After visiting their mother, the girls joined Daniela in the kitchen. Daniela excitedly brought Ethan a bottle of warm milk. Saying hi to rosemary who smiled and giggled up at her after being awoken for her dinner. Returning soon after to help set up the dining table before calling everyone in to sit. Still tuckered out, Ethan tucked rosemary back into bed. The sleeping quarters were close enough to hear her if she started crying. Bela checked in on Donna's health, then on Ethan's. "your fever hasn't spiked again. Feel hot at all?"

"haven't for a while. I think it's actually gone this time." sitting next to Donna he looked to the large chair further down. "Is your mother coming?"

"no, she's staying in to not strain herself."

"how is she?"

"doing fine." Cassandra answered. "lots of stitching needed to be done. Her face I couldn't do anything about. The skinned half has to grow back on its own. She hopes it won't scar. Her leg had the muscle pierced, that'll need time even after I closed it. She says she's sure her ribs are broken and will take the longest to heal." digging something out of her pocket to slide across the table. "That's yours."

"what is it?" squinting at the silver piece.

"a bit of bullet that fell out of her side. Must've gotten stuck between the quick healing."

he awkwardly looked away. "oh. ..." dipping his head down.

"After resting a few days most things should be healed." Bela finished.

"ah."

"You shouldn't have run away earlier. What were you going to do? Try not to get crushed in the fight? You would've been Miranda's prime target and then-"

He let out a whining sign. "Why am I getting scolded again? I said I was sorry."

"because mother asked me to." she smirked as she poured him a glass of tart blood orange lemonade. Setting the pitcher in the middle of the table. It was a brilliant orange color mixing with fresh cut slices of both fruits. Sipping on his glass, he watched the pieces settle around the ice in waiting for the food. Stomach growling at the savory smell traveling from the kitchen. Once everyone was served and seated they dug into the meal. Mini open faced pies baked with smoked salmon, cheese and a few other savory things he wasn't used to. Still he liked it and was happy to have it.

"at least it isn't burnt." Angie mumbled. Receiving an elbow from Donna to be nice. "what? She burns everything, doesn't she?"

Ethan almost choked on a sip of lemonade from holding a chuckle. Hearing the girls talking about their mother. Daniela, overexcited about it, talked fast about the new things they learned about their mother.

"She can't breath fire, but she has a swarm like ours – The second head has some separate thought processing, but no self of its own - It's actually harder to eat with all the jaws and takes some shifting of them to swallow the food back. - She can choose when to change, except when she hasn't had any blood in a while then-" Daniela went on and on.

Ethan listened to a good chunk of it as he ate through his meal. Mind drifting off onto his plans for the future. The girls seemed to have had their own already.

"we're still going to Spain?!" Daniela had to be pushed out of Bela's space.

"Yes, I asked what we were going to do with the property. She said it wouldn't hurt to have a home for the colder months. Expanding the business was a grand idea as well. With Miranda gone we can go wherever we please."

"when?!"

"maybe close to spring. Depends on her getting better. We'll visit for a little while to set it up as a proper home. Maybe some maintenance as well."

Ethan took a sip of his drink in drifting off in thought again. Sounds like they got a plan. Maybe I have until spring to move out. Setting the date for himself then have the girls enforce one.

Easier said than done with the days passing by. It all felt incredibly slow and yet distressingly fast. Three days later, Ethan had been scribbling ideas. Only to toss them away in crumpled piles collecting in a milk crate. Ethan looked across the spread papers duke delivered to him earlier that day. Crossing over job offers the entire day for what he discussed. Thankfully farmhands were needed everywhere and provided lodging of some sort. Off to the side was a bottle of fresh suppressants to keep him going for a while. When he finally did choose he wouldn't have to worry when his next dose could be afforded. Scanning across the offerings he felt light headed and sick. Torn on wanting to choose and wanting to stay where he was. We can't stay, I already said no. I'm just being a mooch now. Raking his hands through his hair he leaned back. Taking in a deep breath to settle his stomach. ... I haven't seen her in a while. Glancing toward the door leading into the main castle halls. Is she doing okay? Must be, the girls aren't too worried. All their chats had been surrounding their eventual trip to Spain.

He rubbed his face in breathing out his stress. Fighting back the exhaustion weighing on him. Sleep of any sort had been fickle for him. Half the nights he'd been up wandering in the hopes that he'd sleep after returning to bed. He would, however, never very deeply. The lack of sleep was starting to affect him in the waking day. He didn't even notice Angie had come up to stand by him.

scanning across all his papers. "How stressful can it be to pick a farm, ain't they all the same?"

"no, most the jobs are seasonal. Sends most of these into the trash." crumpling another paper to toss. "Maybe I'll just pick one for now and be a bit of a nomad when the seasons end. Can't sit around here forever."

"better stay." Donna softly whispered.

"huh?"

Angie clarified. "Lady Dimitrescu needs to do a lot of healing and your presence helps that along. Better you stick around."

"you sure that's a good idea? I feel like I shouldn't be here after the refusal."

"you'll be fine, like she'd kick you out, and it's better for her."

"mm."

"you'll be closer to the duke for any documents you need. Rose will need a lot of them if you plan to travel. What if you need to cross some borders?"

"That's true." glancing over his awkward pile of papers. "but…"

"but what?"

"my healing presence isn't worth much. I'm just taking up space here."

"You take up the same space as a broom closet. If you're so worried about sitting around, go talk to lady."

"and say what?"

"ask for chores. Maybe get some courage and ask for a job. She's had like twelve positions open since the- uh- staff firings, and no one else is lined up."

"hmm. Not a bad idea." do something, maybe earn my own money for the move. Shuffling papers back into a stack he shoved them into a drawer.

Bela peaked her head in. "dinners ready. We're having venison and mashed potatoes." swarming away back to the dining room.

"food!" the doll excitedly screamed. Running ahead of everyone else.

"You don't even eat." Ethan called after her. Taking rose with him to sit at the table before his hot meal. To the side a small plate of mashed potatoes and a bottle for Rose.

"Rose does and it's fun making potato castles with her."

"Yeah, and you don't have to clean her up."

"exactly!"

He rolled his eyes. Pulling the small plate away for Rose to eat a couple spoonfuls without Angie sticking her hands all over it. Looking to the large seat left empty for the 4th night in a row. He worried again how well Alcina was doing having not seen her since the fight. I can try seeing her tomorrow for that talk. wincing when a splat of mash hit his face. Rose had gotten started on her potato mountain without help from Angie. He chuckled while taking up a napkin to clean himself off. Chatter filled the dining room over the course of their meal. Half of Ethan's plate was gone while the rest was picked at. Another trip up he'd been facing the past few days. Coaxed a few times by Bela to eat more from his plate until that no longer worked on him. Simmering down, Ethan helped clean the dishes despite Bela telling him it wasn't needed. Partly he hoped it would tire him out in preparation for bed.

Castle, calm in darkness from the normal daylight hustle. Became the perfect time for one's thoughts to run through the quiet night. A black nail tapped a shattered piece of mirror. The desk covered in similar pieces littered down to the floor. Alcina stared into the half remaining of the destroyed mirror. The glow of her eyes caught in the reflection of the cracked glass. Looking back at her miserable self sitting alone in the dark. Why am I not enough? Looking over her knuckles. Still too slow. Continuing to bleed from punching the vanity mirror. Was it worth it?… Well, Heisenberg is gone. Softly smiling about it. Her lovely landscape view was always tainted by the black smoke of Karl's running factory, but now no longer. No more meetings with him, or anyone. No one can call me useless, worthless, a disappointment. These are my lands now and I doubt Donna will challenge me for the title. She sighed at the dreadful feeling sinking in again. Ethan was still here, she wanted him to leave already. But wasn't about to chase him out. Why bother? to make the position available? Could I find another omega out there? Should I take the time to travel? She shut her eyes until a plik noise had her look down. Growling at her side, pooling blood that dripped down to the floor. Great, hate getting blood on the carpet. She stood from her small stool, wincing at a stabbing pain from her ribs. Limping out into the darkened hall down to the large cleaning closet. Grabbing a handful of gauze rolls to return with.

Ethan hadn't been wandering the dark castle for too long. He tossed and turned in his bed for hours. Tired of that he left the room to wander the castle. Having no goal of where to go, but hoping his buzzing thoughts would be silenced. Questioning whether it was anxiety or for other reasons. Her scent was gone from the common areas. He missed the talks, her gentle care to calm his nerves. He felt alone, even with the girls still happy to hang around. He avoided the alpha for as long as he could and now all he wanted was to see her.

He stopped at a crossing hall, having heard unsteady steps. Overly quiet, he knew whose they were right away. Shrinking slightly against the nearby wall when she came into view. It was the first time he'd ever seen her in a more relaxed presentation. A short sleeved buttoned up nightshirt of varying grays that draped to her hips. Matching baggy pants went down to cover a pair of simple black slip-on shoes. Her hair flowed down loosely into wavy curls ending at her shoulders. Her beauty captivated him, as much as it did when he first saw her. Despite keeping quiet her eyes flicked onto him. A golden glow from them catching the minimal light.

Spotting him immediately, she stopped to ask. "Why are you up?"

He swallowed before answering. "couldn't sleep… why are you?" trying not to over step in asking. He cast his eyes down from hers. He didn't know how she'd still be taking the rejection.

"Bandages... Do you need anything?"

"No, I'm fine." Ethan studied her hands without their usual gloves for cover. He saw the start of her sharp black nails along with the oddity of her finger tips being black as if frostbitten. Maybe it's just an illusion from the shadows. Concerned about the fresh blood on her knuckles, but he didn't ask about it. carefully glancing over he did spot another concerning issue. The edge of a large bloody patch at her side. From his angle he couldn't tell exactly how big. A plip noise hit the cool marble floor, now marked by a drop of blood. Following where she came from he could see a small trail highlighted by the moonlit windows.

She glanced back just as he did. Scowling at the mess she was trailing. "You should go to bed." limping past the crossing halls to leave Ethan alone.

Leaving the way she was had Ethan's anxiety spike. She can't be left like that. "Can I help?" he offered before she got too far.

She stopped to look back. "If you wish." giving him the grace of catching up to her side before continuing.

The quiet of their walk only broken by the sound of their steps. Along the way he watched the steady drip of blood turn thick in a steady trail. Slowing behind to catch up to her other side. Getting a good look at the wound staining from her ribs to pool at her hip. Blood collecting at her nightshirts edge to flow off. This needs more than a change. Glancing repeatedly at the growing stain he debated on asking about it. Trying not to stare at the bloody bandage siding the left half of her face. Alphas didn't like weaknesses to be pointed out. Watching her step through the darkened doorway of her room, he stood back at its edge. Instincts warning him that he was about to jump into an abyss where something dangerous lived. An alphas den could turn into an imprisoning nightmare for an omega. He couldn't run or claim some space to himself like the other den, she had full control here. His chest tightened at the idea of entering. Jumping at her stern voice.

"It's rude to linger in doorways." she tempered her agitation to not snap at him. "come in, or go away." Not happy about leaving the door open while he stood between it. Regretting she took his offer to help, even if the extra hands made it easier. Flicking a match she tossed it into her fireplace. Lighting up a small patch of kindle on a lone chunk of wood. Just enough fire to make a working light, but one that would die quickly. Grabbing a black jug from the side table she popped off the cork. Pouring the pure blood into a wine glass only cut by some added spices. She didn't want to be drunk off blood wine all the time and her healing demanded it straight. Taking a sip as she grabbed the medical kit she'd been keeping close. Long out of bandages after these past few days. She sighed in setting aside the bottle of medical alcohol. Where to begin?… my face. Staring at herself in the broken mirror. Coming into view of its reflection was Ethan, stepping inside after his long hesitation. Her focus on treating her injuries was lost as she watched him react to her den. Chest fluttering at an omega approaching so close.

His curiosity of the décor around the room to how he was carrying himself. Nervous, yet overall he was relaxed in his bold approach others wouldn't do. Taking notes of his health being. Less than subpar. She tapped a finger against her bandaged face. Wanting to herd him into nesting down on her bed. Not liking the circles darkening under his eyes. his clothes looser than before made it tempting to offer him a meal. Switching to his anxiety over the blood bottle nearby. She considered putting it away to make him comfortable. … doesn't matter. He's leaving soon. Moving her resting hand to remove the bandage on her face.

The peeling sound of medical tape reminded him what he was here for. approaching quietly over to her side while she inspected her face. Appearing quite gruesome by the layers of revealed muscle her skin once hid. Deep claw marks funneled down the collected blood to drip off her jaw. blood dabbed away from where it smeared around, now clean for a new bandage patched on. Maybe this will be gone in a few more days. It better not fucking scar. Full willing to mangle her own face to erase Miranda's mark upon her skin.

Facing toward her side to tackle the larger wound next. She lifted the edge of her bloody nightshirt to scowl at the fabrics drenched condition. It'll take forever to remove this stain.

"your stitches popped."

glancing at him then back toward her side. "was afraid that was the case." It was hard to see from her angle, but by the amount of blood she knew it was true.

"I can restitch it, if you let me."

She nodded. "Yes, let's do it by the fire for some light." grabbing the med box to take along. Setting everything on the coffee table she grabbed the alcohol rag to clean away the blood as much as she could. Pressing dry gauze to hold in the rest long enough for Ethan to start stitching. Wincing at him pulling out the old torn wire first. The rest went far more smoothly needing a small clean up at the end before the new bandage was wrapped on. Reaching the end of the wrap he dug around the box for a pair of scissors to cut it off. Knowing he wouldn't find any she offered a sharp claw. He leaned away at first, then slipped the wrap against it. Sliced through without resistance he taped its end down to the rest of it.

She spoke a soft. "Thank you." taking the glass of blood up to her lips.

"welcome." setting the items back into the med box.

The silence settling in made him tense in her presence. Not liking that, she struck up some conversation. "Where do you plan to go?"

"not sure. … the country side somewhere? I was aiming to be a farm hand. Get my own place, maybe travel a lot." clearing his throat. "I-i don't think I want to be around people anymore. Everyone I've gotten close to... My wife worked for some company that nearly killed the both of us after she went missing for years. A man who was supposed to protect us-" choking up on his words. "killed her. … him and his squad took me and rose away. ...Miranda discovered me and rose through a leak... I'm tired, I want to settle. was aiming to be self reliant and off grid from society. Live in the countryside enjoying some views and the fresh air."

"What about your daughter?"

"... it'll be hard, but we'll make it."

"how will you explain her?"

He scratched the back of his head. "stay cautious, like I did before."

She didn't feel his plan was the best. Being on the run is hardly a life. So many things could go wrong, especially if anyone saw her and connected the dots to him being an omega. Strict homeschooling for her, then what after? They don't deserve this. A burning anger burst alive in her chest. The feeling of being useless to help him in the long run. What'd he even do wrong? If I could find those men I would- the wine glass in her hand shattered.

Ethan shrunk under the aggression. Much of the blood poured to the floor as the rest flowed down Alcina's arm. She closed her eyes to breath out the anger. Wanting to reassure him when she opened them again. "that wasn't toward you..." setting down the glass remains down onto the coffee table. Flicking the blood off toward the fire where it sizzled off in the heat. "You should go to bed." leaving his side to get changed and clean. "You have a lot to plan."

Ethan stayed quiet, nodding as he slowly got off the couch to gingerly walk out the door. All his actions oozed anxiety of accidentally catching her wrath. Soon as he was gone she felt a little relieved to be alone again. The fire dying down for the room to engulf itself back in darkness. She scooped up some new nightwear from the nearby dresser. Glaring at yet another blood stain she'd cause.

A fresh morning brought by the rising gold sun beaming through the windows. Ethan was still up after returning to his room. Those wounds were really bad. Breathing out his worry to rise from bed. Cleaned and dressed he did the same for rosemary once she was awake. Water splashed toward him from her bucket bath. During breakfast she tried to feed Ethan some banana he sliced for her. He smiled whenever she giggled at the faces he made. Holding her in a soft bundled blanket he held her hand through his breakfast. Chewing through another wave of anxiety. What am I going to do? Hiding it the best he could from his daughter. People will notice. A lone omega will spread like wildfire. Tapping his fork on his pancakes. Can I hide her away until she's older? Smiling at his little girl, patting his face, faltering briefly. I can't do that.

"you alright?" Bela asked, being the only other up so early.

"yeah... can you ask your mother for a list of chores?"

"you want chores?"

"mm... maybe a job." he half mumbled.

"You want to be our maid?" an amused smile set on her face.

"better than me sitting around being useless."

"you're not being useless, you're getting back on your feet after Miranda. That takes time."

"not really. Earning money before I go can help. So why not?"

"mother would just give you the money."

"no, I don't want to do that. Not after everything else."

She smiled. "alright." cleaning up her plate. "I'll have a talk with mother before everybody else wakes." preparing the later serving of breakfast she set aside a gathering of foods across the table. With an assembled plate she grabbed a special bottle from the cellar. heading toward her mothers room, knowing she would be up by now, like she was. Swarming away she reached the elegantly carved door to give a quick knock. Entering after a quick answer she saw her mother leaning over the bed.

The room was still kept dark with the curtains shut. dressed in her usual morning robe, draping all the way to the floor in a silvery blue, its soft silk was tied close around her waist. Long sleeves draping over her hands onto the bed. Alcina was fixing her bed spread by repeatedly smoothing the covers. It's too thin- no-... it's not. Glaring down at the bed being such an improper nest. But it wasn't supposed to be one in the first place. Repeatedly telling herself so since Ethan left her den last night.

"Mother, breakfast."

"mm." she hummed, taking in a breath to ease her tension. Straightening herself she winced with a hiss at her ribs causing problems. "Have you eaten yet?" taking her plate she smiled at her daughter's concerned face. Wanting to calm Bela's worries that she worked so hard to hide.

she smiled back. "yes." Wavering at seeing the vanity broken since yesterday.

To keep her from asking about it she redirected their focus. "ready to go over numbers?" being the guiding hand to fully settle Bela in the role of business owner. Not with the current winery, but their new Spain based one. Excited to do so, she looked forward to her other daughters gaining their own winery branches some day.

"Yes, but I wanted to talk about Ethan first."

"winters, why?" tensing at the topic, but hiding it as her ribs hurt while she sat down. Was he leaving? Her chest turned unbearably tight. I have to- no. don't let him- no. scolding herself at every turn.

Bela's voice stopped the rushing thoughts. "He's interested in working for us."

"working?" tension dying to confusion. "what for, doing what?"

"money." shrugging. "whatever you ask of him?

She scoffed. "That's all?" taking up a piece of bacon to bite a piece off. "why doesn't he a-"

prickly toward her mothers attitude. "He doesn't want to ask for it!"

"tone." shooting her daughter a look, Bela dipped her head with a look away. "wasn't his plan to become a farm hand? He can get a place and a job elsewhere. He has to go."

"he can't."

"Bela-"

"he can't!"

"tone."

"no! You know he can't! And what about you?! Your healing-"

"will improve, but-"

"but it hasn't! Because you keep hiding in the dark!"

Alcina stood from her seat to snap back. Instead she hissed through a bolt of pain taking her breath away. Leaning against her small writing desk to recover.

"The healing hasn't improved at all. You're still bleeding." Bela continued while her mother couldn't. "and you need to stop acting like a child."

she growled through grit teeth. "I'm not hiding." snorting the next. "I'm healing, and doing so in private is not childish."

"I wasn't referring to that! What happened to the mirror? Hm?… same thing that happened to the end table? The couch pillows, the statue or your last canopy?"

Her mother looked away. "my temper slipped." she excused every time, however there was more to it. "What would you have me do then? Walk out and bleed down the halls?"

"Go hide in your office. At least you'll pick up Ethan's presence while crossing the halls. Give him a job, it'll keep him around and you can make a schedule to avoid him."

She mumbled a list of curse words. "very well. I'll give him a list."