From Dusk Until Dawn

Chapter 27: Replacement

The Lycan followed her curiously and watched as she ran the faucet while adjusting the temperature. Bear sat by the door, tilting his head as Rue turned off the water before gesturing to the tub. The Lycan groaned and backed away.

''Oh come on. Bear, you need a bath.'' she said going to him and trying to push him. She managed to get him in the doorframe of the bathroom before slumping against his back, out of breath and needing a moment to rest due to the dull ache in her abdomen. Lifting up the shirt she was wearing, she checked on her wounds. The stitches had been removed by Miranda when she was confident they wouldn't reopen easily and her flesh would mend without anymore help. Thankfully, they hadn't reopened.

''Bela, Daniela, Cassandra!'' she called out, cringing when she realized that she was beginning to smell of sweat and rotten flesh the longer she was pressed against the Lycan. Within a minute, the three daughter burst into the room in a swarm of flies before reforming, looking as if they were ready to kill someone but when they saw Rue leaning against the Lycan, their expression changed to confusion. Rue gave them a smile before pointing at Bear. ''Can you help me give him a bath.''

The daughters looked between the each of them before moving to Bear. The Lycan was startled at the strength from the four women, who successfully pushed him inside the bathroom. He attempted to crawl away but the women managed to get him in the bathtub. For nearly an hour, the four of them struggled to scrub his matted fur thoroughly as he fought. During his fight, Rue was nearly soaked from head to toe in dirty water that they had to drain a few times and put in fresh water.

Finally, once he was sufficiently cleaned and they were about to rinse him off, he broke free of the woman and rushed out of the bathroom. The four women chased after him as he left wet footprints and some soap in his wake. He completely ignored the maids he ran by, who had screamed when they saw him.

They chased him to the main hall and found him rolling around on one of Alcina's expensive carpets to dry himself off when shaking didn't work. ''No no no, Bear! Stop it! Oh by Mother Miranda, Alcina is going to kill me...'' Rue groaned, chewing on my fingernail as the daughters looked at her like she was crazy before looking behind her.

''Now why would I do that?'' Rue spun around on her heels, looking up to see the Countess towering over her. The woman grinned at her anxiously as Alcina looked at the Lycan, who had finished rubbing himself all over one of the carpets before shaking when he was finally dry and trotting away. The Countess looked down at Rue before kneeling down.

''Alcina I'm so sorry. It was my idea to give him a bath and I'll replace the-''

''Darling, it's fine. I'll have the rug cleaned thoroughly. I'm just glad you aren't hurt. Now come along, let's get you cleaned up.'' she said, hesitantly pushing a wet strand of brown hair behind Rue's ear. The maid lightly pressed her cheek against Alcina's hand before she could pull away.

The two of them returned to Alcina's personal chambers. As Alcina filled the tub with water, Rue striped completely naked behind her and waited patiently. Once the tub was full, the Countess turned and motioned for Rue to step into the bath.

''Will you join me, Alcina?'' Rue asked as she leaned against the tub.

''Only if you want me too.''

Rue leaned up, pressing a soft kiss against her lips before pulling away. Alcina stayed there as Rue moved behind her to remove her white gown. The two of them slipped into the tub, welcoming the warmth of the water and of each other. Alcina was hesitant to hold Rue close to her, ignoring the smell of Lycan on Rue while she comfortably leaned against her.

The maid's thoughts couldn't help but return to that morning as the tips of Alcina's fingers trailed her skin lightly. Closing her eyes, she tried to suppress the aching for her heart and just focused on the warmth of Alcina and the water. She was only pulled from her thoughts when she felt Alcina sit up. Rue turned to look behind her when she felt the Countess move away from her and saw a glob of shampoo in the palm of her hand. Alcina carefully massaged the shampoo into Rue's scalp. The woman hummed, allowing her eyes to close again and just enjoy the touches while battling the thoughts that she was simply a replacement for Daria.

''Rue, is something the matter?'' Alcina asked.

''I'm perfectly fine, Alcina. You don't need to worry about me.''

''You're lying, my dear.'' she heard her whisper.

''I'm not, Alci-'' she was cut off when Alcina turned her head and gave her a shy kiss.

''Please, draga mea, tell me what's wrong?'' she asked in between the shy and tender kisses.

''Am I...'' Rue managed for a second before the words got trapped in her throat. She could help but let a single tear roll down her cheek as she forced herself to speak. ''Am I a replacement?''

The kisses stopped and Alcina pulled away, her golden eyes wide in horror. Rue just stared at her as more tears began to roll down her cheeks. ''My girl, where did you get such a silly-''

''This morning. You called me... you called me Daria. And the paintings... I get it, I look similar so I have to know. Am I just a replacement?''

''Darling, I didn't mean to make you believe that.''

''Please, Alcina, just a simply yes or no will work. I need to know. This is all I'll ever ask of you. Just please answer me.'' Rue said, a challenging look in her deep green eyes that was full of pain. Alcina just stared at her, not saying a word before looking away.

''At first, yes, you were.'' Rue felt her heart break. She wanted to rinse her hair and get out, but stayed and waited for Alcina to speak again. ''But over time, I began to see you as just... you. Rue, you acted nothing like her. But when I... when I hurt you and told me not to blame myself, I didn't see you. I saw Daria. Those were the same words she said to me when I... killed her.''

Rue just watched as Alcina fought back tears. Finally, Alcina seemed to gather the strength to look back at Rue, gripping onto her hand with fear. ''I don't want to lose you. I wish to Court you; make you mine. Not because you look like Daria, but because you are you. Ruenheid, I... I love you. I love you in a way I never loved Daria. Please, you aren't a replacement. I beg of you, give me another chance.''

''You... you killed her?'' Rue whispered, not intending for Alcina to hear her, but she did.

''Yes. I did. It was an accident.'' Alcina whispered with obvious pain. She would have started screaming and crying if Rue didn't move forwards, hugging the Countess tightly and burying her face into her toned shoulder.

''You haven't told anyone this, have you?''

Alcina shook her head. ''Not even Miranda knows the full story.''

''Perhaps talking about it will help you.'' Rue whispered against her bare skin. ''You don't have to tell everyone, but you need to tell someone. You're wounds are still fresh because you refuse to allow anyone to see you weak. No one ever wants to acknowledge their pain for fear of being vulnerable. You don't have to say anything now, but when you wish to, I will happily lend you an ear because I love you too, Alcina.'' she confessed, squeezing her eyes shut as she felt the Countess wrap her arms around her naked body. She heard Alcina beginning to calm down, taking a few moments to breathe.

''It happened the day I was going to propose to her.''