A snowfall has blanketed the village by the time I wake up. My eyes flutter open, squinting but smiling at the sunlight flooding the room, the window bordered with pristine white, the glass frosted into geometrics. As I roll onto my back, I pause when I feel an unfamiliar weight across my stomach.

I turn my head towards the window again, now noticing a form lying next to me. I gasp through my nose – instinct keeping my mouth from making any noise – as I notice Bianca lying next to me. Her arm is sprawled across me, her features smoothed into serenity. A section of hair has fallen over her shoulder while the rest of her hair sprawls and spills across the pillow.

Looking around, there's still no Bela; the thought alone has me double checking that Bianca is alive and breathing – which she is.

At the foot of the bed, Gretta snores as she rolls onto her side, another pillow tucked into the crook of her neck.

We must've fallen asleep together; the last thing I remember was us talking about a book series, and then, nothing.

I softly smile at them, wondering if this had been the best sleep they've ever had. I half-expected them to be up and about.

The clock on the mantel reads seven-thirty in the morning. I can only assume if they were needed for duty, Helga would've come to collect them by now. I wonder if this is their first day off . . . ever.

I easily slip out of bed, the two women undisturbed and unmoving as I aim for the bathroom to freshen up.

Lady Dimitrescu said I'd have different chores once the snow fell. Next to there not being many game or plants to harvest, Bela can't join me. I hate to think about what is store for me, my ass still radiating with the phantom pain of my last encounter with Lady Dimitrescu. But I don't have much of a choice now.

A quick brushing of my hair and teeth, a dabble of cold water on my face, and I'm walking back out to find the two women stirring in the bed. Perhaps I should rouse them; a part of me doesn't want to leave them unsupervised in Bela's room.

I change into a pair of pants, choosing one of the looser fitting tunics before walking back over to the bed. Bianca's eyes flutter open upon my approach, as if sensing my presence even in sleep.

They grow wide for a second as she jostles in bed, looking around and at the clock on the mantle, as I did. I place a hand on her shoulder as Gretta moans, rolling back onto her stomach, a hand scratching at her head.

"You're fine. Looks like we fell asleep." I whisper. "I think you guys have the day off today."

"Really?" Gretta moans as she stretches long like a cat.

"You slept in pretty well."

Bianca blinks, swallowing as color creeps along her cheekbones. "I never realized how, tired we'd be."

Gretta sits up, shaking her fingers in her hair as if to help the mass of curls. Imprints line her cheek, a perfect whine line of dried drool arcing across her neck. "It's like sleeping on a cloud."

I try not to shrivel at the comment, at the thought of how I sleep compared to them. Even I was just like them months ago.

Bianca looks out the window as she slips out from beneath the sherpa blanket. Gretta's own bunching as she crosses her legs beneath. She looks to me and smiles, "I assume today is when you'll start your other chores?"

I shrug. "It's what I was going to talk to Lady Dimitrescu about. Can't really hunt much anymore."

"I think you're also due to go to Lady Beneviento's home, soon." Gretta says as she rubs her eyes.

My stomach sinks a little, heart skipping a beat. I can't afford to leave things like this with Bela. I have to try and talk to her before I leave. I'd almost forgotten that the weeks I go to Donna's is randomized, so Mother Miranda won't know when I leave, or when to expect me back. I have to try and find Bela before I leave.

Bianca and Gretta are already straightening themselves out – sniffing their armpits and taming their hair – before following me out the door. I briefly offered them means to wash up, but they insisted they were fine, if a bit too sharply.

We part ways from there, I go further down the hall towards the turn that leads to Lady Dimitrescu's chambers, while they head towards the stairs to continue on with their work day. I hope it's an easy one.

I force myself to focus on the next few steps, on what I'm to ask Lady Dimitrescu, and what I'm to expect when I step into her chambers. I make myself sick assuming the worst, but id' rather have my hopes at rock bottom.

I come to the gilded door all too quickly, and I take a deep breath before I raise my fist and knock.

"Come in," I immediately hear her say.

Stepping inside, I'm greeted with a sight that looks no different than my room.

Cassandra and Daniela are cuddled on a plush couch beside the fireplace, Lady Dimitrescu sitting at her vanity, brushing through her long, wavy hair. She looks to me with a small smile on her lips, her golden eyes glowing like a cat's.

"Ah, Erika, there you are." She purrs.

I barely have time to look back towards the daughters before Daniela pounces on me, materializing from her swarm and swinging herself around me, causing me to teeter, but not fall. In the next second she's pulled me into a hug, leaning fervently from side to side.

"It's good to see you again! You look great without all the blood on you!" Daniela chirps. She pulls back and I see her wearing a long-sleeved cotton dress where the color matches my eyes.

Cassandra is quick to reprimand, "Dani!"

Just as fast, Cassandra pulls me into a hug as well, a quick one with a back rub, but a hug, nonetheless. She wears a dress of the same material, but one of deep royal blue. No doubt to accommodate the colder weather.

I'm so taken aback that I don't know what to say, but I do look around the room for Bela, but I don't see her. It worries me.

Cassandra sees it on my face and says, "You just missed her. She left a few minutes before you came."

"Did she say where she was headed?" I ask, careful of my words with the Mistress right beside me. I can sense her stare in the reflection.

"She said she was heading back to her rooms but didn't specify for what." Daniela answers. "We all know she was worried about you, but she's been rather, distant even with us."

I look towards Lady Dimitrescu, her features having hardened a bit. I take a timid step forward, breathing slow to help keep my throat open. "My Lady, I've come to ask you about my work schedule, but if now's not a good time –"

Without looking at me, and with a wave of her hand, she says, "Now's a good a time as any, dear. Carry on."

I look back towards the two daughters. They move back towards their couch, sensing the direction of the conversation. I take another step towards Lady Dimitrescu, and I stiffen for a moment when she reaches back with an ivory comb.

Like before, I step up behind her, feeling underdressed to be brushing her hair, but I take the comb and carefully, slowly, begin to brush it down her long length.

"Winter seems to have settled in, My Lady," I begin, "and I merely wanted to ask what you would expect of me with my work schedule."

A heartbeat of silence. "What did you expect, my dear?"

I pause and blink, careful to monitor my reflection in the mirror. "I guess I expected to be set back to the kitchens, and then I'd carry on with my assignments to you, and then to Lady Bela."

She ponders as I place the comb beneath her length of hair and continue to brush.

"Don't forget we had an arrangement, Erika." Cassandra chimes from her spot on the couch. It is then I notice a breakfast tray stacked with empty plates.

"How are you feeling, dear?" Lady Dimitrescu then asks.

I shrug, "Fine, I suppose."

"What is, fine?" she drawls, leaning forward to line her lips with her classic, sinful red lipstick.

My breathing hitches at the memory of my 'punishment.' Lady Dimitrescu seems to notice this, and her smile widens as she lines her lower lip.

"I'm more than competent and capable of handling my chores."

"Mmm," she hums, almost with disproval. "I thought you'd be, prideful and swaggering at the victory against my idiot brother."

"I beg your pardon, My Lady. It was more so, exhausting. And it was less than enjoyable."

A slow nod. "I understand. I get exhausted from him almost every day." I press my lips together to keep the smile suppressed. "But it seems that your new schedule seems to have made itself. You will train with Cassandra at dawn – in replacement of your kitchen duties – then you will come to me for your servitude, and then to Bela for the remainder of your day."

I nod. "Yes, My Lady. May I also inquire about my visit with Lord Beneviento? I know the month is close to changing."

"Yes, that is another matter." She drones, eyes diverting as she rests her chin in her palm. I finish brushing and let her hair fall against her back. "I'll contact Donna and ask her if she's ready. If not, we'll keep you here until she is."

"Yes, My Lady."

"Mother!" Daniela chirps, "Might I borrow Erika until lunch?"

Both Lady Dimitrescu and Cassandra look towards the youngest daughter, one of surprise, and the other with a snarl. Daniela only flutters her eyes with a terrifyingly innocent smile.

"Might I ask why, Daniela?"

"I want to show her the greenhouse. See if she can help clean it up."

Both women seem to deflate at Daniela's words, but I look to her with confusion. "I-I'm not much of a gardener, Lady Daniela."

She shrugs. "Worth a shot. You never tried to grow your own plants?"

"I mean, a few, but I wouldn't say I'm –"

"Well regardless, Mother, she can help me clean up the greenhouse and organize the plants I want! Please, Mother? Everyone else gets to have their time with her."

The Mistress rolls her eyes. "Yes, you have been wanting to do something with that, dingy old building. What potential you see in it, I'll never know."

I look between the two women, then glance towards Cassandra – who rolls her eyes and returns to eating a sugar-sprinkled pastry. I've helped Lacy grow some simple flowers in the warmer seasons, same with helping around Luiza's garden – but she and her husband did most of the work and caring. I just trimmed the leaves, added soil, and watered it until it flooded out the bottom. I know next to nothing about gardening, and I'm sure there are much more qualified women in this castle that can do so. Course, I don't really need to question, why me.

Never mind Daniela's unexpected hobby. First knitting and now gardening? I never would've expected that from her. Quite a woman of mystery. It's terrifying.

I look back to Lady Dimitrescu, suppressing a flinch when I find her staring at me. "Do you think that is something you can handle, Erika?"

I blink twice and adjust my shoulders. "Of course, Madame."

She quirks a perfectly groomed brow. "Well then, it's settled Daniela. You'll have Erika in her final hours of her shift, once she's fulfilled the rest of our chores."

"Aw, but mother –"

Lady Dimitrescu stops her with a hand, "No sense in draining the poor girl on a daily, Daniela. We need to ensure she gets enough rest, otherwise she'll be useless to us all."

"Mother –"

"Welcome to being the youngest, Daniela." Cassandra prods, earning a beastly snarl from the copper-haired daughter. "You'll get the leftovers, just like always."

Daniela grips the back of the couch until her knuckles are white, no doubt wishing she could claw her sister's eyes. I take a careful step towards Lady Dimitrescu, if only for protection.

"Now, now, Daniela. There's no need for tantrums. You can have Erika for this morning, until she's due to help me at noon. But from further on, she'll be your companion until sundown."

Before I think better of it, I ask, "What about Lady Bela?"

Lady Dimitrescu looks to me, her eyes narrowing slightly. "I will talk with her. After all, it's important that she learns to share her toys."

"I thought I was hers."

Lady Dimitrescu cocks her head, "Well, perhaps in the beginning. But things have changed, haven't they?"

"Is she aware of these changes?"

Lady Dimitrescu blinks at me, tilting her head in that predatory way. "She will once I talk to her about it."

The bite in her tone keeps me from asking any more questions, lest I end up with my tongue ripped out.

There's a sudden tug in my chest, like a string tied to a rib, and it pulls the breath from me. The surprise has me looking to Lady Dimitrescu again, and her lips stretch into a spider's smile.

My body grows cold at the remembrance of the blood oath. How my will bends to hers whenever she decrees it.

I hate it. And I regret it.

But more so, I hate that I haven't told Bela about it. I don't know what to say, what to do.

"But Mother, I won't be able to get any work done without the sunlight!" Daniela says, then looks towards Cassandra. "Why don't we switch? I'll have her in the morning, and then you can train with her in the evening."

"Forget it! She's at her best in the morning. She could be useless by the end of the day with the labor she'd be put through."

Without thinking, I say, "Maybe it'll provide you with an advantage, Lady Cassandra."

All three golden stares flick to me, and I fold my lips in. Despite my heart thundering in terror, I'm still fighting to suppress a laugh. More so when Cassandra looks to me with an impish grin.

Daniela turns towards me, plopping in her seat and resting her arms along the back of the couch. "What would you prefer, Erika? A nice, calm morning of gardening and fucking with me, or fighting my sister until she bores you to tears?" She adds a pout and a puppy-dog stare.

I blink, color flushing to my cheeks at the sudden words and attention of all three women.

Cassandra snorts. "Well, at least now we know your motivations, Dani."

"Oh, like you haven't thought of it yourself."

"H-How will we take care of the greenhouse, Lady Daniela? Is it attached to the castle, or do we have to walk? I know the cold makes you, uncomfortable."

"I've been researching in the library. There are some things we can do to keep it warmer. It's attached to the castle, so we don't have to go far. But the cold is still a . . . matter. It should be fine. All the more reason that I need your help." Her sentences are, sporadic. Quick and twitchy, like a hummingbird. She then says, "Now answer the question."

I look to Lady Dimitrescu, hoping for an easy way out.

But to my surprise – and frankly, disappointment – she gestures me to answer. A knowing smile on her lips.

Oh, gods.

"Well," I sigh, turning my attention towards the ornately designed rug. "I am pretty used to getting up early for training; so, I think it would be nice to have a bit of a change. A-And perhaps training at the end of the day may help me sleep better. I could use it after these past couple of days."

I could've sworn something like pity softened their features. But feathering in between is a righteous anger that has me pitying anyone on the receiving end.

"I'll work with Daniela in the morning on her greenhouse," – I turn towards Lady Dimitrescu – "then come to work for you and Bela in the afternoon. Then Cassandra and I can train in the evening. If she so desires."

"Of course." Cassandra says with an aggravated sigh. She doesn't look towards me.

"Well, I'm glad that's all settled. Now, the morning is still young, and I am going to be preoccupied until one o'clock, Erika. Whether you choose to stay with Daniela or take the hour for yourself, I leave up to you."

I bow at the waist. "Yes, My Lady."

"Great!" Daniela chirps. "I can't wait to show you."

"Well, perhaps I should wait for Lady Bela –"

My feet are already swept out from beneath me, but at least I'm more prepared, thank to the clicking and swarming of Daniela's flies. She seems to be a little more careful too, as she grabs for my wrist, and hauls me out the door before my yelp of surprise breaks past my lips.

My tailbone throbs briefly as I'm dragged along the floor, the castle having become more familiar now. I know we're heading back towards the stairs, and I prepare myself for the annoying thudding of the steps against my spine, but remarkably, Daniela releases me. Her flies are a constant buzzing in my ear, but I restrain from swatting at them as I push myself to my feet, grateful that my clothes kept me from rugburn.

She continue to floats down the stairs, offering an encouraging wave, her form churning like a flock of birds at twilight. I appreciate the small gesture, sliding down the polished banister, to the shock and fear of a few servants milling about their duties. I'd love to see what they say about that.

I'm only spared a second of their attention, of their ridicule before they focus on Daniela, bowing to her as she passes.

I look around to mark my surroundings, trying to find things that will look familiar for when I come back on my own. We turn right instead of left when further down the hall of the ground floor, and I mark an antique looking plate, a glass cabinet, and a palm plant before Daniela stops.

"Here we are!" Daniela sings, presenting to me single glass door lined in white wood.

Already the temperature feels colder, and I can see the youngest Dimitrescu gritting her teeth. But it would seem excitement has overlapped her pain, as she whirls to open the door and skips inside.

I follow after her, my breath emitting as thin as a gossamer veil. I blink at the morning light flooding through the vaulted glass ceiling. There isn't much to the space, safe for a couple of old worktables set askew against the walls. This place must be the size of a small house, located in what appears to be a private garden.

Daniela skips down the length of the greenhouse, and I wonder if this was something the servants' before it fell into disuse. They had to have grown their own fruits and veggies here, with the amount of room this place has. And if my memory holds, we're not that far from the kitchen.

"As you can tell," Daniela grits, "we have much to do. But not too much. The glass provides enough filtration, but we'll have to do some more if we're to keep anything alive in here."

It's odd; in the hall it felt colder, but inside, it is noticeably warmer. But still Daniela shivers as she looks about the space, likely already deciding what she wants to do.

"Do you plan on growing flowers, or some food?" I ask, stepping around a pile of old soil, now smeared in cobwebs.

"Yes." She smiles. "If I'm feeling bold, maybe I'll throw in some chairs or something, make it like my own little happy place."

"I hope you don't plan on watering them with blood."

Daniela snorts. "No! What a waste that'd be. But I do think we could do something more with the space. Maybe have a little corner dedicated to carnivorous plants, or maybe have some wisteria lining along the rafters."

"Those flowers that were at Bela's party were beautiful."

"Oh, I know!" she gasps. "I want something like that for my birthday!"

Pleasant conversation aside, I'm still on guard. The youngest daughter has been nothing short of unpredictable, even a bit delusional. She might try to swing for me at a second's notice.

"Are you not able to contact the person arranged the flowers for Bela's birthday?"

"Ugh, no. Mother had to special order them through Duke. And that blubbery walrus has more connections that I care to dream of.

I trot closer to her, eyeing the outside – trying to decipher any familiarities of where we could be. I think I see a small vineyard. "So, what exactly do we need to do?"

"Don't worry; I've done my research, and I just need you to pick up some things for me in the market." As she speaks, Daniela twirls in the middle of the greenhouse, the space large enough to hold a small fountain.

"Like, today?"

"Preferably."

I hum, "You sure do have some interesting hobbies."

"Some more preferable than others. But it's something I have to do. Have to keep an edge on my sisters."

"What more of an edge could you possibly need?"

"Flattering. But believe it or not, turning into a swarm of flies can get tiring eventually. And since I'm not as good of a hunter as Cassandra, or as rudimentary smart as Bela, I need something that helps me level with my sisters."

"It shouldn't have to be a competition." I say before I think better of it.

"It's not. But I've noticed mother loves them more – and I think it's because of their developed skills. And while I am working on a new scarf for Mother, I need something else."

"You shouldn't feel like you need anything."

"Hmm, that's easy for you to say, Erika. You're then oldest. I don't think you'd understand."

I shrug. Looking back out, it'll be a little frigid, but maybe that trip to the market will do me some good, having nothing else to do for the rest of the day. I don't even think I'd have the time. I lean against the edge of a long, wooden table and fold my arms. Glancing about and surprisingly eager to get to work on this space. But still the thought, and that incessant pull of the blood oath distracts me, and I find myself gritting my teeth on a held breath.

"You know," Daniela says, breaking me from thought. I glance over to her standing on my right, "this doesn't have to be just, my space. It can be our space. Since we'll both be putting in the effort to restore it.

I doubt that, but I sigh, "Look, Daniela, I – I can't."

"Can't what?"

"I can't be with you. Whatever feelings you might have for me, I cannot reciprocate."

The youngest daughter snickers, then it quickly turns into laughter that has my cheeks flushing. "Oh please, I already knew that. I was going to say that it looks like you have something on your mind. Something other than my sister."

I snap my head to her, the heat in my cheeks worsening. Daniela gives me a damning smile.

"You can be very poor at hiding your emotions, sometimes. Though maybe I should be flattered that you don't feel the need to hide them from me."

"So, you're not interested in me?"

"Not like Cassandra or Bela, but you are fun to have around."

I blink, heart sinking. It takes my mind a moment to process the words, to bear their weight. "Cassandra, likes me?"

"Isn't it obvious?" Daniela asks so matter-of-factly.

I look away from her as the words sink deeper and deeper, dragging my stomach with them.

"Oh dear." Daniela says after a moment. "You didn't know?"

I push off the table. "No, I didn't know! Why would I pay attention to that?"

"I thought it was obvious." She's so nonchalant about it that it's irritating.

I moan into my hands, running my fingers through my hair.

"You also didn't deny that there's something else on your mind." She prods. She hops onto the table, swinging her feet beneath the skirt of her dress. So unladylike it's laughable.

I'm taking a gamble on this, but who else could I talk to? I won't tell Bianca or Gretta; I can't get them involved in this. I cannot talk to Bela, because I don't have the time, and because I don't know what to say to her. Cassandra would manipulate me, Helga . . . maybe, but I've barely seen the housekeeper these days, and I won't have the time to try and track her down.

Who knows, I might know more than she does at this point. Helga might know about the killings, but does she know about Dimitrescu? About her daughters, and why they have to kill these women?

I sigh, turning towards the table and placing my palms flat against its surface. "Can you keep a secret, Daniela?"

Her golden eyes – eyes of wildfire – widen and her mouth gapes. "I knew it! You did have a secret thing for Cassandra!"

"No!" I hiss. "It's something else. And I cannot talk to anyone about this."

"Not even Bela?"

"Not even Bela."

Daniela eagerly claps her hands. "Oh! Exciting! Tell me, tell me, tell me!"

"Daniela, please, you have to promise not to tell."

"Why wouldn't you trust me?" She pouts.

"Because you just told me that Cassandra has feelings for me!"

"I thought that was obvious. That does not count. Besides, she never asked me not to say anything, anyways."

I rub my temples, ready to just leave and crawl into a hole.

"Come on! Just tell me!" She says with giddy, nearly hopping in place from her spot on the table. "I swear on my life as a Dimitrescu."

I sigh, shaking my head. "Don't make me regret this." I growl. She nods, scooting herself closer and crossing her legs beneath her. She props her chin onto her hands, like a child awaiting a bedtime story. Slowly, I whisper, "I saw something, about your mother. Something that I, wasn't supposed to see." I look to Daniela. "And because of it, your mother made me take a blood oath to her."

Daniela grows still, mouth gaping. Blinking a few times before the realization sets in. "You saw mother's second skin?"

"Is that what you call it? And now, I only saw a glimpse."

"What was it like?" Her eyes are alight with intrigue.

I'm baffled and horrified at her reaction. My mind runs through a million responses, making me stutter as I say, "I – I don't know. I didn't see it all."

"Mother Miranda is the only person to have seem Mother in her other form! How incredible!"

"It's not incredible! Not with what it's wrought."

"What are you talking about. A blood oath isn't that bad, unless . . . unless . . ." She looks to me, and I watch the thoughts swirl in her mind. "By the Black God – you love Bela."

"I don't know what I feel. And I don't think she does either."

Daniela rolls her eyes. "Please, it sticks out like a sore thumb. Have you not been paying attention?"

"I've tried, and all I've been given are mixed signals and nights where I warm her bed. I thought we had something at the ball – I thought it was the beginning of something, but since being kidnapped by Heisenberg . . . I don't know what's happened."

"She practically went feral for you, Erika."

"But she hasn't some to see me since. And I thought she would."

"Did you want her to?"

Yes. No.

I sigh into my hands again. I wanted solitude – but I wanted the company. I need to contemplate what had happened, what I'd done, but I wanted a friendly, reassuring voice, telling me that I did what I had to do. I wanted to be left alone, but I wanted that presence by my side.

When Daniela next speaks, it's softer. "Look, I can safely say that she didn't come to see you because, Mother wanted her to stay with us." I look to find Daniela picking at dirt beneath her fingernails. "We almost lost her through all this. And Mother was, affected. We were scared. She wanted to leave, but we convinced her otherwise. So I'm hoping you can forgive us for our selfishness."

Without hesitation, I whisper, "Of course I can."

"Erika, you have to tell her."

"And what then? Risk tearing a rift between her and Dimitrescu?"

"It's worse keeping it from her. It's clear that this oath has affected you. And Bela might be the only person that can break you of it."

I shake my head. But I pause for a heartbeat. "You really think that Dimitrescu would break it for her?"

"Our mother loves us dearly. I'm sure that if Bela commanded enough or begged sweetly enough, she'd sever it."

"What if I tried to bind myself to Bela?"

Daniela blinks. "I don't know about that. It's dangerous. It's not the same compared to if you were to make a blood oath to Mother Miranda. There's still a hierarchy level to this."

"But she'd do it for Bela."

"Yes." I nod, but my silence has Daniela asking. "Why are you so afraid to tell her?"

"Because it feels like cheating; when I don't even know what we are. If we even became something that would constitute cheating."

"Cheating, how?"

I reel in my anger at the memory, despite my core pulsing in unison. "Lady Dimitrescu sought to treat me like one of her harlots with the oath. And used it to keep me silent as well."

"Is that also why you won't tell Bela?"

No judgment, no ridicule. It's surprising.

"It feels like I betrayed her."

The youngest daughter tilts her head. "You had no choice but to accept."

"But I think I liked it."

"In the moment maybe, but if she were to approach you now?"

"I don't think I'd have a choice."

"But if you did, blood oath aside."

A heartbeat of silence. "Then . . . I'd resist. Yes."

"Okay, then you have nothing to worry about."

"I do. Bela and her mother."

"Let that be handled within the family."

I deflate, staring blankly ahead with an unconvinced shake of my head.

Daniela rolls her shoulders, and says a gentle lightness, "Look, a little sisterly advice, if you want to court my sister, you've got to be a straight shooter."

"If I even can court her. Or if she wants to court me." I mutter.

"So you're thinking about it?"

"Well, yes, but I shouldn't. Because Lady Dimitrescu would never allow it."

Daniela shrugs – I don't know if it's because she's unsure herself, or she just doesn't care.

We finish wandering about the greenhouse, and I am given a list of supplies to bring back to the library. Daniela said 'preferably' she's like me to go today, and honestly, what else is there for me to do.

Unfortunately, I leave that greenhouse even more afraid of Daniela than before. And I pray to the Black God that I didn't make the biggest mistake of my life.