Thanks for reading everyone! In this chapter Alcina is dragged to the Stanislav home to celebrate the birth of Helena, but a dark shadow continues to lurk behind her and sets /her/ sights on Roderick.

The next morning Alcina remained in bed for as long as possible. It was not until Helena started to whimper did she rise.

"Time for a change, my darling, and then you will have breakfast."

Alcina had no issue changing her daughter, cleaning her up before she decided to take a bath.

"Hold on, my love," Alcina said, starting the water in the tub and keeping an eye on the temperature and the depth of the water. It did not go over Alcina's knees that way she could set Helena down into it. "There that feels nice, doesn't it?"

Helena stared at the water curiously, slapping her hands on the surface and flinching as it splashed at her face.

She scowled up at her mother who was tittering softly at her reaction.

"You already have such thick hair," Alcina commented, carefully running water through it. "According to my mother, I was bald for the longest time. I wish you could have met her, my love. You both would have been quite the dynamic duo."

"Alcina?"

"In here Fredric," Alcina called out to him.

"Sorry," he said, appearing on the lip of the doorway.

"For what?" she said, continuing to bathe Helena, who was splashing the water with more enthusiasm.

"She is enjoying herself," he laughed.

"A little too much," Alcina said. "Could you get a towel and dry her off, please."

Fredric nodded, grabbing a towel and picking her up out of the bath.

It was then did she start to whimper and fuss in his arms.

"I will be out in a moment. Can you get her dressed?"

"I think I can manage that," he said, leaving the bathroom with a still fussing daughter. "I think she is cussing me out."

"Good," Alcina said with a smile, turning on the faucet to give herself more water so she could take a proper bath.

Once she was satisfied, Alcina climbed out of the tub and dried herself off.

"How are things going?" Alcina said, donning her night robe.

"I have her in the dress, though she does not look pleased with me."

Alcina snorted, quickly recovering herself from the unladylike sound she had just produced.

Their daughter was seated in her crib with a hateful glare at them both. If she had the ability to cross her arms, she would have been doing so.

"We are lucky she cannot speak yet," Fredric said. "The words she would be saying to us."

"You."

"Me? I did not choose the dress," he said more to Helena than Alcina. "Your mother loves that color and it makes you look so pretty."

Alcina crossed her arms now, puckering her lips and waiting further for Fredric to continue his ridiculous flattery.

"Anyway," Fredric said, rubbing the back of his head. "Breakfast will begin soon."

"I cannot wait…"

Just as Alcina predicted the day dragged on and on. Thankfully she was able to escape and hide back in the room with Helena. Dame Stanislav who was, 'far too busy preparing the last details for the party', left Alcina alone for the majority of the day.

Fredric, on the other hand, spent his time with his father. Roderick would appear from time to time, but then leave the manor for hours. Alcina watching him depart in his own car from the window.

"Roderick…" she whispered his name, looking away from the car and to a single bird flying out from a nearby tree. She squinted her eyes, observing how its dark wings shown with some purple from the sunlight. Never had she seen a bird such as that. It was no crow that she knew. Perhaps a raven, then. Upwards it flew and then back down into a group of trees near the manor where it disappeared from her sight.

She turned away upon Helena crying. Just like what her mother had explained to her, Alcina was training her ears to learn what each of Helena's different cries meant. This one she recognized as a cry for more milk.

"There's a good girl," Alcina said, lifting her up and taking her over to the bed. From there she unbuttoned her dress to allow her left breast to be exposed. Once her nipple was in Helena's sights did her girl clamp her lips over it and suckle. She was very gentle. She did not pull or yank, but suckled slowly. "My girl," she hummed. "You are so kind to me. Let us hope tonight treats me the same way…"

{…}

Night descended and with it came the guests. Alcina not liking to leave Helena in the care of a strange maid, she was dragged out by Fredric.

"She will be just fine," he consoled her. "Do not worry."

Alcina was worried. She was always worried.

How out of place Alcina felt once they reached the opera hall. The room was already packed with people. The music blasting from the stage and making her want to just run away. The music. The drinking. The dancing. There was so much. Too much.

"Fredric, Alcina."

"Hello Father," Fredric said.

"Your mother went a little overboard," he said.

"We appreciate all you have done," Fredric said. "Where is Mother?"

"Lost with her guests," he said. "Roderick is here somewhere, but I am not sure where."

"I see," Fredric said.

"Come, I will introduce you to some of our guests," he said, smiling at Alcina. Always did he treat her with respect and love.

Alcina loped her arm around Fredric in order not to lose him. His father introducing them to some of the other guests, Alcina could not help but notice the looks she was receiving. Many of the older and younger women would look at her and then start to whisper to one another. Critiquing her. Judging her.

Next were the men. All wolves who vied to take her hand for a dance. Ready to jump on her if she released her hold from Fredric.

"Lord Fredric," a young woman Alcina did not recognize barged her way in front of them. "May I ask you to join me in a dance? Your mother claims you are the best."

Alcina stared down at the child with a disgusted countenance. A look she had learned from Dame Stanislav herself. She hoped it would scare her off, but the wench never looked her way.

"Oh, well, that is very kind of you…"

"Go ahead, my boy," Duke Stanislav said.

"I would, but I have yet to dance with my wife first."

Alcina smiled lovingly at him.

"I will dance with you after," he said, leading Alcina to the dance floor.

"You are sweating," Alcina said.

"My mother is relentless," he said, placing a hand on her hip and taking her hand.

"She sent the woman over. Just as she will send more and more to you."

"I will have to speak with her later."

"Now you are understanding me," Alcina said. "But you gave her your word you would dance."

"If you do not wish me to, I will not."

"You best," Alcina whispered, the two twirling about the room at a nice steady pace. "I do not think we need to further fuel your mother with other reasons to blame me for something."

"Blame you for what?"

"Things," Alcina said. "She wanted me to marry Roderick, not you. She truly believes I seduced you with some kind of magic. And then there is not seeing Helena for an entire month."

"Roderick," Fredric said, that part he seemed to be stuck on. "Roderick would never have been suitable for you."

"That is correct, which is why I chose you, because of the difference between the both of you."

"What do you mean difference?"

"I fell in love with you, because of your kindness. Because you are my equal."

Fredric started to smile his boyish smile at her, making her roll her eyes at him adoringly. He leaned forward and kissed her on the lips.

Once the song had ended, Fredric kept his word and danced with the young woman. Meanwhile, Alcina was approached by several different men. Being a respectable lady, she obliged and danced with each of them. All looked and sounded the same to her. It was like each of their faces was a blank canvas. White and decorated with two black dots for eyes and a wide lopsided smile. She could not look at them. Instead she started to search around for where Fredric had disappeared to.

Finally the music had stopped. The audience clapped and cheered. Alcina then took the opportunity to escape out to the balcony. She needed some fresh air and figured no one would miss her absence anyway, though where she truly wanted to go was upstairs to her truest love, Helena.

The gentle breeze hit her face, allowing her a moment to find comfort and peace. She could hear the peepers off in the distance. An owl hooting its song. She leaned against the balcony, staring down at the darkness below.

"Mother," she whispered. "I miss you…" A few tears trailed down her face and splashed onto the railing. She took in a deep breath, staring up at the dark sky. "Are you up there somewhere? Can you see and hear me?" She fell silent and heard the balcony door open. She quickly wiped the few tears away and turned to see him.

For the briefest moment she thought it was Fredric, but when he flashed a smile at her, her heart plummeted.

"Roderick," she said.

"I need a bit of fresh air. It is far too stuffy in there for my taste," he said, holding two drinks in his hand. "I figured you might want one of these."

"Thank you." She took the drink from him, watching him as he approached the railing and leaned against it.

"Dreary night, isn't it? So dark."

"The breeze is nice," she said.

"Mmm," he said, taking a sip of his drink before turning and resting his back against the marble. "Where is Fredric?"

"I lost him a little while ago," she said, taking a small sip of her own drink. "I grew tired of dancing."

"I grew tired of the talking," Roderick replied, smiling at her.

"That as well," she said, giving him a faint smile.

He took another long sip of his drink before he continued.

"Fredric is lucky to have you. With so many men in there who would fight for your hand…"

"I am lucky to have him," she said. "He is a good man."

"That he is," Roderick said, finishing his drink and then setting the glass down. "Though Mother does not think you are a good enough woman for him. She truly believed that I would be a better match."

"Your mother is incorrect."

"Oh I agree, but on that point I had agreed with her," he said, starting to walk towards her. "She hated how Fredric kept going to see you. 'She has cast quite a spell over him'. Mother had said."

"Believe me, Roderick, if I could cast spells. I would use the power for other things."

"Like bringing your mother back to life?"

The mockery in his voice. The sense of superiority on his face to know that is precisely what she would do. How much she hated how he could see right into her very soul. Unlock her from the inside out.

"I am cold," she said to him. "Thank you for the drink."

She started to walk away from him, but he was quicker than she thought. He roughly snatched her arm and yanked her from the door. She nearly gagged at the smell of alcohol on his breath. His bloodshot eyes wide and wild.

"Let go!"

"Would you like to know what else my mother has said about you and your family? Your inbred family tree."

She tried with all her might to release herself from his grip, but he held on tighter. It felt as though her bones were going to snap. Reeling her in like a hooked fish. The glass falling out of her hand and shattering on the ground.

"Why does it seem like Fredric always gets everything when I get nothing?! Did I not see you? Reach out to you? Yet you dismiss me like common trash, but not Fredric. How he snuck into your house on a few late occasions and made love to you. I could hear your moans of pleasure from outside."

Alcina went crimson at his words.

"You are hurting me!"

"I remember the next day he was so gay. A strange glimmer in his eyes. I began to realize something…"

"You bastard," she hissed, wanting to spit right in his face. "You depraved rat."

"Me 'depraved?'" he laughed. "Oh yes. Then what does that make the two of you? I'm sure that was the reason why you got married so quickly, isn't it? You found out you were carrying his child. How was he in bed? Clumsy, I'm sure."

"Help!" she began to yell out, unable to bear his words and the pain any longer. "Help!"

Roderick bared his teeth at her and released his hold on her arm. The coward dashing down the staircase to where the gardens lay below.

Alcina gripped her wrist, breathing slowly to compose herself from the terrifying ordeal and reenter the hall when Duke Stanislav opened the door. The look on his face made Alcina shiver. Had he heard Roderick's words? Or had he arrived simply because he heard her crying out for help?

"Come with me," he said.

Alcina did not try to talk her way out as he guided her to a private room away from the crowd and sat her down. She was still shaking from the interaction with Roderick. Barely registering his words at first.

"What did he do?"

She met Duke Stanislav's hard gaze.

"Who, my lord?"

"Roderick."

Alcina lowered her eyes. Tears surfacing and then falling with no control in shame.

"Alcina," he said, his tone softening. "What did he do?"

"He grabbed my arm, sir," she said, still favoring it.

"Is it bruised?"

"No, just a little red and sore."

"I am so sorry."

"It is not your fault, my lord."

"But it is. I failed him. He has turned out the way I told him not to, but at least Fredric has turned out just fine, especially with a woman like you guiding him. He will continue to grow up to be a fine man."

Alcina looked at him wordlessly. Not believing this was where the conversation was going to lead.

"You carry a heavy weight upon your shoulders since your mother's death," he went on gently. "I know how difficult a time that was for you."

Alcina sniffled, trying to get herself back under control.

"I-if it was not for Fredric coming to see me every day… I would have given up completely."

Duke Stanislav reached out and took her hands into his.

"I want you to know how happy I am to have you part of our family along with Helena. You have made me a proud grandfather. Thank you for that, Alcina, and above all things—you have made my son so very happy."

"But we—" she was about to confess her pregnancy, but he gave her a wink.

"Water under the bridge. You stay here for as long as you need. You have my permission to go upstairs and be with Helena. I will inform Fredric you were not feeling well and needed to rest."

"Duke Stanislav." Alcina got up from her seat, and threw her arms around his neck and kissed his cheek.

He patted her back before slowly pulling away and exiting the room.

Alcina stared at the grandfather clock and waited ten minutes before she left the room. When she entered inside the bedroom, the maid was seated in the chair next to the crib reading. Upon seeing Alcina she stood and bowed.

"My lady, Miss Helena, is fast asleep."

"Thank you, you may leave now," she said to her.

"Yes, my lady."

Once she had departed, Alcina took a seat in the chair and stared down at Helena. Her thick, dark lashes fluttering open.

"What are you doing awake?" she whispered.

Helena cooed, lifting her pudgy arms up at her.

"You little imp." She could not help but take her out and hold her close. "My sweet girl. We will leave first thing in the morning and begin our new life. The three of us." She kissed her forehead, setting her back down so she, too, could get some rest. It would be an hour later did Alcina feel the bed shift slightly. Fredric had entered the bed without a word. "Fredric?"

"I did not mean to wake you," he said, kissing her on the lips.

"You did not," she said.

"My father said you were not feeling well and retired early."

"Yes, I had a terrible headache and needed to lie down."

"I am sorry I abandoned you downstairs."

"I survived," she said, not telling him of what his brother had done and said. "I look forward to returning home tomorrow."

"I agree," he said, resting back against the pillows, yawning. It never took him long to fall asleep. His light snores making her smile.

"Good night, Fredric…"

{…}

Outside in the cold stood a lone figure smoking a cigarette. His gaze directed on the window where Fredric and Alcina slept. He had been there for hours. He was still donned in his party attire and thinking of his interaction with Alcina. Perhaps he had been a little too rough, but he needed to get her attention.

"She will never be mine. Never…" he hissed, drawing in another lungful of smoke and blew it out of his mouth.

"Or perhaps she will be…"

Roderick jumped at the female voice, spinning around to find no one there.

"What the hell?" he whispered, wondering if he had had too much to drink. He turned back around and jumped in fright. A blonde haired woman wearing a dark purple dress stood before him. "Where did you—"

"Shh, and listen to me closely," she said, placing a finger to his lips and snatching the cigarette from him to draw from it. "If you truly wish for Alcina to be yours, you must do a little something for me."

Roderick shook his head, eyeing this strange woman over in wonder to how she had not frozen to death, not to mention where she had come from.

She drew in more smoke and blew it straight into his face. The smell was fruity to Roderick, making him feel a bit dizzy. He touched his head, dropping down onto one knee and coughing.

"What have you done to me?" he said, feeling like he was going to throw up.

"A gift," she said, kneeling down and placing a firm kiss to his lips. "A glimpse into the future. You will get Alcina, but you must remove your brother. Once he is gone, she will be yours…"

Roderick groaned, placing both his hands down on the snowy ground as he started to cough.

"Who- who are you?"

The woman started to laugh and then the sound of ravens echoed around him. Once the noise ceased did he slowly raise himself up, rubbing at his eyes and looking around for the woman, but she was gone.

Had he dreamed that?

Groggily he staggered back into the manor, collapsing on the couch in the sitting room and drifted off to sleep.

{…}

Never had Alcina been so happy to see the familiar manor coming into view. Helena fast asleep in her arms with a full belly, she kept her gaze straight ahead. From where they were, she could see Phoebe and the others waiting outside. All waving in delight to see their master and mistress returned.

"Hello, Phoebe," Alcina said.

"It is good to have you back, my lady," she said, smiling at the sleeping Helena.

"You wound me, Phoebe," Fredric spoke up. "Did you even notice I was gone?"

"Of course, Lord Fredric," Phoebe said, shooting Alcina a quick wink. "I will have the men carry your things in. I have prepared you some warm refreshments."

"Thank you," Alcina said, following Phoebe inside. The warmth. The familiar scent made her body relax instantaneously. Into the recreation room she settled, Phoebe right behind her to take off her coat, hat and mittens.

"I will take Helena upstairs to her crib."

"I would be lost without you," Alcina said, relaxing back with Fredric joining her. "Home at last…" she rested her head against him as he rested his arm over her shoulder. "Now we can continue my mother's work. Well, once we return to the summer house that is."

"That beautiful estate. Are you sure we cannot purchase some horses?"

"Perhaps one if you so wish for one."

"I do and I don't. No horse will replace Nokota."

"He was magnificent," Alcina whispered, staring into the flames.

"Alcina?"

She looked up at him, noting a glint of mischief in his eyes.

"What?" she said a bit distrustfully.

"I was wondering if…, well, I mean…"

"What you idiot?"

"Do you think we would have another child?"

The question made her raise a brow. To be honest, she did not want one right away. The horror she had endured giving birth… the thought of going through that pain again frightened her a little.

"Perhaps later on, yes, when Helena is older…"

Fredric nodded, placing a kiss to her temple.

It never took much to please him.

After twenty minutes had passed, Phoebe returned to Alcina with a letter and a tray of the refreshments.

"It cannot be."

"What is it?" Fredric asked, taking a sip of his coffee.

Alcina was beaming with joy.

"Beatrice. My old and dearest friend is here visiting her mother! She has invited me to join them tomorrow."

Fredric smiled at her.

"I will take Helena with me. They will be overjoyed."

Alcina could barely contain her excitement. To finally see Beatrice after all this time. She held the note close to her heart. She could not wait…