The dress is thin and smells of the icy lake like Catalena. After fighting with the uncontrollable urge all the way down the hall to the downstairs where the laundry room is ,Alcina finally makes sure no one is watching and there's not a single buzz in the air before she lifts it to her face to smell.
Just then an ear splitting scream splits the air.
It's not a scream by one of her daughters. She hurries to the scene to find Catalena standing naked in the hall, her wet hair clinging to her body and her eyes sad.
"I forget that when I move through the walls they can't hear me. I think I caught her off guard," Catalena says quietly.
Alcina eyes the unconscious maid carefully. If not for her new houseguest, and Bela's fondness for this particular maid, she might take advantage. She's already unconscious, a quick bite could easily be bandaged and covered up. But, Catalena is watching.
"You didn't think to use a towel to cover yourself?"
"Why bother? There are only women in your castle," Catalena's hands suddenly move to cover her side and shoulder on opposite sides of her body, "Unless it was my scars. They are somewhat grisly."
"They barely show," Alcina murmurs, reaching out to turn her down the hall, "We'll find you something suitable in the meantime. Maria!"
At her shout the poor maid practically levitates to her feet. Her eyes are the size of saucers and her head spins so fast she almost whips the bit of lace off the top of her head. Hunched and shaking she looks up at lady Dimitrescu.
"My lady?"
"Wash this immediately."
"Yes, of course."
"Bring it to the guest room."
"Of course."
As they walk Alcina isn't accustomed to anyone being at her side. Most people can't keep up with her long strides and if they could, they don't dare think that it would be proper to stand shoulder to shoulder with the lady of the castle. But Catalena remains seemingly unfazed.
It takes Alcina back a half a step when she realizes Catalena is looking her in the eye. She snickers.
"My apologies, I felt ridiculous flying alongside your hip," Catalena says with a smile.
"Is that all?" Alcina replies, beginning to walk again. Really she only meant not to let the woman have the last word. Instead Catalena shocks her yet again. Her eyes darken and she smirks.
"I may have also felt a little tempted."
They arrive at the guest room where Alcina pauses just inside the door. Much of the furniture is dusty and covered in white sheets. It's easily been a decade since the Dimitrescu's had a guest they didn't intend to kill. Inside there is a lingering scent of old perfume and Catalena sniffs at it, stalking around the edge of the room slowly.
While Catalena is lost in exploring, Alcina eyes rake over her exposed skin. The woman is shameless in her nudity and every movement is graceful but not poised. She was not raised to be a noble or a lady which only piques her interest. Who and what caused the many scars covering her body add to the list of her curious ponderings.
"It's odd, there is a scent here that is fresh and dead. A man was here, and he wandered everywhere," Catalena says.
"Yes," Alcina growls, "A manthing escaped my grasp recently. After seeing the damage he did to my daughters I am not keen to invite him back even if it offers the promise of vengeance."
Taking a sheet Catalena runs her fingers along the cloth and it changes. With a sweep she drapes it over her shoulders. It softens and shortens and forms to her body until it is a loose robe that she ties in the front. Then she offers that impish, toothy smile again, "Unless my lady would prefer I remain as I were."
YOU ARE READING
The Love of Lady Dimitrescu ((Completed))
Fanfiction(( +18 Chapters are marked )) There's an old saying that it's lonely at the top. Lady Dimitrescu has all the power she could ever want. A thriving business. Easy access to maidens to sustain herself and her daughters. She has her lovely daughters. B...
