Burning Snow

Wynter sat in her rooms, bored out of her mind. Her father had returned from his infamous trip around the globe a week before, and she had nothing to do but sit around. She was usually allowed to leave whenever she wanted, yet this year her father demanded she stay home until Christmas, not letting her leave until the New Year. She had to endure for just one more day. 

A storm raged outside her window, carpeting the ground in sparkling snow. Winds gusted the snow back into the air, making her the clear glass as white as quartz. Wynter glanced at the book on her lap, but she had no interest in reading it, she already had, multiple times. She sighed, putting the book back onto the shelf, standing. She smoothed her white skirts, and threw on a black fur jacket. Striding down the stairs, to the bottom level of her suite, she slipped on gloves as well. No matter what her father said about their home being heated at all times, set at a comfortable temperature, it was cold down there. Wynter could go outside in the winter, and warm herself up, but in her home, her father had requested she not do that as it was 'abnormal'. Yet he was able to travel around the globe in a night with nothing but a small sleigh and some reindeer, and that wasn't abnormal? Shaking her head, Wynter stepped into the elevator in the middle of her rooms, traveling smoothly downward. The doors slid open when she arrived at the bottom floor, and stepping onto the carpet she heard her father's voice echoing. 

"Thank you all so much for coming on this stormy night, despite the harsh weather. We are overjoyed to see such a wonderful outcome. Now, as much as I would love to greet all of you myself, I must make sure everything's in order for the elf's party. Never fear, my son and daughter will happily greet you all." 

Music started up as Wynter stepped into the ballroom, the source of the noise. Nobles of the Myth Empire occupied the ballroom, some dancing, others mingling. Wynter spotted her sister, Holly, dressed for the occasion. She wore a snow white skirt, hanging down to her knees, dusted red at the bottom. She had a red coat with white fur lining the outsides, the female version of what people depicted their father. Her dark brown hair was left cascading down to her mid-back, pieces of holly decorating it. Holly wore a fortune worth of jewelry, emeralds sparkling in the light, accenting her green eyes. Holly glanced to the side, making eye contact with Wynter, and sighed. She glided over, taking in Wynter's casual attire. Her white skirts were split down the middle, facilitating moving, with black leggings underneath. Wynter's black fur coat was wrapped around herself, with matching black gloves. Aquamarine hung from her ears, and a silver necklace held one aquamarine gem, matching her cold blue eyes. Her black hair hung just past her shoulders, fading to an untasteful silver.  

"What are you wearing?" Holly hissed, glaring at Wynter from the corner of her eye. 

"Clothes?" Wynter retorted. 

"To a ball? What were you thinking?" Holly murmured. 

"It's not my fault! How was I supposed to know all these people were coming?" Wynter muttered. 

"Didn't Father tell you? We've been planning this for weeks!" Holly groaned. 

"This is the first I've heard of it. Anyways I just got back a couple days ago!"  

Holly sighed again, then left to go talk to her perfect friends, a smile returning to her face. Wynter rolled her eyes, and turned to leave, but was stopped by a man walking up from behind her. 

"Can I help you?" She asked, confused by his silence. 

"Yeah, I was just wondering if you could introduce me to Holly Kringle? I saw you two talking and assumed you know her." He replied. 

"Sure. Don't know why you'd want to meet her though. What's your name?" She said. 

"Jorden. You don't like the princess? I've only heard glowing remarks about her." 

"I hate her. She's too perfect. Anyways, quick question. Are you knew around here? It's a rarity to see hair that white, most prefer darker shades. White is too similar to the Frosts." 

Jorden winced at the mention of the Frosts, glancing around wildly. His reaction was a tad extreme, but that name made everybody uncomfortable. So, of course, Wynter took every chance she could to mention them with all these stuck-up nobles.  

"You shouldn't talk about them that casually. You have no idea how dangerous those people are." He hissed. 

"Sure, sure. Did you know there's kids movies for both of them? I'm sure those poor children are only singing 'Let it Go' nonstop out of pure terror." 

Jorden sighed, and Wynter stifled a snort. They had reached Holly, and of course Jorden was checking his reflection in a mirror, running a hand through his white hair. Holly glanced at them, her eyebrows climbing up her forehead at the sight of Jorden's hair. She quickly composed herself as Wynter made hasty introductions, before hurrying herself away. Jorden showered Holly in compliments, his voice following her out of the room. She stormed onto the elevator, suddenly angry. She glared at her reflection in the glass, and started. Her black hair had flickered to a deep maroon, yet the silver had stayed the same. The elevator ride seemed to take forever, and she sat there, her anger brewing, until finally, the elevator chimed, doors opening. She briskly walked to the closest wall, where a sliding glass wall was built. There was a lock installed on the door to stop her from opening it in the winter, but that melted away, the fire in her chest keeping her warm. The glass slid to the side without Wynter touching it, opening herself up to the elements, and the long drop to the ground below. There was no ledge on the other side, and the space between Wynter and the wall was small, until it was nothing at all.

Wynter kept walking.