Christmas Eve ended very quickly, and it was the dawn of a new day, Christmas day. Sia left the moment the sun was up in the sky, without even saying goodbye. I felt so down to earth, and it didn’t help that I was hungry. I dragged myself out of bed and into the bathroom, hoping that a cold shower would do me good. It didn’t. It only made me think, and in that little space between the wall and curtain, I realized that I didn’t want to spend the rest of the day cooped up in bed sulking.
Therefore, I called on Mila. She seemed really overexcited that I would be going to church and wouldn’t stop gushing about it. She looked lovely in her dress, a red chiffon gown that really brought out her eyes. Me, on the other hand, looked like a mess, nothing a little makeup cannot fix. And now we’re done.
“You can open your eyes now,” Mila cooed. I don’t know why I closed them in the first place but anyways, they’re open now, and man, do I like what I’m seeing.
“I… Mila, I look amazing.”
“I’m glad you like it,” she tells me before forcing a small piece of paper into my hands. “That’s the map. If you can’t understand it, you just know that the cathedral is northeast from here, a few kilometers away from the local markets. I’ve got to get going now.”
“Thank you, Mila, and merry Christmas.”
She wished me the same.
….
I stood tall, my fiery red hair flowing down my shoulders like molten lava. The strands shimmered with the reflection of the sunlight, casting a warm low around my face. My emerald green eyes sparked with a mix of excitement and anticipation, mirroring the festive spirit that filled the air.
Today was Christmas day, and I had chosen, well, Mila had chosen a golden dress to celebrate the occasion. The fabric hugged my slender frame, accentuating my curves in a way that made me feel confident and beautiful. The dress gracefully brushed against my knees as I walked, its golden sheen catching every ray of light and scattering it like stardust.
With each step, I could feel the gentle hush of the dress, reminding me of the magic that filled the air. The golden hue seemed to dance with me, creating an ethereal aura that captured the essence of the season. I couldn’t help but smile because I looked resplendent.
Completing my ensemble, I wore a pair of golden heels that added a touch of elegance and a few extra inches to my height. As I walked through the bustling streets of the Icelands, the soft click of my heels echoed, commanding attention from those around me.
And there it was, the ‘great’ cathedral. There was something else too, outside of those gates. Not something, but somebody, somebodies. There was a trail of horses outside the cathedral doors. There was also a man who stood by the doors, announcing who came in and who didn’t.
“And now, the royal family!”, he yelled, and then they alighted from the horses before entering the cathedral in one file. I hid by the side so that Sia wouldn’t see me. The last thing I need is to have another argument with him. I nearly throw up when I see Pharix by his side, her arm around him. I can’t believe he would actually go with her and leave me. You know what? Fuck this. I’m going over there to give him a piece of my mind. I take a step forward, only to be blocked by God knows who. He’s pale, has inky black hair, and the red eyes tell me he’s a vampire, but who?
“I wouldn’t do that if I were you,” he said, rising to his full height. Gah! I wish I wasn’t so short.
“And who are you to stop me?”
“Wilhelm Weber. Hanos son.”
My eyes widened. “You.. you’re lying, right?”
“I wish. Like I said wolf, you can’t go in there.”
“Why not?”
“Wolves have been banned from entering the cathedral since a very long time. If you want to get yourself killed, then by all means, go in.”
I don’t move.
“I thought so.”
“Wilhelm, I need to be inside. I want to know what it’s like.”
“I’ll consider it. But first, we have to go get my date. I would have gone with the Tamacs, but they ditched me, so I’ll need a replacement.”
“I can be your replacement.”
He wrinkled his nose. “No, thank you. Wolves aren’t my kind of people.”
What a jerk. “So do you have someone else in mind?”
“Yes. I just hope she’d have me in mind. Now let’s go.”
…. Wilhelm had taken me past the ice palaces and into the homes of the noble Icelanders. He stopped before one, and the owner, a young girl of about seventeen years, has refused to let us in.
“Samantha, don’t be a wuss now. Invite me in,” Wilhelm pleaded.
“And I said no. I know what you would say or do if I let you in, and I’d rather avoid that. So take your wolf and get the fuck out,” she yelled, breathing hard.
“And to think that you were a lady with manners. I wanted to be nice by asking for permission I don’t really need, but you, Samantha, killed it.” With that, he pushed her aside and walked into the house like he owned it. Not wanting to be left outside, I rushed in as well. Her house was grand, too much space for a child. Sulking, she shut the door, she crossed her doors, her back to us.
“How were you able to do that?”, I ask Wilhelm. “Come in without an invitation.”
“I’m a pureblood. I don’t need an invitation.”
“If that’s true, then why ask for it in the first place?”, Samantha asked as she faced us.
“Just thought it would be polite. Now go get dressed. You’re coming with me to the church.”
Samantha scowled. “I’d rather die.”
“It won’t take me two minutes to grant you your wish. But if I do that, I won’t have a date for the party thereafter.”
“Why don’t you take her?”, Samantha asked, jabbing a finger in my direction. “I mean, she’s more dressed up, and her hair compliments your eyes.”
I roll my eyes. Wilhelm narrows his. “I’m taking the both of you. You for the fun of it, she because she needs me to enter. With that being said, go into your bedroom and dress up,” Wilhelm ordered.
“I don’t have any dresses. I’m not going anywhere with you.”
Wilhelm laughed. “You’re a noble, aren’t you? Thus, you must have a dress. So go in there and get dressed.”
She clicked her tongue. “Come and make me.”
In a flash, Wilhelm stood before her, staring deep into her eyes. “Samantha dear, you’ll go into your room, change into something nice, and then you’ll follow me to the church for the service. Now move.”
Obediently, she moved while Wilhelm straightened.
“Was the compulsion really necessary?”, I asked him.
“It was either that or undressing her. And I only undress the women I take to bed.”
I wrinkle my nose. “I didn’t really need that last part.”
He chuckled. “So how does it feel being in a place where you’re not wanted?”
“I…I don’t understand.”
“You heard me the first time, wolf. How does it feel being in a place where you’re not wanted?”
“I don’t know what to feel. I guess I’m just used to being where I’m not wanted. My pack members didn’t actually want me.”
“Does anyone?”
“You’re an asshole.”
“I guess that’s better than being unwanted.”
Before I could comment, Samantha reappears, looking pretty in a sleeveless white dress. She wore a pair of black heels and a black shawl to complete her ensemble. Wilhelm eyed her, scrutinizing every inch of her small frame.
“Perfect. Now let’s go.”
Together, we walked to the cathedral, commanding attention from those we passed on the way. And I couldn’t blame them for whispering. We were a funny little trio, a vampire, Icelander, and a werewolf, walking to church.