~O~
The Easy Life of Alcina Dimitrescu
Sofia and Alcina were laying in bed together. The taller woman didn't want to leave her out of her sight, simply cherish her in her arms. The sting of losing Hilda still frayed the corners of her thoughts and the urge to reciprocate the violence of it to the villagers below lingered.
Her hands were at Sofia's backside, holding her as close as possible. "My little hummingbird..." she breathed, into her hair.
Sofia found comfort burying her face in her neck. She took a chance and gave her skin a few light, careful kisses that earned a small laugh from Alcina. She tilted her head to look down at the other woman, the arrogance gone from her voice, replaced with a softness.
Sofia smiled up at her and Alcina leaned down for a little kiss to her lips. It was soft, chaste and meant to only be a small comfort.
Yes.
She was hers.
The following morning, her daughters were quite excited.
Cassandra couldn't stop moving, Daniela was laughing gleefully and Bela was eager to run. But holding the little maid there at the back of the castle as she watched the sun rising over the trees. The girl was whimpering with fright, but her struggles were useless. The hedge maze was wonderful, quite a nice touch that Hilda had left them. It would suit her daughters well. The weather was warm today and it would be a good day.
"A hedge maze!" Cassandra hissed, with glee. "I love it, mother!"
Alcina chuckled. "Yes, as do I. Hilda left you quite a gift, daughters. I hope you use it well."
The maid was pleading for mercy. "My Lady, please!" she begged, tears in her eyes, "It was an accident, I won't do it again I - "
"Hush." Alcina interrupted, with annoyance. "You're giving me a headache with your senseless pleas. My daughters need proper tutelage and you will suffice. House Dimitrescu will always remember your sacrifice for the greater good."
She said it with very little enthusiasm as she released her to run into the maze. Her daughters surged after her with a chorus of laughter. It was such a sight that filled her with pride. They were her daughters, spitting images of herself in beauty and hunger. They were the pride of her family name.
And the blood they came back with made her beam. "Well, that didn't take long." she remarked.
"Cassandra was hogging her all to herself." Daniela complained, wiping her blood-soaked cheeks on her hand. Her sickle was dripping of blood.
"Was not!" Cassandra hissed, shooting her a dirty glare.
Bela rolled her eyes at their bickering. She looked up at Alcina, who saw fit to dab her cheeks with a handkerchief. She squirmed a little and Alcina hushed her.
"Come now, Bela; don't fuss," she chided.
A maid approached them, lowering her eyes. "The Duke has arrived, Mistress."
Alcina looked up at her and nodded. "Very well. Inform him that I will be there shortly."
"Yes, my Lady."
Below, Sofia had met with the Duke and he had a bright smile when she approached his table. "Ah! Lady Sofia!" he greeted. "What a wonderful sight to see! You're always looking lovely every time I visit you!"
Sofia smiled brightly and gave a small laugh. "T-Thank you."
"And your speech has improved." The Duke added, with a nod of approval. "I take it the fair Lady Dimitrescu is responsible?"
Sofia smiled sadly. "And H-Hilda."
The Duke's smile disappeared and he looked sympathetic now. "Yes, I heard about the death of our dear Hilda. Poor thing. She fought the good fight until the bitter end."
Sofia swallowed thickly, lowering her eyes.
"Still, no need to drudge up the past," The Duke continued, "I am here at the request of the Lady of the Castle. I have a few new shipments she is free to peruse through. If there's something you desire as well, don't hesitate to ask."
Sofia nodded her head. She did take a moment to study the items he'd brought into the room. Nothing really stood out to her except for a notepad on a loop. It made her smile and pick it up, studying it in her hands. Most of the paper had been unused and there was a little pen hanging from it.
She held it up to him and he chuckled. "Yes, that little thing is perfect for you!"
Sofia had begun running out of paper for her notepad and though it had been the one Hilda had given her, she knew that she needed a new one.
She gave him a few coins for it, removed the cover for her old notepad and looped it through the new one. It made her smile and study it.
Then, the two looked up when Alcina entered the room. She regarded Sofia with a softer smile before looking at The Duke.
"Well, have you brought what I asked for?" she questioned.
"Of course, my Lady!" he told her, "Do you doubt me?"
"I am free to question the worth of most men," Alcina answered, with a sigh. "Yet you're the only one who's free to roam outside these village walls. Did you get what I'd asked you for?"
"I did. All that and more. I knew you were good for it, so I left it at the brewery for your ladies to set up shop."
Alcina smiled thinly in response. She was content with that, but her mind went to Sofia. She gave the other woman a gesture with one hand and Sofia followed her to her chambers.
The goal had been to prepare for the evening events and Sofia had never expected such pampering from Alcina. It was an interesting change and one that she welcomed.
Her jaw was cupped in one larger hand and the other applied lipstick to Sofia's lips, smiling her approval. Sofia was relishing the attention, watching Alcina's face. She had been properly groomed and dressed in a red, sleeveless dress and all that remained was the lipstick.
Alcina herself was partial to white, though it differed from her typical dress she wore to her meetings with the other Lords; something in fancy material, of course. Sofia still had a difficult time remembering just what it was.
"We're almost finished..." Alcina mused. "Mmm, you pass for a noblewoman after all. I would be happy to have you by my side at the event."
Sofia blinked, astonished by the request. "A-As what?"
Alcina was confused. "What do you mean?" she asked, with a short laugh, staring at her strangely, "I would have you as my consort. Not at my servant."
She read Sofia's uncertainty and understood; the girl had never experienced life as a noble, only watched it from the sidelines. Of course such a thing would alarm her. She sighed, giving her cheek a gentle caress with her fingertips.
"We can spend all of our lives questioning who we are meant to be," she told her, "Or we can stand tall and scream for the world to hear us." She paused. "Would you like to see my good work? I have been gifted with quite the delicious canvas, after all."
Sofia blushed, unable to stop her giggle. She was turned in the chair by Alcina and beamed with delight. She enjoyed makeup and loved how she looked. Sofia was a different person, a bright and shining one that she craved for the rest of her days.
"Come." Alcina crooned, "Let's have supper and eat before the event. Then tonight, I will spend the remaining evening eating you."
She chuckled with delight when Sofia's cheeks and throat reddened at the lecherous comment. She did so enjoy doing that.
O
Alcina had not expected Mother Miranda to be at her wine tasting event.
Along with those responsible for distribution, the Supreme Mother had stopped into the castle to observe what was going on. Alcina put on her most proper smile, gave her a light incline of her head in greeting. Several of the maids did the same.
"Mother Miranda, I did not expect you," Alcina told her.
Miranda smiled at her, that gaze sharpened. "Is it not my right to come and go as I please?"
"Of course it is!" Alcina quickly corrected herself.
"Hm. You seem especially distracted, Alcina," Miranda smiled, a serene look veiling a more sinister intent, "What's bothering you so?"
Alcina didn't feel it necessary to inform Miranda about Sofia. Something about it just made her extremely tense; Miranda had a way of taking things from others if it interferred with her plans in any way. Sofia was someone she would not see taken.
But then, Alcina's mind had also been filled with hundreds of thoughts a minute since Hilda's discussion about her age. For now, she was young and fair and hers. But would she need to watch Sofia die of age, leaving her alone once more? She didn't want that. Her mind wandered on many possibilities to keep that from happening.
"I am in thought," Alcina said, choosing her words carefully, "This wine tasting is to unveil my newest label. Perhaps you'd like to sample it?"
The thought seemed to make Miranda a little pleased. One thing she often indulged in and enjoyed was Dimitrescu wine. And she relaxed when Miranda made her way over to one of the displays and picked up the bottle to study the label.
"'Sărutul colibriului'." She was reading it with a curious note. "Hummingbird's Kiss. What a peculiar little label for your wine."
"Yes, I... A new inspiration, really," Alcina smiled with pride.
Miranda studied her impassively for a moment, then began to pour herself a glass of wine. She brought the glass to her nose, took a few moments to savor the aroma of it. A thin smirk touched her lips as she took a sip and held it into her mouth before swallowing.
"Mmm, perhaps I misjudged," she replied, "It's sweet and swift, with the flavors lingering there on your taste buds. Much like the kiss of a hummingbird."
Alcina beamed at her compliment. "Thank you, Mother Miranda."
She set the glass down, then sighed through her nose. It seemed she was more interested in speaking about experiments.
"I know of the first batch and its failures," Miranda said, "I trust your distractions are not keeping you from them?"
"Not at all, Mother Miranda."
Sofia was wandering over to a table where Bela, Cassandra and Daniela were. She was listening to something they were discussing and it earned a blush as well as a laugh. Alcina couldn't help but smile quickly in their direction.
Miranda seemed to suspect otherwise, but made a thoughtful note. "Well then. I hope to see results, Alcina. Perhaps your new pet might contribute."
Alcina's smile disappeared when Miranda walked away.
She knew Miranda long enough to know that such words veiled a threat. She gave and she could take away, just like any Mother could. But Alcina was one to protect her family and she felt the urge to hide them away from her.
A few new projects might keep Miranda happy.
And turn her attention away from Sofia and her daughters.
Throughout the night, she thought of the easy life she had; the gifts she had been give by Miranda. As well as the idea that she could just as easily take them away.
O
Sitting at the dinner table was something Sofia had never expected; she was especially amazed by the thought of taking a place close to Alcina. The maids had all but watched with thinly veiled curiosity and Irina was even stunned enough to stare at the scene.
"Did you fall and crack your little head on the pavement?" Alcina caught Irina's funny look and frowned with irritation.
Irina shook her head nervously. "N-No, Mistress!"
"No? Then fetch me a bottle. Now."
Irina hurried to do as she asked. Alcina shook her head, rolled her eyes and resumed her attention to her daughters and Sofia. Bela was entertaining them with a story about her recent torture of a thief in the garden she'd found. Sofia was watching Alcina's expressions, reading the harshness that she had tried to keep hidden beneath her interest in her daughter's story.
Alcina nearly jumped when she felt her ankle lightly toed by Sofia's foot. The sight of her slightly startled had her three daughters staring at her strangely.
"Are you alright, mother?" Cassandra asked.
Alcina gave a demur clearing of her throat, fingers nearly obliterating the tablecloth.
"Yes, darling, I'm fine," Alcina hissed.
She looked down at Sofia, who smiled and had been eating her Pomana Porcului when she should have been eating something else instead. Sofia had become quite bold in her venture and Alcina found that she appreciated that; the girl was getting more confident, as she should have.
The light caress at her ankle continued, shooting searing fire up her leg. The dragon behind the bars was salivating.
When supper was over, Alcina couldn't get Sofia back to her chambers fast enough. The woman was held against the wall, her mouth plied with teeth and tongue until it drew the most delightful whimpers and gasps from her lips.
"You little tease," Alcina rasped, drawing her lower lip into her mouth and sucking before releasing long enough to stare hungrily down at her, "Tormenting me so."
It earned a flushed smile from Sofia.
She did so look good in red.
Her mouth moved to Sofia's throat, inquiring against her ear and earning an eager nod. Alcina bit down on her neck, Sofia's head dropping back with a throaty groan. The taller woman cradled her head with one hand, holding her close to her mouth. The other hand reached through her dress between her legs, met with wetness.
Pulling away from her throat, Alcina gave the little pool of blood against Sofia's throat a few languid strokes before smirking down at her.
"Oh my, quite excited are we?" she crooned.
"P-Please..." Sofia gasped.
"Ah, ah, you decided to be quite the little tease at dinner," Alcina's tone was light with playfulness and yet, frayed at the edges with hunger, "Now you're the one who waits."
Sofia whimpered, but certainly didn't seem opposed to it given then way she laughed breathlessly and rolled her head back.
She went to reach for Alcina's shoulders, but the larger woman shook her head, tittered with amusement and took her wrists, pinning them over her head to the wall. Sofia let out a soft cry when those fingers pushed her underwear to the side to slip two fingers through her folds. She jerked her hips up for more, but Alcina chuckled thickly against her throat, licking the wound left there from her fangs.
"Still your hips, darling." Alcina's voice was rasping out of her, trembling with subdued excitement. "Or you wait longer."
Sofia whimpered, putting as much effort into keeping her hips still as Alcina teased her fingers back and forth through her slick folds, but did not fill her with them. She was content tormenting her and sucking the skin of her exposed collar bone and did this for what felt like forever.
Her blood tasted utterly divine, fueled and warmed by her lust.
"Please..." Sofia begged again, against her lips when she met them for a kiss. "Now?"
Alcina laughed warmly and decided she'd teased enough. She finally filled her with two long fingers, relishing the happy moan from the woman beneath her. Sofia clenched around her fingers, twitching her hips up when she increased her pacing, meeting every thrust of her hand with the most lovely sounds to ever grace her lips.
When she paused only to guide Sofia to her bed, she didn't wait to kneel and add her mouth to her overly sensitive folds, savoring the taste of her.
Sofia let out a cry, arching her hips and clutching the hands that held her waist in place. Her smaller grip was surprisingly strong and one that made Alcina chuckle deeply, intensifying her efforts. Sofia's trembles, her sounds pushed Alcina's other hand between her own legs to stroke herself, knowing just what a sight did to the smaller woman.
It didn't take long; Sofia finished into her mouth with a strangled sound. Alcina raised her head, smirking up at her as she watched her take a moment to collect herself; her rise and fall of her chest toyed with her self control and she moved up to undo the little buttons in place, freeing her breasts for her mouth to enjoy.
"Mmm, good girl," Alcina purred, licking a little path around one nipple, bringing it to hardness.
Sofia smiled, but her look darkened with interest when the taller woman straightened to undo the back of her dress. It was much simpler for her to step out of it and cast it to the floor with little effort; she was smiling down at Sofia like an appreciative predator, watching the light flush raise on Sofia's skin all over again.
O
Sofia loved her hair.
Alcina's raven black hair was soft in her hands as the older woman had found a perch against her chest while she read a book.
"Miranda wishes for more experiments," Alcina sighed, "She gave me this castle, my daughters, and yet she treats me like the rest."
Sofia was writing something down now on her notepad nearby and she held it up in front of Alcina's eyes. The old woman looked down at it and it read: YOU'RE IN CHARGE.
Alcina gave a small titter of amusement, earning a smile from Sofia. "Yes, perhaps so. But not of the village. Mother Miranda's word is law."
Sofia sighed quietly through her nose. Then, she noticed the cover of the book that Alcina had been reading. A collection of poetry.
Alcina caught her look, sighed and nodded.
"Yes, I know. I forgot I had this," she said, with disapproval, "The stuff of dithering young ladies. Still, some of them can be quite entertaining."
"I-I like."
Alcina looked up at her with a thoughtful note before she chuckled. "Of course you do, darling. I imagine you like Romeo and Juliet."
When she received no answer, she looked up again and noticed Sofia's guilty smile. She scoffed, rolled her eyes with a mixture of disgust and amusement.
"Why is that hardly a surprise?" she continued, "Such pining and heartbreak."
Sofia looked down at her with a laugh and cupped her cheeks. She wasn't used to seeing her like this - so relaxed and even teasing her so. But she knew something was wrong. She saw it in her stare and Alcina seemed interested in dwelling.
"What sort of book did you find?" Alcina questioned, gesturing to the book Sofia had stepped aside.
"A-Ab-bout dra-gons."
Alcina grinned, letting out a short laugh. "Hm. Dragons are darling creatures. Vastly misunderstood. They paint them as the villains, but the knight came into the dragon's castle. The dragon had a right to protect what belonged to him."
Sofia nodded her head. She agreed with that, nodding. "And p-pretty."
Alcina smiled broadly at that. "Yes, aren't they just?"
When Alcina resumed her attention to her book, her mind dwelled on Miranda's words.
Something about the way she looked at Sofia bothered her greatly.
"Perhaps your new pet might contribute."
