One Warm Winter

Viviane-Part 1

TW: abusive relationship/rape

I pull away from the warmness of Andri's embrace. I look through the snowflakes up at his beautiful, laughing face.

"Oh Vivi, you're so cute." He said, arms still reaching out. I leaned forward, and pecked him on the cheek. My pale lipstick left a faint mark. My heart fluttered. That was the most intimate he had been in weeks, since he returned from the Winter Court's capital, Thatvein. "Can we go inside already?", Andri whined. "I'm going inside." He continued whining, even louder this time.

"I'm right behind you, Andri." I sighed. Sometimes being Andri's fiance seemed more like babysitting a toddler. He was older than me by a good three years, but I still took care of him to no satisfaction. But I did it because I loved him. I repeated that to myself every step I took toward the grand chalet, not letting myself believe anything else. I lightly skimmed almost over the powdery snow, one of the advantages of being a high fae of the Winter Court. I opened the door for Andri and then I stepped in. 

"Welcome home, darling." Andri stepped in, winked at me and shed his snow-covered cloak on the dry, carpeted floor. "Darling, next time, put your cloak on the rack, or hand it to Meridian here."

"The servants can pick it up," was his haughty reply. I rolled my eyes, exasperated even after spending only a couple minutes with him back home. I sat down at the grand spruce table to look through mail that my secretary, Cleotha had sorted for me. Bills, updates on allies, secret service reports, job requests- and a letter from my only sister. I tore it open, ripping through the High Lord's seal. 

Dearest Viviane, 

This is your younger sister, Ilva-mae. I would like to invite you to the capital for winter solstice, for I would love to see and reconnect with you. I do wish you may come, so you can also meet my daughters. As you know, Lisla and Asyal were born a few months ago, but you yet have to visit! That Duke Andri, no offense, is holding you back from all the thing you enjoy in your life. He has you paraded everywhere like a prized horse and doesn't love you like you should be loved. Anyways, I do hope you may visit, just for a couple weeks at least.

Love,

Ilva-mae

 I smiled. Ilva-mae always had her opinion on things, but I usually didn't take them to heart. Andri was a polite, loving gentleman when I first met him, but now- I ran my hand over the dark purple plum-colored bruises on the nape of my neck, my rib cage, my thighs, still not faded from weeks ago. I pushed those thoughts away. I loved him. I was his happy, eager, meek fiance. I hiked up my skirts, and stepped up the lushly carpeted stairs. I knocked on his bedroom's door, and I crept in. He sat at his desk, wet boots creating trails of icyness that seemed to spread from him.

"Hello darling," I murmured. "An invitation came from the capital, from my sister. She wants me to spend winter solstice with her. Is that okay?" He just turned around and smiled. I knew that smile, tinged with a smirk. I knew what was going to happen. Too well.

"We'll see." He passed me a small glass vial of alyssum fig tonic, for birth control, and almost ripped my silk dress off. I took an unsteady step back, but he grabbed the straps of my underthings and pulled me toward him. Then, he dragged me to the side of his bed.

 The winter light shone from the large window onto my pillow. I woke up. My whole body was sore, so sore. New bruises had appeared. I swore as I climbed out of the bed, my platinum blonde hair tangled. My legs hissed in protest every step I took towards the washroom. On the vanity, there laid a note. 

Vivi,

You may go, I am expecting you back in two weeks.

I sighed in relief. I immediately threw on a navy blue blouse, and a matching bodycon skirt. Slipping on a pair of elegant heeled beige boots, I saw Andri watching me at the doorframe in his officer's uniform.

"So eager to go, aren't you," he smirked.

"I'm just excited to see my sister and nieces." I replied, trying to sound honest. 

I grabbed my bag, and shouldered on my fur-lined coat. I brushed my hair into a sleek braid and stepped out the door. I looked back at him as I said,

"Bye darling!" I blew him a kiss, the look on my face not matching the look in my eyes. He didn't look back.