Chapter Text
"...Midnight brought us sweet romance, I know all my whole life through..." Sings Alcina softly and idlily to herself along with the gramophone playing in the corner of her lavish bedchamber, in the golden framed vanity mirror she has been staring into for the past hour her make was wiped off for the evening, "...I'll be remembering you whatever else I do, midnight, with the stars and you..."
She was pining, her longing sad eyes staring back at themselves, her pale lips turned in a frown after she finishes singing, she hated how she was feeling she felt weak and improper and she hated above all things weakness in herself, and she knew exactly why.
Her Rosie's father, that damned Ethan Winters, that beautiful, handsome, loving, angry, broken, tragic, tasty little man-thing...
She had been eating her supper of a particularly bloody cut of venison when she put down her knife and fork, and excused herself from her chatting, giggling daughters who were arguing over the merits of flaying the help alive and it's affect on staff moral, a topic that Her Ladyship would usually never allow at the dinner table nor allow to be done on the help for that matter, bullying them was one thing but torturing the maids with no good cause was something Alcina considered excessive in the very least, ten or so years ago however...
But her mind was absent from their playful bickering.
Her children stared at their mother confused and shocked she never excuses herself from a meal first unless it was for business, she had told them enough times that it was bad manners, they were not too surprised when Mama grabbed the bottle of Sanguis Virginis and her chalice that was on the table on the way out, she was likely heading to the other side of the castle to get drunk and brood she didn't allow her daughters to see her like that but they knew she did it fairly often, before Rosie came along she would do it practically every night, they had found her sleeping on the lounge softly snoring away, a spilt glass beside her on more than a few occasions, but since their little sister's arrival she only does it whenever Rosemary has a full good night's sleep, tonight it seemed it was one.
Little did they know she wasn't drunk although she wished she was it would explain away her irrational feelings, but Rosemary was sleeping in the corner and she would never even allow such a notion into her head if Rose was in the same room, instead she sipped her blood-wine delicately and moped at herself in the mirror listening to her music.
Like some pathetic pining besotted schoolgirl .
She scowled at herself and slumped in her chair, Ethan Winters had been at the forefront of her mind for days since their chat five days ago, she fed from him this morning after letting him see Rosie for the third time, and his taste and scent still clung to her, she could taste him on her tongue every time she inhaled, she didn't even eat much of her meal, his warm lifeblood was enough to keep her sated and content, it made her feel something strange as well the notion that it was Ethan's blood inside her made her feel excited in a particularly perverse and uncomfortable way, she had to throw that dirty thought out of her mind more than once today, as well as many others.
She wrestled with what to do with him and her predicament, she had known Mr Winters for but a short time but had already felt so attached to him, not only was he appealing visually to her, his courage, determination and fatherly affection for Rose was endearing and attractive to Her Ladyship he seemed like a genuine and good man and they in her eyes were rare, even if he did try to hide his secret, his gift that made him special, they hadn't discussed it but she knew, she could taste it, and he was being naïve if he thought she was ignorant to his healing factor, pretty much everything about him made him desirable in her eyes, she even liked his occasional bursts of defiance towards her, his shocked angry face when she described unseemly grisly acts or half hearted attempts to restrain himself when she fed from him, she enjoyed teasingly quashing them even more.
What was stopping her from just going down there and taking what she wanted from Ethan? Blood and all, She wasn't used to having to restrain herself when she truly deeply desired something, she was Lady Alcina Dimitrescu after all, Mistress of Castle Dimitrescu and matriarch of her family, she took what she wanted, but she wanted more from him than just a caged plaything to feed on and bed whenever she desired, she wouldn't want that for Rosemary's father and a man she respected and frankly admired, it wasn't the right thing to do and she wanted to be good for Rosemary to set a true example for her new daughter.
She also felt somewhat ashamed, as if it was wrong to like him the vindictive prude in her told herself Ethan was beneath her, he was little different to those peasants outside, a commoner of a lesser species, he was just produce.
That was nothing but a hollow, vicious voice in her head however, she didn't feel an ounce of spite towards him, even if he fought her daughters and would've killed them if he had to or at least tried to if they stood in his way, she couldn't bring herself to do it, he seemed too good and wonderful to hate from what she saw of him.
How could she condemn a parent for being ready to do what she had done herself for her daughters?
But why was it mutual? She was an immortal, blood drinking 'monster' after all why would someone, even someone special like him, want or be attracted to her truly? Was it just lust or something more? Of course she was not ignorant on the effect she had on men but she was also not human to most she was a demon, a nightmare even if she was a beautiful one.
This whole situation was just so...
She was almost grateful when the shrill cry of Rosemary waking up as thunder crashed outside as the storm rolled in from the northern forests to the mountains, snapped her out of her conflicted thoughts.
She sighs happily and stands up turning to the elaborately carved white painted wooden and silver inlaid crib, a crib that once bore her and all her children throughout the decades, she grasps the sides and peers down on Rosemary whose chubby little face was screwed up in a scream "Hello my little rosebud, did the storm scare you? Come here..." She coos softly as she leans down to pick up her child and comfort her in a tender loving embrace, "It's nothing to fear my love, I'm here for you, I always will be my love... shhh..." She kisses her Rose's brow taking in her rich clean baby scent, the storm cracks and roars loudly again, flashing through the curtains as the mother begins to sings a soft tune to her wailing babe.
Ethan drags the straight razor across his face before sloshing it the bowl, it was another dreary, rainy morning in the castle, and Ethan had slept well his newest bites were healing well and his first initial one was all but gone, his second one was barely there at all save for a slight red ring, he places down the razor and inspects his clean shaven face and bites, they are worth it he thought to himself.
Anything for Rose, and to be close to Her Ladyship, he had seen Rosemary since then several times, always with Lady Dimitrescu present and close, Rose had also seemed to get used to having him around, especially when he made her little teddy dance on his lap on his second visit as she watched from Her Ladyship's knee, her tiny mouth hung open in glee, blue eyes lighting up with joy, darting between the happy, familiar face of her father and the teddy bear he playfully held by the arms and walked around on his legs while Her Ladyship encouraged Rose to look at him "Look what your Papa has for you our little rosebud...", it still strange to hear her say Our daughter, Ethan's heart was close to bursting when she reached out for him wanting a cuddle from him afterwards laughing and gurgling happily when her mother let him take her into his arms and hold her close as she grabbed at his clothes and hands, Lady Dimitrescus adoring happy face beamed down the sight of him and Rose bonding, cuddling and playing together "I think she's warming up to you Mr Winters" Ethan wept tears of joy as he held her to his chest and laughed the tiny arms clinging on to his clothing, his eyes beamed into Her Ladyships own as he thanked he between sobs for the hundredth time.
He wasn't this happy since him and Mia renewed their vows, he really didn't mind the bites at all.
What he did mind however was the judging glares and hushed whispers mentioning curses and evil magic from the maids as they clean them, he decided to do it himself yesterday morning and had Ana fetch him some disinfectant and cotton, it didn't stop the disapproving looks from them however aside from Ana, she had always regarded him with sympathy, she clearly found his case pretty tragic, in all honesty it was.
He wasn't sure himself if he would laugh or cry at the absurdity of being a locked up by a seductive vampire in Romania in an old castle and used as a human blood bag, it was even more laughable that he enjoyed it and even looked forward to her bleeding him and her body against his, even if they were both being slightly restrained and coy about it the last two times.
But at least Ana was kind to him and didn't treat him like a leper, since Her Ladyship has called for him more often they've been keeping a wide berth from him despite his friendly demeanour and manners towards them, Ana would often bring him his meals and act as a liaison between her mistress and Ethan, the day before yesterday she even had him measured up, Her Ladyship had apparently ordered Ana to tailor him some clothes, she really was adamant on keeping him around.
"Mr Winters sir?" Ana knocks on the ajar servant's bathroom door "Would you care for tea and gruel sir?" She called from the door.
"I'll pass on the gruel but I'll have some tea please" He calls back and turns to grab his shirt when he hears gasping and shouts from the halls as several maids burst into the room two of them holding up a whimpering shaking girl clutching a bloody rag to her eye, she cries out in pain as they bring her over to the vanity with the washbasin, Ethan can see from her reflection in the mirror her right eye is a ruined mess, crushed into s red jelly and her whole socket is swollen, bruised and bloody.
"It's okay, stay calm we'll clean it shhh..." The one Ethan knows as Sofie coos as she dabs her colleagues face with a clean, disinfected cloth.
The girl does nothing but whimper and sob as Sofie tries to hold her still and tend to her wounds, the other maid Gabi glares at Ethan, she's covered in her fellow maid's blood.
"Christ! What the hell happened?" Ethan gasps walking over pulling on his shirt and buttoning it "Can I help?" He asks concerned at the wounded girl.
"This is your fault..." Growls Gabi, she steps forward angrily her fists are balled up, she looks ready to strike at him "'Miss' Daniela overheard Janice talking about you, saying how you were laying with Her Ladyship and she smashed her eye in with an ashtray!"
Ethan is confused, he steps forward " I'm sorry it happened but How is this my fault? I-" She screams at him.
"Because you are cursed Mr Winters! That witch has taken your soul! A righteous man would take his and his child's own lives before being complacent in her magic, you are but a weak willed foreign non believer! It's no wonder you lost your child to her!" Her fear of any retribution overturned by her anger and loathing towards Ethan.
Ethan's brow furrows as rage takes twists his features, he pauses staring at her angrily "...What the fuck did you say?" He says menacingly "You don't get to say that!" He shouts at her, fire in his eyes and in utter disbelief that someone would say something so cruel to him.
Ana steps between them "That was out of line Gabi!, apologise, now!" She feared for her fellow maids life, even if the others were jealous of Ana's position and the relative safety it afforded her, she still was a fellow maid and a pious woman.
"Why because we're beneath you Mr Winters? Maybe you are just as wicked as them!" she snapped at him.
Gabi ignores her colleague "A man who lies with a witch deserves to burn as much as her, Mother take you Mr Winters"
"Enough with the superstitious bullshit, leave if you don't like it! I can't and won't, you and your 'Mother Miranda' can get fucked!" Ethan snarls back his voice steely, all the maids simultaneously gasp and bow their heads to whisper a prayer of appeasement.
"Forgive his blasphemies Mother, he knows not what he says..." Ana mutters out loud, Ethan glares around temper flared and still shaking with anger.
"You're all actually insane..."
Sofie leaves the wounded maids side to grab Gabi's arm pulling her back "Watch what you're saying, you'll end up like her, fetch me a needle and thread, now!" She says firmly at Gabi and pushes her away from Ethan who returns her stare with anger, as she is pushed out the door by her colleague and friend.
"This is just ridiculous... I'm going to talk to Daniela" He turns to leave head shaking in disbelief at these people, how could he be to blame for another's action? He felt guilty, that girl will likely lose an eye due to Daniela's psychotic actions, he may still be new here and an outsider but he wasn't going to let people get hurt just because of rumours and because of some insane, backwater superstitions, he tries to be tolerant of their beliefs, he's not one to discriminate on such things but it's difficult to be open minded towards some 'deity' that demanded Rosemary's blood for sacrifice and apparently cursed him, although that would help explain his life for the past few years.
Ana steps out after him "Sir wait please!" she calls out grabbing his arm, he tugs away from her, turning to look at he, his face stern and serious.
"What?!?" He snaps "I'm not letting you all get hurt on account of me or am I taking the blame for this shit!" He barks.
"Mr Winters please sir, Miss Daniela is, well she's Miss Daniela sir... You can't just shout at her she'll kill you!" She pleas attempting to pull him back, she doesn't want him die, the stranger was kind to her, few people were, her dreams were already haunted by nightmares of his bloody, pale face wrapped in linen eyes open and lifeless, mouth contorted in pain as the daughters drag his wrapped corpse away to butcher and devour while cackling, and cleaning the very plates and chalices his flesh and blood were served with the next day, she dreaded that fate for him.
He moves away from her outstretched arm "Then she'll be killing her sisters father, and disobeying her mother." he retorts, he turns to walk away from Ana she meant well, but his tempers were flared she knew first hand how headstrong Mr Winters was.
"She disobeys her behind her back all the time sir and Her Ladyship often allows it, please think about this sir" She weeps, she thinks a silent prayer to Mother, even if he would not appreciate it.
"No, I'm gonna talk to her and Lady Dimitrescu, you won't stop me, Ana I'm sorry" He walks away from her, opening the door into the main castle at the end of the hall and into the castle's chambers and halls, he wasn't scared of them anymore, at least not like he was.
Ethan followed the sound of loud swing jazz and wild laughing over by the East Gallery by the library, a large lounge room was the source of commotion, Ethan's heart hammered in his chest as he stormed up the white and gold hallway bathed in light from golden chandeliers above, he had to calm himself down before he confronted her, he risked losing a lot from this not just his life, he knew how irate he could get when pushed and Gabi's words had hurt him, he was enraged by what she said about him, Rose and Her Ladyship, and for getting the blame lumped on him, he didn't particularly care what the maids thought of him, but his own conscious would tear him up, he did pause momentarily dreading on displeasing Her Ladyship by directly confronting her daughter, but even if this accomplished nothing but raised tensions he would not allow his daughter to be near that type of behaviour, he didn't want Rose to be raised seeing the maids nearly beaten to death for mere gossip
No matter how true he wished the gossip was.
By the time Ethan found himself having second thoughts he was already gripping the door handle and pushing it open, he really should've planned this better.
Fuck it, nothing ventured...
Olga was spinning around wildly a swarm of droning black beetles and mist shrouded her as she danced around hovering inches above the floor, dancing a mad Charleston dance with herself, humming aloud and giggling in the centre of the large well lit room, her sister Daniela lounged on the velvet sofa laughing wildly at her younger siblings antics, she was drinking from a large silver and crystal chalice like her mother had, its crimson contents had already spilt on the white cushioned sofa as she howled with laugher, blood had stained the carpets and Ethan noticed a small stand by an arm chair that had a large blood spattered crystal glass ashtray.
Ethan walks into the room completely unsure of how to engage this conversation, he felt somewhat calmer but still determined, he felt better having Olga there, but he would've preferred Kassandra she seemed to like Ethan in her own weird way or at least always was obedient towards her mother and wouldn't dare to lay a finger on him, either way it was too late now as Olga spun around towards him grinning as usual "Well! Hello Mr Winters! Care for a dance?" she stretched out out her hand at him and smiled happily, Daniela stared at him he could already feel the daggers he stared at him rake his flesh, her hatred made her eyes flare up maliciously as she scowled at him.
"No, thank you, Olga." He declined politely but firmly, he wasn't in the mood for their games.
She tuts and rolling her eyes, withdraws her hand and starts elegantly spinning in the air and laughing as she moves over the record player to turn it down, Mr Winters clearly wanted something he rarely left the servants quarters unless he was sent to mother, she was very curious as to what.
He looks over to Daniela bracing himself for that hateful yellow glare "Can I help you Mr Winters?" Daniela smiles sickly sweet, her eyes tell a different story, oh how she wanted to cut out his own pretty, staring blue eyes...
Ethan clears his throat and walks over opposite her, she looks almost shocked that this wretched man-thing would approach her, "The maid, you hurt her, why?" He says calmly but firmly, her black lips part in an evil grin.
She leans back and rakes her nails along the arms of the sofa "Because that little cunt was spreading vile rumours, false rumours about you and Mama, disgusting foul things, Mr Winters" She spits out his name like it was poison, she takes a gulp from the chalice maintaining eye contact the whole time, the more Ethan looked at her the more her blood boiled, he wasn't worthy to look at them, he certainly wasn't worthy enough to look at Mama, disgusting little man-thing, she knew exactly what foul thoughts ran through his head when he looked at mother, she always used to tell her what man-things always desire from women...
"Besides why shouldn't I hurt her? She should be grateful I didn't kill her." She's says nonchalantly fiddling with her necklace, she turns to Olga "But I have already just eaten, I am on a diet after all..." They both giggle like schoolgirls.
"Because it's wrong..." He says almost confounded by her apathy.
She cocks her head her smile dropping to a look of genuine puzzlement "Erm...Why is it wrong?" Do they actual have no empathy? Olga moves over to watch the altercation, she thought Mr Winters must've been mad or drunk coming at Dani like this, either way it was entertaining.
Ethan is dumbstruck by the answer he gets "Because smashing someone's eye in for a rumour is excessive Daniela, that's why."
She laughs out loud, even Olga stifles a chuckle "Oh dear! Mr Winters, but it feels oh so wonderful to inflict pain! You best remember that around me..." She takes another gulp and picks at bloody stains on her dress "And that's Miss Daniela to you, 'Ethan'" She growls "You will learn your place while you are here, and try not to bother me with such nonsense again, man-thing" She turns away from this annoying pest back to her sister "Turn the music up so I don't have to listen to this sheep bleating at me, dear Olga"
'...Learn my fucking place...' He would only let one person talk to him like that in this castle and she wasn't here in this room, he won't let this little psycho vampire bitch walk all over him "I am your little sisters father, you best get used to me bleating because I won't leave her, and I don't want her seeing you do that shit to people, I won't allow her to be raised around... that" He grits out between clenched teeth.
She rolls her eyes at him and sucks her teeth clearly getting annoyed "And what makes you think you have any say in how she is raised? You're just a glorified walking personal reserve for Mama nothing more, a little snack for her to chew on every now and then when she's peckish, Rose does not need a father, she has us, we don't need a man-thing here chasing Mama's skirts and pathetically letting her feed on you whenever you feel like being a father, no wonder you lost her being the pathetic wretch you are." She smiles wickedly knowing that last part would get a rise out of him, it worked wonderfully.
Ethan's face flashes with anger and his eyes narrowing, he steps forwards hard "I lost my child through no fucking fault of my own! I'm her father that means I have a goddamn right!" his fists ball up and he gets tense "Rosie needs me and I'll do what I need to be with her, your mother shares that sentiment so why can't you?" He glares her down.
"Why would I? One day Ethan she will be like us and there will be nothing you can do about it, even if you do somehow manage to still lurk around when she's older, I for one won't think you will be, especially if you continue to look at me like that, worm." She growls raking her nails harder against the arms of the couch again, The notion that Rosemary would be an immortal, bloodthirsty predator one day never occurred to him till now, he was too focused in the moment these days to think of the long term, he really didn't know how to react to that.
"You are nothing but prey Ethan Winters, blood and meat that is all and we are hunters, maybe Rosie's first will be you?" She stares back at him any sense of amusement is gone from her face, she can sense Ethan tensing up his testosterone and adrenaline starting to make him aggressive, she takes that as a challenge.
"You know what?" Ethan sneers ready to let loose his thoughts on her "So what if your mother likes me? The rumours may be false but I like her too take that as you will, I'm glad she found Rosemary and is willing to provide for her, I owe her so, so much, I'm happy she's let me into her home, she is a wonderful, kind but deeply flawed woman, one of those flaws is you Daniela, I can't believe someone like her raised a vicious creature like you that selfishly clings to some petty grudge, I get it you're all vampires or whatever but you don't have to act like this, Daniela in fact I just feel sorry for you, you all fucked me up that day but I'm not here holding out for rematches like a spoilt, scorned bully, I'm sure Her Ladyship tries real fucking hard with you..."
Her eye twitches and she lets out a low rumble from her throat, her muscles ready to spring, her black wasps crawl up from her back and take to the air circling her head, how dare this vermin question her relationship with her beloved mother, Mama loves her so very much, even if she drives her up the wall sometimes, deep down Daniela always had doubts about her mother especially lately, Her Ladyship was not the same woman who raised her, Dani had secretly thought that Mama had started getting soft after the whole incident with Kassie's founding, and deep down Daniela was disappointed in mother, not that she would ever say that out loud, and she had a feeling mother was disappointed in her too sometimes for staying the same fiery, bloody handed creature they both were in their youth, this rat's words had struck upon those doubts, like a pickaxe striking a black vein of ore deep down the dark recesses of Daniela's black mind.
Now you done it.
"What do you know of mother you filthy perverted man-thing?!!" She screams her teeth flashing animalistic and fierce as her mouth snarled at him.
Ethan starts to feel his heart racing, and that all to familiar flight or fight mode start up in his brain, get ready this'll get ugly he thinks to himself, Olga quietly, playfully gasps like a schoolchild watching two schoolmates gearing up to fight in the playground, drifting over by the fireplace on to get a good view, the air was palpable, Daniela launches her goblet at Ethan and he ducks down to avoid it, it's bloody contents sprayed across the coffee table between them and the carpet, it shatters and crumples as it hits the wall.
She howls an inhuman scream and leaps at him clawed nails at the ready and teeth bared, he stumbles back knocking himself into the stand with the ashtray on, falling on his ass briefly cursing himself, Daniela chuckles at him as she pounces "Clumsy stupid man-thing!" he raises his legs up and rolls on his back attempting something Chris taught him that he usually never quite managed, as soon as she is above him falling onto him he kicks out catching her in the belly, she gasps her face shocked and in pain, and using her momentum launches her over his body with his legs, she flies behind him with a shocked scream and crashes into the wall.
Holy fuck, that worked?? "Lucky when you're unlucky Ethan..."
Olga is pretty impressed, maybe Ethan can knock some sense into her sister as much as she loves her, she can be very petty, she always plays pranks on her sisters to get her back for jests and slights that Olga didn't even remember, Olga thinks back to the time when she took Dani's favourite silver hairbrush and didn't give it back and how weeks later Dani locked her in a room with no curtains up as the sky was starting to turn grey with the morning , she even blocked the gap under the door preventing Olga from dissipating into a swarm of beetles to get out, Mother above how Olga was scared and cowered and pressed herself in the corner weeping to avoid the sun's rays and begging Daniela to open the door and how Mama nearly throttled Daniela for such a cruel and dangerous form of payback, she always took things too far, She didn't even get shot and the grenade was meant for her anyways, why did Mr Winters bother her so much? Dani needs to calm down and let things go sometimes, Olga grinned as she watched Ethan stand up and momentarily stop to check Daniela, his face was panicked and slightly concerned but he raised his fists anyways, when he saw Daniela growling and pull herself up shaking her head angrily and spitting out some blood, he turned to run he didn't get far, Olga told herself to step in if it gets too bad, she remembered the lecture mother gave them all about not killing her prisoner the afternoon of his incursion, but he looked like he could handle himself especially when she saw him just dodge a clawed lunge that would've torn out his throat, this was all too fun, she wished she had snacks.
Ethan jumped back as she tried to grab him and raised his arms to avoid her slashing claws she screamed and growled "I've been looking forward to this man-filth!" Daniela cackles her claws slices through his sweater, shirt and flesh as he guards against her strikes, he pops a job at her face and she steps back roaring and flies at him again her lip trickling her own dark blood, she tears open his arm with her nails again and he staggers back shouting in pain, he kicks out at her leg and hits her knee hard, but that only causes her to stumble at him and fall onto him she grabs his collar and yanks him towards her open mouth, he desperately pushes her back they tussle and wrestle on the floor grunting and screaming "I-I'm gonna kill you scum!".
"Fuck you! You crazy bitch!" Ethan shouts back in her face, he was gonna die there was no way he could hold her off for long she was damn strong and thrashed out like an eel.
Olga's nostrils flare and she takes in the smell of blood, she pauses just as she was about to rush over and pull Dani off him, she had thought they had proven their points by now, but the smell of spilt blood threw her off and mesmerises her, her eyes turn hungry as the temptation to let her sister kill him and feed together creeps up on her, she throws that thought back and shakes herself sober of the dizzying aroma of blood, Dani was greedy she would never share him before mother found out and when she found out...
"Dani! Enough!" She calls out and flies over "Dani please! Mama wil-" Her hearing picks up the sound of someone entering the room and a short gasp of surprise by the door.
"ENOUGH!" A loud matriarchal inhuman roar tears through the room "You will stop this nonsense at once the pair of you!!!"
Daniela throws herself off Ethan quicker then when the curtain fell down on her and the sun scolded her, she stands hands by her side looking down at the ground, a routine Ethan was sure she practised often enough, he pulled himself up gasping in pain, he was bruised and cut, six or seven savage tears had lacerated his forearms bloody, luckily it was the backs and sides she missed his arteries and veins his left arm was especially torn and bleeding heavily he clutched it to his chest, and looked up as Lady Dimitrescu stood there wearing the same striking white apparel as when he first met her, she held the weeping form of Rosemary close to her breast she had just been awoken by her mothers shouting, she flailed about in her blankets and pretty pale pink dress, Her Ladyship's dark make up shadowed eyes regarded her Daniela and Ethan with fury, her face was straight and authoritarian, her stern gaze was terrible to be under, no wonder Daniela would usually never misbehave around her.
Her gaze froze on Ethan for a while, staring at his bleeding arm, regarding it hungrily he notices her slightly bite her lip and lick her lips, she closed her eyes heavily and inhaled in his scent, she was fighting the temptation to just feed on him then and there, the cry of their child threw her out of her primal cravings and back to the situation, that could wait she thinks to herself as she jostles Rosemary leaning down to kiss her forehead and soothe her "There, there I'm sorry my love, your papa and big sister are being silly... shhh" her face snaps up her adoring, calming smile replaced by her previous stern, motherly gaze.
"What in God's name are you doing? Rolling around like squabbling children? I would expect that from you Daniela Dimitrescu but not you Ethan Winters a grown man?" Her tone was more composed for Rose but still firm and disapproving, underneath the pain Ethan felt ashamed and worried, this could seriously jeopardize their arrangement, what was he thinking?
Kassandra drifts in behind her mother eyes bewildered and as she wondered what was going on, she stops and looks over at her big sister who was clutching at the dress by her sides, face frowning, Ethan stood there backing away from Daniela, holding bloody wounds on his arms, she did the same thing her mother did when she saw Ethan, she looked hungry "Why's Mr Winters bleeding...?"
"He started it mother!" Daniela looks up and shouts voice apologetic her bloody face put on a veil of innocence "He attacked me Mama!" She lies.
Ethan turns to look at her angrily "I didn't attack you! You came at me! I just wanted to talk"
Her Ladyship rolls her eyes as she continues to rock her child softly in her arms "Don't lie to me, Daniela Dimitrescu, Mr Winters did not attack you first, moderate your voices the pair of you" She looks back down Rose cooing at her and pulling a funny face at her sobbing mewling babe "... no, no they won't be loud anymore dear, settle my Rose..."
"He was being rude mother, speaking out of his place" She snapped quietly "He thought he could tell me what to do, so I put him there, he has no right to tell me what to do" She side eyed him evilly, but she looked at her mother like butter wouldn't melt.
Her Ladyship frowns at them "Is that true Mr Winters?"
"She smashed a maids face in, My Lady, I won't allow that around Rosemary, I wanted to make her know that"
She stands there staring him down firmly "Our Rosemary was not around when it happened, and rest assured my daughters know better than not to do that near an infant Mr Winters, My Daniela was right you did speak out of turn, you should've came to me if you had any concerns, I will not have you going behind my back to discipline my daughters".
Daniela smiles smugly, she feels like she's won, maybe mother will see some sense and let her finish the job, maybe it would be like old times again...
Ethan feels like shit and not just because of his wounds, she was right he had no right to discipline them, he was Rose's father not theirs, but coming to terms with the more brutal aspects of the Dimitrescu's nature was hard, they were what they were, they could no more help their tendencies than he could help being a headstrong fool and coming up here to give Daniela a piece of his mind, he was an adult but he felt like he was a naughty boy being scolded.
He looks up at her his eyes uncertain and apologetic "I'm sorry if I overstepped My Lady, I just get worried about our child" He shuffles nervously.
Her Ladyship looks down at Rose with an absent smile as she starts to stop her sobbing as her mother rocks her softly, she puts her finger in Rosie's outstretched tiny hands and lets her pull it to her tiny mouth to suckle and drool on, her golden eyes lock back on Ethan content her child was calm and more than happy to let her chew and suck on her gloved fingertip she smiles at the father of the bundle of life she held, he had sired such a beautiful child.
"You need not worry Mr Winters but I can see why you would confront her, you do not understand our ways" She turns her gaze at Daniela "And you, young lady" her quiet tone tinged with iron "Will not lash out at my guest and the father of your sister again, you have equally no right to 'put him in his place' as you crudely put it Daniela Dimitrescu, he is not one of the help."
The blood smeared, tattooed face turn exasperated and confused, she whines at her mother "But he's man-blood Mama, he is a lesser! a prey-thing!"
Her mother pouts sternly at her "Let me put this in a way you will understand young lady, Mr Winters is mine, I claim him as my own, he is not yours to harm, do you understand child?"
He really felt strange about being referred to as a possession, but he was glad that if he was going to be anyone's to claim it was her.
"But mother the maid-" She whinges out stamping her foot.
Her mother growls slightly, the rumble in her chest making Rosie kick out and fidget "Enough, I care not what caused this, you've already upset your sister and I, you will stop your senseless hostility to Mr Winters and he will not confront you about things he does not understand again, you will apologise to Mr Winters and he will apologise to you"
Ethan is more than willing to eat humble pie and apologise, the last thing he wants is Her Ladyship's scorn, he turns to Daniela "I'm sorry Daniela." his voice genuine as it can be.
Daniela on the other hand looks at him and sneers, she spits on the ground in front of him, and looks back at her mother "I won't apologise to him, he's not wort-"
Her Ladyship takes several steps forward and scowls at her eldest "You will say sorry, right now and cease your vulgar manners" The contrast between how she tenderly held Rose and the fierce look and tone she gave Daniela was bizarre for Ethan to witness, he didn't think anyone could look so torn between tenderness and anger.
Daniela looks at sisters for support, Olga and Kassandra stood by the fireplace, they often got a kick out of seeing mother scold one of them, it was even more interesting she did the same to an outsider of the family, they didn't expect her to be so soft on Mr Winters however, they shrug their shoulders at Daniela.
"Don't look at them child, look at Mr Winters in the eyes and say sorry, or I'll confine you to your room with no blood" She warns, still letting Rose suckle and play with her hand.
Her venomous yellow eyes stare at Ethan, his blood runs cold again "I'm sorry Mr Winters..." She grits out disingenuously, she refuses to look directly at his eyes, staring at his bloody wounds instead, she's content she at least managed to give him a mauling for his impertinence.
"That is much better Daniela" She turns on her heels content that this matter is solved, for know at least "Olga, fetch us a maid to bring in some bandages and salve for Mr Winters wounds take your time please, Kassie dear take your little sister and go play with her, me and Mr Winters have to talk in private" She leans down to kiss Rosie one more time, she appeared to had become calm now, Kassandra drifts over arms out stretched and smiling to take Rose as their mother bends at the waist to deliver her child into Kassandra's eager arms.
"Come on Ducky, it's grown up time, let's go play with my dolls together..." She coos sweetly, despite what had happened and what the daughters were like Ethan was glad they loved Rosemary just as much their mother, it was just as heart-warming to see them bond, Rose fidgets and tussles slightly before her eyes focus in on the pale, messy face of her big sister, and she gurgles happily, her infantile brain associated the redhead with her collection of pretty dolls that she would stage tea parties for Rosie to watch and make them dance, how Rose's face lit up when her big sisters fussed and played with her.
"And you Daniela" She stands up straight to scowl at her disobedient daughter "I don't want to see you until dinnertime, do I make myself perfectly clear young lady?" Her hands drops to her hips.
"Yes, mother"
Olga had left the room already keen to get away from Daniela who would likely drag her and Kassie off to the dungeon or one of the old towers so she could listen to the angry blonde rant and rave at this apparent misjustice done against her by mother at some point, Kassandra lifted up Rosie so Ethan could see her grinning face "Say bye bye to your dada!" ,Ethan smiles and waves a bloody hand back at his child.
"See ya kiddo!" He says happily for Rose, how he wished this had never happened he likely would've been holding her by now sitting next to Her Ladyship, what a damned fucking fool he was, Kassandra kisses her soft temple leaving a dirty smudge that she quickly cleans off with her dress sleeve, as she spins around and floats away copying Rosie's babyish incoherent babbling and jostling her, Kassie was fluent in speaking baby and could understand her perfectly, even if her sisters thought her mad for saying such things, then again they always have.
And Kassie agreed with her, grown ups are weird...
Daniela is the last to leave, she slowly drifts towards the door burning golden eyes leaving Ethan's wounds, she hated him even more now, she was humiliated by mother all because of that little worm and his stupid effect he had on their mother and the fact he could manipulate her as he was Rosie's father, why did such a beautiful lamb like her new little sister have to have a father? Mother above how she wanted to kill him even more now, she leaves the room following her sisters, she stops to spin around and scowl at Ethan one last time, she silently mouths "You're so dead" at him as she pulls the doors to, closing them and leaving Lady Dimitrescu and Ethan alone in the room, he shudders and looks down at his bloody arms.
Ethan turns to face the intense staring visage of Her Ladyship "I'm so sorry My Lady I didn't know what I was thinking..."
She sighs and looks at him, full red lips turned in a disapproving frown "You clearly were not thinking dear, now..."
"Your clothing Mr Winters, remove it please" Lady Dimitrescu orders as she walks up to him, the distinctive footsteps in the now silent room echoed, the golden eyes looked at him tenderly even if they had the slight predatory gleam she get's when she catches the scent of blood.
He looks up at her confused and wonders for what purpose "Erm... My Lady?"
She tuts "Just your jumper and shirt, I need to clean your wounds dear" She places a reassuring hand his shoulder and directs him to the armchair.
"Oh My Lady, yeah right..." He smiles awkwardly as he lets her lead him to the chair, he pulls off the bloody sweater, the ragged sleeves cling to his wounds and he winces, he knew they would've stopped bleeding by now and on the cellular level had started to heal but they still hurt a few of them were likely deep enough that if he were normal he would've got some pretty permanent nerve damage, he notices Lady Dimitrescu turn away from him sharply as he unbuttons his shirt, looking down and a slight flutter of her lashes and a small tinge of pink at her cheeks as he undoes the last few buttons and pulls it back exposing his bare torso.
It was rude to look at one undressing she told herself, but that didn't stop her from looking once he was done she had wanted to see his bare body again since the dungeons, now it looked much more appealing in the light of a warm room and all cleaned up, well relatively clean at least, his forearms were still covered in blood, she walks over to him and grasps his hands lifting them up to look at his torn forearms, getting a better look at the claw marks, her eyes flare hungrily, although they had stopped bleeding they were still smeared with his sweet, delicious blood, her breathing gets heavier as she stares at them, she presses her hand against his pectoral running it over his firm strong chest, trailing the clawed fingertips gently scraping his skin, making him shiver and tingle, and lightly pushes him down onto the chair, before dropping to her knees in a front of him between his thighs in a blink of an eye, God she moved so fast when she was like this, shuffling closer and staring intently at his bloody wounds, he has a pretty damn good idea of what's gonna happen.
She doesn't even ask like she usually does, she gently takes his left arm and runs her tongue along the skin, turning it from pink to red, her tongue curls back in her mouth and she closes her eyes briefly in pleasure as she gulps down his blood, gasping with satisfaction at the first taste, her eyes flash open burning brightly at him her chest swells, she stares back at him, smirking wickedly before lapping at the rest of his skin, Ethan feels hot and weird as her soft, warm tongue runs over his wounds, it stings a bit at first but that soon fades when he feels her grasp his thigh with her free hand and gently squeeze it, her thumb running tantalisingly close to his pant's crotch, he closes his own eyes and takes a deep breath trying to steady his accelerating pulse.
When he opens them she's staring up him continuing to lap at his bloody skin moving on to the other arm, not breaking eye contact as she does so as they bore into his own pools of blue, her soft moans and hot breath against his skin, is all too much for him to register his mind starts swimming with all sorts of thoughts,
Jesus Fuck this is intense he thinks to himself, he also thinks what it would be like to have Her Ladyship on her knees like this and running her tongue along another appendage of his...
He tries to turn his mind to other things but fails, he raises his now cleaned left arm to her face, she nods as he caresses her cheek and moves past to stroke her soft, dark curls as he often does when she feeds, she continued to stare up at him and clean his wounds, he feels his blood rush to his cock.
Please don't let her notice I'm pitching...
She does.
"There..." She coos softly "...All clean now..." She licks her lips, and plants a small trail of kisses down along his right forearm "Oh... looks like I left a bit..." She grins before she brings up Ethan's hand to her mouth and gently places his thumb onto her lower lip letting him stroke it softly before sucking the tip of his thumb playfully, her soft wet lips wrapped around and suckling it seductively was mind numbing to Ethan, he bit the corner of his mouth and flustered.
There was no blood there, she just wanted to gauge his reactions, she adored messing with him like this, it was all so much fun making him all hot and bothered, she loved hearing his heart hammer in his chest, that dumbstruck, confused look on his face as she teased, his awkward fidgeting and his brow slightly beading with sweat, and that funny hunch he does to hide his swollen manhood.
With a soft smack of her lips she withdraws his hand away from her and kisses it "I was most disappointed with you..." She playfully frowns her eyes moving up his chest as she drums her clawed fingertips on his thighs "... But you taste just too good for me to stay angry at you, curse you Mr Winters..." She leans forward and plants several kisses on his bare chest over his heart leaving small marks from her lipstick, her hands grip the arms of the chair and pushes herself to her feet resisting the urge to stay down and tear off his pants, composing herself he had the same effect on her after all, she was just much better at hiding it.
He looks back at up her his head feeling more clearer now she wasn't 'cleaning' his wounds, with a smile on his face "Well I can be grateful for that, I don't want you to be mad at me My Lady"
She turns away from him and walks over to the drinks stand in the corner of the room, bending down to scroll through the attached wine rack to find a suitable vintage, Ethan can't resist a glance at her shapely rear being thrust out as she does so.
"Then don't pick fights with Daniela dear, even with your accelerated healing she could tear you to pieces in a straight fight." She smiles playfully as she drops the fact he knows his secret on him, tapping the neck of a good 1998 vintage red, blood free for Ethan's preferences before pulling it from the rack.
Ethan looks shocked and he clears his throat, he had his suspicions she knew, after all she was the one drinking his blood but now it was confirmed. "You know??"
She spins around in her dramatic signature way a bottle in one hand and two glasses in the other "Of course I do Mr Winters, you were being quite silly if you thought I didn't know, dear" She walks over and sets the glasses on the stand by Ethan, pressing her pinkie against the cork and shooting the claw into it and retracting it, the cork drops to the floor and she pours him and herself a glass, "No normal man would've recovered as quickly from the wounds you've suffered since your arrival" she walks over to the fireplace and leans against it with her glass regarding him with a coy knowing smile.
"You are very special Mr Winters, which is why I don't want you getting killed by Daniela nor anyone else for that matter" She brings up the glass and swirls it she would've preferred her Maiden's Blood but she wants to share a glass with him, it was a good enough bottle after all.
"I don't know about special, an idiot maybe but not special My Lady, I shouldn't of done what I did, it was stupid of me" His eyes drop down and he looks regretful.
She takes a small sip and nods in agreement "It was very stupid of you, don't try to tame Daniela Mr Winters, leave her and my daughters to me, worry about ours, not mine" He was glad she seemed to change the subject from his 'gift' to something else even if it was a lecture about boundaries.
"I won't anymore, if I have any problems with them I'll come to you first My Lady, I swear"
She smiles and nods "Good, I don't think I would ever forgive her if she took away Rosemary's father from me..." Her eyes flash as if she said something she shouldn't of "Excuse me, I mean her, I meant Rose..." She sinks the regular sized wine glass in a single gulp.
You idiot Alcina... You'll ruin our little game if you make it too obvious.
Ethan smiles coyly upon hearing her speaking out a titbit of her mind as she looks away, almost flustering herself "It's just..." he begins before stopping choosing very carefully what to say next before giving up "Never mind" he reaches over to grab his glass, bringing it to his nose to sniff for the tell-tale coppery notes of blood, there was none, he takes a hearty swig.
She walks back over to him and picks up the bottle, her plucked brow raised in curiosity "Go on Mr Winters, you may speak your mind" she says as she pours another glass for herself.
Ethan sighs deeply and bracing himself "The maid, she smashed her eye in with that ashtray, My Lady" he points to the bloody cracked ashtray next to the wine on the stand "It's...cruel to treat them like that My Lady, I'm sorry this is not my home bu-" She shushes him and smiles softly.
"I understand dear, I completely do, you are not from here, your world is so very different to ours, what happens here can be... cruel, but it is the lesser evil, my family struggles with our natures, before it was much worse I assure you, Heavens I would've crushed the maids skull myself if I heard her stepping out of place, I made tremendous efforts to change myself but I allow my children their vices because they are not exactly like me, I can change my nature easy enough even if it does take time, my dear children however are more...primal, they don't understand life is more than just a playground for them to mess around in, that will take a long, long time, Daniela is the worst in that regard because when I first had her Mr Winters I was... wicked, a tyrant, I slaughtered in Mother Miranda's name and for my own pleasure and unrestrained by any remorse or sense of morality, Dani grew up around that behaviour, believe me Mr Winters I won't let them fecklessly kill the help" Not often she thinks "Besides, as I'm sure you've noticed the beasts in the village have made getting staff difficult as of late, that and the servants are few as it already is with such a large castle, an occasional lost eye, cut or bloody lip is preferable to hanging disembowelled corpses everywhere"
Her explanation leaves Ethan confused, what exactly are they? Was their base natures that savage that beating and bullying the help is the lesser evil compared to what it was? She looks down at him stroking his soft golden hair that she adored, before sucking in a heavy breath and sighing, her eyes turn sad and full of regret.
"My Kassandra was the turning point for me, when I found her Mr Winters I was covered in her parents blood, I had just butchered her entire family because their eldest daughter stole from me while she worked here, I gave her to Dani and Olga and went to her family home in the village...I went too far Mr Winters, it made me ill what I did to her birth family, some nights I can still hear baby Kassandra's cries mixed with her parents and sibling's pleas for mercy, do you know what her eldest birth sister stole? Food Mr Winters, a bag of flour and some onions from the castle larder so they could get through the winter alive and I did that, it- … that haunts me Mr Winters... I just want to be better, to throw off Mother's shackles and be good for any future daughters I have, so they can be better than I was and have a better life than I."
She looked sad and vulnerable, as vulnerable as she could seem anyway, it hits Ethan that was one of her deepest secrets and regrets, she was speaking from the darkest corner of her heart, and it was something she likely never even spoke about with her daughters.
He stands up and takes her free hand, kissing it softly and stroking the warm leather, "I would say if a person realises when they go too far then they had some good in them anyways My Lady, no matter how buried and deep down it lies, and now you're trying to bring that out, to fight against what your own instincts and Mother wants you to do, to be better, that takes a lot of strength, that in itself is a good example to set for your daughters, to show them that it is possible to live like that, to be kinder than what everyone thinks you are capable of."
Her lip trembles slightly very few people have ever said something like that to Alcina that she was capable of being better, that they believed she could be good, she beams down at him "When I look at our Rose Mr Winters, it gives me hope that I can start again, that I am capable of creating something good for the world instead of just more pain and suffering, I love my daughters so very much, but I made so many mistakes with them, it took me twenty years of raising Kassandra wrestling with those regrets before coming to this conclusion, the past ten or so I've been trying so hard, even turning against Mother and openly defying her, I want to change and Rose is a part of that, truth be told it is selfish of me to see your daughter like that I know-"
Ethan raises his hand to stop her "My Lady, I don't think it's selfish at all, if Rose can be a fresh start for you, and as long as you cherish and care for her than I don't see why it would be, yes, I wish Mia was still here, that me, Rose and Mia were living our old lives together, but if some happiness can come out my family's tragedy than I can be at peace with that I think My Lady, like I can be at peace with who you and your daughters are My Lady." He hopes he can at least, but he can try, for Rosemary and her.
And you are a part of that Ethan Winters, you are starting to make me feel good, like I can do good.
Her Ladyship looks down at him warmly, their eyes lock and she feels at peace staring at his honest, caring eyes "Thank you Mr Winters... You are a kind man, I'm glad you are with me and my family, even if the circumstances are painful for you, one day I hope you will come to see this place as a home for you."
He kisses her hand again and smiles "I'm just glad I have Rose back to help with the pain, and you, Your Ladyship" Her body tingles when he says that and her large heart flutters in her chest, Why would he be like this towards me? She thinks to herself, does Mr Winters really care about me like that? Why?
She chuckles as she places down her glass and holds both of his hands in hers "My, you do know how to charm a lady Mr Winters, no wonder Mia snapped you up!" She laughs loudly and pleasantly.
He returns her laughter with his own and blushes "I dunno about that My Lady, I think I got lucky with her." He was glad he said the right things, he was starting to see her more than a parent he was forced into raising Rosemary with and a object of repressed desires, in Ethan's mind she was starting to become a friend and that was a surprise to him, he just hoped she felt the same.
"Don't be so coy Mr Winters, you are more charming than you think!" She let's go off his hands smiling tenderly at him and picks up the glass to take a sip, just as there is a knock at the door.
"Enter!" Lady Dimitrescu calls over her shoulder, Ana opens the door and steps through the threshold, holding a tray with bandages, disinfectant, salve and a sewing kit as well as a small basin of water, Ana was terrified for Ethan when Olga burst into the maids dorm and started hollering that Mr Winters needed medical attention, for a second Ana assumed the worst, it was even worse when Olga demanded she take her time getting the pieces together, her mind raced with whatever Daniela did to him.
"Ah! There you are Ana girl, come here leave the tray on the stand" she hurries over to them and leaves it by them, briefly looking at the smiling Mr Winters who gave a warm look and a nod of assurance, one that Her Ladyship noticed and regarded curiously, feeling a slight prang of jealousy that she shrugged off, as if they could ever compete with her for Ethan's attentions, she laughed at herself for that notion.
Ana stands by her mistresses side and bows "Is there anything else My Lady?" looking down at the air between Her Ladyship and Ethan.
"Yes, bring him a shirt and prepare a hot bath and meal for Mr Winters while we finish talking, there's a good girl" She traced her clawed fingertips over Ethan's shoulder and smiled at him "Run it in my bathroom girl, it's much more comfortable than those horrid tin ones"
Ana was glad Her Ladyship liked him, and was looking after him if anyone can protect him from Miss Daniela than who better than her own mother? She smiles ever so slightly and curtseys "Of course mistress, My Lady, Mr Winters" She nods at both of them as she turns to leave almost quaking with relief that the kind outsider was alive still and well, even if he didn't know or want it Mother was protecting him Ana was certain of it, her prayers were working.
She turns back to Ethan smirking and cocking her brow "Friendly with her are we?" She asks playfully.
Ethan looks at her confused before returning her smirk "Jealous My Lady?"
She cackles and playfully slaps his arm "Not at all dear... She is pretty in a rather plain way, too young for you though I should hope, the girl is only nineteen"
He blushes and look shocked "My Lady! I'm not down there hooking up with your staff if that's what you think!" he thought Ana had looked older, it must be the stress of this place.
The pearl white teeth show and she grins taking a sip of wine "I would hope not, I only employ maiden's after all"
He looks at he confused again "You mean like virgins My Lady?" He wonders as to why, honestly not sure if he wants to know.
She nods "Yes virgins, for my signature wines, virgin blood is particularly sweet, untainted by all those nasty diseases, pheromones and the vulgarity of life"
Christ this really is another world he thinks, he assumed it was something like that "That's not fair on them, what happens if they have sex?" dreading the reply.
"They are given their last salary and shown the door dear, most of women in the village had worked here at some point, did you think I would murder them for being harlots?? My daughters may rough them up a bit but unless they lie then they are just dismissed" She replies eager to dispel any horrifying notion he may have.
He looks up at her still slightly feeling at odds over this topic "And if they lie My Lady?..." he asks, silence hangs in the room for a while.
"Rest assured they know better than to lie, their lies could ruin my name, I can't sell a high class exclusive vintage tainted with lover's pox can I?" She leans over and smiles at him
Ethan tires to change the conversation from maiden's blood and the fate of lying 'harlots'. "No, Ana is kind to me My Lady, nicer than the rest of them, the others think I'm cursed or something" He shrugs.
She rolls her eyes at her help's feverish paranoia "Let them think what they want Mr Winters, a lion cares not for the opinion of the sheep my dear, they are superstitious fools nothing more, I'm glad Ana is making you feel comfortable at least, I don't want you feeling alone down there."
He grins slyly "Am I a lion now?"
"More like a little, grumpy alley cat dear" She winks at him, they laugh happily together.
"That sounds more likely I guess, It's enough knowing I'm under the same roof as Rosie My Lady anyways." She beams at his answer, good heavens he's being a sweetheart today isn't he? Making up for that ruckus with Daniela he must be.
Lady Dimitrescu smiled as she picks up the salve "Sit back down and let me dress your wounds please" Ethan sits back down and offers up his left arm first as she pulls off a glove to rub the soothing salve, it feels odd for her to touch him and not feel the leather of her gloves she constantly wore, the porcelain skin of her exposed hand was incredibly soft as she delicately dabbed and rubbed the salve on his wounds, he notices her dark fingernails were fairly long and sharp, and almost looked metallic due to their colour and touch when they slightly scraped his skin, curious.
She does the same to the other arm, before looking up at him and pouting happily "So, how did you become special Mr Winters?" The question took him off guard, he didn't like that question at all and he twitched slightly, that question opened up the memories of that bloody long night in Dulvey.
"I-I..." He stammers, his memories racing, his eyes close heavy...
The shotgun's muzzle flash lights up the hallway in the main house, the Molded closest to Ethan flies back against it's slimy, erratically twitching fellow creature behind staggering it, it's hideous, toothy face blown off by a hail of red hot buckshot the one behind it pushes the corpse out of the way relentless in its pursuit of Ethan, it's arms reaching out mouth open and wide, grey drool rolling from it's fanged maw, Ethan steps back his shaking, bloody, bandaged hands reaching into his pocket fumbling for more shells to push into the breech of his weapon, he walks backwards eyes wide and terrified, his heavy scared breathing is loud in his ears, as is the rasping, growls of the monster coming at him and the ringing of the gunshots, he slides a single shell in and fires it at the creature, taking it's arm off at the elbow staggering it for second or two, he steps back through the doorway and slams it shut in the beast's face, walking back and driving more shells into the breech.
"There you are Ethan boy!" A familiar heavily accented voice stops him in his tracks, it's him, Daddy... Jack...
"You shooting the family pets are we, motherfucka? That won't do at all boy, come here!" He storms towards Ethan who shouts in terror and fires two shells that tear open his chest he staggers, coughing up blood and grunting Ethan stares in horror at the gaping hole the blasts took out of him, he can see the lungs moving with each breath in the ruined, broken mess of Jack's chest, as well as the flesh bubbling and reforming.
"WOOO-WEEEEE!!!" He laughs "That smarts you cocksucking fuck!! My turn Ethan!!" He raises the pickaxe and brings it down on Ethan...
Lady Dimtrescu's comforting touch takes him out of his traumatic flashbacks that lurked around the periphery of his mind "Ah, I see..." She says face concerned and sympathetic Ethan stares past her for a while before saying something.
"It can be hard to explain, I was infected by something... a bioweapon made by some organisation Mia worked for, she went missing for three years, I found her, and the bioweapon..." He reaches over and drains his glass "... I'm sorry My Lady, I don't want to talk about it right now... that was the night that lead to everything... going wrong, to now..."
She starts wrapping his arm gently in bandages "Is this right? Is what we are doing wrong Mr Winters?" She asks eyes focusing down on dressing his wounds, being tender as to not hurt him.
He bites his lip unsure how to reply "...No... I don't think it is...it's just unexpected My Lady, if that makes any sense?" She finishes the left arm and start dressing the right, still looking down, hiding her eyes under the brim of her hat, she doesn't want him to see any flashes of disappointment in her eyes from his replies.
"In a way yes, Mr Winters, you wish things were different, as do many in this life, you wish that you were not here and you were still in your old home, with you wife and child, that you did not know me nor this valley ever even existed." She says quite bluntly, he felt a bit hurt by that for some reason.
"No, I'm glad I met you, someone who didn't try to kill me or throw a hex or whatever at me" He says "Someone who seems...kind, and cares for Rosemary."
She looks back at him with a grin, kind is a word that she doesn't hear directed at her often "I'm not terribly sure about that, Mr Winters, I very well was prepared to kill you but a few days ago"
He chuckles "Okay My Lady, someone who didn't kill me on the spot and at least gave me a chance to explain myself, and someone who wasn't covered in hair and trying to smash my head in" He thinks of her brother and the lycans, and shudders, he realises how at ease he has become around death and monsters as well, as if it was starting to become something normal in his life, he had changed, he wonders if this what was Chris was like, if that normalcy around death and horror was what started him off.
She snidely chuckles "Yes the lycans are foul aren't they? Repulsive beasts, not the worst creatures in this land however..." She trails off "I'm sorry for bringing up your gift, I didn't mean to upset you Mr Winters" Her eyes are apologetic and she smiles reassuredly "I will have to know at some point however, I can't risk something happening Mr Winters" Worried his condition may be unstable for him or even potentially dangerous in the future, Lord above she knows how unpredictable beings like them were, she dreaded if Ethan ever saw her in her terrible, 'true' monstrous form the dragon, the beast that lies within her flesh, any notions of attraction or whatever he felt towards her would be quickly dispelled she was sure of that, he would run and never look back.
He nods softly "I can understand that I guess, even I'm not sure of it entirely all I know is I don't get sick very often and I'm tougher to kill." It was true the E-Type Mold that clung to his DNA was something he was constantly worried about, he worried how it would effect Rose, despite the BSAA telling them she would be fine, how could he ever trust anything they said now?
She finishes dressing his arm and brings up his hand and kisses his knuckles, noting the callouses on them and the small scars, she looks sadly at his hands for a moment, before pressing another kiss to them "I for one am glad you are tough, Mr Winters and that you are special" she gives his hand a loving squeeze and drops it "It means I don't have to wait days between feeds for you to recover!" She jests.
"Heh well, I'm more than happy to be a well stocked bar for a tall drink of water like yourself My Lady..." God Ethan, stop trying to flirt, It's cringy dude, he thinks and slightly blushes, she seems to find it funny at least.
Her attractive elegant face is wracked by laughter and she wipes a tear from her eye howling "My word Mr Winters! Did you just refer to me as 'a tall, drink of water'?, Good heavens!!" She almost snorts she laughs so hard "That is a new one dear I have to say" She puts a hand on his shoulder and strokes his collarbone tenderly, her golden eyes sparkle with happiness "You are becoming most endearing to me Mr Winters, truly."
He puts his hand on hers, and beams up her craning his neck to stare at her eyes lovingly "I do have some uses it seems than My Lady, aside from getting into pointless fights and tasting good My Lady." She bends down to cup his cheek and press a kiss on his brow.
"Don't sell yourself short dear, now how is your arms Mr Winters?" She asks standing up fully, he moves it about inspecting the bandages.
"I'll live, I've had a lot worse My Lady" She is sure he has, poor Ethan.
The door knocks again "That must be Ana with your shirt" She turns over to the door "You must want to relax in the tub for a while, try not to get your arms too wet, not that it matters Mr Winters" Noting the fact they were likely already scabbing and healing, she was mothering him. "Ana will take you to my bath chamber, I must attend to business I'm afraid..."
He looks at her curiously "Business?" His mind wanders as to what she could mean.
"Politics unfortunately, I still have to maintain the balance of power, and my brother has been calling me often lately, perhaps the boor wants to make amends..." Unlikely she thought to herself "I shall have to see you later my dear I'm afraid" She looks at him fondly, wishing she could spend more time with Ethan, she leans down one last time and plants a kiss on his head, he senses her longing.
He reaches up to trace her jaw, she shivers slightly jostling her curls "I won't be going anywhere, remember? You claimed me?" He grins playfully, still feeling conflicted about that.
Her red lips split in a tender smile "I suppose I did..." She stands and turns to the door "Enter!" She calls for Ana to come in, she walks in meekly as ever but her face looks much happier than usual carrying a neatly folded button up white shirt in her hands, she approaches Her Ladyship and Ethan.
"Sir, your shirt" She thrusts it out to him avoiding looking at his bare body, that amuses Her Ladyship, she may have limits with the staff but she does enjoy watching them squirm and fluster, she is well aware of the terrifying effect she has on them, results of generations of stories and superstitions about the castle and her firm demeanour towards them is the cause, and her daughters of course, Her Ladyship is more than happy to let them quake and quail around her.
"Thanks Ana" He nods as he takes the shirt and pulls it on, buttoning it up, Her Ladyship catches a last lovely glimpse of his body before it is covered.
"Take Mr Winters to his bath girl" She says, as her handmaid bows.
"Yes My Lady, please Mr Winters sir... She gestures for him to follow when he is ready, Ethan looks up at Her Ladyship smiling one last time before he makes for the door, they stare at each faces for a while beaming warmly at each other.
"Good day Mr Winters..." She says wistfully and pouting slightly, she wished she didn't pine so damn hard for him, as she watches him leave with Ana.
"Here we are sir" They had been walking through extravagantly decorated and opulent family quarters of the castle, everywhere Ethan looked he saw golden inlay, intricate floral decorations, fine art and antique furniture, he had never been to this part of the castle before he walks down a bright long, wide corridor passing by three doors on his right each door had a golden intricate letter on it "K", "D" and "O" they had to be the daughter's rooms, the white doors were dirty and had scratches and bloody streaks on them, he noted Kassandra had doodles of stickmen and flowers all over, Daniela's was particularly savaged and mauled and Olga's was relatively clean compared to the other two, he dreaded to think what they were like inside, Ana led him to the large tall, decadent golden decorated doors on the far left of the hall.
"Here sir, there is towels and clean clothes in there" She opens the door and ushers him inside, Holy...
The entire marble room is lit up in golden light from the chandeliers and wall mounted lamps, there are beautiful murals on the walls depicting various detailed scenes of hunts, ships at sea, lovers dancing and scenes that Ethan figured had something to do with Greek mythology, he wasn't an art student but he was absolutely awe struck with how gorgeous the room was, the carved marble columns had gold leaf grapevines crawling up them, there was huge silvered mirrors against the wall, a large marble wash basin stood in the corner of the room and in the centre was a huge ivory white claw footed tub, with even more gold inlaying it, veins of the precious metal covered the polished exterior of it, hot steam billowed out from the vast tub, Her Ladyship must've had that custom made or something, it was more like a damn pool than a bathtub, beside it was a beautifully carved dark wood dresser with an attached golden towel rail, a variety of bottles, pots and jars were on top of it.
Ethan whistles as he walks into the room bathed in it's warm golden light "Damn, Her Ladyship takes bath time pretty seriously..." He idlily says looking up at the beautiful mosaic on the ceiling of a sword bearing woman fighting a huge dragon or monster, the woman reminded him of that statue in the village graveyard.
"She does sir, I usually have to attend her during bath times for hours, she often takes a long time in the tub sir, I believe she just finds it soothing" She nods, Ethan wishes he could attend her while she sits and lounges in the tub, how the warm, soapy water must've ran and glistened on her perfect, pale skin...
"Her Ladyship has exquisite taste when it comes to interior design sir" Ana continues, she nods proud to help upkeep such a beautiful home, even if she was brought up with stories of curses and unspeakable horrors about this place and she was convinced more than a few trapped spirits roamed the halls, this place held wealth and beauty Ana would have never even been able to dream of in her dreary, old family shack in the village, Ethan was equally struck by castles beauty, even if he did find himself missing the amenities of modern life and it ticking every box in the Gothic horror movie cliché.
He thoughtfully swirled the warm soapy water with his hand, his mind turned from the opulent sights he saw to Her Ladyship and what she said to him earlier, he hadn't expected such a intimate conversation with her, every time he comes face to face with her finds himself drawn deeper and deeper into his desires for her, he keeps trying to tell himself he is just here for Rose but that get's harder to believe with every conversation, touch and restrained kiss to his brow, he knew Mia would want him to move on, she wanted him to do that to her when she was taken by Evie, she would want that for him now, but with someone like that porcelain skinned towering aristocratic vampiress? How would she feel about that? About their daughters new mother? He looked at the wall staring at a mural of two lovers dancing hand in hand his face blank and in deep thought, Ana noticed, and even if it was not her place to do so she touches his shoulder to assure him that whatever ran through his head it would be okay, she was certain he wouldn't mind.
He snaps out of daydreaming and looks at her with a warm look on his face, despite his doubts he was still happy.
"Are you well sir?" She asks concerned.
"Yes, thank you, I'm fine Ana" He appreciated having someone to talk to who he didn't have to put on airs and graces for, even if he found her beliefs distasteful and strange "I'm just happy, and I haven't been for a very long time that's all."
She smiles "I'm glad of it sir, Our Mother loves you despite what the other maids say, I can tell sir" She steps back "Will that be all sir?" She had duties elsewhere in castle she had to attend to, Her Ladyship would need help getting ready for this afternoon.
"That's all Ana, thanks" He nods as she bows and walks off closing the door behind him.
He takes another look around in this grand room he found himself alone in and starts to undress, before climbing with slight difficulty into the tall huge tub, stepping into the hot clean water and laying back, Christ he could almost do a lap in this he thought as he lounged back and sighed.
A soft jazzy tune plays from the hallway outside the door Ethan can hear it echoing as he lounges and relaxes, for the first time since he came here, he feels completely safe and for a while at least, his stresses and worries melt away in the steam and hot water.