A/N: Big thank you to everyone who reviewed, each one brings a smile to my face and just encourages me in general. I'm so glad you're all enjoying it so far.
After the pinks and purples of the dawn have broken to give way to the light of the day, blanketing the castle's high spires in the warm golden glow of the sun and illuminating the once dark bedroom. Ethan grimaces his free hand coming up to cover his eyes as he awakens slowly, shifting and stretching as much as the warm weight of another body half draped over his own would allow. The quiet clinking of china that woke him swiftly forgotten as Ethan glances down, a content smile curving the corners of his lips as he looks down at Alcina's sleeping form. He carefully pets over her wild curls, hand sliding lower to run over the silken skin of her ribs and back, his fingertips catching on the silvery patch of knotted skin in between her ribs. He presses a gentle kiss to her forehead, a swell of protectiveness building up within his chest as his fingers tickle down the warm expanse of her back in a slow caress.
Alcina smiles in her sleep, her blood tipped fingernails flexing gently against the skin of his chest as she wriggles closer; her arm curling over his waist and her thigh hitching around his. Ethan shudders at the chill of the morning air as a breeze howls through the open windows, rustling the canopy with the force of it. Alcina whimpering and curling against him tighter, her nipples hardening and pressing against his side. Mind made up Ethan stealthily attempts to hook the heavy blankets they had kicked free of in the night with his fingertips. His cheeks heating up in a blush as his back stings, more blood weeping free and he takes note of the dried blood staining the cream sheets.
Embarrassed he swallows heavily as he looks at his lover properly; her pretty pink lips dyed a dull red from the remains of his blood clinging to her mouth and chin, a splattering of droplets painting her collarbone before transforming into swirls and streaks over her breasts. His cock twitches as he remembers just how his blood came to settle that way on her skin, the way she looked at him while they made love; the intensity in her golden eyes burning through him, into him, like he was some beautiful and precious treasure she couldn't bear to part with; the way she clawed desperately at him, a lustful frenzy overtaking her as she bit possessively into his neck and chest and her voice - Ethan shudders, his dark eyes blackening with lust as his cock hardens fully, barely resisting the urge to wake Alcina and take her again as he recalls the way she gasped and moaned his name in the throws of passion, her otherworldly nature showing as her vocal cords let loose animalistic noises of pleasure.
Fuck
The canopy is suddenly wrenched open - the sun's light pouring in and blinding Ethan as he flinches hard, flung out of his lustful daydreaming and he glares at the horrified servant girl while frantically attempting to shield his lover's bare form, jostling her as he does so, Alcina's eyebrows furrowing as she huffs.
"Mmm, again?" She murmurs against his chest, voice muffled and thick with sleep, as she shifts to hide her face from the sunlight in the junction of his neck and shoulder. "Five more minutes."
He pauses a moment, shivering as her lips brush his sensitive skin, before answering to save the girl, certain Alcina would not take kindly to being seen this way regardless of what she said last night.
"Sorry Alcina, a bird startled me - go back to sleep." Ethan reassures her, pressing a kiss to the top of her head as she resettles against him with a hum.
The servant girl stares dumbly, looking faintly ill as her jaw works uselessly and she squeaks, the fear in her eyes growing exponentially before she spins on her heel and flees the room, the other servant girl hurrying after her, tea set in hand as she carefully closes the doors behind her, leaving the lovers alone once more.
"You're a terrible liar," Comes the soft whisper husked against the shell of his ear. Ethan jumping as Alcina's lips brush the skin as she kisses along the stains of rust peppering his tender and bitten throat. "Those silly girls are always so noisy."
Ethan winces slightly at the pressure of her kisses, beginning to feel the aches from their love making now sleep has firmly left his mind; muscles pleasantly sore from their workout, back burning in the places her nails had clutched at him as she climaxed and his neck and chest throbbing from her frenzied bites of ardour.
"And I couldn't bear the thought of you waking only to be gawked at." He replies gently, turning in order to look at her easier, finger hooking under her chin and lifting her face to kiss her red mouth.
"You may feel free to gawk as much as you like, darling." She replies, smiling as she rubs her palm gently over the warm flesh of his chest, relishing his shiver.
"That reminds me," Ethan replies, smoothly rolling them both, settling on top of her; easily parting her thighs with a knee angled between hers as he sits between her spread legs.
"What is it?" Alcina asks him, uncaring of her nudity as her lover's heated gaze rakes over her body; taking in the bruised and marked flesh, the stain of his seed along her inner thigh and his blood painting her skin.
"I just realised." Ethan starts, pressing a gentle kiss to the soft flesh of her belly, nipping gently. "I haven't," another kiss between her breasts over a bruise beginning to blossom, dark eyes flicking up to meet smouldering gold, "Seen you naked," A final kiss to her swollen, red lips. "In the light yet."
Alcina laughs warmly, baby soft hands reaching up to cup his face in them, holding him to her as she lengthens their kiss. "I suppose since we are both awake." She coos, eyes crinkling with joy as she smiles brightly, nuzzling their noses together with a content sigh as they trade sweet kisses that deepen and turn more and more passionate with each one.
"Where's Mother?" Daniela asks her sisters as she twirls her knife around her fingers as the sisters wait in the dining room.
"Mr Winters isn't here either." Sofia adds, brow furrowing in confusion.
"I can't believe it - he actually slept with Her!" A servant gasps in horror just outside the door, the sisters moving silently closer to eavesdrop as the other attempts to shush her.
"Be quiet, it's none of our business what the Mistress and Mr Winters do."
"You didn't see it. There was blood everywhere, she - it was all over her and the bed. And they were naked."
The three girls screw up their faces in various degrees of shock and horror.
"Oh, no, no, no. I'm not staying here while that is happening!" Berenice declares as she forces open the door, pushing past the two servants who jump in complete terror.
"Miss Berenice! I-"
"Silence worm!" Daniela barks as she backhands the gossiping servant in the jaw, blood spilling free of her nose and lips, the blonde not even breaking her stride as she follows after her sister with Sofia following behind them, the trio quickly making their way out of the castle and into the forest, breaking into a run as the cold morning air whips around their features.
Heisenberg idly stirs a cube of sugar into his tea, taking a sip before speaking. "Not that I'm complaining, my door is always open to my favourite nieces but why are you here so early?"
The three girls grimace, each clutching to a delicate, untouched cup of tea, warming their bare palms on the fine china.
"Mother has a boyfriend." Sofia supplies looking faintly ill.
"She does not!" Berenice snaps back, "He's just a prisoner!"
Daniela whines with a huff. "Seriously after that you'll still deny it? They obviously have feelings for each other."
"I don't care, he is beneath her."
"Ugh, gross, please!" Sofia complains, screwing up her face in horror. "Look, Berenice, you can be in denial as much as you want but Mother and Mr Winters are a couple now. I mean come on after what we just heard? And they are even raising Rosie together."
"They are?" Heisenberg asks, as disgusted as his nieces to think of his sister as a woman with certain needs but his curiosity has been piqued. So this was why she defended the little pipsqueak.
"Yes, Mr Winters has been staying with us for months now."
"So let me get this straight - your mother has been living and co-parenting with this guy for months and you three are here because they have taken the next step in the relationship?"
"Basically, yes."
"Okay, this is a lot to take in." Heisenberg frowns thoughtfully and shrugs. "Of course you girls are welcome to stay as long as you like, maybe a week?"
"A whole week? What could possibly take a week?"
"You'll understand when you're older, I hope you all weren't too attached to him."
Sofia's brow wrinkles. "Why, what are they doing?"
"Unfortunately, as a brother, my hands are tied. I can't allow some random man to play house with my sister, without so much as a promise ring, there's just nothing else for it - I'll have to kill him."
"Uncle!" Sofia and Daniela gasp in shock as Berenice grins.
"But first, how about some pancakes? You kids must be hungry, I'll let your mother know you're here at a more reasonable hour."
Ethan stirs awake nearer to mid morning from a slight tickle to his lower back, he moves sluggishly, sitting up with a wince before a soft palm pins him back in place upon his belly.
"Hold still." Alcina murmurs quietly, pressing a quick kiss to his shoulder blade and continues to trail her tongue along his back.
Wait what?
"What are you doing?" Ethan asks with amusement as he shifts onto his side, looking over his shoulder at his lover, returning her warm smile with one of his one.
"I need to clean these."
"With your tongue?" He grins as she huffs.
"They will heal faster this way. I was too rough with you."
"I'm fine, really."
"You can't see your back." She smiles as he rolls over, golden eyes darkening as they rake over his naked body.
Ethan reaches out to pull her into his arms, kissing over the arc of her throat as she purrs. "Nice kitty." He smiles as she laughs and leans down to kiss him. Ethan deepening the kiss, palms sliding up her sides to grab her ass, hauling her against him as she mewls.
Bing
Ethan pulls back from the kiss with a frown. "The fuck was that?"
"I'm sorry, I thought I put it on silent." Alcina sighs apologetically, sliding off him to open her bedside drawer and lifts out a mobile phone.
"Who is texting you?" Ethan asks, moving to drape himself over her back to check, hoping he wasn't just delirious from blood loss as he peppers chaste kisses over her shoulder blade, nibbling at the prominence of the bone.
"It's my brother," She says as her brow furrows and she taps on the screen. "The children are over at his house."
"What? Why?"
Alcina blushes a bright red as she continues to read the text. "They know what we were doing last night and are traumatised, he says."
"Are they coming home then?" He asks concerned as to how they could have heard them, Rosemary had slept right through.
Alcina types something, her phone chiming again a few seconds later. "About a week, apparently." She sighs deeply, exasperated.
"Will they be alright with him?" He asks, brushing his lips over her shoulder in a kiss.
"Of course - but they can't just leave without talking to me first or tell my brother about our private business."
"Baby, we are getting a week practically alone and for whatever reason Rosie is sleeping in today - this is a gift I plan on taking full advantage of." He replies, rolling them so they are in the middle of the bed, him on top of her. "You aren't allowed to leave this bed - I'm not done with you yet." He says with a growl, leaning down to nibble on her lower lip.
Alcina giggles, letting her phone drop back to the mattress as she wraps her arms around his neck and kisses him deeply. "Oh dear, what are you going to do?" She asks coyly with a shudder, rolling her hips against him needily.
"You'll see." He promises, lifting her thigh to hitch it over his hip as he kisses her again.
A day later Ethan sips languidly from a silver goblet of wine while Alcina reclines in his lap, lifting her cigarette holder to her ruby red lips as she takes a soothing drag of nicotine, releasing it into the warm air of the garden in a languid exhale of smoke.
"Can you do any tricks?" Ethan asks bemused as she cranes her neck back to look at him, that adorable furrow appearing between her ebony eyebrows.
"Pardon?"
Ethan strokes his thumb over the prominence of her jawbone as he bends in half to kiss the furrow, smiling as she smiles back at him, turning herself over to look at him properly.
"Tricks - you know, making any shapes in the smoke?" Ethan asks as he lies back, allowing her to climb on top of him, smiling as she takes another drag of her cigarette.
"I'm afraid not, my dear." Alcina chuckles, blowing the excess smoke to the sky as she speaks.
Ethan leans up on his elbows to better reach her, one hand coming up to hold onto the small of her back, brushing over the buttons of her forest green dress as he presses an open mouthed kiss to the smooth column of her throat over a bruise he had sucked there with his teeth earlier. Alcina sighs happily as she purrs, the pearls around her throat vibrating against his jaw in a cool tickle and he smiles against her warm skin and presses a series of kisses down over her collarbones and the tops of her breasts. He rests his head against the pillowy softness of her breasts as she smokes once more.
"Really needed it today, huh?" He asks as he watches her exhale with a warm smile.
"Between you and Rosemary I didn't sleep last night." She murmurs, kissing the tip of his nose gently with a smile.
Ethan falters then, coaxing her to straddle his lap as his arms close around her waist. "Why didn't you wake me?"
Alcina shakes her head, dark curls rustling as she does so, her free hand petting over his blonde hair, cupping his jaw gently. "There was no point in both of us not getting any sleep."
"What was wrong?" He asks as his dark eyes take over her, realising why she was dressed with her makeup and hair already done for the day when she woke him for breakfast.
"More teeth I suspect, she ended up settling when I just rocked her and let her suckle. Her new little teeth are quite sharp though." She chuckles and rubs over her left breast.
"Rosie bit you?" Ethan asks, eyebrows lifting in surprise.
"She didn't mean to, she was crying before she latched properly and well, she wasn't as gentle as you are." She says with a giggle as he blushes, leather clad fingertips brushing over the pink tinge that washes over his cheekbones.
"I could always kiss it better?" He offers with a smile as he nuzzles against her palm, leaning in to meet her lips in a gentle kiss.
"We're outside, all you are getting are kisses, darling." She says when they part, pressing another chaste kiss to his lips, turning her head to smoke again.
"Then you haven't lived, Alcina." He says as he runs his palms soothingly over her sides, fingertips tickling over her ribs and the silk of her dress.
"What do you mean?" She asks as she shifts to replace her burnt out cigarette with another.
"Haven't you ever had sex outside before?" He asks as he follows after her, pressing a gentle kiss to her clothed shoulder.
"No," She replies with a shake of her head, lighting the cigarette as she takes a deep drag through her holder. "I've been told it's in my nature but it's hardly ladylike to do so." She finishes with a wrinkle of her nose, clearly unhappy with the idea.
"How is it in your nature?" He asks as he nuzzles her nose gently.
"My mother's side of the family," Alcina explains as her perfectly painted upper lip curls. "We disagreed on many things when she was alive - I don't think she liked that she had a repressed bookworm for a daughter instead of some uncouth beast running around in the muck. I'm not a wolf like my brother." She shakes her head then, smiling prettily at him, Ethan reaching out to cup her cheek when the smile doesn't reach her eyes or cause the dimples he loves so much.
"I'm glad for that," He murmurs gently. "I don't think we would have anything in common if you were more like your mother and brother. I wouldn't be able to keep up with your long legs if you were into …whatever it is wolves are into."
She smiles properly then, kissing him sweetly. "I didn't think of it like that." She says and nuzzles their noses together, setting her cigarette holder down on her ashtray, arms wrapping around his neck and pulling herself higher up on his lap.
"And we can always try - if you want, it's pretty secluded here." He says as he kisses the underside of her jaw.
Alcina worries her lower lip between her white teeth. "Is this something you'd like?" She asks eventually, golden eyes uncertain.
"I want what you want, Alcina," He says reassuringly, fingers reaching out to clasp her hand in his own, squeezing gently and pressing a warm kiss to her knuckles. "We don't have to."
"Well - I suppose once wouldn't hurt."
She leans in to kiss him again, deepening it as she licks into his mouth, the taste of her menthol cigarettes strong on her tongue as it twines with his, Ethan lifting a hand to cup her cheek in his hand, fingers threading through her hair to clasp the base of her skull, rolling them smoothly so she is on her back on the sweet smelling grasses, him between her legs. Alcina breaks their kiss with a melodic giggle as he peppers kisses over her face, Ethan smiling at the sweet noise, nipping on the fullness of her lower lip and glancing up at the fluttering of feathers.
A crow caws as it lands on the railing that keeps the two safe from the cliff edge, it's yellow eyes intense as it stares into Ethan's. Him shuddering when the bird caws once more and Alcina twists in his arms to look up at it.
"It's just a bird, darling, very common up here," She coos as she brings him back down for another kiss, wrapping her long legs around his waist as best she can, fingers pulling her skirts up to pool around her waist, revealing her lace topped black thigh high stockings. "Kiss me - before Rosemary wakes up."
"Yeah, you're right." Ethan murmurs as he returns her hungry kisses, brow furrowing as he shoves her skirts up higher, their fingers hurriedly working together to unzip his pants and shift her undergarments to the side. Them both groaning and clutching to each other as he fills her.
Ethan growls, teeth nipping possessively at the swanlike curve of Alcina's throat as she moans wantonly, his thrusts quickening and deepening, her nails digging into the tense muscles of his back.
"Ethan," She mewls as her head throws back against the grass, her knees clamping down on his sides and she gasps out in a purr. "So good."
The crow watches the pair, yellow eyes almost angry before it takes flight, quickly disappearing into the forest below the castle.
"This is nice." Alcina sighs, leaning back against Ethan's chest in the bath, closing her eyes with a content hum as the bubbles pop quietly, the candles illuminating the otherwise dark bathroom reflecting in a kaleidoscope of colours in the sudsy water.
Ethan presses a gentle kiss to her temple, his arm around her waist tightening as he holds her against him firmly. "It's been quiet without the girls - there's never been a better time for an uninterrupted bath while Rosie sleeps."
"I don't think I've had one of those since before I found Berenice," She smiles, entwining their fingers together, bringing his hand up to kiss the back of it, her head tilting quizzically as she runs a nail carefully over the thick and oddly shaped scar on his forearm.
"Do you want to know?" Ethan asks her quietly, lips pressing against the junction of her neck and shoulder in a sweet kiss.
"Only if you want to tell me," She replies, "I meant what I said - everything in your own time."
He sighs, tension leaving his frame as he presses a possessive open mouthed kiss to the side of her neck, relishing her shudder, grateful beyond measure and reassured more than she could know, more than he could ever put into words himself.
"I want to," He insists, kissing her pink lips gently, pressing their foreheads together and taking a deep breath to steel himself. "It happened when I got to that house, not long after I mean. I found Mia and I thought that would be that - we'd leave and then I'd get some answers." He pauses, taking a moment as he leans back against the edge of the bathtub. "She changed, it was cause of that kid, that weapon, Eveline. I didn't know that at the time but Mia - Mia went nuts. Next thing I knew I had a fucking screwdriver in my hand and she was coming at me with-with." He shudders, skin paling and he closes his eyes as the memory overwhelms him; the stench of the fuel and the burning of his own skin, the splatter of his blood pouring onto his face and the agony of muscle and bone yielding to the metal teeth of the chainsaw.
"Ethan," Alcina whispers urgently, cupping her lover's face in her palms as she turns to straddle his lap, golden eyes running over his features as her thumbs stroke his cheeks to anchor him. "It's alright, darling, you're safe, you're safe."
Ethan blinks rapidly, eyes focusing on the worried face of his lover, hands shifting to hold onto her waist as he wets his lower lip with his tongue. "I'm sorry."
"Don't be," She replies, leaning down to kiss him, pausing before they touch. "May I kiss you?"
Ethan lunges up then, water sloshing over the edge of the bathtub and slapping loudly onto the tiles as he kisses her roughly, tucking his head under her chin when they part, his hands clutching her to him and leaving red lines on her back.
"You can always kiss me," He whimpers against her collarbone, shaking as she cradles his head in her arms, clinging to her all the tighter when she presses a gentle kiss to the top of it. "I'm okay, I'm okay," He repeats, almost a mantra to himself as he braces himself to continue.
"Yes you are, you're okay," Alcina reminds him gently, teeth chattering slightly as she shivers in the cold air, nipples stiffening, ignoring it and instead running her fingers gently through his darkened wet hair. "Take your time."
"She cut my damn hand off, Alcina. Fuck it didn't seem real, I just, I don't even remember - next thing I know I'm being sucker punched and I wake up tied to a chair, Zoe had fucking stapled my hand back to my arm. Thank god I was still out." He huffs and lifts their hands to kiss the back of her knuckles, needing a moment. "it works just fine but it just never healed right, even with that shit Eveline infected me with. That's why it looks weird - sometimes I wish I could get rid of it but it's proof it was all real, that I'm not crazy." He shudders heavily as he sighs deeply, tense muscles loosening as he sits back in the bathtub pulling her down with him as they sink back into the warmth of the water.
"It's no more crazy than vampires or werewolves or blood magic," Alcina reminds him, sighing with relief as they settle back down, kissing his forehead gently. "Thank you for telling me - I'm so sorry that happened to you."
Ethan grunts leaning his head against her once more. "I shouldn't let it get to me so much - I survived it. I got Rosemary out of it all and she is worth it. I'd do it all again so long as I got her."
"Children do tend to be worth all the pain in the world." Alcina smiles, peppering his face with more kisses as she does so, humming a soothing lullaby as she washes him gently.
Ethan soaking up her gentle affections as he breathes in the scent of her skin and the ever present rose fragrance of the bathwater, relaxing in her arms as the loofah gently scratches over his skin.
Ethan trails gentle kisses down the bare curve of Alcina's spine, the scruff of his chin scratching her and he smiles slightly to himself as she shivers, gooseflesh breaking out over her skin. Trailing further down, he is unable to resist the temptation and he bites down firmly on the perfect curve of her ass. Alcina yelping in surprise and mock glares back at him over her shoulder.
"Ethan!"
"I couldn't resist - you have the most incredible ass I've ever seen." He says completely unrepentant as he kneads the flesh and muscle, pressing a soothing kiss to the teeth marks, tongue licking a stripe along the small of her back.
"Be gentle, I need to be able to sit later." She scolds even as she smiles and stretches languidly with a yawn, letting her book go as she sighs, lying face down upon the soft fur of the rug.
Ethan crawls after her, nipping at the curve of her shoulder, palms rubbing at the strong musculature of her back in a soothing knead, squeezing the muscles of her upper arms as he drapes himself over her back.
"Are you tired?" He asks playfully as he toys with her hair, stroking it off her face as she sighs with contentment, golden orbs meeting his own when she opens her eyes once more.
"Mhmm, you haven't let me have a good night's sleep for days." Alcina teases as she smiles at him.
"How could I - have you seen yourself naked?" Ethan replies with a roguish smile, allowing his darkened gaze to roam freely over his lover's bare curves, chest swelling with pride as he takes note of all the claiming bruises he has worried onto her perfect skin over the past few days.
"Many times actually."
"Well, aren't you lucky." He grins as she laughs, rolling slowly so she is on her back, her arms wrapping around his waist as he settles on top of her.
"You say the strangest things, my dear." She smiles and leans up to meet his kiss, her apricot coloured nails ruffling through his hair.
"It's the truth - you're beautiful, kind, loving, the list goes on." He says as he presses a series of kisses to her lips, settling himself between her legs ensuring she is comfortable even as his hips roll against her lingering wetness and the evidence of their coupling, his cock twitching back to life from the smooth slide of his flesh between her labia.
"Darling, please," Alcina whines as their lips part. "I need rest."
"Surely you can manage one more time?" Ethan asks as he trails cajoling kisses over her throat and nibbling at her jumping pulse point as her nipples stiffen against his chest.
"You said that the last five times, you insatiable beast." She complains through a smile while her fingers card through his hair.
"You're my muse, what can I say?" Ethan replies, nuzzling against the soft curve of one breast as he kisses her belly.
"I've created a monster." Alcina whines as she pushes out her lower lip in a pout, sulking adorably.
"I'd spend all day between your legs if you'd allow it." He grins, tongue flicking playfully against her belly button before kissing right below it.
"And how is that any different to what you've been doing the past six days?" Alcina asks with an indulgent smile as she pets him gently.
"I did just bend you over that ottoman, that wasn't exactly between your legs." Ethan puffs proudly, nibbling on the underside of her full breast.
"Only because you are too short to have me on my hands and knees." She giggles as he huffs.
"And this is the thanks I get for making you come, you're such a brat."
Alcina laughs then, pressing a series of kisses over his face. "My poor darling, however will you cope?" She coos as she cradles him gently, dragging him closer with a warm purr as she settles in with a content wriggle.
"I suppose I'll just have to suffer," Ethan smiles as he kisses her lips gently. "Here." He says as he reaches behind her to grasp one of the throw pillows that makes up their nest, slipping it under her head carefully, fingers running through her curls as he leans in to kiss her gently before he rolls off her to the side.
"Thank you." She murmurs quietly as she settles, long legs shifting as she curls up slightly on the fur with a slow intake of breath, golden eyes fluttering shut as her thick lashes rest against her cheekbones.
"Sleep well, baby." Ethan whispers as he kisses her forehead, smoothing her hair back before dragging her steel blue dress over her bare curves as he settles in next to her, picking up her discarded book. He's only thumbed through the first few pages when Alcina moves, curling up against his chest with a wriggle and she drags him into her embrace. Ethan smiles, rearranging them so his head is on the pillow and she rests against his shoulder. Pressing a lingering kiss to the top of her ebony curls, breathing in the scent of her natural skin and their love making as she sighs happily, her purr dropping off as she falls asleep and he settles in to read.
Ethan looks up at Alcina's bemused face, frowning as her lips quirk up in a smug smile, reconsidering his move as he scratches the back of his head with a sigh.
"Take your time, my darling." She smiles at him, flicking imaginary lint off the cream silk of her dress.
"Your mind games won't work on me, Alcina." He promises as his eyebrows furrow in concentration.
The front door opens with a loud bang, Rosemary crying out with distress and calling for her mother, as she pulls herself up using the coffee table, Alcina suddenly smacking Ethan in the chest with wide eyes.
"Ow!"
"Ethan, look!" She says, ruby red lips splitting in a wide smile. "That's it, Rosie. You can do it." She encourages as their daughter takes a few wobbling steps towards them, holding out her hands as their baby slowly but surely makes her way to them, Alcina scooping their daughter up in her arms as she crosses to them.
"Well done, Rosie." Ethan praises, chess set forgotten as he presses a kiss to Rosemary's golden fluff. The baby babbling happily at the affection, snuggling against her mother's warm skin as she coos.
Alcina's eyes and lashes are wet as she beams at him. "Her first steps," She says proudly and peppers gentle kisses over Rosemary's face and hands. "My brilliant little rose." She coos gently, her purr loud.
Ethan hugs his girls to him then, relishing Alcina's purring and the delight in their daughter's eyes as the trio of ebony clad girls make their way into the room.
"Mother!" Calls Berenice, "We are home!"
Alcina's smile widens. "Come here, babies." she beams, holding out her free hand which her older daughters happily bound across the room to hold a part of.
"Mother," Daniela smiles warmly, yellow eyes running over the trio. "What happened?"
"Rosemary took her first steps." She smiles as her daughters turn to heap praise and kisses over their little sister, Rosemary squealing with delight as her sisters purr and kiss her skin, little fist reaching out to grab at wavy dark hair, tugging Berenice closer as the eldest laughs.
"Gentle, little sister." She smiles as she kisses the baby's nose, yellow eyes gentle and warm in a way Ethan has not seen before - perhaps she is coming around.
"Ber-Ber." Rosemary giggles as she presses a slobbery kiss to Bernice's nose.
"Did you girls have a nice time at your uncle's?" Alcina asks as she kisses Sofia's forehead.
The red head nods happily as she smiles at Ethan, golden eyes warm and happy. "Yes Mother, Uncle Heis showed us his latest project at the factory, he's very excited about it."
"You didn't touch anything did you?"
Daniela giggles as Sofia sighs. "No Mother, we know not to touch anything - you worry too much, we aren't little girls anymore."
"You'll always be my babies, of course I worry." She smiles and nuzzles each child in turn, Ethan smiling as he witnesses her delight in having her children back in the castle.
"So, who's about to lose?" Berenice asks, oddly friendly as she snuggles against Alcina's side.
"Your mother is." Ethan puffs as he moves his chosen piece.
The three girls giggle and say in their synchronicity. "Mother never loses."
"Check mate." Alcina says softly as she moves her bishop without hesitation, Ethan staring slack jawed.
"Again? How?" He splutters, head in his hands.
"You're too focused on taking my queen every match and you never move your king unless he's in check, so it's fairly simple to trap him with a castle and bishop and finish the match with a third piece," She responds, leaning in to kiss him gently. "Don't worry, my dear, it's just a game."
Ethan huffs with a smile when they part. "Easy to say when you always win."
Her golden eyes glitter beautifully, her smile wide and radiant as she nuzzles him. "I'll teach you, don't worry, we have time." She says as Ethan cups her cheek warmly, thumb caressing over her smooth cheekbone.
"Sounds perfect." He replies gently, leaning their foreheads together, relishing the warmth of her skin and the rumble of her purr.
"Ugh gross!" Daniela says with a smile, scooping up a squealing Rosemary into her arms, twirling in a circle as Sofia darts up.
"Boop! You're it, Rosie!" She laughs as taps Rosemary's arm and she and Berenice run away laughing.
"Fia!" Rosemary squalls as she pats Daniela's arm. "Ela!"
"You got it, Rosie!" Daniela grins as she races after her older sisters, her little sister held securely in her arms as they begin their game of tag.
"Be careful!" Alcina shouts after them as the sound of a body thumping against a wall rings out, the chandelier wobbling and rattling from the force of it as the girls laugh.
She sighs deeply as she shares a bemused look with Ethan. "It was nice while it lasted." She smiles as she slips her arms around his neck.
"Wouldn't change it though." Ethan says as he holds her beautiful face between his palms, kissing her gently and relishing her happy purring.
"Never."