OOC: The following takes place the day after the Making Things Right Pay-Per-View. CD only
I of the Storm
“A Woman's Home Can Be A Castle...”
The cool wind whipped around the platinum-blonde's frame, encompassing her and striking her with its low temperature. She could see wisps of snow pick up and flow towards her as if the nature of Germany, itself, was trying to greet her.
Certainly better than any welcoming party of employees... she thought with glee as she moved her head to gaze up at the taller, tower-like parts of the castle that she could see. Though many parts of them were covered in snow, the young woman could still distinguish between the various shapes of square, circle, and cone before her eyes, as well as the carious colors of brick, ranging from redish-pink to brownish-yellow.
Very little had changed in just over three years – at least to the eyes of Selena Frost.
The castle... she mentally corrected.
The castle has not really changed in over three years... but then again, it's around one thousand years old, so what would three years really do to such an immortal place...
It was humbling to the Snow Queen as she looked around – her current, reflective state the only thing keeping her from rushing into the castle and yelling as loud as she could. While three years was certainly nothing in the long history of Schonburg Castle, it certainly was something for Selena Frost and, she was sure, for her wife and family, as well.
Three years ago – married to Deanna, became the world champion, won two tournaments...
She had been battling that year - “The Year of Selena Frost” - that was 2016 for so long, not because she was ashamed of it, far from it, but because she had heard the same insults and lines over and over again:
That's the best you'll do.
You're in the past.
You're not as good as THAT anymore.
When she had started in SCW five years ago, her last name had caused her to be, unintentionally, placed in the shadow of another Frost family – though that family had since departed from SCW and, really, had not been seen much of in the professional world of wrestling for some time. Regardless, Selena had strove to forge her own path, but she had never believed that she would soon cast a shadow on herself, creating a “Frost” that she would continuously been measured up too.
2016's Selena Frost had been that woman...
And Selena – the Selena she was now – last night, had finally surpassed her!
With a small grin and deep breath of the cold – nowhere near as frigid as the cold she had dealt with the last few weeks in Nome, Alaska – Selena adjusted the strap of her dufflebag over her shoulder, feeling the weight of the newest addition. 2016 Selena, despite her greatness, had never been able to acquire what the present-day Selena had done last night, a fact that Selena constantly thought of as the cold fell across the stitches on the right side of her forehead, just over the brow and closer to the temple – a badge of honour/mark of a warrior, whatever people wanted to call it, of her battle and victory.
Victory. That was the appropriate word for this, because she was, after all, standing in front of a castle. The Snow Queen had waged war with Bree Lancaster, the pair of women brandishing weapons inside the confines of steel – her father's inspiration and the cold of Nome coursing through Selena's veins...
And the platinum-blonde had emerged victories, finding the gold in the metallic cave just like her father had found his all those years ago. And while she had wanted to share the news with him... she had not called him or his wife (Selena's biological mother) yet.
I wouldn't be the same. she thought sadly.
Because – even though we're both trying... he's Jonathan now... not Donovan.
The cold made her aches sting a little as a wind picked up for a moment, as if sensing the new champion's brief sadness. True, there was always hope that Jonathan Van Hohenheim would regain his memory and identity as Donovan Frost, but it was not something Selena was going to wish upon every night. Her father, memories or not, was happy with his wife, Alejandra, and their son, Peter. Selena had a small part in that life of his – but she would always have Donovan in her memories – and she knew Donovan would have been proud of her.
Proud of the fact that you let him down?
The voice came out in a sinister snarl, but it merely aggravated Selena in the smallest of ways. She should have expected a visit from her own, personal demon – in fact, hearing it now, Selena was surprised the damn thing hadn't made noise sooner. Was it just trying to be a spoilsport and try and ruin Selena's elation and joy that a ) she had finally achieved her dream and won the United States Championship and b ) that she also received the much-desired text from Deanna, telling her to come here to this castle?
“You realize the moment I step inside-” Selena whispered to the phantom. “You're disappearing. No way you can last in this place –“
She was so certain of that. This castle was full of nothing but fond memories – joys of a honeymoon of two newlyweds, celebrating not only their wedding, but also the fact that, in seven months, they would be parents! Love and joy existed here for Selena, which meant there was no place for fears or doubts or pain.
I doubt I'll fade that easily. mocked Sirus, her voice a whisper behind Selena's ear.
“Perhaps not.” Selena shrugged. “But I won't be listening.”
“You will if I'm screaming in your ear. Cause you don't have the magic juice to shut me up anymore, do you?”
The platinum-blonde took a deep breath. She didn't want to think about that now. Didn't want to think about the small need inside her to take a quick sip of something alcoholic to be at her best when entering the castle.
NO! she fiercely thought.
You promised Deanna! And there are no broken promises here!
It really only left one option left for the wrestler – get into the castle and bit Sirus 'buh-bye'!
Certainly don't have to tell me twice... the young Frost thought and, with gumption (and a bit of a limp in her right leg), stepped further away from the spot where the taxi had dropped her off, the snow crunching beneath her white boots, which matched the white, winter-coat with white faux-fur around the wrists and hood (which was down). Her pants were as black as the suitcase she dragged behind her with her free hand – the other holding her dufflebag.
And new title... she thought proudly as she stepped past the main gates of the castle ground and into the central entrance grounds. Immediately, she felt the ground change beneath her booted feet – transforming from loose snow and frozen dirt to stone tiles that stretched into a multitude of different pathways.
Her sapphire eyes took in all they could – the countless windows and doors, all leading towards the dozens of rooms that the castle offered during it's “available season”. They, surely, would all be empty now, the castle-hotel on its closed session.
Except for one room...
The Snow Queen, seeing the snow falling around her and on her, continued to walk – her right leg stinging a little with each step. She ignored her, her delight taking care to block out as much of the pain from last night as possible. She focused on other things, lile the sound of the wheels of her travelcase clicking like ticker-tape as they rolled along the tiles of stone.
As she continued on her way, however, another sound met her ears, different than those of nature that had filled them since she had set foot here. It was low at first, but as Selena sought it, it became louder.
“In stiller Nacht, zur ersten Wacht,
ein Stimm’ begunnt zu klagen,
der nächt’ge Wind hat süß und lind
zu mir den Klang getragen.”
The voice was low in pitch, but it seemed to ring in certain parts of the song as Selena waddled her way through a tunnel to stand in another open section of the castle grounds. It was there, where the voice was the loudest to her now, that she saw the source, causing a pleasant smile to grace her lips.
“Von herben Leid und Traurigkeit
ist mir das Herz zerflossen,
die Blümelein, mit Tränen rein
hab’ ich sie all’ begossen.”
The singer ignored her – not by choice, but merely because he was too occupied with his current task. Selena, meanwhile, watched in surprise as the man, small in frame and, clearly much older than her, easily older than her father for Odin's sake, lugged around a large bag filled with salt, which he was sprinkling all over the stony ground with his gloved hand.
“Der schöne Mond will untergahn,
für Leid nicht mehr mag scheinen,
die Sterne lan ihr Glitzen stahn,
mit mir sie wollen weinen.”
Selena had no idea what the man was singing – as she was not fluent in German. The only idea she had of knowing that he was still singing the same song was how the tune didn't change. Quietly, the platinum-blonde shuffled over to a nearby stone railing. Dusting off the top of the snow with her bare, pale hand, she quietly sat on the surface to listen as the older gentleman continue to sing/salt. The man, dressed in a thick, red coat and black, woolly boots also wore a large, brown, winter-fur hat, stopped for a moment and turned his head to look towards Selena – the Snow Queen freezing to her spot, afraid she had ruined the peace the senior groundskeeper had. To her surprise, however, he merely continued on his way, as if he hadn't seen her.
“Kein Vogelsang noch Freudenklang
man höret in den Lüften,
die wilden Tier’ trauern auch mit mir
in Steinen und in Klüften.”
He breathed a little as he finished his last note, Selena smiling and wiping a stray tear from her eye from the beautiful song.
Still no idea what it means. she thought and the thought caused her to laugh a little, a sound that carried through the stone and bounced around the space, landing upon the ear of the older man who quickly turned his head back towards the white-haired woman with a slight jerk. Bringing his hand over to shade his eyes, he blinked several times before suddenly gasping in surprise.
“Oh there you are, my dear! Couldn't see you there, standing there like a snow angel!”
At first, Selena wasn't sure what he meant, and not because his German accent was so thick, but because it didn't make sense to her – until she turned her head. Surrounding her was the stone rail, covered in snow, and the side of a part of the castle, also mostly covered in snow. And with most of the young woman's frame dressed in a white coat, and her own pale skin and white hair...
Her response was a smile. “My father used to call me that sometimes. Because I blended in with the snow.”
“Did he now?” the old gentleman offered kindly. “Get your looks from him? You do look angelic.”
Despite herself, a slight blush came to Selena's face. In her world of wrestling, where there were people claiming to be angels and flawless, and perfect, and classy, and gods knew what else – well, beautiful was not a word Selena was use to having associated with her from that world. From Deanna, of course, but Deanna was smitten in love!
Selena watched the man before her take off his head, revealing a mop of white-hair. White as the snow, white as her own. “So good to see you again, fraulein.”
Seeing his full face now only confirmed to Selena her initial guess of the man's identity. “You too, Mr. Huttl.” she replied with a smile, moving off the stone and walking with her bags towards the man. The Huttl family were the long-term residents of the castle and operators of the hotel. Technically, the castle grounds belonged to the town of Oberwesel, but the Huttl, acquiring their lease to the space, had established the hotel and restaurant, also using it as a home for three generations.
“Gunter, please.” the older man offered. “Did you forget from last time?” he playfully added.
Maintaining her smile at such amusement, Selena shook her head. “I could never forget such a wonderful place.” she stated honestly, taking the time to look around. “I am so grateful to you for allowing us to come in during close season.”
“Well...” Gunter shrugged. “My wife – she was touched by your idea to surprise your love. We do what we can.” he smiled warmly. “But come! Come!
Your wife is waiting!”
Reaching out with his free hand, the warmly-dressed German offered to take one of Selena's bags. “That's alright.” Selena smiled. “I've got them.”
With a nod, Gunther turned on his left foot and started walking down the path, guiding Selena. “Your wife arrived here a few days ago, on time. She said you'd be joining her after a big fight.”
“Yes.” Selena nodded. “I wrestled last night.”
“That why you have stitches?” Gunther cast a glance back at the black patch-work on Selena's face.
“Battle scars.” Selena shrugged. “You should see the other person.”
“Fight for country? Pride? Honour?” Gunther asked as they turned a corner.
“The last two, I suppose.” Selena answered as she followed. “But where I work is kind of like a second home and family to me so that too?”
“All good.” Gunther replied. “I was too young to join the army in second World War, but my father, he went and he fought for country and family.”
Selena chose, correctly, to bite her tongue and not speak of a German fighting in World War II. Last thing she wanted was to get thrown out of the castle for either saying something bad about the Germans in that war or saying something assuming that would be equally as damning.
Within a few minutes, the pair reached an upstairs ramp that lead to a few, stone steps up to a door. Selena recognized the entrance of this particular part of the castle at once.
“The Maisonette!” declared Gunther proudly, even adding a sweeping flourish of his arm as a sort of 'ta-dah!'.
Biting her lower lip in anticipation, Selena cast one last, thankful glance to Gunther before she rushed up the two steps. Opening the door, the snow-covered woman stepped inside, closing the door behind her – immediately feeling the absence of the winter wind that continued on outside the abode. The excited woman stood in a narrow hallway with a mirror right by the door, allowing her to see how much snow covered her form. Quickly, she smacked the white powder off her and onto the orange carpet below.
Her smile never faltered during that entire exchange. Everything looked the same as it had three years ago. Still so bright and colorful! The Huttl family, and the hotel staff, had clearly made sure the room was in its best condition – for the Snow Queen, it was, for a moment, like stepping into the past, seeing her new wife dance around the room with the utmost joy and excitement.
She wanted to call out to that wife – Gunther had said she was waiting – but before she could, her eyes caught sight of the colourful tapestry hanging along the entire right-side of the wall near her. On it were banners and flags of warriors, knights, people of all kinds professions – Selena wasn't sure if it was some mural of a huge battle or some kind of celebration. But that hadn't been what had caught her eye the first time she had visited here. Slowly, sapphire eyes scanned the large tapestry until they spied the two phrases – each one on a different flag at a different part of the picture.
Semper audax et tenax...
Fortis et fidelis...
Gently, so as not to damage it, Selena ran her pale, cold fingers under the flags that held those words. She did not know any Latin beyond a few phrases she had heard online and from other people in SCW that used them as catchphrases.
Carpe Noctum... she thought, remembering, in that moment, the phrase used by Bree Lancaster for a time.
Seize the night... more like seize the excuse. Quickly, the platinum-blonde shook her head briskly, trying to dispel any negative thoughts of SCW that was in her head. She had no idea how Bree Lancaster was going to take losing to her inside the roofed cage last night, but, odds were, it probably wasn't going to be good.
Besides, you don't even know if you're going back there... she told herself.
So, who cares?
That part was actually true. Despite achieving her dream and now, for the first time in a long while, being a singles champion, Selena still had not signed her renewal on her SCW contract. Her Trios contract was now gone, so now, there was nothing keeping her tied to SCW in terms of wrestling matches. She could easily hand over the United States title now, walk away SCW a Supreme Champion, and that would be that...
Not that she had any intention to do so! But that is where the Snow Queen found herself in terms of work – even with the title in her possession. And while she wanted to just sign the renewal contract and fax it in to the SCW headquarters, she had a promise to keep to her beloved. Her career in SCW had been one of the topics she had promised to talk to Deanna about before making any decisions – along with discussing AA meetings and their vow renewal/second wedding...
Nothing gets done until WE decide what to do! she reminded herself – empowered by how well last night went. The feeling allowed her to refocus her attention to the latin phrases on the wall-tapestry. Gunther Huttl had told her the translations for the two three years ago:
Semper audax et tenax roughly translated to – if Selena recalled – 'Always bold and tenacious'.
That one was me- She further recalled as she pulled her suitcase closer to her, the plastic wheels making a soft sound as they rolled.
In other words: 'Too dumb to quit'. she laughed happily. It described her life perfectly. The second one, however?
Fortis et Fidelis... 'Strong and Faithful'. Selena felt a warmth in her heart at fate placing such a pair of phrases together, in the same room where she and her beloved would be... because if the Snow Queen was 'bold and tenacious', then her redheaded wife was-
The sound of footsteps rushing down the small flight of stairs somewhere else in the Maisonette caused Selena's heart to skip a beat. She felt her breath hitch in excitement as her eyes tore away from the tapestry to gaze at the other end of the hall, just in time to see the beautiful, young woman practically barrel down the rest of the stairs to stop at the hall's exit, her emerald eyes fixated on the woman in white before her.
At first, neither woman moved, but Selena felt like she was on her honeymoon again – the radiance and beauty of her wife... her pet... her Deanna standing before nearly bowling her over. To put it another way, if Bree had hit her with anything like that? There wouldn't be a new United States Champion in SCW.
“One of us has to move.” Selena finally said.
“I'm deciding whether to run at you and leap into your arms or tackle you fiercely and kiss you.” Deanna countered – revealing to the platinum-blonde that her feelings were mirrored in the younger woman.
“How about I limp to you and kiss you?” Selena offered. “I can't really run right now.”
“Fiercely?”
“At all.”
“No!” Deanna sighed with a smile. “I mean, 'kiss me fiercely'? I've been waiting all day for this!”
Selena did not answer in words. Instead, she pushed herself with her injured leg, marching/limping down the hall, dropping her dufflebag by her suitcase as she did so. Deanna quickly held her arms out and eagerly wrapped them around Selena's neck as soon as she was close. Selena's soft lips found Deanna's first and her arms wrapped tight around the redhead's waist. The kiss was indeed fierce, a mixture of passion and love and need rolled into one kiss.
For both women, it was bliss. For Selena, it was the perfect start to their second honeymoon.
“I knew you were coming.” Deanna smiled playfully as she pulled the black suitcase into the bedroom. It was easy as the room was on the same floor as the hallway where she and her wife, Selena, had reunited and kissed passionately.
“Well...” from behind Deanna, Selena leaned against the door way. She had her dufflebag, once more, hanging over her shoulder. “I did text you saying, 'on my way. See you tomorrow'.”
“Yeah...” Deanna shrugged dismissively. “But I knew BEFORE then! Ask me how! Ask me! Ask me!”
Pursing her lips and narrowing her eyes in disbelief, the Snow Queen played along. “Alright, I'll bite. How did you know?”
Biting her lower lip and lifting her eyebrows a single time, Deanna pointed her free hand towards the winter on the other side of the bedroom. Through the glass, the couple could clearly see the flurry of snow still falling outside.
“Winter was coming!” Deanna stated in jubilation.
Selena, however, remained silent, crossing her arms in front of her. “How long were you working on that line?” she asked.
Deanna seemed to think about it for a moment. “An hour or two... I had a few days here by myself, you know?”
The Snow Queen tilted her head, shrugging the dufflebag off her shoulder to place it on the side of the room near the set of closet doors. “Didn't the Huttl have anything for you? They told me that we could use the gardens, the museum would be open for us if we gave them enough notice, the town wasn't far-”
Deanna shook her head swiftly. “Right there.” she said. “'We'. I don't want to do those things without you. I want to do all that stuff with my wife.”
A genuine, slightly bashful smile was shared between the two women as Deanna lifted the suitcase to place it on the large bed. The room was decorated in a lavish design – carpeted floors of criss-cross green and orange, a large, ornate cupboard, easily as tall as Selena, yellow curtains that hung from the window on the opposite side of the room. Selena took it all in, letting her memories recall what few things had changed in the three years. But when her eyes settled on the bed.
“You're blushing.” Deanna teased as she followed her wife's gaze, towards her and the bed. Without hesitating, the redhead leaned backwards against the bed suggestively. “Some strong deja vu?” she winked teasingly.
“Very strong.” Selena replied. The entire wall behind the bed was made of wood similar to that of the cabinet and the overhang – a blueish-green semi-circle at the top of the room with decorative curtains hanging on either side. The memories came back stronger – and without meaning too... “We had some amazing sex on this bed.”
A surprised gasp came from Deanna, her mouth hanging upon with half of a smile. “Mrs. Frost!” she feigned. “I beg your pardon. I am a lady!”
Looking up at her wife, Selena nodded her head. “A lady that gave me some amazing sex in this room.” she stated simply. “Remember the bathroom too?” she tilted her head to another section of the room, where she could see the amber lit, white tiles of the bathroom.
Biting her lower lip, Deanna nodded. “We had great sex elsewhere, right?” she sounded uncertain.
“Of course we did!” Selena stated. “I mean... not to sound crass, but...it's always wonderful for me. Cause it's you...”
“I feel the same way.” Deanna nodded.
“Still...” Selena cast another glace at the bathroom for a moment for smiling knowing at Deanna. “Showerhead.”
Deanna's eyes widened for a moment before both women laughed, both understanding what was being inferred.
“I can't believe it's been three weeks since I saw you.” Selena whispered. “Held you...all of it...”
In response, Deanna walked back over to Selena, reaching out to gently pet her arm. “I know, minx.” she smiled softly and sincerely. “I know why you did it... and I don't regret that you did. It was just...”
“Hard?” Selena finished. “For me too.”
Deanna nodded, just as a lightbulb seemed to go off in Selena's head.
“The children!” she blurted. “I can't believe I didn't ask sooner! Elsianna? Is she-”
“Sssh-” shushed Deanna, using her other hand to run her wife's other arm in tandem with the right. “She's fine, Selena. Easy. She started recovering shortly after her birthday. By the time I left to come here, she was running around the house again and playing with the other children. Dr. Embers cleared her to return to school last week.”
Selena breathed a sigh of relief, though it was quickly replaced with a look of concern. “Does she... does she hate me?”
Releasing a knowing sigh, Deanna shook her head slowly. “No. She understands why. She was sad, I won't lie, but she understands. In fact...” a playful smile graced her lips. “She has more material in her argument against David now.”
“What do you mean?” Selena asked in confusion.
“Well... apparently, Gerda was watching the pay-per-view on television and... well, Elsianna heard your voice on T.V. So, she snuck downstairs and hid behind the side of the doorway and watched your match.”
Selena's eyes widened in alarm.
“I had that same reaction when Gerda told me!” Deanna laughed, turning around before sitting on the bed in delight. “Can you imagine!”
“No, I can't! She must have been horrified to see such violence!” Selena's replied, aghast.
“Well, apparently, this morning, she tells David all about it – how you survived a cage fight and that Superman, in the first movie, needed help to get out of a cage, ergo...”
Selena's rolled her eyes. “I'm better than Superman.” Selena groaned. “At some point, they're going to have to pick a different topic to argue about.”
“At some point.” Deanna shrugged, the smile still on her face.
Returning her sapphire gaze to Deanna's emerald ones, Selena's expression became slightly more serious. “How...how did you take it?”
Deanna exhaled loudly through her nostrils before answering honestly. “Worst match I ever had to sit through.” she admitted.
“Really?” Selena asked in disbelief. Despite the drama and issues, she was proud of that match. Regardless of how it would be seen by others, there was no denying that both she and, even, Bree had left it all in that cage.
“I had to keep turning away every time she hit you with something or threw you against the cage.” Deanna admitted before pointing to Selena's stitches on her brow. “I almost spoke about that first when you came in.”
Quickly, Selena's hand flew up to touch the stitches without thinking. She had forgotten they were there, too happy to be with her wife after three long weeks apart. “You should see my leg.” she stated without thinking, immediately regretting doing so as Deanna's expression saddened. “I'm fine...” she assured as she walked towards her wife, cupping the redhead's face with her hands. “Really.” she added. “I'm just a little sore everywhere but I'll recover quickly.”
Without meaning too, the platinum-blonde released a yawn, turning her her head into her left shoulder to hide it, albeit not very well.
“Did you sleep on the plane ride here?” of course came the question from the concerned redhead.
For an answer, Selena shook her head. “Too painful. Doctors don't think I have a concussion but they wanted me to wait till I had someone to wake me up every few hours to be sure. Besides... I was too excited anyw-”
The Snow Queen tried to finish her statement when a second yawn caught her. Now that she had arrived at the beautiful castle, held her loving wife, kissed her and everything seemed to be settling, the last near twenty-four hours were finally catching up to her. The nervousness of her match, the preparations, the match itself – the brutal fight that, if she was honest, parts of which she could not even remember – and then the long flight after it, just to get here and be with Deanna.
All she felt – her body feeling heavy, her vision dulling – it must have been so easy to read for Deanna, for, before Selena even knew what was happening, Deanna had gently removed the Snow Queen's coat, helped her out of her clothes and underwear and was now digging through the black travelcase. She handed Selena pair of baggy, gray track pants to put on before sliding a large, dark-blue t-shirt with snowflakes decorating the right shoulder and collar bone. As Selena helped slide herself into the set of clothes, as best as she could, she kept playfully nudging and kissing her wife's face, hand, wherever she could.
“I'm so happy you said to come here.” she whispered, nuzzling Deanna's nose with her own, the eskimo kiss causing Deanna to giggle playfully.
“You are making it very hard to get you settled and into bed.”
“Really?” Selena's eyes widened in surprise, though it was clear she was slowly slipping further into exhaustion. “Because believe me – I am not trying to!”
It took a moment for Deanna to see the wiggling eyebrows of her wife at the joke before she rolled her eyes, guiding her wife to sit on the bed.
“No! Wait!” Selena suddenly exclaimed, pushing herself off the soft mattress and rushing over to her duffel-bag, her movements a little jerky and a mixture of a limp and a stumble.
“Selena! You really need sleep.” pressed Deanna as she moved the suitcase off the bed, placing it at the foot of it. As she did however, her eyes caught something buried under the clothes as Selena unzipped her bag.
“I know, and I will, but first!” she slurred tiredly as her fingers dug through the fabric of her cape, her wrestling pants and top until she felt the top leather and hard snap-buckles of her new title. Biting her lower lip, Selena gave a strong tug and pulled the United States Championship belt out, holding it up proudly as she lifted her head to gaze at her wife with equal pride.
An expression that disappeared as she saw Deanna standing there, cradling the glass bottle in her hand.
“What's this?” Deanna asked, her voice a mixture of alarm and anger. In her hand, she held the bottle of champagne by the neck. “Selena, what is this and why was it in your suitcase?”
Selena's mouth hung open and, despite her exhaustion, fought to stay as alert as possible. How could she have forgotten about that?! Was it her excitement at being United States Champion? Was it her utter joy to see her wife again? Was it the fourteen hour flight that had played on her exhaustion and her memory? Was it a combination of all those things? It didn't really matter now, because she was mentally cursing herself, regardless of what had played the biggest factor in her error.
“Deanna... no.” she stated, immediately dropping the United States and hearing it land on the carpeted floor with a thud. “That is not – that is not what it looks like!”
Despite having every reason to shout at her, Deanna didn't. Instead, she merely took a deep breath before speaking. “Then, what is it?”
“I found that in my change room after my match and after I came back from seeing the doctors.” Selena explained, moving to take her wife's hands and sit them both on the bed. “It was sitting on the table and-” Selena's eyes widened. “A note! It had a note!”
As quick as she could, which wasn't very quick at all, given her state, Selena half-rolled, half-pushed herself off the bed and where Deanna had placed her suitcase. Her pale hands flew, the fingers fumbling through articles of clothing and the toiletries she had packed until she felt the corners of cardboard against her fingertips. “There!” she exclaimed, giving a pull and freeing the flimsy paper. Just as urgently, she then pulled herself, not the least bit gracefully, back onto the bed to hand the letter to her confused wife.
With her free hand – the other still holding the bottle to keep it out of reach of Selena – Deanna took the opened card and fully unfolded it with her fingers. It was a simple card, something you'd get at a local convenience or drug store. Still, the sender had put
some thought into it, choosing a light blue cover with snowflakes on it. To Deanna, it looked like one of those Christmas cards some stores hang onto for the first month after the holidays – selling them at a much lower price, obviously. As her fingers unfolded the paper, she read the single word written in blue ink.
“Congratulations...” she tilted her head before turning to face her wife. “That's it?”
“Apparently.” Selena nodded. “No idea who sent it or whatever.”
“Did you ask around?”
Selena shook her head. “I was too scared at seeing the bottle – and I just wanted to get to you when I got your text.”
Despite her initial concern and frustration, Deanna believed her wife. After all, this was a long way to go just to have a drink! Her beloved could have drowned herself in this champagne on the flight here. Not like she was flying the plane. Instead, she had looked terrified over not remembering to speak of this.
“Why didn't you just get rid of it?” she asked.
“That was my plan.” Selena sighed. “But I wanted to wait till I got here. What if it was Jessica who sent it? Written it and gone to all that trouble?”
“You haven't told her about this?” Deanna asked in surprise. “She's your friend, Selena. What about Kennedy and Owen and the others?”
Closing her eyes as tight as she could against the onslaught of names, Selena shook her head. “I haven't told anyone.” she confessed. “What if Bree found out? Or Syren? Or Ravyn...” she paused as one last name came to her mind. “Or Katya...”
That name – thanks to last night – had jumped ahead of all the other names uttered. Katya had, through trickery and – let's face it – the same old tactics that people like Syren, CHBK, Ravyn and Christy Matthews were known for, to acquire four weeks of power over SCW. Making the matches, assigning opportunities, it was all Katya's.
All because of one person: Christy Matthews. Angrily, Selena's brain snapped a bit more awake. Christy's betrayal had not fully sunk in until Selena had been on her flight to Germany, due to her not being released from the doctor's until after the main-event had happened. But, as she had thought about it, remembering the words Christy had spoken to her before their match at the pay-per-view Bound by Blood, the angrier she had become. It had been thinking about that woman and the resulting anger that had made her forget about the bottle of champagne in the first place.
It had all been a lie! Everything Christy had done for months, said – complete and utter crap! Hell, even Alexander Crowe running in, as if to 'screw with Christy' by handing her a win over Selena – the Snow Queen was certain that such interference had just been Christy's idea to have a victory over her, since Selena was set to challenge for the United States title after that pay-per-view.
Syren, Ravyn, Christy – they were really cut from the same cloth, continuously selling their integrity – selling their souls – just to get a moment of spotlight on them. A moment of attention rather than earn it like Selena had last night in that cage.
“Selena?”
Deanna's questioning gaze broke through Selena's thoughts, bringing her back to reality. “Sorry. Just – if Katya knew of this.” she gestured to the bottle still in Deanna's hand. “She would have Ravyn and Christy use it against me. I can't even imagine what they could come up with.” she sighed. “So I took it with me, with the intention of getting rid of it once I was in Germany. And I...I forgot I had it till now.”
Slowly, Deanna nodded her head and gazed down at the bottle. The cork seal had not been broken, not even ripped a little. In fact, given that she had been holding the bottle this whole time, the redhead was certain that she had held this bottle longer than Selena had!
With a sigh, the younger Frost stood up, walking over to the window sill on the far side of the bedroom, just above the dark-coloured radiator. Carefully, she placed the bottle in the corner.
“Please tell me you believe me.” she heard Selena beg, causing Deanna to turn around.
“I...I do.” Deanna sighed. “I think if you were going to hide it, there would have been smarter ways to do it.”
A look of relief washed over Selena, the platinum-blonde collapsing on her side, her head landing on the soft, white pillow. “This doesn't ruin things, does it?”
Slowly, Deanna shook her head as she made her way over to her beloved. “Not if you promise not to drink any of it. I've spoken to Gunther, they aren't going to be sending in any complimentary sherry.”
“Water, chocolate milk and hot chocolate are fine with me.” Selena smiled.
With a nod, the warm, loving smile of Deanna returned – her worries assuaged for the time being, causing a tired but blissful smile to grace Selena's lips.
My 'honeymoon wife' is back... she thought with glee as she held out her hand lazily towards the redhead. Without a word, Deanna reached out to take the offered hand, lowering herself onto the bed to tuck herself into the little spoon position against her wife's lithe form.
“Did you renew your contract?” Deanna asked quietly, holding her hands over Selena's.
“No...” Selena whispered as she relaxed into the positions she and Deanna had. “Said I wouldn't till we talked about it...”
“Oh...” smiled the younger Frost. “Okay... I think you should renew it.”
“Okay.” Selena decided, the two sharing a soft laugh before they both – first Selena, then Deanna – drifted off to sleep, the snow continuing to fall outside their castle window.
___________________________________
Gunther Huttl sighed as he walked through the main reception desk of the castle. True, the castle had many lobbey areas or 'greeting spaces', but this was where he filled out his checklist on the daily duties of running the Schobnurg Castle hotel and restaurant. Although, with only one room and two guests staying within the castle at this point, the paperwork wasn't exactly its usual 'mountain-high'.
Placing the last completed form in the right box, the old man sighed again before making his way to the window. From there, he could see the room where the American women – the Frosts, he knew their name – were staying. Their window was the only one that was illuminated in that entire section. Gunther watched that light, through the snow and his own window. He wasn't sure how long he watched it but he refused to look away from it. And it was only when he saw that light go out – the two women, clearly, going to bed for the night – that he acted.
Quietly, he marched across the rooms, his footsteps remarkably military-like in their form and stomping sound. Back to his desk he marched until he stood by the black phone plugged into the wall. Quickly, he dialed the number he knew from memory, despite it having to be changed every month or so.
The phone, not to his surprise, only rang once, the voice on the other end of the line being sharp and crisp. “Ja?”
“Ja. Es ist Gunther. Sie kam an. Sie sind beide hier.”
There was a moment of silence before he heard the voice again. With a shake of his head, he answered sharply. “Nein, sie haben keine Ahnung ... das werde ich. Informieren Sie den Führer Malko.”
He said nothing else as he hung up. He didn't have to... At his core, he was still very much a soldier.
“And a soldier always completes his orders...” he whispered to himself as he set off to return to his castle-ground duties...
![[Image: tetXUW1.jpg]](http://i.imgur.com/tetXUW1.jpg)