Chapter Text
It was approximately 7:30 pm, and Alcina was taking time to herself, reading a book with a glass of wine deep in thought, until she was interrupted by the obnoxious ringing from her phone. She took a deep breath placing the book down before she answered the phone; When she picked up the phone, her posture stiffened as a familiar voice echoed through her mind.
“Mother Miranda… What an… Unexpected pleasure.”
“Pleasure isn’t what I would call it, Alcina. I would call this disappointing. You have failed me yet again.” Mother Miranda spoke in a cold tone.
“I have no idea what you are insinuating. Though enlighten me when I am in more of a private place, I will call you straight back.” She growled, putting the phone down.
She stormed into her study and sat at the desk, taking a deep breath before picking up the phone, dialling Miranda’s number. Tapping her fingers, she waited for her mother to answer.
“Ah, Mother, terribly sorry. Please enlighten me on how I’ve failed you. Because I have done everything you have asked of me in a timely manner.” She snaps.
“Be careful, Alcina, remember from whence you came. I received disturbing reports that you failed to obey a basic order. I am very disappointed. I thought better of you. Heisenberg has also informed me that the hunter has been sighted in the east, so I would keep your little pets on a short leash before someone gets hurt.” The woman snarled. Though Miranda couldn’t see her, she felt her anger. “Alcina, stop sulking. A woman of your age shouldn’t be so childish.” Miranda ordered. Alcina clenches the phone as Miranda speaks before she clears her thoughts.
“Mother, please, I would appreciate it if you treated them with the respect they deserve. They are just as loyal as me, though I was unaware of the outsider. I'll be weary and call if I see anything. The phone disconnecting drove Alcina to rip the phone from its connector. She sat for a moment as the rage built up, grabbing a pack of cigarettes and a lighter with her as she exited her office, going to the courtyard to get some air and have a smoke, fury dancing behind her eyes as she tried to ground her emotions. She storms through the main hall intercepting her handmaiden Freya. She doesn’t take notice of the girl and walks out into the courtyard, lighting her cigarette and taking a considerable drag before she hears the courtyard door open. Freya walks out with a sympathetic smile.
“My lady, are you alright?” the question throws Alcina off as she gives her a Confused look before blowing away the smoke. “I am fine. What has shown you that I am not?” she snaps, taking another drag. Freya smiles at her and shrugs her shoulders. “You just finished that cigarette in less than three puffs,” Alcina laughs as she tilts her head cupping Freya’s jaw. “Well, I suppose you know me too well, pet. I just had quite an unpleasant call. Nothing to worry about.”
“Maybe a glass of wine would help you, my lady”, Freya suggests, watching Alcina’s posture change from tense to relaxed. “Yes, I suppose one glass wouldn’t hurt”, Alcina agreed as she threw her finished cigarette in the bush. Both women make their way to the tasting room, and Alcina sits beside a small table as Freya goes into the cabinet and takes out an ornamented glass with the house Dimitrescu crest. Freya poured Alcina a drink and another. and another. Until Alcina gestures to the cabinet, “Well, it's no fun drinking on my pet. Pour yourself a drink” Freya smiles at the offer and goes to decline, but Alcina’s facial expression suggests that she wasn’t asking.
As minutes turned to an hour, it was clear that Alcina had consumed too much alcohol and grew incredibly drunk. Gesturing an unsteady hand at her now empty glass, Freya quickly poured her another, slipping a little drug into the wine and giving it to Alcina. As Alcina drank, Freya sat staring at her intently before speaking.
“Would you like to talk about what is troubling you?” Freya asked with a smile. Alcina’s posture stiffens as she sits upright, staring at Freya with a faraway expression like she is dissociating until her brows furrow.
“Nobody’s ever asked me that before?” She sighs before she continues, “Today just isn’t my day, pet. I've failed mother Miranda, but I've also failed my daughters, there were hunters spotted in the east, and I was completely unaware. Heisenberg took the news to Miranda, making me look like an incapable fool. And I now have a new title, disappointment; after everything I've done, Heisenberg hasn’t lifted a foot in almost 15 years, and he gets praise for a straightforward act. I have done so much for Miranda, and this is the thanks I get labelled a disappointment. It just isn’t fair. I was supposed to be her favourite, special if you may.” She clenches her glass, almost smashing it in her hand, tears in her eyes.
Freya places her hand on Alcina’s, squeezing it a bit. Alcina returns the gesture cupping Freya's hand. “I’m sorry, pet. I shouldn’t burden you with this.” She dissociates, but Freya snaps her out of it. “Don’t apologize. You needed to get it off your chest. She is mistreating you.” Alcina looked at Freya, swaying as she placed an unsteady hand on her forehead, her head spinning.
Freya leaned closer, looking at Alcina with a grin, softly speaking, “I may have something in mind that might take your mind off things.” Alcina leaned back in her chair, smiling. “Oh really now, and what is that pet?” She teased, leaning her elbow on the arm of the chair.
Freya didn’t speak. She simply placed a hand on Alcina’s cheek and leaned in for a kiss. Alcina leaned into the kiss; it was so passionate that a moan escaped her throat. She wrapped her arm around Freya’s waist, putting her on her lap. Kissing her until she pulled away with a troubled expression “Freya… I-I’m sorry that was extremely inappropriate.”
Freya wrapped her arms around Alcina’s waist hugging her, whispering, “I am sorry, Alcina, I don’t want to do this.” Alcina pulled away from the embrace, looking at Freya with a confused expression. “Didn’t want to do what pet?” Freya furrowed her brow taking a silver dagger from her pocket, holding it behind Alcina’s back, hesitating until she drove it into her waist. She twisted the blade before pulling it out throwing it on the floor. The tip of the blade doused in blood. Alcina clawed at her wound, coughing up blood spitting onto her lips. Her breath became staggered as she weakly spoke, “W-Why?” she coughed before a blood-curdling scream left her body. Freya looks at her hands, clenching both fists as she leaves the room, leaving the door open.
TO BE CONTINUED…