches against his cheek and he pulls back, fingers lifting to gently trail over the scratches on the tops of her shoulders and the bruise that is blossoming over her collarbone. "Someone will need to take a look at these." He says, not willing to make her uncomfortable by suggesting himself after all she has done for him.
"Could you?" She asks him then, golden eyes wide and sincere.
"You wouldn't prefer a woman?" He asks, gently pressing a warm kiss to the bruise.
"My daughters would be traumatised, they are still so young and the servants would probably relish the opportunity to hurt me." She explains, pressing a gentle kiss to his lips. "I trust you."
Ethan's heart both flutters and feels heavy with the responsibility of her words as he kisses her back sweetly, nodding his head slightly as he parts from her to speak. "Alright, how does this come off?"
"There are buttons all along the back." Lady Dimitrescu says as she turns in his arms to allow him access to the small black pearl buttons, his fingers shaking a little as he undoes them - truly he hadn't imagined the first time he would take off her clothes to be this scenario. The fabric parts easily as he carefully lifts it from her back, Lady Dimitrescu hissing as it sticks in some places due to her dried blood.
"Sorry." He whispers sympathetically as pulls the fabric down her arms as best he can without touching the tacky skin of her back.
"It's okay." She murmurs in reassurance as she pulls her own arms free, Ethan able to see, even from behind her, the claw marks from her brother as she begins to run her tongue over them and he pulls the dress down so it pools at her hips.
Ethan unable to help staring as his wide eyes rake over the full expanse of her mostly bare back yet it is not lust that widens his eyes rather horror and a deep seeded fury that only builds the longer he looks. Her left side from her shoulder to her lacy black garter belt around her natural waist is a mottled mess of red and pink bruising, deep uniform lashes criss crossing over her shoulder blades to mid back on both sides, the worst ones still leaking beads of red blood the trails of which having dried in rivulets down to absorb into her garter belt.
"Who did this to you?" He demands, voice shaking in righteous anger - knowing this wasn't her brother, she was already like this before their confrontation.
"It doesn't matter." Lady Dimitrescu tries as she glances over her shoulder at him.
"It does matter, I'll kill them." He promises surprising himself at his fervour, realising he means it when her eyelashes flutter with surprise and she shuffles around to cup his face once more.
"You can't, my dear," She says, golden eyes glowing softly in their intensity as her thumb strokes over his lower lip, the rounded edge of her nail digging into his upper lip slightly. "It was a price I was willing to pay."
"What do you mean?" He asks her, fingers gently cupping her jaw, brushing against her diamond and pearl encrusted drop earrings.
"For the priests I killed and the sacrifice I ruined - Beneviento demanded compensation and Moreau supported him."
"So they beat you - and your brother allowed it?" Ethan asks the disgust clear in his voice as he looks at her, unable to fathom why she would be content with this.
"It is a small price to pay for our happiness, my darling," She murmurs gently, lips trailing sweet, convincing kisses over his lips, bare breasts flattening against his chest. "Our child can live and grow up happy, free from whatever evils they planned for her. Trust me - it's over."
Sighing, Ethan glances down watching the rise and fall of her chest, eyes catching on the golden insignia of her house upon her necklace and he concedes that there is nothing he can do for now, save to tend to her injuries as she has asked him to.
"Alright, I believe you but," He says, palms gently grasping her shoulders. "Lie down on your stomach, let's take a look at you."
Lady Dimitrescu does as he asks, lying down on her belly with her forearms crossed under her chin as she looks up at him, thick eyelashes fluttering as she closes her eyes.
Ethan brings the first aid kit onto the bed, opening it and lifting the gauze and the vial the servant had used on him out of the bag. He soaks the squares in the liquid and, as gently as possible begins to clean up her back, covering the cuts with dressings to help keep them clean as they heal, only hesitating when Lady Dimitrescu occasionally flinches and hisses in pain, relieved when he has finished and carefully places ice packs over the expanse of her back.
"How's that?" He asks as he settles onto his back to look at her, offering her one of the little green vials to ease the pain, Lady Dimitrescu drinking from it gratefully as she moves to cuddle up against him, her head pillowing on his good side's shoulder.
"Better, thank you, I'll have a bath in the morning - right now I just want to sleep." She murmurs quietly, golden eyes sliding shut as she sighs with contentment.
"I should go then, let you rest." He replies hesitantly, not wanting to leave her alone and vulnerable, shifting to get back up when he is halted by her palm sliding up his chest to press him back to the mattress.
"Stay," She says as her eyes open once more, pinning him down with the intensity in her gaze. "I need to be sure you're okay - that you are safe. Please." She begs him, her fingertips trailing over his cheek.
"Okay, I'll stay," He replies and settles back down next to her, carefully putting his arm around her and holding her protectively close as he pulls the sheets and blankets up over the pair of them. "Try and get some sleep, my Lady." He says as she nuzzles against him, a low and rumbling purr emanating from her chest as she cuddles close, fingernails clutching him to her possessively.
"Alcina." She corrects him quietly, the word whispered against his ear as she presses a warm kiss to his cheek.
"Beg pardon?" Ethan asks, brow furrowing in confusion as he strokes over her curls gently.
"I think the time for formality has come to a close, my dear; we are in a relationship, we are raising a child together and I am currently lying half naked next to you in bed. I would like for you to call me by my given name not my title." She says gently, pressing a kiss to the curve of his jaw.
"Only if you keep calling me Ethan." Is his reply, leaning in to kiss her properly, fingers combing through her hair as she smiles.
"Ethan it is then." She says with a gentle look in her eyes as she captures his lips in a warm kiss.
Ethan's eyes close of their own accord as he kisses her back keeping his motions soft and reverent, fingertips carding though her silken hair as he holds her close, heart pounding in his chest as he licks over her lower lip, relishing her mewling purr and he presses a series of loving kisses to her lips.
"I'm sorry, darling," Alcina says as she pulls back only to snuggle against his chest with a warm sigh and rumbling purr, shivering slightly. "I really am exhausted."
"Do you have a nightgown?" Ethan asks as he rubs her exposed upper arms carefully, concerned she would be too cold even with the blankets and his warmth.
She nods, gesturing to a chest of drawers. "They are kept in there, you can pick any of them." She sighs as she carefully shifts so he can get up.
Ethan gingerly makes his way over as he selects the softest one he puts his hands on, a cotton cornflower blue one with a modest neckline that shouldn't irritate any of her cuts. Making his way back to the bed, Ethan watches as Alcina sits up to strip herself of her remaining items; earrings and necklace unclasped and placed on the bedside table, her stockings unclipped from her garter belt as she rolls them carefully off her legs and drops them, the garter belt and her dress off the side of the bed.
"Arms up," He murmurs as he reaches her side once more, holding the nightgown out for her and Alcina smiles warmly at him as she lifts her arms above her head, allowing him to slip the nightgown over her. Ethan fastening the little cream pearl buttons at the front for her. "Do you want the makeup off too?" He says as he closes the last button.
"If it's not too much trouble, I keep everything on the vanity." She replies as he moves back towards it, picking up the wipes and moisturiser, returning to her side and perching on the edge of the bed as he cleans her face for her.
"Thank you, darling." Alcina says quietly as she leans in to kiss him, smiling as he hands her the moisturiser and she rubs it into her own skin.
"I'd be a lousy partner if I didn't make sure you were comfortable," He says with a warm smile as he climbs back into her embrace, breathing deep the comforting scent of her natural skin as they settle against the nest of pillows, Alcina curling up over his heart, fingers holding onto his shirt. "Goodnight Alcina."
"Goodnight Ethan." She murmurs and nuzzles her head under his chin, her breathing slowly evening out and turning shallow. Ethan watches over her as she goes slack in his arms, drinking another one of those vials, the pain in his ribs eventually easing as his arms protectively cradle her close, determined to keep her safe from anyone or anything while she sleeps.
"Enough Berenice, honestly this vendetta you have against Mr Winters has gone on too long." Sofia sighs, interrupting another one of her older sister's rants as the trio make their way back through the forest from the village after helping their furious and wounded uncle get home safely.
"Mother and Uncle are hurt because of that man, Sofia!" Berenice snaps back, swatting angrily at a tree, taking her anger out on something other than the servants for once, the wood exploding in a shower of splinters at the force of her temper tantrum.
"That's not true. Unlike you I actually was there - Uncle Heis started it and Mother just - defended what is hers." Sofia explains more calmly. "If you want to be angry at someone - be angry with our uncle, Mother was already hurt and he still fought against her."
"That filth isn't good enough for our mother, he should be chained up like the animal he is in the dungeons - not sleeping in Mother's bed!" Berenice growls, chest heaving with rage as she seethes.
"Technically animals often do sleep on their owner's beds." Sofia reminds her sister, smirking as Daniela smothers a laugh behind her palm, the youngest of the trio initially content to just watch the fight in front of her. "Besides, he's kind to Mother, a good dad to Rosie, what exactly is so bad about someone who looks at Mother like she's the sun and moon?"
"I agree with Sofia, Berenice, he's no threat to Mother and why shouldn't she enjoy his company for a while? She probably just likes having another adult to talk to who isn't Uncle Heis." Daniela says, skipping happily as she flits between the trees.
"You're both naive fools!" Berenice barks, shaking her head with disgust as she storms away, gauging deep claw marks in the trees as she does so.
"I'll go talk to her." Daniela sighs, eyes sliding shut with annoyance for a moment before she follows after Berenice. "Get her to calm down."
"Alright, I'll see you at home." Sofia replies as she makes her way back towards the castle, oblivious to the trouble her sister is brewing in her anger.
The days blur together in domestic bliss and before Ethan realises it a week has passed since the confrontation between siblings, a week since he had essentially moved into Alcina's bedroom, spending each night trading gentle kisses and cuddling with her. Ethan worried for whatever it was that had her clinging so tightly to him, unwilling to let him out of her sight for too long as paranoia gnawed away at her. Her golden eyes wary and protective as she watches over him all the more vigilantly, the intensity of it understandable to him, after all, she had warned him of how much more obsessed with eating him her brother would be if she said no, undoubtedly now that desire has worsened since she fought to protect him. Anger still burning bright within him as he thinks of the bruises and scratches her brother had left over her porcelain skin, Ethan ensuring each time he cleaned her wounds that he was meticulous in his care of her - yet still that question hangs over him, afraid as he is if he asks her that the blissful bubble they have been living in would burst and he would be kicked back to his own room - tail between his legs. But-
Why had she allowed him to stay so long?
In truth he doesn't want to leave her, a part of him he never thought would feel content ever again, now light and filled with joy each night Alcina takes his hand in hers with a gentle smile and glow to her golden eyes and she brings him back to her bedroom. Allowing him to get comfortable however he wishes.
Currently Alcina is still bathing, judging by the faint humming and splashing he can hear coming from her ensuite bathroom, Ethan taking the time to look over parts of the room he hasn't inspected yet. Fingertips trailing over the delicate looking vine mouldings carved into the pillars which support the vaulted ceiling, now he isn't delirious with pain Ethan is able to appreciate the artwork. He crosses over to her vanity, lifting all manner of bottles as he looks over them, recognising some of them from items Mia had used what feels like a lifetime ago now, these bottles and creams undoubtedly far more expensive than what she had used.
"Darling?"
Comes the call from the bathroom, Ethan perking up as he makes his way to the doorway, peeking his head inside and swallowing heavily as he looks to Alcina, sitting up in the large gold and cream bathtub; ebony curls heavy with water and slick against her head, perfect pale skin wet with the water, her breasts barely covered by the dwindling bubbles still left in the bathtub.
"Yes Alcina?" He asks, eventually tearing his gaze away from her skin and back to her face, having realised by now that she was completely at ease with being naked in front of him, meeting her amused golden eyes as she smiles gently at him.
"Do you want to have a bath before bed?" She asks him, red nails lightly tapping against the edge of the tub.
"Uh, yeah sure. I suppose I can - seeing the water is already there. Are you almost done?" He asks, surprised when she shakes her head.
"Not yet, why don't you join me?" Alcina replies, smiling warmly, even as she shivers in the wake of the draft he had inadvertently let in.
"Are you sure?" He asks, stepping into the bathroom, closing the door behind him and he makes his way over to stand by her side, his fingers reaching out to hold her hand in his, pressing a warm kiss to her pruning skin.
"I am, the water is still warm and I can wash your hair for you if you'd like." She offers.
Ethan nods, pressing another kiss to her fingers before letting her go, shedding his clothes with a comfort that can only come with cohabitation.
"Your ribs look much better," She says as he steps into the bath, shivering at the warmth of it as he settles between her legs, relaxing as her gentle hands begin to wash him, the loofah she uses tickling his skin as the soap leaves a trail of white bubbles over his skin and she wets his hair down. "Tilt your head back." She murmurs, guiding him to lie down in the bath, his head pillowing against her chest as she massages the rose scented shampoo into his scalp, nails scraping against him as she rinses his hair clean.
"I have a pretty great nurse." He smiles as he relaxes back, dark eyes slipping closed as Alcina hums a song to him gently while she rubs the matching conditioner into his hair. Ethan able to feel her smile as her damp lips press a soft kiss to his temple, her nose nuzzling him gently.
"Tit for tat is only fair, dearest." She says, fingers entwining gently with his as she cuddles him, her breath cooler in comparison to the bathwater, leaning gooseflesh in her wake yet Ethan relaxes further into her hold, only stirring when she rinses his hair clean and nudges his shoulder. "Time for bed."
Ethan nods as he carefully steps out of the bathtub, wrapping a towel hastily around his waist as the sloshing of water against marble tiles reaches his ears, grabbing the second one and holding it up for Alcina to take. Turning to look at her when she takes his hand in her's, leading him back into the bedroom, only letting him go to continue her nighttime routine by applying her moisturiser.
Ethan makes his way over to the massive bed, changing into his pyjamas and towelling his hair dry before turning down the covers of the bed, watching out of the corner of his eye as Alcina finishes her skin care routine. His eyes sweeping over the bare expanse of her back, glad to see that she is healing well, her wounds having sealed together perfectly with no signs of infection present as she pulls a cream coloured nightgown over her head.
"You're staring, my dear." Alcina says warmly as she brushes out her damp curls, running her blood red fingernails through her fringe, sweeping it back off her face and she smiles at him through the mirror.
"Sorry." Ethan replies sheepishly, walking over to her instead of loitering in some strange limbo, palms landing on her shoulders, rubbing them gently and kneading her warm muscles in a soothing massage.
"You're spoiling me," She murmurs, golden eyes heavy lidded as she carefully sets down her hairbrush, one hand reaching up to clasp his in hers gently. "All this attention will go to my head."
Ethan bends to press a warm kiss to the junction of her neck and shoulder, relishing her shiver as the coarse stubble on his chin scrapes over her soft skin. "You deserve nothing less." He says as he trails kisses up the side of her neck, one palm sliding up over her throat to tilt her jaw up and to the side to give him further access to her warm skin; more slow and sweet kisses dotted in a trail up her neck, the faint taste of her moisturiser lingering on his lips as he licks them. His breath hitching in his throat as her golden eyes meet his umber in the mirror, her pupils blown black and her breasts heaving with the force of her laboured breathing, his cock half hard as she moans quietly. The palm not cupping her jaw slipping down to clutch to her bicep, fingertips brushing against the swell of her breast, giving her the chance to push him away.
"You can touch me, please touch me." Alcina whimpers, Ethan groaning against her, growling as he kisses her pulse point possessively and he pulls her flush against him, pressing his hardening cock against her back.
"Alcina." He grits out as his palm cups her heavy breast firmly, thumb flicking over her nipple, stroking it to a peak as she mewls and squirms in her seat.
"I think perhaps we should go to bed." She replies huskily as she stands suddenly, his hands falling away from her tempting leagues of perfectly pale skin, as she smiles at him hungrily, clasping his hand in hers, leading him back to the four poster bed.
Alcina letting go of him only to gracefully climb onto the mattress, her golden eyes ravenous as he follows after her, settling in between her thighs as she lies back, her fingertips caressing his face as she kisses him hungrily, lips firm and incessant as she plunders his mouth, lips softly sucking and tongue lapping at his lower lip. Ethan groans as he clutches to her, biting down gently on her lower lip, eyebrows furrowing as he spreads her thighs wider around his hips, his knees flush against her backside as he presses reverent and warm kisses over her throat once more.
"Ethan." Alcina moans quietly, her hips bucking against his as he grinds his cock against her core, cursing the fabric of their clothes keeping them apart, her nails running through his hair and guiding his head further down to her heaving breasts. Ethan more than happy to oblige her as he peppers kisses over her exposed skin, palms slipping under the small of her back to arch her towards him when she spasms and gasps in agony, long legs drawing up instinctively and her knee smacking against his bruised ribs. Ethan lets out a deep groan of pain as he falls off her to the side, clutching his ribs as white hot pain starbursts over his side
"Fuck!" He grits out, eyebrows knitting together as he waits for the pain to subside, able to see through his half shut eyes as Alcina does much the same thing, breasts heaving as she pants.
"Are you alright?" She asks eventually, moving gingerly to check on him, her fingertips gliding carefully over the tender flesh, concern plain in her expression as her palm caresses his cheek gently.
"Yeah, guess I'm still tender there. Fuck, I-I didn't mean to hurt you." He says as the pain is replaced with mortification, shuffling forwards until he is close by her side once more.
"Perhaps, we should take this as a sign to wait - until we are both more suitably recovered," She replies, leaning in to nuzzle their noses together carefully, a tender purr rumbling in her chest. "As you said, we have all the time in the world."
Relief crashes firmly over him as Ethan brings her into his arms in a secure hug, careful not to touch her back or ribs as he brings her to him - kissing her gently, transferring those kisses to her hair as she tucks her head under his chin and places her palm against his chest.
"Can I ask you something?" He says as he lifts the blankets up to ensure she is warm, tucking them around her gently as she smiles against his chest.
"Of course."
Ethan swallows heavily, pulse picking up as his nerves grow. "Why did you save me from your brother?" Wincing as she stiffens against him. "I only ask because you said repeatedly that you couldn't and then - what changed?"
Alcina pulls back just enough to look him in the eyes, her fingers gentle as they trail along the slope of his cheekbone. "Everything changed." She whispers as she looks at him with a heartbreaking longing in her golden eyes.
Ethan's brow furrowing as he gazes down at her. "What do you mean? Please tell me." He asks imploringly, the roughened pads of his fingers tucking her loose curls behind the shell of her ear in a soothing motion meant to reassure her even as worry builds up - what else could have happened at the meeting?
Alcina sucks in a deep breath, shuddering as she exhales shakily, her wide golden eyes locking with his before she speaks. "I love you."
Ethan freezes in shock, umber eyes widening as he realises she is completely serious, the sincerity plain to see on her face and he sits up suddenly in the bed, heart hammering hard as his throat constricts and his jaw works uselessly. His frantic mind trying to string together a coherent thought as she kneels before him, one hand gently cupping his jaw, her warm, bare palm an anchor as she gently coaxes him to look at her - his dark eyes meeting her gold. He watches her face, utterly enraptured by the sight of her, vulnerable and trembling, her thumbs gently stroking his cheeks, wiping away tears he hadn't realised he cried.
"You don't have to say it," She murmurs lowly, shifting to be closer to him, blanket slipping off her shoulders, allowing her armour to fall away - her heart in his hands. "I don't need any grand declarations or displays, all I want is you - as much or as little as you are willing to give me. I know you came to this castle with your heart already filled with the love for another and what we do have I wouldn't trade for anything. You make me feel things I didn't think I could feel - I want to keep feeling them."
"Alcina, I-" He stutters out, finally able to speak, reaching out to bring her into his lap, leaning his forehead against hers as he holds her gently, pulse pounding in his throat, afraid to say the wrong thing and break the heart she has just given to him - to keep it safe and treasured regardless of what reassurances she may give.
She loves him
"Say it again please." He asks, umber eyes vulnerable as he looks into her warm gold, the fear surrounding his heart and constricting his chest lifting as she smiles beautifully; her eyes glittering, pale peach lips splitting and showing off perfect white teeth and her cheeks dimple attractively.
"I love you," She purrs, giggling sweetly as he pulls her to him - her arms looping around his neck as she straddles his lap, thighs warm against his hips while he presses a kiss to her collarbone. "I love you."
Ethan leans up to capture her lips in a warm kiss, pressing a series of them to her petal soft lips as she whispers her love between kisses, her breath warm and comforting against his lips as her nails comb soothingly through his blonde hair. "You're wonderful - far better than I deserve." He says eventually when they part, nuzzling their noses together and smiling as she purrs loudly.
"You're selling yourself short, my dear," Alcina whispers as she coaxes him back under the blankets, snuggling up against his chest once more as she presses a soothing kiss to his pulse point, tongue gently flicking over the artery. "You're healing well." She murmurs as she nuzzles her nose against his skin, breathing his scent in deep as her nails trail random swirls over his pectoral muscles. Ethan shivers as he captures her wandering hand to press a kiss to the back of her knuckles, rotating her wrist to press another to the underside of it, trailing a few more over her forearm.
"Comfy?" Ethan asks as he replaces her hand, still holding her firmly, arm tightening slightly around her waist as her thigh slips between his legs, his palm splaying over her hip as her eyelashes flutter closed, the naturally fluffy ends resting against her cheeks as she breathes deeply.
"Mhmm," She hums quietly, yawning and hiding her face against his chest. "Tired."
"Go to sleep then, I'll protect you," He promises, pressing a warm kiss to her forehead, heart fit to bursting with happiness as she continues to cuddle him, delighting in her continued desire to use him as her pillow, his fingers gently petting the hair over her temple, the pads of his fingers stroking over the shell of her ear in a way he knows she finds soothing. "I'll be right here when you wake up." He murmurs as her breathing evens out and her purr ceases to rumble in her chest as she falls asleep - hoping to prove to her that he is worthy of her protection, of her love, to not make her regret fighting her own kin on his behalf.