Thank you for reading! I hope you enjoy this next chapter!

Saturday:

Magnus had arrived in the afternoon to spend the day with Lady Daciana and Alcina. He had surprised them both by taking them into town to go shopping and for lunch at the most luxurious restaurant. Alcina came out of it with a new doll, and was asleep by the time they had returned to the manor.

Phoebe graciously taking her up to her room for the night, Lady Daciana led Magnus into the recreation room.

"I forgot to give you this earlier this week."

Punsch," he said happily. "Thank you, Daciana." He started to open the bottle.

"You are opening it now?"

"Why not?"

Lady Daciana took a seat in a chair.

"I figured you would save it for different occasions."

"This is a perfect occasion," he said, finding glasses and pouring them both a drink.

"What is it they say in Norway? The old Viking traditional word?"

"Ahh, yes," he chuckled, clinking his glass against hers and then holding the glass into the air and booming. "Skol!"

"Skol!" Lady Daciana giggled, downing her drink in one go. "That is strong."

"I do not think so," Magnus said.

"I suppose I have weakened myself with only supping wine," she said, picking up the cards and starting to shuffle them as Magnus poured them both another.

"What shall we play?" Magnus said, drinking his next glass slower.

"How about Belote?"

"That will be tricky with only two players."

"Nonsense," Lady Daciana said, giving the cards a quick shuffle before handing both of them five cards each. Once they both had five cards, she placed the rest of the deck on the table; flipping over the card on the top of the deck over. "Shall we play for fun, or would you like to bet something?"

Magnus took the cards in hand, his countenance remaining blank as he looked over the numbers.

"Let us play for fun first."

"Chicken," Lady Daciana teased.

"I merely need to stretch my legs. I am not as confident in this game like you."

"You will do just fine," Lady Daciana said, starting the game.

"What is the score we must reach?"

"Ten, Magnus," Lady Daciana said, taking a long sip from her glass. "I must say I do like the chocolate flavor."

"As do I," Magnus said. "The almond is quite delicious as well."

"I shall purchase that next time," Lady Daciana said, pushing her glass over to him.

He shook his head with a smile, pouring her another glass and topping off his own.

"You best watch yourself with how much you are consuming," he said. "The drink will get away from you."

"I can handle myself," Lady Daciana said, smacking her lips together. "Skol!"

"Skol!" Magnus said, clinking his glass against her own once again.

"And I win."

"W-what?" Magnus blanched, looking from the cards back to Lady Daciana who was smirking. "Rematch, and this time go slower."

Lady Daciana rolled her eyes, setting out five new cards for the both of them.

The clocked ticked away as the two continued to play. The bottle eventually drying up and leaving them both giggling.
"Get up," Lady Daciana said, grabbing his shoulder and hoisting him up.

"What are we doing?" Magnus nearly stumbled.

"Dancing," she said.

The two twirled around the room. The fire in the hearth burning brightly and casting their shadows across the room.

"I did not win a single hand."

"It is a good thing we did not bet on anything," she whispered, resting both her hands on his shoulders, their dance slowing down. "What is it?" she said, observing how he was staring at her with a different expression. One of tenderness.

"Nothing," he said.

"Magnus," Lady Daciana rested one hand upon his face, stroking his beard with her thumb. Her heart was thrumming louder and louder in her ears as they drew nearer. The stink of the alcohol on his lips, but she did not care. She closed her eyes when their lips met. Allowing herself to be fully taken by him. His arms wrapped tighter around her waist. Never had he kissed her this passionately before. The unexpected and most welcoming aggressiveness making her in want of him that much more. "Follow me," she whispered, taking his hand and leading him to a door that was stationed behind the game table.

"Where are we going?"

"To bed…"

{…}

Magnus and Lady Daciana lay exhausting in the bed. The room had been created many years ago as a private chamber for her great-great grandfather. Many of the books and artwork he collected still within the room.

Lady Daciana raked her fingers through Magnus's thick, blonde hair. Her body still tingling, and from the feel of his warm body beside her, he was too.

"Get some sleep," she whispered.

"I cannot," he said, looking up at her and placing a kiss to her lips. "This feeling."

"I know," she smiled. "I know…"

After thirty minutes of a little break, the two made love again. Lady Daciana straddled atop him and riding out each of his climaxes until he was spent. There she lay on top of her. His chest rising and falling as he fell into a coma-like sleep. Lady Daciana; however, remained wide awake, thinking. How much she loved Magnus. How much she loved Quentin, but if Quentin were to ever find out about this…

'We both had a little too much to drink,' she consoled herself. 'But still. Even if we had not been so drunk…' She placed a kiss to his chest, resting her cheek against him now and allowing herself to drift off.

When she next awoke it was of Magnus stirring. She rolled off of him, stretching.

"What time is it?" she yawned.

"Four a.m.," he said, leaning over to her and kissing her on the lips.

"Will you stay for breakfast?" Lady Daciana inquired.

"Perhaps," he said, rising off the bed to put on his undergarment. "Though it may be best if I leave. You said Quentin could show up today. I do not want you to get into trouble if he were to find out we were together."

Lady Daciana nodded, though she wished he would stay, she got up out of the bed to help him.

"Thank you," he said, pressing another firm kiss to her lips. "I will call you soon and before I return home."

"All right, Magnus," she said, following him out of the room. They had just entered the recreation room when the sound of the Main Hall door slammed shut. Both froze in place. Lady Daciana's face grew pale upon recognizing the unmistakable booming footsteps. "Quentin," she whispered.

Both held their breath as his footsteps passed by the door and went up the stairs. Lady Daciana tiptoed over to the door, opening it a fraction and poking her head out to look.

"Magnus," she waved him over. "Go now."

Magnus gave her shoulder a loving squeeze before he dashed out of the manor. Lady Daciana tiptoed over to the window and peaked outside. Thankfully Magnus had parked his vehicle on the opposite side of the manor. She only hoped Quentin had not spotted it.

'He told me later on Sunday, but why is he so early?' she thought to herself, fixing the strap on her underdress as she turned to the stairs. 'He is going to inquire why I am not in bed.' Once more her heart was beating rapidly in her chest. 'I will slip into Alcina's room and stay with her the rest of the morning.'

Thankfully Lady Daciana made it upstairs and to Alcina's room without running into Quentin, she was developing a bad headache from the alcohol and the stress. All she wanted to do was sleep. As quietly as she could, she climbed into Alcina's bed and cuddled up beside her child. She was sound asleep, her arms wrapped around the doll Magnus had purchased for her. Quentin would not notice that, hopefully.

In the room Lord Quentin had taken a seat on the bed. He had no doubt Daciana was with Alcina. The child and her mother were almost inseparable. He would not disturb them. Instead he removed his shoes and jacket. He would try to get a little more rest before his butler came to attend to him around 6:00 a.m.

Lord Quentin rested his head on his pillow. Sleep overcoming him in less than ten minutes. His snores loud. Unbeknownst to him a figure had been waiting in the room. She slinking out from the shadows and approaching him with a needle in hand.

Carefully she rolled up his sleeve. The man's snoring louder for one moment and then relaxing as she stuck the needle into his arm. Once the syringe was empty, she vanished out of the room.

"Now you will be mine…"

In Alcina's room Lady Daciana had at some point fallen back to sleep. Awakening from the beating of her head and the feel of Alcina's arm lightly hit her shoulder.

Lady Daciana released a quiet moan, slowly pushing herself to sit up in the bed. She pinched her fingers near her eyes and shook her head. She had no idea what time it could be. Hopefully it was no later than seven. She got out of the bed and decided to make her way to the bedroom.

She took in a deep breath before she entered inside.

Empty.

Lord Quentin was not inside. She walked in and went over to the bed to use the rope to call upon a maid to prepare her a bath. She donned a night robe and tightened it around herself. Once she had done that, Lady Daciana waited for the maid to arrive.

"Please prepare me a bath," she said.

The maid bowed and headed inside the bathroom.

She walked over to the window and opened it. The sun was hidden behind thick, gray clouds. Alcina would not be venturing outside today if it began to down pour. The door creaked open behind her. Lady Daciana turned and found it was Quentin.

"Daciana."

"Quentin!" she dashed to his side, placing a kiss to his lips. "I did not hear you come in."

"I arrived earlier this morning," he said. "I did not see you here."

"I was with Alcina. She has not been feeling well."

"She has been diagnosed with the Blood Disease."

Lady Daciana stared at him slightly perplexed. Uncertain how he had known that. After all, she had not told him about Alcina. Not wanting to bother him about it until he had returned home.

"Has the doctor prescribed her the appropriate medication?" he continued.

"Yes he has," she answered, looking straight into his eyes and noticing how bloodshot they were. Even his complexion was ashen. Small beads of sweat visible on his face. "Darling, are you feeling all right?"

"Yes," he said, snatching her wrist just as she started to reach for his forehead. "No need to be so worried."

The strength in his hold and the pressure he was applying to it was unnerving.

"Quentin…" she said softly, wondering if he had seen Magnus and this was leading up to the confrontation.

Suddenly the look in his eyes changed and he released her as he began to unbutton the front of his jacket.

"I, um, I want to thank you again for sorting the shipping mess out. I am truly grateful."

"All should be in order," he said, now unbuttoning his pants.

He said nothing more, his back still to her.

"Well, I will leave you to change. I will see you at breakfast." She exited the room, returning to her room to find the bath ready. She was grateful for it. The warm water helping her aching head, though she would need to ask Phoebe for some medicine before the morning went on for too much longer.

She took the cigarette packet that always remained near her tub, lighting the match and drawing in a deep lungful of smoke. Her thoughts on Magnus once again. She exhaled the smoke through her nostrils. Her headache seeming to get worse as a searing pain shot through her temples.

"Damn," she hissed, closing her eyes to fight the pain away.

In Alcina's room Phoebe had yet to come and help her dress. This allowed Alcina a bit of free time to play with her dolls. She adored her new doll that the prince had bought for her. She truly wishing he would return and take them out again.

The door behind Alcina creaked open. She froze thinking it was Phoebe.

Silence.

Alcina slowly glanced over her shoulder to spy it was her father. Her face lit up at the sight of him.

"Father!" she got up and ran over to hug him. "Welcome home."

Lord Quentin did not move, a deep growl rumbling from within his chest and up his throat.

Alcina looked up at him in slight alarm.

"F-Father?" she began to back away, but his fingers caught hold of the front of her nightgown and pulled her up with ease.

She started to scream as he held her closer to his face. His hazel eyes turning a sickly yellow and his teeth appeared sharper, like a wild animals.

"Mother! Mother!" She cried out.

Lord Quentin then winced as if struck on the back of the head, dropping Alcina to the floor as he gripped his head and moaned out in pain.

Alcina ran straight out the door and headed for her mother's room.

Boom! Boom!

She could hear her father's heavy feet sprinting after her. Tears flowed down her face in fear, continuing to call out for her mother. She was so close. So close to her parents' chambers. It was then did everything seem to happen in slow motion.

Her parents' door was ripped open, Lady Daciana soaring out of the room, like a great lioness tackling her prey, and slammed her entire body directly into Quentin. Alcina watched as her mother and father were punching at one another. Lord Quentin having the upper hand as he grabbed Lady Daciana by the throat and shoved her into their bedroom.

Alcina remained in the hallway, shaking with fear; unable to speak as Phoebe and a few other maids who heard the commotion came running.

"Call the police now!" Phoebe barked at the others as she knelt down beside Alcina to ensure she was all right. "Use the phone in Lord Quentin's study."

A few of the male servants entered the room and subdued Lord Quentin, dragging him out only to be thrown off. Both were not seriously injured, but left with a few bruises.

Lord Quentin was breathing heavily, his entire body trembling in pain.

"Come to me, Lord Quentin," a female voice beckoned for him. "Follow my voice. Follow me home…"

Part of Quentin did not want to do this, and for one brief moment he stared down at his wife. His love. Daciana who was laying on her side on the floor bleeding from her nose and mouth. Part of her face already black and blue.

"W-what have I done? What have I done?!" he roared out in pain, a sharp ringing nearly making him drop down to his knees.

"Come, my lord, come…"

"Y-yes…, my lady."

Lord Quentin dashed down the hallway and straight out of the manor and to the woods. He was following the voice. Her voice. He would run straight to her. To the village.

"My lady!" Phoebe had entered the room, checking her over to find she was unconscious.

"The police are on their way."

"Call the doctor now!" Phoebe said. "And you, help me get Lady Daciana into her bed."

Alcina peaked inside her mother's room, fresh tears flowing down her face at the sight of her.

"Is she all right?" Alcina got up and ran to the bed. "Phoebe is she all right?"

"She will be just fine, Alcina," Phoebe reassured her. "We need to keep quiet now. The doctor will be here soon to check on her."

Alcina's chin quivered as she tried to hold in her sob.

"Mother…" she reached out and wrapped her digits around her mother's pointer finger.

Alcina did not leave her mother's side. The doctor allowing her to stay even when Phoebe attempted to walk her out.

"Will she die?" Alcina asked.

The doctor gave her a kind smile.

"No, Miss Alcina. Your mother will make a full recovery, are you feeling all right?"

"Yes."

"Good. You are a brave girl. Take care of your mother, yes?"

"I will," Alcina nodded.

He gave her a light pat on the top of her head.

"I will come back later to check in on her…"

"Alcina," Phoebe said once the doctor had left. "Let's leave your mother in peace for a little while. I will give you a bath and get you into fresh attire."

Alcina did not want to move, but remembered what her mother always said about listening to Phoebe and being a big girl.

"I want to come right back here."

"You may, my lady," Phoebe said.

Alcina looked at Phoebe. Never having heard her say that to her before.

"Why did you say that?"

"Well, when your mother is not available it is you who becomes the lady of the house," she said.

A mixture of pride and diffidence played across Alcina's face. To think she was now in charge of the entire estate.

Phoebe touched her shoulder in aide.

"Do not fear. Hold your head high."

Alcina did as she was told, giving Phoebe a little smile as she followed her out of the room.

Lady Daciana awoke a few hours later to find Alcina seated in a chair beside her. She was fast asleep with her head rested awkwardly to the side.

"If I were to sleep like that, my neck would be broken…" Lady Daciana shook her head, wincing in pain as she attempted to sit up. Her ribs hurt, but she knew they were only bruised. "Alcina?" she stroked her hair. "My darling."

Alcina made a little noise as she opened her eyes, blinking sleepily. Only when she realized her mother was awake did she sit right up.

"Mother!"

"Careful!" Lady Daciana said.

"Sorry!" Alcina said. "How are you feeling?"

"Fine," Lady Daciana said. "I am fine…, and you? Did he hurt you?"

"No," Alcina said. "Father is gone. I heard Phoebe say that a few servants wetnised him leave the manor."

"'Witnessed'," Lady Daciana corrected her, thinking back to how he had seemed different when she had spoken to him earlier. He was not himself. Why? Why had he done that? Never would Quentin ever lay a hand on them. Never. It was not his character. So why?

"Will he come back?"

"I do not know, Alci," Lady Daciana said, motioning for her to sit beside her, wrapping an arm around her lovingly. "What I do know is we are together."

"Phoebe said I was the lady of the house."

"Did she now?"

Alcina nodded.

"Mm-hm. She said when you are not available I am in charge."

"That is true, which is why I must keep teaching you the trade in order to be fully prepared."

"I do not think I am ready to be in charge, Mother," Alcina said.

"You will be," Lady Daciana said. "After all you are my daughter, and I know you will do just fine."