Christy Matthews vs. Selena Frost

[SnowQueenSCW]

OOC: The following takes place a few days after the events of the first roleplay. Promo is filmed early in the morning of the day before Breakdown and aired later that same day. Some adult content within the CD. As you can imagine, this was written without time to read Christy's roleplay, so apologies for any discrepancies. Posted in two parts due to length.

 
I of the Storm

“The Trail of Bodies”

“Oh yes! Oh gods! Right there!” Selena cried out, her body at the mercy of her wondrous wife and her wife's equally wondrous hands, lips, teeth and – Gods, that tongue!. Her body gave a jerk as it rode through another spasm of pleasure, the Snow Queen having lost count of how many the redhead had given her.

“Having fun?” came the purring voice of her wife, her head nestled into Selena's neck to kiss, lick and even- Selena gasped out loud as she felt her wife's teeth clamp down on the tender flesh of her neck. 

“Fuck!” she shuddered out, knowing that bite was going to leave a mark but not caring in the slightest. “Again...” she whispered, “Coming again-” 

Deanna's own answer was to give a predatory smile before continuing her ministrations on Selena's body, her head moving to suck on Selena's earlobe, her hand closest to that grasping her neck hard to cause blood flow to change, and her other hand continued to not only tease the platinum-blonde's womanhood, but also curl and thrust a few fingers so deep inside Selena, it was almost baffling!

“What is that?” came the purr from the redhead. “Nineteen? Twenty?”
“I...I don't know...” Selena admitted. “I lost count.”
“Well, you have to be close to mine.” 

All Selena could do as she felt her body convulsing was shut her eyes tight and nod her head before releasing a loud moan as her umpteenth climax hit, her panting and moaning soft cries within the polished walls of the shower space. “D...De...” she huffed out, almost breathless. “No more. I can't... I can't really take any more...”

Immediately, as if turning off a light, all movement around Selena's body stopped for a moment. All she could feel was the water from the shower-head – now back in its proper place – as it poured water down upon her. Slowly, as her breathing restored her senses back to normal, she opened her eyes to see her wife, Deanna, propped over top of her. “Hey.” the redhead whispered.

In response, Selena's eyes fluttered closed as she gave a contented hum. “Hey...”

Reaching out, the wrestler wrapped her arms around her smaller wife, pulling the young woman in to rest her head over Selena's chest. “That was intense.” she whispered.
“You're telling me.”

Without saying a word, both women cast their eyes towards the shower-head above them as it continued to rain streams of water. It had taken a few days of 'taking things slow' for them to reach this moment of physical intimacy – Deanna being insistent that Selena spend needed time to recover as best as she could from her match a few days ago with Bree Lancaster. 

If she were honest, with herself, Selena had initially been against the idea, feeling fine after her initial day's rest upon her arrival to the castle. But – as Deanna had made clear – the Snow Queen had not seen what the redhead had seen. At first, Selena had thought her wife had meant watching the match as opposed to being in it, and that was true. Selena had been narrow-minded during her match with Bree, the only things mattering to her being:

- Never give up. Keep fighting!
- Kickout of every pin attempt!
- Hit as hard as you can every single time!

The whole match was still a blur to the platinum-blonde (some parts she couldn't remember), so it stood to reason that seeing the match with a clear memory and being in it were two different things.

It was not what Deanna was meaning at all.

Slowly, as she held her content, naked wife in her arms, Selena's gaze travelled down, past the contours of her wife's back until the rested on the pale, right leg belonging to the Snow Queen herself. It was bent at the knee with the foot on the white porcelain of the tub, a sort of guard for the woman Selena was wrapped around. 

But there, against the pale flesh, Selena could see the purple and black of the bruise that blossomed against the toned leg muscle, the core being the darkest of purple (almost black) and spreading outward, becoming lighter and lighter, the tips of the damaged lotus of a bruise being yellow and green-tinged. 

Bree had been merciless and Selena had powered through – but until Deanna had taken her into this bathroom days ago and shown the older Frost her own reflection, Selena had not seen, or truly understood, what she had gone through. The damage she had taken on. The large bruise on her leg, the stitches above her eyebrow, the small cuts in her back from the cage – there were too many things to identify.

In short: Selena realized in that moment, standing before her own reflection, that not only had her mind been through a war, but so had her body. She had immediately obeyed Deanna's requests to 'take things slow', focusing on recovering for herself, her health, and, let's face it, being as ready as possible for whatever Katya was going to throw at Selena.

That was a reality that Selena refused to disbelieve. She knew what she was – and if she had any doubt, the title in her bag was proof enough. Katya had the Adrenaline champion and, now, the world champion in her pocket. And with the Television title changing hands practically every week or so, that just left one last singles title.

Hers. The second-tier – a title that was, in Selena's mind, the 'workhorse title' in SCW. That wasn't to say anything bad about the World title, but it was the United States title that she had seen defended so often on Breakdown and house shows and Pay-Per-Views. Hell, when Sienna had been World Champion initially, using photoshoots and blackmail to avoid defending the title, a few were angry, including herself – but nowhere near as angry when Bree Lancaster was going for the tag titles and missing two pay-per-views in a row in defending the United States Championship. That had been what had driven Selena to want it those two years ago. Main-event superstars, newcomers, mid-card talent, up and coming – everyone could eye for that title and challenge for it. And she had seen the future of SCW in the last few months: Owen Cruze, Aaron Blackbourne, Peyton Rice, Casterillo, John Goddard just to name a few. And then there was the veteran talent! People like: 

Giovanni Aries – Selena craved another match with him given how their last had gone.
Chris Cannon – It was hard for the Snow Queen to believe that the two of them had not fought since he had injured his leg on a bad fall while she was Adrenaline champion. 

Blake Mason – Selena stopped her thoughts to allow herself to smile. The young man's firing at the hands of Katya was one of the initial driving points in Selena's distaste of her employer's daughter. And while his return had not had the 'desired effect' she would have liked, she had still been overjoyed to see him return. Even if he turns out to be a dick again... she thought. Least he'll have a chance to do things his way...

And there were so many others Selena wanted to fight with the title, even Bree! Selena wanted to have another match with the former champion down the line. Give her a rematch of sorts – not for Bree or for herself but for the SCW fans. A tie-breaker between them was surely needed and she knew the True-Believers would want that! Assuming she can leave her spineless manager out of it.

Still, the Snow Queen released a quiet breath, that was the reason she could not deny the reality of being a target for Katya. All that potential... all that power. Bree had been right in that regard in her final pay-per-view promo. The title was indeed capable of power – something Katya craved more and more if, evidenced by the last pay-per-view. 

A soft kiss along her collarbone brought her back to the present. To the wife in her arms. “We're going to have to get out of here sooner or later.” Deanna purred.
“Must we?” Selena sighed. “Everything is so... perfect right now.”

She rested her wet, white-haired head against the bathtub floor, gazing at the ceiling tiled above her. She had her dream fulfilled, she had her United States title, she had her beautiful wife in her arms – she was even a Supreme Champion now! The third woman to ever do so in SCW! And maybe Katya was going to rule SCW for four weeks, but that was something to worry about next week!

“I know.” sighed Deanna. “But you're starting to prune.” she suddenly teased before blowing a raspberry against Selena's neck. 

Unable to help herself, Selena gasped before giggling. “Oh, that's romantic!” she laughed.
“Isn't it?!” Deanna further teased, repeating the action against Selena's shoulder. “Oh, Selena! Apppffftttt.” she added with a husky, deep voice (or her attempt at one) before blowing against her wife's closest ribcage.

Further laughs came from the Snow Queen as she sat up, pulling her wife up with her. “Stop it.” she teased. “Or I might just bring out piranha.”

Deanna's eyes widened, instantly stopping. “Okay... truce?” she asked.
Tilting her head up and to the side with a narrowing of the eyes and a slight smile, Selena contemplated the offer for a brief moment. “Truce.” she agreed before reaching over, past Deanna, to turn the water off with a flick of her wrist. The pair helped each other out of the tub – Selena especially needing help.

“My legs feel like jelly...” she half-laughed.
“Is it your injury?” Deanna asked in alarm as she held her wife up on the bathroom floor.

Lifting her wet head up to gaze at her wife's emerald eyes, Selena could only smile coyly. “No.” she answered.

It took a moment before Deanna's eyes widened in surprise. “Seriously?” she asked.
“Uh-huh. Gold star for you.” she stated, leaning forward to kiss her wife's soft lips.
“Mmmm.” Deanna hummed in contentment.

A half an hour passed as the two wives helped one another prepare for the day, their digital clock reminding them that it was nearing half past nine in the morning. Deanna was the first one dressed, changing in the bathroom as Selena slipped into her white bra and matching underwear. Quickly, sitting on the bed due to her 'shaky legs', she braided her hair into its iconic style, the only difference was leaving a few more strands free at the front than usual, creating a slightly more 'wild mane' than the slicked back look she usually went with in SCW. As she pulled her outfit from the cabinet on the other side of the room (having finished unpacking the other day), she heard a clearing of the throat from the bathroom, a certain request for attention.

Turning around, Selena almost lost her breath as she saw Deanna standing there.

“I wanted to show you this. I found it in town over the weekend.” Deanna replied.

Selena stood there, clearly admiring her wife's form and not ashamed at doing so. For Deanna, the redhead's new outfit consisted of a long coat that was achingly similar to the one Selena had worn in her final pay-per-view promo over the last weekend but with a dress underneath it, instead of a lacy top and black leggings. The differences were that, while Selena's coat was decorated with elegant snowflake designs in her certain places like her sash, shoulders and tips of the bottom, Deanna's was a pair of solid colours: a dark red, bordering on purple with a lighter, maroon trim across the coat, which matched the black dress with the dark-red sash around her waist. The other difference that Selena noticed was that, while her coat and lace allowed for a bit of cleavage, Deanna had an orange, buttoned up collar as part of her dress.

“Wow...” Selena smiled. “And her I feel under-dressed now.” she gestured towards her own toned, but bruised form, only her underwear and bra being in place. 
Deanna gave a roll of her eyes. “I saw your last promo on Youtube. And your new outfit.”
Selena shrugged as she eyed the pile of clothes – said outfit – that she had just placed on the bed. “I wanted to surprise you with it.”

“Well...” Deanna held her arms out. “Ta-dah!” she added with a laugh. “I found it last Sunday while going through town.”
“Well, it's beautiful, pet.” Selena stated as she began throwing on her own outfit. “I love when we dress similar. Makes me feel more like a couple.”
“Oh yeah.” Deanna teased. “Screw this.”

With a flourish, she held up her hand, wiggling the fingers to show off her wedding ring. “Dressing in similar fashion? That says 'together forever'.”

A scoff of a laugh came from Selena as she shrugged on her long coat. “That sounds like something Bree would say.”
“Actually, I was kind of going for Sienna.” Deanna admitted.
“Oh...well similar circles.” Selena shrugged. But then, as she was tying up the sash behind her, she thought about it. “Then again... Syren would say that too. Wow, there are a lot of really shallow people in SCW-”

Knock knock!

The rapping sound caught both Frost women off-guard for a moment as it echoed from outside the hall outside the bedroom. At the same time, both women double-checked the time on the nightstand.

“Must be Gunther.” Deanna concluded. “Museum is probably ready.”

Selena smiled with a nod. Since her arrival, the operator of the hotel/castle grounds had done all he can with the limited staff he had to provide for the two married women, refusing to simply 'minimize their experience' due to the season. ”You came to us for a second honeymoon! You paid for the experience... I agreed. Therefore, I agreed to provide the best experience!” he had stated to both Deanna and Selena on separate occasions. The decision had meant a full selection of the menu for all three meals, room service (mostly provided by Gunther or his wife, Louisa) and, upon request, every section of activities being available to the Frosts, such as the gardens, which the two had taken exceptional advantage of in their time of 'taking things slow', going for walks and snowball fights.

Today, Gunther had promised them a tour through the castle tower that housed the museum! 

With an excited grin, Deanna turned to exit the bedroom and head down the hall where the knocking was coming from. “I hope he tells us the story of the 'Seven Virgins' again!” she cast her head back to see Selena following her to the door. 

“You're just saying that because you're still holding out that all seven were lesbians.” Selena stated. “You bet Gunther and I twenty euros that they were.”
“And has he proven me wrong yet?” Deanna asked as she stood just beside the door, her eyes daringly gazing at Selena's.

The Snow Queen crossed her arms defiantly. “You haven't proven yourself right.”

Rather than give a reply in the form of words, Deanna merely stuck her tongue out at her wife just as a second set of knocks came from the door. “Alright! Alright.” Deanna laughed as she reached for the door, opening it with a sweep of her arm. “Morning, Gunther-”

Her words died before and Selena saw her expression alter in an instant – from joy to shock and the, finally, absolute fear. Selena had come to know that expression well in her marriage to Deanna, most recently because of her own personal demons coming out to try and take control while Deanna fought to help Selena remain in charge. 

But now? The cause of her fear? It was something out.

With a quick burst of speed, ignoring the slight ache in her right leg, Selena leapt down the hall, stepping in front of Deanna to guard her. Her eyes took in the sight and, much like Deanna, she felt shock grip her entire form.

It was not the sight of Gunther smiling at the, holding his hands out as if to calm them. Nor was it his words of a similar nature. Rather, it was the sight of the man standing behind him. A man of similar age as Gunther, dressed in a white suit and blue tie and a thick, gray, heavy coat. 

He gave a slight bow of respect and greeting to both women as Deanna's hand flew in front of her to grasp Selena's, whichever one was closest. For Selena, though – the woman that was so certain this place would not bring out her phantoms...

Hello...daddy... Sirus laughed loudly – so loud that, for a moment, Selena couldn't understand how nobody else could hear her.

Yes, Selena Frost had been so certain that, surrounded by fond memories and love, her demons would not be able to take hold... But how could she possibly have anticipated the appearance of the man before her.

“I believe we need to talk.” he added, his voice still calm and gentle.
“We...we do?” Deanna asked.
“I think so.” he nodded. “Right, Selena?”

Slowly, taking a deep, shuddering breath, the Snow Queen nodded her head.

“Splendid.” Gunther stated. “We go to tower for privacy! You three can talk after tour! And then: luncheon!”

The groundskeeper smiled and, offering his hand to Deanna, guided the young woman away from the two remaining people. With a smile just as kind, the white-suited man offered his arm to Selena. “Shall we?” he asked kindly, though Selena was still terrified. Something the former soldier was finally able to see. “It's okay, Selena.” he promised. “I'm not here to hurt you or your wife.”

“I...” Selena took a deep breath and closed her eyes. She let the coldness in her blood fill her – the cold she had taken with her from Nome. As she exhaled and opened her eyes, she reached out to take the man's offered arm, like a lady of high society – Boy, mother would be proud... – she thought. “Just promise me that nothing bad will happen to Deanna.”

“Nothing bad will happen to either of you. I swear it.” Assured her walking companion as they walked behind the joyful Gunther and the, somewhat nervous, Deanna.

“You say that...” Selena sighed as they continued to walk. “But wait till after we talk. You might feel differently... about me any way.”

The old man cast her a confused expression before returning his gaze to those in front of him, not wanting to get lost on the trail. 

“Just...whatever happens.” Selena whispered low so that only the man beside her can hear. “I'm sorry, Nicodemus. I truly am – with all my heart – so sorry.”

***********************************

“AND HERE!” proclaimed Guther Huttl as he was the first person to reach the stop of the stone steps, guiding the redhead happily up the the tower. “We have reached the top!” 

His exuberance was contagious, for – despite herself – Deanna still felt completely at ease around the man. He was the same kind, gentle being that had taken a shining to Deanna when she first had arrived – Deanna was certain it had, at first, been because of her German roots (Her maiden name, Springs, containing strong Germanic ties). And yet, the redhead knew it was more than that... 

She had not confided this to Selena, simply because there was enough drama around the whole event, but when she had run off with Elsianna on her own, in order to keep the child safe from the Scythes, she had run to Germany.  Yes, Selena knew that and of the magic that had happened that had resulted in Deanna becoming pregnant with Amiliah – The important details, Deanna thought – but what was not known by her wife was that Deanna had come here. To this castle, seeking shelter and refuge. 

And Gunther and Louisa had been happy to oblige. THAT was the real reason the couple remembered Selena and Deanna. Not because they were previous customers, but because they had opened their kind hearts to Deanna and Elsianna, and heard all about the platinum-blonde that had stolen Deanna's heart – that was her hero.

This castle was more than a honeymoon spot for Deanna. It was her sanctuary. Her place to hide and be safe – her place to love unconditionally (as she had earlier this morning with her beloved minx). She had spent hours running around with Elsianna during their hiding, exploring every nook and cranny of the castle. So... when Gunther reached the stopped of the stairs, his booted feet purposefully missing the cracked and bent step that was two inches taller than the others, Deanna hopped right up with him, avoiding the tripping hazard. 

“Very good, Fraulein.” whispered Gunther, the smile never fading from his face. “A woman that can predict danger is a careful woman indeed!”

Slowly, Deanna nodded her head as she slowly untangled herself from Gunther's arm. They had spoken on friendly terms, like normal, the entire walk from the Maisonette to the top of the tower, her wife and Nicodemus Malco trailing further and further behind them. Turning her head, Deanna strained to hear their steps. It took a moment, and they were very faint, but she could hear Selena's heels clicking on the stone far below.

Turning her head, she stared at Gunther, more out of concern than anything else. “Please tell me you did not call Nicodemus here.”

A sigh escaped the groundskeeper. “I did, darling.” he admitted without hesitation. “He has been looking for the opportunity to see you and your wife for some time.”

She felt her heart been crushed by this kind man. “Wh...Why, Gunther?” she whispered, not wanting her voice to be heard below, the stones that outlined the interior of the winding staircase creating an excellent echo-chamber of sorts. “He...he's a member-”

“Child...” 

The voice was assuring and Deanna soon found her hands being held tightly, protectively by the elder. “If I suspected, for even the slightest of moments, that contacting him would put you or your precious in danger, I would not have. You have my word on that.”

The declaration – so strong and, Deanna could not miss it, full of love – stunned her. After her return to Selena's side and the end of the Scythe's schemes, she had kept in contact with him, yes, but to think that this man would... “Really?”

Gunther nodded. “Louisa and I...” he spoke slowly, unsure if this was the right time to speak. “We lost our daughter when she was about your age. “Margarette... she had red hair like yours. Like mine was once.. long ago...”

“I'm...I'm sorry.” Deanna tried but a wave of Gunther's hand silenced her as he, too, spoke in whispers.

“Cancer is a cruel demon, my dear. But God was gracious enough to give her enough time to leave on her terms. But not on mine. I was not ready to let her go.” Deanna could see tears welling up in the gray eyes of the old man. “I begged God to give me a reason. We were too old to have another child-”

Slowly, he turned his head to gaze at Deanna, a smile breaking across his features. “A few days later, you came to us, seeking shelter.”

Deanna's hand flew to her lips in shock. Gunther had never told her this story, neither had Louisa.

“I know you are not my daughter.” Gunther stated. “I am not asking you to be.” he added, sniffling his tears away as best as he could. “But you need to know how I see you. How much Louisa and I treasure you, Deanna. How much your emails have meant to us over the years. And how we would do anything to keep you and yours safe.”

“Why...why haven't you waited till now to tell me this?” Deanna stuttered, reaching up to wipe the tears from her eyes.

One last sigh came from Gunther before he slowly reached over to roll up the sleeve of his left arm. It took a moment, but it soon reached his elbow, allowing Deanna to see the tattoo on his withered skin. It was faded, but the design was easily recognizable, as she stared into the eye-socket of the dragon skull with the cross impaling its crown.

The sign of the Dragon-Slayers...

“We are not all bad, Deanna. I promise.” He said gently, rolling his sleeve back down. “Not me, not Louisa and not Elder Malko.”

The mixture of emotions – anger, betrayal, confusion, forgiveness – there were so many in a tornado within Deanna that she did not know what to think, at first. She had believed, before meeting Nicodemus, that all Dragon-Slayers were bad – the mortal enemies of Selena's family, the Frost/Frostmere.

But nearly a year of time had changed so much for Deanna and, she knew, Selena as well. The Frosts were not the “noble family” that Selena had believed they were and the Dragon-Slayers weren't the “killers and Nazis” that they had been told they were. 

“What would that make me?” she asked herself quietly, earning a confused expression from Gunther. “My... When I first met Nicodemus, he told me that my parents had been Dragon-Slayers. If they were Nazi supporters and murderers... what would that make me?”

The question was more for herself than anyone else. What little she knew of her parents even her sister Amy did not know, nor did the Kentucky police officer care to know. But Deanna? She had always wondered. Always been curious. Now, she just wished she could forget what she knew.

“I'm afraid I did not know many members outside of Germany, Fraulein.” sighed Gunther. “I wish I did. Elder Malko would...”
“I've been too scared to ask him.” she stated, despite wanting to from the moment she saw him in front of her and Selena's door at the Maisonette room. 
“Why? Because you feel they might be murderers?” Gunther asked.

No...because of what that will make me if they are worse than that...

She was about to say as much when the sound of steps, having slowly grown louder over time suddenly changed as Selena tripped over the top step. Turning around quickly, Deanna was just in time to see her wife catch herself, though that didn't stop the redhead from reaching out to take the platinum-blonde into her arms.

“Forgot that was there.” Selena admitted, shaking her tripped foot. “Same as last time.”
“I tripped too.” Deanna lied instinctively, wrapping Selena's arm around hers like Gunther had done on the walk here and up the stairs. 

A few steps behind the women, Nicodemus stepped up the stairs carefully, the white-suited man standing near the ancient fireplace display in the corner and the black silhouette display of the man sitting by it. 

Gunther, meanwhile, had moved around the small room to the large slingshot that took up most of the room. “And here we have, what was a great defence weapon by the owners of this castle. Capable of slinging rocks great distances, this slingshot was used to destroy neighbouring castles and towns.”

“Air mail with a hell of a C.O.D.” Selena stated, Deanna actually noticing the calming ease, she felt. Was it because Nicodemus had said something to her, or because her wife was close to her. Without thinking, the redhead tightened her arms that were linked around Selena's.

“C.O.D?” asked Gunther, unsure of Selena's meaning.
“Crash on Delivery.” Selena answered, earning a scoff of a laugh from Nicodemus as he stood in the corner.
“Well... yes!” Gunther answered. “I must remember that one for tours in the open season.” he stated, finally getting the joke. “And over here-” he gestured to the protected section of the wall – the display behind the glass. There were small, wooden models of various kinds of slingshots, like the large one in the room. “Throughout the years, the weapon evolved to become more effective – more dangerous.”

Casting her eyes to her wife, Deanna saw Selena's pale ears twitch slightly, a sign that she was listening. What was it about 'evolution' and 'adapting to fit the times' that rang within her white-haired wife? Deanna wasn't sure, but she did not dare ask. She was still stunned by Gunther's confession. 

“And if you see the small window behind the display?” the old German ushered the pair of women closer to the display, pointing at the vertical, yet narrow, window-opening within the stone wall. “That is where the archer would sit, using his arrows to-” Gunther, using his arms, simulated the loading and firing of an arrow from a bow, reminding Selena of something from Robin Hood. “Ping! Take down dozens of invaders at any given battle!”

“Gunther.”

The voice came from Nicodemus, causing all three remaining people to turn and observe the Elder leader. “Selena and I were not able to finish out conversation on the way here. Can you please take Deanna and excuse us?”

Instinctively, Deanna clutched Selena tighter, pressing herself against her beloved. Gunther, meanwhile, merely tilted his head before walking towards Nicodemus, his tone a bit more direct, but his words unrecognizable.

"Du hast mir dein Wort gegeben, sie werden nicht verletzt werden?"
Malko nodded his head shortly. "Es war nie meine Absicht, ihnen etwas zu tun, Gunther."

Despite this for an answer, the shorter man, Gunther, cast his eyes back to the redhead that clung to Selena. "Sie ist eine Familie ... wie eine zweite Tochter."

For a moment, Nicodemus cast his eyes upon Deanna, taking in the redhead for a moment before returning his attention to the groundskeeper. "Sie haben nie an mir gezweifelt, Soldat, zweifle jetzt nicht an mir."

Gunther's eyes widened in surprise for a moment before slowly nodding his head. "Wie Sie befehlen, Generaloberst."

Turning on his foot, his smile and joy returned with ease. “Alright, my dear.” he said to Deanna. “Allow me to show you the castle gardens!”

“N...No...” Deanna tried. “I'm not leaving my wife here.”

Gunther stopped, his smile faltering. He had believed, full heartedly, that Nicodemus was not going to harm the Frost women. He had no reason to! He had expressed as much. The days of mindless killing were a nightmare of memories for the leader of the Dragon-Slayers. Still, the notion of taking Deanna away, leaving Selena alone with the general...

“It's alright, Deanna.” the whisper came not from him, but from the woman standing beside Deanna, earning her full attention. “Everything will be fine.”
“How can you know?” Deanna whispered.
“Do you trust me?” she asked, earning a momentary silence from Deanna.
“I...yes.” Deanna answered honestly.
“Then trust me. I'll be alright.” Selena promised. “I've survived worse than an old Nazi.”

Despite the jab, neither Nicodemus or Gunther said anything. Instead, they merely waited and watched as Deanna slowly stood up on the balls of her feet to kiss her wife's pale lips, which were tenderly returned by the Snow Queen. “You better come back to me.” Deanna whispered fiercely.
“I always do.” Selena replied, caressing her wife's cheek with one hand.

Choosing that time to step in, Gunther offered Deanna his arm, which she slowly took once more, as he lead her towards the steps and down them, the same way they had come.

“It will be alright.” he promised, but Deanna remained silent.

It was all Selena allowed herself to hear and see of her wife before she turned around and faced the leader of the Dragon-Slayers. “Why now?” she asked. “After all this time.”

The question seemed to surprise Nicodemus a little. “Interesting.” he stated, staying where he was, leaning against the stone wall. “You first tell me that you're sorry – of what I am not sure – then you demand to know 'why now?'. You are quite inconsistent, Selena.” he paused for a moment, tilting his head as he took in the strong posture of the woman. “Yet, you are certain that harm will fall you when this is all done?”

“Very much so.” Selena replied.
“And this does not scare you?” he asked, still staying put. 
“I'm not scared to die.” Selena admitted. “For years, that's all I wanted. And, if I did die here and now, I'd definitely would deserve it...”

Yes... the voice that had been quiet for so many days was finally speaking. Tell him the truth.

“But you don't want to die now?”
“Of course not!” Selena exclaimed at Nicodemus' calm demeanour. “My wife, my children, I don't want to leave them behind. And my job -” she ran her hands through her hair as she began pacing around the room. “Why did you have to come here?!” She asked. “Everything was going perfectly! I was happy! Deanna and I were so happy! Why couldn't you let us have that?!”

“I did.” Nicodemus stated, finally moving around the room to stand next to the massive slingshot. “I've known where you've been since the day you stepped foot in this castle.”

Selena's eyes widened in shock, though it shouldn't have surprised her. Gunther Huttl was obviously the only person, along with his wife, that knew that Selena and Deanna would be here. Hell, she hadn't even told SCW the exact location when she had applied for the vacation time over a month ago, missing only one house show from the SCW schedule. “Gunther is one of you.” she concluded.

“For most of his life.” Malko stated.
“He said he didn't serve in the war with the Nazis.”
“He didn't. He was devastated that he couldn't enlist with his father. But when a new third rich was trying to form with some rebels, he tried to join it. I stopped him and explained the horrors that they...” the old man paused, his eyes scanning around the room of stone. “What I had done. I advised him to wait a few years and then enlist, under the proper army, valuing life in a way that... well, that we never could.” 

Selena knew he was referring to the Nazi regime when he said that and, for that small part, she was thankful. She knew Gunther to be a kind man and it broke her heart to believe that it all could have been a fascade for the cold killers that the Nazis were under Hitler's rule. 

“You didn't answer my question.” Selena settled on saying. “Why now?”
“Because I couldn't get to you sooner.” Nicodemus admitted. “Evangeline DeWinter and her grandson, Brachiss Frostmere. Do you know of him?”

The platinum-blonde took in a deep breath before nodding her head. “I do.” she stated.

“Well, the pair of them have been on quite the tear for about six months.” Nicodemus explained. “They'd always been desperately trying to track us down, but...” he shook his head in disbelief. “They increased their efforts nearly tenfold. We've...” he paused again, trying to collect himself. “They've already taken out eighteen of us.”

“Taken out?” Selena asked, though part of her was starting to guess.
“They're gone.” Nicodemus stated harshly with a turn. “Killed. All of them innocent people, Selena. None of them associated with the war or the Nazis except that they had a relative that served was part of the regime.”

“Wait...” Selena held up her hands in confusion. “I thought DeWinter just wanted the people directly involved. That there were those of the past regime, of the Nazis, that wanted to eliminate the Frost and Frostmere out of vengeance for not doing so in the second world war. Some kind of obsession.” She quickly held up her hand to keep Nicodemus from talking. “But, after all that happened and knowing what Evangeline is truly like, and then meeting you months ago, I was ready to believe that not everything was so black-and-white.”

“It never is.” Nicodemus shook his head. “I told you that the Dragon-Slayers were reformed out of necessity. That was true. So many of us were being hunted down and killed one by one that we figured it would be best to gather together to try and protect ourselves as much as we could. You know all this, already.”

Selena nodded her head, as this was what the elder before her had told her many months ago when they had first met.

“At first, we had a few dozen members. People still alive from that era and some direct descendants. Different families, but still a clear, direct relation to each and every one.” he shook his head sadly. “Now, the numbers are up-”

“Up?” Selena asked. “As in you're protecting more? How many more?”
“One hundred and fourteen.” came the answer, causing Selena's heart to stop.

“That's...that's how many you have to protect from...from them? That's insane!”

“It's become a witch hunt.” Malco explained. “Guilt by association. And capital punishment – that is what Brachiss is doing.”

Selena's heart ached. She had known Brachiss somewhat in her childhood, the boy visiting once in awhile while his father groomed him to be the next leader of the Frost/Frostmere clan, a role he eventually took up. However, none of those memories came to Selena for more than a moment. No, what took the majority of their place was the crazed expression she had seen in his eyes that night in the nursing home. When he had ordered Evangeline to...

Ordered Evangeline to...

To kill me. Sirus hissed angrily. And you let it happen...

“So then...what?” Selena asked, her form shaking, and not from the cold that blew through the tower.
“Why tell me all this?”

“Because I know why they are doing it.” Malko explained sadly. “We had one person escape them – a young man that managed to break free from his captivity. He ran twenty blocks from some broken down part of Chicago to get to a restaurant. He managed to get a phone and call us before they... they got him. And he said that the torturers were asking about other Dragon-Slayers, but only one name.”

He lifted his head up to gaze at Selena. “Nick Daily.”

Selena's eyes widened as the reality hit her full force. Nick Daily had been Nicodemus alias when he had been married to Angelina Frostmere – the real name of Evangeline DeWinter. Upon realizing who the other was after years of blissful marriage, Evangeline had tried to kill Nick out of revenge and fury, as well as their daughter-

You called? 

Selena could see her now – see her demon standing there, in her perfect world...the beautiful place that she thought she and Deanna could be free for a time. But no... Sirus sat there in the slingshot, grinning wickedly at the platinum-blonde. Told you that you couldn't keep me from coming here. Where's your special, medical juice? Maybe daddy has some!

Selena's throat was dry, her ears barely able to hear Nicodemus continuing to talk about why – out of fear for Selena and Deanna being watched by the Frostmeres – he hadn't come to them sooner.

Selena barely heard any of it. Her mind was breaking apart like parts of the this castle! Her world was falling apart!

And as the floor rushed up to meet her, she was ready to embrace the oblivion. Maybe, if Odin was kind, she would end up back in a place like her cave in Nome, where she had rediscovered the cold in her bones – the cold that gave her strength. Or maybe she'd end up in a castle like this with her beloved... Or maybe hell was where she was headed...