Charlotte

Chapter Twelve

I had indeed passed out for the entire time we were in the air. When we landed, I was amazed by the three-story, golden log cabin that we were brought to. Pine trees framed the lodge, with snow weighing down the branches and carefully piled on either side of the salted walkways. The windows were twice the height of me, arched and tinted so that the sun didn't bother the Moroi. The mountains were off in the distance behind the cabin mansion, with the lifts already running up and down the side of it. The other side had an ice rink and smaller hills for sledding on.

 The inside was bejeweled and sparkling with crystal lanterns that were shaped like torches. The ceiling was cathedral style, with white marble floors. There were chandeliers, plush carpets, animal firs, a huge fireplace with old Victorian looking red and gold furniture. There were feeders on hand, around the clock front desk, and guardians were standing at every corner, ensuring the safety of the students and the Moroi staff. It was everything a living vampire could want, operating at a nocturnal schedule and catering to their every need. 

Other arts and ornamental decorations were on the walls, side tables, and mantle. Vases of pale green and purple spotted orchids spiced up the scent of the air, not overpowering, but pleasant and peaceful. Thankfully, I'd gotten lucky and was able to share a room with Lissa and Rose. It was strange, not sharing a living space with Dimitri, but I figured this would be nice. We could have girl time for once, and it felt a little like Portland. We'd shared a room then, too, and we took care of each other. Before boys became a problem, and before my life had been turned upside down. 

The colors of the room were pretty much the same as the rest of the lodge, red, black, and gold. The carpet was plush and deep, and I laughed as Rose immediately kicked off her shoes and squished her toes into it, walking around like she was walking on a cloud. There were only two beds, but they were king sized with feather duvets and a ton of pillows, so I knew there would be plenty of room. The hardest decision I had to make now was which bed I was going to share with whom. Logically, I should choose to share with Lissa, if the two of them didn't share, but I ached to sleep beside Rose. Would it be like when I slept next to Dimitri? 

French doors opened out to a balcony with a two-person hot tub sat in the corner. We were up on the top floor, and it was freezing out, so while I'm sure not a lot of people would mind, I doubted I would be out there that much. The room also had a 60-inch plasma flat screen T.V with a sound bar and DVD player, the attached bathroom had top of the line appliances from the sparkling toilet to the giant mirror, the two person sink, and a jetted marble bathtub. I was scared to touch any of it...I'd never been in a place so luxurious. There was even a big gift basket on the end table full of chocolate. Not those little ones you sometimes found on pillows in a hotel...no, these were full sized candy and hot chocolate pouches with marshmallows and diabetes. 

We went skiing after that. Rose and Mason were up ahead, smoking us all, and I stayed back with Lissa and Christian, struggling as much as they were. I held onto Christian's arm, trying to stay upright, and causing him to wobble. He cursed me out, but he was laughing at the same time. Eventually, I slowly, got the hang of it. I refused to go down the big hill, perfectly happy on the baby ones. I was able to push all the bad crap out of my head and focus on having a good time. 

"You guys are suicidal," Christian called up to Rose and Mason, who were standing very close the entire time we were out there. It was dark out, but the tall light posts brought out his facial features perfectly, showing us all how winded he was. I was doing pretty good on stamina, just not skill, but because I refused to go down the big hill, Lissa and Christian waited with me for the other two to come down. 

They came down, alright, spraying us all with snow. I cursed at them, flipping them the bird as I jumped back and nearly fell on my ass if it weren't for Christian holding me up. "Nah," Mason said with a grin. "This is just the warmup! Rose has been keeping up with me this whole time. Kid stuff."