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Alcina Dimitrescu was a hard woman. Her life did not allow for her to be anything but impenetrable. She was a fortress that protected her domain and an iron-fisted Countess who ran her castle like clockwork.
Most days, Alcina felt she was the only thing standing between the village and utter ruin. Mother Miranda was too preoccupied with her grief-fueled crusade to notice, but surely one day she would realize how essential Alcina was. One day, perhaps Miranda would even show the Countess preference.
Either way, Alcina’s life was a series of steps in a perfect dance. She had to keep her head held high and keep moving lest the rough currents of her world carry her away.
Even while spending time with her daughters, the mask never slipped. With her daughters, it was often even more important to Alcina to keep up appearances. She had to lead them and teach them. She had to show them how to live.
One morning, Alcina awoke with a strange feeling weighing her down. It had been so long since she had felt this way. It wasn’t hunger or any usual fatigue. She sneezed and then she coughed. Was Lady Dimitrescu sick?
By the time she got downstairs, it was certain. Lady Dimitrescu was ill. She was congested and her throat was scratchy. She was tired, too, with a bit of a headache. Her state of unwellness made her temper flare. She had things to do! Who would balance the ledger or meet with The Duke? Who would conduct the morning meeting with the staff?
She leaned on the wall and sighed. She’d just have to push through it and carry on.
“Mother? Are you alright?” Bela asked.
This startled Lady Dimitrescu slightly and she turned with a smile.
“Of course, Bela. Whatever do you mean?”
“You do not look well. Can I get you something from the kitchen? Perhaps a fresh—”
“No, darling. I’m perfectly fine.”
Alcina put on her most confident face, but it quickly faltered into a cough.
“You are not fine! We must get you into bed.” Bela insisted.
Alcina begrudgingly allowed this and soon she was back in her room. Bela was quick to tuck her in and then fetch a warm cloth from the adjacent bathroom for her mother’s forehead.
“This is all too much, sweetness. You mustn’t fuss over me so.” Alcina said softly.
“Nonsense, Mother. It is my pleasure. Besides, if you do not rest, then you won’t recover.” Bela said.
Alcina scowled and sat up. She coughed again and laid back down.
“Darling, I cannot simply take the day off. The affairs of the castle require my attention.”
“Name them.”
Alcina hesitated for a moment. Then she slowly listed the things that needed doing.
“I will handle the meeting with The Duke. I’ve been to plenty of such meetings with you before. And Cassandra can handle the staff.”
“And what about Daniela? You know she won’t abide being left out.” Alcina sighed.
“Daniela can come and watch over you.”
Alcina tried sitting up again, determined to shake off whatever malady was attempting to keep her in bed, but it was for naught.
“Very well.” She said after a short, thoroughly irritated silence.
“We will not let you down. I’ll send Dani right in.” Bela exclaimed.
It was clear that she was thrilled at the chance to show her mother she could handle such things.
“And Bela? Do be sure to tell Cassandra not to play with the serving girls today. I don’t want to replace anyone for a little while.”
“Of course, Mother.”
Bela was gone with a burst of flies. Alcina pressed herself into the pillows. She still felt awful and, all things considered, she did not enjoy being bedridden. After all, she had spent so much of her life in such a state before Miranda’s intervention. Not to mention the fact that she did not entirely understand what was wrong exactly. With her regenerative powers, was it even possible to be ill?
Alcina endured another coughing fit. Clearly it was possible. At least no one beyond her girls would see her this way. That, at least, was a small relief. Besides, even if Bela mishandled The Duke or Cassandra sliced up the staff, Lady Dimitrescu could always smooth things over when she was feeling better.
Perhaps she could take a little nap, then. Alcina closed her eyes and let the fatigue take her. Maybe it would be nice to have a day off, even if she felt like a drained maiden. She slipped into sleep, unaware of the time. She dreamed of fresh young maidens, dark wines, and beautiful music.
“And do you know how long she has been ill?” Lady Beneviento asked.
“Bela said she noticed this morning, but you know Mother. She may have been—” Daniela explained.
“She’s awaaaaake.” Angie said.
Alcina’s eyes flew open and immediately locked with Angie’s. Daniela was quick to descend on the doll and pull her away from the bed.
“Mother! You’re awake. How are you feeling?”
“Would you care to explain what Lady Beneviento and her…creature are doing here?” Lady Dimitrescu said as calmly as she could. Her temper was clearly straining though.
“I called Donna to help! She has some herbs that might restore you.” Daniela said.
“Hello, Alcina.” Donna said gently.
“Donna….Angela.”
Alcina practically hissed the names. To be seen in such a state by people who, though largely inoffensive, were not her immediate family, was grating.
“We won’t be long. I just need to get a list of your symptoms so I can prescribe the correct herbs.” Donna said gently.
“Very well. My throat is sore and I am quite tired. I have a cough and a headache too.” Alcina said brusquely.
Donna nodded and then turned to the large bag she brought with her. She rummaged around in it.
“Do you think it could be something you ate?” She asked.
“If it were, then surely the girls would be suffering as well?” Alcina observed.
Daniela shrugged.
“I feel fine.”
“Well, not necessarily. The girls are certainly of a similar strain to you, but they are made up of a completely different biological system. The flies may be able to fend off diseases in a way that you cannot.” Donna explained.
“Well, we have the week’s food supply down in the kitchens. Daniela can take you there.” Alcina said quickly.
She was eager to be rid of the little dollmaker. Daniela nodded. Donna pulled out a few herbs from her bag as well as a mortar and pestle. She ground the herbs deftly and then shook them into a glass of water. She offered it to Alcina.
“Drink this and you should feel a little better.” Donna said gently.
Alcina sat up with great effort and took the glass. Perhaps a part of her should have been more wary of Lady Beneviento’s offering, but she was simply too tired to think about it. Besides, Donna was not known for her treachery among the Lords. Only with her prey.
Alcina drank. Almost immediately, she felt a new wave of sleepiness take her. She laid down and Daniela was quick to tuck her back into bed with a little kiss.
“You’ll be better in no time, Mother.” She whispered.
Alcina smiled a little and then slipped down, deep into dreams. Though she usually dreamed of maidens and of bloody conquest, this time she dreamt of her daughters. A recollection of their first day in the castle after they had awoken.
So curious and fresh faced. The women poured over every inch of their surroundings and Alcina was more than happy to show them everything she could.
“This is your home now.”
And their faces when she called them her daughters? Eyes bright and mouths wide with joy. A tender embrace so different than the ones she gave her prey. No, holding her daughters tightly was warm. It was wholeness. Offering safety from shoulders tired of burdens, but endlessly powerful.
To have great strength and passion is a gift, but to share it with those you love? Alcina understood why Miranda often called the Lords her children.
When she woke, those beautiful faces from her dreams were looking down at her, smiling. Bela. Her eldest and most ambitious. Cassandra. Her middle child and her most vicious. Daniela. Her baby and her sweetest.
“Hello, darlings.” Alcina said softly.
She noticed immediately that she was feeling a lot better than she had earlier in the day. Whatever Donna had given her seemed to have done some work.
“How are you feeling, Mother?” Daniela asked.
“Better, I think. Did Donna figure out what was ailing me?”
“She said it was an influenza from the maiden you fed on. You should be more careful.” Bela explained.
Alcina sighed.
“Well, whatever she gave me did the trick, my dears. I am feeling much better.” Alcina said warmly.
She sat up and the girls piled onto the bed, wrapping themselves around her, and snuggling in where they could.
“How did the day go without me?”
Truth be told, Alcina was a little nervous to ask, but again, she could always smooth things over if she needed to.
“The Duke was most amicable, Mother. He gave us an excellent selection of new portraits for the main hall and a generous supply of food for the servants. All for less than last month.” Bela reported.
“And the staff?” Alcina asked Cassandra.
“There were no issues.” Cassandra said with a cruel smile.
“And?” Alcina pressed.
“And no casualties.” Cassandra added, looking a little disappointed.
“Wonderful.”
Lady Dimitrescu felt her heart swell with pride. Against all odds, it seemed the world did not end without her to hold it up.
“You all did very well today.” Alcina said.
Daniela wiggled into her side, Bela giggled, and even Cassandra looked pretty pleased with herself. Praise from their mother was never given freely. They had earned it, but that only made it sweeter.
Alcina opened her arms wide and they all found a place within the space. She hugged them tightly and gave them each a kiss on their heads.
“You have each proven that I have underestimated you.” Alcina assured them.
“Even me?” Daniela asked.
“Yes, dear. As much as I did not enjoy Lady Beneviento’s presence, you were right to call on her. You displayed excellent judgement.”
Daniela’s face blossomed into pure, unadulterated glee. She snuggled into her mother as tightly as she could. Alcina gave her another kiss.
“Seeing as though we will need fresh meat to replace the infected, we shall have a little hunt on the morrow, I think.” Alcina announced.
The girls all exclaimed their happy anticipation. Hunting as a family was one of their most adored past-times.
“But for tonight, I shall continue to rest. It will be even more restorative now that I know the castle is in such good hands. Bela, why don’t you go to the shelf and we can do a short reading?” Alcina suggested.
Bela nodded and got up from the bed. She crossed to the little bookshelf her mother kept in her room and scanned the spines. Her eyes lit up and she selected Daphne Du Maurier’s Rebecca. She returned to the bed and held up the book. Pleased nods all around.
She handed the weathered tome to Alcina who had read this one to them many times. She opened the book to the first page and let Bela return to her place. Then she read to them.
Yes, Alcina Dimitrescu was a hard woman indeed, but her family often made her gentler. For them, she could be soft.