Work Text:
The first thing that the lady of the house noticed about you was how you didn't seem to belong. It had been so obvious the minute you walked in through the castle gates.
The way your clothes seemed to be finer, and better then what the villagers had access to, the fact that your boots were oddly and remarkably clean considering the state of the muddy roads. Along with that it was the way you carried yourself with a sort of confidence that was entirely far to inappropriate for someone who had just wandered into the home of someone else, into the home of the most feared women in the entire region.
Yet the thing that truly caught Alcina's attention was the way you looked around her castle. As if you weren't afraid, how you looked so utterly and complexity fascinated by it all around you.
You stood in front of the enormous doors with your head tipped back slightly, while studying the towers that had gargoyles with those wide, and curious eyes.
Then you knocked… 1, 2, 3, times. It caused Alcina to stop at the halfway down down the grand staircase. Nobody ever knocked on her door, at least not people who valued their lives. Her daughter most defiantly didn’t knock.
The servants knew better then to approach the castle without permission, and the villagers… well the villagers knew exactly what could and would happen to them if they came snooping around her castle walls.
Alcina moved down the staircase with ease, taking one step after another until the enormous door creaked open. You stood there smiling at her. “Hello.” Alcina paused, and blinked at you. It was very ordinary to greet someone standing in front of a women who could very easily rip them apart with just one single hand.
“Good evening.” Alcina said slowly, her voice low and smooth. Like honey. You looked up at her, and up, and up. “Oh.” You said quietly, Alcina rose a brow, “Oh?” “You’re very tall.” Alcina stared down at you with her hands on her hips.
Then as if magic, and surprised by herself she laughed. A deep rich, sound that echoed through the halls of her castle. “You’ve got quite the nerve.” She spits, “I’ve been told that before, ma’am.”
Alcina arches a brow at you, “And yet you still knocked on my door.” “I needed directions.” Alcina stares at you hard for a moment, “To where?” She asks, “To the village.” Her lips twitch with disgust. “You’ve somehow managed to get lost even more by coming to my door.” You take a glance over your shoulder.
“Yeah, I’ve started to come to that realization.” There was something almost wonderfully ridiculous about you, and you should have been terrified, instead you’re standing in front of her smiling up at here.
Then Alcina takes notices to your face for the first time. ‘beautiful’ is what she thinks. The warm candlelight is catching your eyes perfectly. Your cheeks are a little pink from the harsh cold wind. There are a few strands of your hair that have escaped.
You look entirely out of place. A little delicate thing that wandered right into the den of the biggest predator. Alcina should have been thinking about the dinner, but instead she found herself thinking about you. About how pretty you would look sitting in one of her drawing rooms.
That was the first warning sign. “Come inside.” Alcina said lowly. You hesitated, “Is that a wise choice?” You asked, “No.” Alcina replied with a grin. You smiled anyways, “But you’re going to anyways.” You stepped inside, and that large door shut behind you.
Just above you there were three faces that magically appeared over the balconies edge.
Bela was staring at you with curiosity in her eyes. Cassandra was grinning like a devil, and Daniela looked absolutely delighted by the sight of you. “Mother.” Bela called out to her, Alcina looked up automatically. “What?” She said sharply.
“Who is she?”
“An acquaintance.” You glanced at Alcina when you heard the words bounce off the walls. “That’s a generous statement.” Alcina smiled, Cassandra leaned even further over the railing. “Can we eat her?”
You froze, the smile being wiped off your face. Alcina stood a little taller, and her face went cold. “No.” All three girls blinked in confusion. “No, what?” Cassandra said. “Absolutely not.” alcina said like a true mother. “But Mother…”
A raised brow, “I’ve said no.” Cassandra pouted, Daniela looked the opposite of how she did when you walked in, and Bela was still intrigued by you. Alcina turned her attention back to you. “You’ll have to forgive them.”
You were stuck staring at the balcony, “Do they ask for permission to eat your guests any other time?” “You’re the first guest I’ve had in a long time.” That made you pause. “Oh, well that’s reassuring.” Alcina laughed.
Yeah she already liked you.
The tea had been brought into the drawing room. Alcina had fully intended to send you back to the village afterwards, but that plan only worked for the first twenty minutes or so. You started asking about the paintings. Alcina explained the history, and then you asked about the other paintings.
Then you were asking about the castle itself. By the time your cup was empty, Alcina had been talking for nearly an entire hour. She hadn’t even realize until you were smiling at her. “You really like this place.” alcina looked around the room.
“I’ve built much of it.”
“I can tell.” You said quickly. “How?’ She asked you, “Everything just feels… very you.” Alcina looked at you, “And what does that in fact mean?” “That it’s elegant… dramatic, and just a little intimidating.”
“Only a little?” You laugh, Alcina smiles. She isn’t sure the last time she had smiled so much, maybe years ago. Eventually she notices that you’re rubbing your fingers together beneath the table.
“You’re cold.” She says it like it’s a fact. “I’m fine, ma’am.” The same arched brow she gave her children she gives you. “You are shivering.” “Only a little.” You mutter. Alcina sighs, and she stands going to retrieve a blanket from the back of the sofa.
She lays the blankets over your shoulders before you’re able to protest. “There.” She mutters softly. You look down at yourself. The blanket nearly swallows you whole. “Thank you.” You mumble, “You’re welcome, darling.” Her endearment seems to slip out naturally, causing only Alcina to pause, you look utterly unbothered. In fact you even smile at her.
“You know what you’re not as nearly frightening as everyone has said you are.” Alcina sits down beside you, “My dear, you’ve only known me for a hours time.” “Still.” You say with a shrug of your shoulder, Alcina studies you, “And are you always this fearless?” She asks you. “No.” You answer honestly. “Then how come you aren’y afraid of me?” She asks.
You shrug, “I suppose that you haven’t given me a reason to be afraid of you.” For the rest of the night your answer stays with her. Alcina decides that you should stay for the night, not because she wanted you to stay… but because the weather had worsened at least that’s what she told herself.
The forest could be a dangerous place during the day, but during the night and worsening weather it would a place where people went to die. Allowing a stranger to wander around the village at night would have just been a irresponsible thing to do.
At least that had been the excuse that Alcina had come up with in her head. You were shown to a guest room, where Alcina personally attended to the fireplace. Adding another log, and then another. “This should keep you warm enough.” You smiled at her, “You don’t have to fuss over me.” You told her.
“I’m not fussing.” You look at her, and then towards the fire. “Then what do you call checking the fire three times now.” “Being thorough.” She corrected you. You laughed, and she gave you a look.
“Go to sleep.” She told you.
“Goodnight Alcina.” She paused at he doorway, “Goodnight, darling.” Alcina closed the door behind her, and then proceeded to stand in the hallway for a few moments. Thinking to herself. ‘what is the hell is happening to me right now.’
You woke somewhere around midnight, the castle was complete silent. It was that uncomfortable kind of silence. You slipped out of your bed, and started to wander down the hallways. You heard voices, and school girl laughter. You turned right away to go back to your room.
It was only a few moment later, when you heard a knock at your door. Alcina was standing outside, “Are you alright?” “Your daughters… they are terrifying.” You told her honestly. She sighed heavily, “I’ll speak to them.”
“I just… I heard someone laughing outside of my door.” You mumbled, “Daniela.” You hummed in agreement. "Yeah that was what I thought.” Alcina’s expression went soft, “I’m sorry.” “You’ve got nothing to apologize for, Alcina.”
“No I do especially when my daughters are frightening my guests.” You smile, “Can I sit with you?” You asked her making Alcina blinked at you. “With me?” She asked confused. “If that’s okay with you?” She side stepped, “Of course.” She muttered quietly.
The two of you walked to her study, the fire was burning lower then your own, and you sat on the sofa. While Alcina settled into her chair that was beside you. After what seemed like a few quiet moment, Alcina took notice to your eyes drifting closed.
“Come here.” She coaxed you. You looked at her, “What?” She opened one of her large arms, “You’re falling asleep.” She told you, “I’m not.” You countered, “Your eyes were closed, darling.” You open them wider, “They’re open now.”
Alcina laughs, “Just come here.”
You moved from your spot until your head slowly found her shoulder, and Alcina went deadly still. Then almost on instinct her hand settled over your own gently. Your face morphed into a sleepy smile. “This is nice.” You mumbled sleepily. Her thumb brushed over the tops of your knuckles softly. "Yes.” She said quietly.
Neither one of your moved, and eventually you fell asleep agasint her. Alcina didn’t move, and stayed there until the morning.
It seemed by the third day you had just become apart of the household. Alcina had found you wandering around the conservatory after a long breakfast. You were there trimming roses. “Careful.” She said, making you look over your shoulder. “I thought that you said these weren’t dangerous.” You teased.
“I said that the flowers were harmless.” You looked at the shears, “Hmm, I think that would have been an important distinction to make prior.” Alcina smiles at you, and takes the shears away from you. “If you will allow me.” She steps right behind you, and gently guides your hand. “Like this.” She whispers.
You nod, “Got it.” Her hand is light, and lingers around yours. You can feel her breath on your ear. “Are you nervous?” She asks, “A little.” You admit, “Why?” She asks again. You turn your head to look at her, “Because you’re very close.” She smiles.
“Would you like it if I moved?” You hesitate, “No.” There ends up being something warm that passes between the two of you. Then Alcina is presses a soft kiss to your temple. it’s so quick, and tender. You’re stuck staring at her. Alcina looks very amused with herself by the surprise on your face. “You looked cold.” She tells you. “That’s the excuse you’re coming up with.” You tease. “Yes.” She says softly. You smile, “I think I can allow it.”
Alcina daughters notice, because of course they did.
Bela noticed how her mother started to bring you flowers. Cassandra had seen Alcina start allowing you to sit next to her during their dinners, and well Daniela noticed everything about her mother and you. Especially the affection that Alcina was showing you.
It was one evening, where you were curled up beside Alcina while she read on the sofa. Your feet tucked underneath her dress keeping your toes warm. Her large arm resting around the bumps of your shoulders.
And every so often, she’d lightly graze her fingers through your hair. You didn’t need conversation, you just needed the comfort of her touch. Daniela appeared in the doorway, she stared hard.
“Mother.” Alcina didn’t look up, “What?” her daughter narrowed her eyes at your display of affection. “You’re cuddling.” Alcina slowly lowered her book. “No, I am not.” Alcina said defending herself. Daniela gave her mother a piercing glare. One that she had no doubt probably learned from her mother.
“You are.” You giggled, and alcina sighed. “Go away.” Daniela grinned as if she had won a great battle. “You are cuddling!” “DANIELA!” Alcina shouted, “Mother has a girlfriend!” Daniela started singing.
Alcina’s face went pink, and you tried to cover your mother to hide your laughter. Daniela as quickly as she had appeared, disappeared into the hall laughing hysterically. Alcina looked down at you. “This is your fault.” She said placing the blame on you. “How is this my fault?” You asked still in a giggling fit.
“You laughed, and encouraged her.” “Well I couldn’t help it.” Alcina shake her head at you, but still she’s smiling at you.
The following morning, you wake to find that there’s a tray on your bedside table. It’s adorned with tea, some fresh fruit, a lot of pastries and a single rose flower. You slide out of bed in a robe and carry everything down the stairs. Alcina is at the head of the table eating her breakfast. “You brought me breakfast in bed?” She looks up, “I thought you would be hungry.”
“Alcina you didn’t have to.” She smiles, “I know.” “Thank you.” You whisper, alcina’s face goes soft around the edges. “You’re welcome, darling.” You lean down pressing the softest of kisses to her cheek. She sits there frozen in her spot.
You smile, “Thank you.” You muttered, alcina slowly touches the spot on her cheek where you had kissed her. “Do that again, please.” alcina requests, you laugh not excepting that reaction. “I wasn’t excepting that reaction.”
“Well I am a women who knows what she wants.” You lean down again, this time pressing a kiss to her cheek in a more deliberate way. Alcina smiles, “And you want me?” You ask, “I do.”
It’s later in the afternoon when you find Alcina brushing her hair. Long, calculated strokes of her black hair. You watch her from the doorway before asking a simple question. “Can I help you?” She glances up at you through the vanity mirror. “You want to help me?” She asks you.
You nod, and Alcina hands you the brush. “Be gentle, darling.” She tells, you smile. “I will, I promise.” You stand behind her, as you carefully start to brush her long black hair. You watch in the mirror as Alcina closes her eyes, and for several minutes neither of you speak.
You see her shoulder go lax, as if she’s dropping her guard. “This is nice.” She admits to you. “Do you like it?” You ask, she hums, “Very much.” You continue and after a long time Alcina reaches behind and catches your wrist in her hand. She turns slowly, and you smile at her. “What?” You ask, “Nothing, darling.”
She kisses your palm, you feel your heart flutter in your chest. “You know that you’re dangerous right.” She tells you. “Me?” You question, “Yes.” “How am I dangerous?” Alcina rolls her eyes at you. “Because, darling you’ve made me too soft.”
You scoff, but smile at her anyways. “Maybe you just needed someone to.” Alcina stares at you hard, before pulling you dramatically into her lap, you laugh deeply. “Alcina!” You shriek, “What?” “You can’t just pick me up whenever you want!”
“I can, I just did.” She tells you, “And you’re still here, perfectly safe.” You end up just wrapping your hands around her neck, “Next time maybe I won’t mind it.” You tease the older women. Alcina’s smiles goes almost unbearably tender and soft. “I know, darling.” She tells you before nuzzling her head where you neck and shoulder met.
It’s that evening when you find yourself sitting at the dining room table right beside Alcina, that her daughters are quiet, unusually quiet. That’s when you know something is wrong, Cassandra looks to her mother then towards you then back at her mother before speaking.
“Mother.” She says, “What?” Cassandra wastes no time getting down to brass tacks, “Are you actually in love with her?” She says pointing dramatically at you. Alcina froze in her spot, you stopped eating entirely. Bela looked far to invested, and her youngest daughter Daniela looks like she’s going to vibrate out of her chair with the amount of excitement that is pumping through her veins.
Alcina sighs heavily, and then looks towards you, her eyes goes soft. “Yes.” She tells her children calmly. Your heart skips in your chest, “You are?” You ask because you weren’t privy to this information beforehand. “I am.” She clarifies to you. Her hand finds yours under the table and gives it a good squeeze.
“I’ve found it very hard to not be.” You squeeze her fingers, “Why?” You ask unable to help yourself. “Because you are human, darling.” You look at her deeply, “And you’re not.” “No.” She mutters. Alcina brings her hands to your lips, “But somehow that has really seemed to matter to me at all.”
Alcinas youngest daughter Daniela makes a few squealing nosies. Cassandras groans and rolls her eyes, but Bela she smiles at you. You laugh and Alcina rolls her eyes, “My family is very impossible.” Alcina tells you, you leans in to her shoulder, “But they are your family.” Alcina looks down at you with softness in her eyes. “And you’re now becoming a part of it.”
Your chest warms at the thought, and she leans down pressing a kiss to your forehead. “Though I should warn you, darling.” “Warn me about what?” You ask with wide eyes. “If you ever were to leave…” She pauses, “I would be terribly unhappy.” She tells you. You smile warmly, “I don’t think I plan on going anywhere.”
“Good.” She says wrapping her arm around you, “Because I think I’ve grown rather attacthed to you, darling.”
“Attached?’ You tease her, “Possessive, perhaps is a better word.” You laugh, “Just perhaps?” A smile tugs at Alcina’s lips, “Very.” She says before she kisses your temple, and then your cheek, before finally landing on your lips.
It’s a gentle kiss, slow, one that feels like nothing of a the monster that the villagers had talked about. When she pulls away you smile at her softly. “You are so much sweeter then I had originally thought.” You tease her. “Do not tell a single living soul, or a dead one either for that matter.” She say strictly but with a wink. “I won’t, I promise.”
In the distance of the hallway there’s a shout from one of her children. “MOTHER! CAN WE STILL EAT HER?” Alcina rolls her eyes, “NO!” She shouts back. You burst into uncontrollable laughter.
Danielas laughter can be heard giggling behind some doorway. Alcina sighs and pulls you impossibly closer to her. “Children.” She whispers. You end up resting your head agasint her large chest. “I gotta give it to them, at least they like me.”
“Oh, darling they adore you.” You smile, “Good.” You look at her, “And you?” You asked quietly, Alcina mirrors your smile. “I love you.” She says, the words are quiet as your own, but filled with certainty, and warmth. You smile back at her, “I love you too.” You tell her honestly. Her arm grows tight around you.