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After we ran the perimeter we would bathe, heading down to the library. Zev would join us later where we would either eat a meal together or a snack as we researched. A few times it almost felt like we were complete. Between the four of us, we went through a lot of the spells, and each time that we didn’t find anything promising, you could see all of us get more and more frustrated. We only had a handful left to go through, but nothing was standing out.
Zev had started to go through old text again, hoping to find something. He also went back through our logs to see if he could find anything more about Thane. He was fixated on the guy, but since nothing was really moving forward, I didn’t see the harm in letting him search for information about him. We needed to make sure we left no rock unturned.
Since Yuletide was around the corner, Katarina had taken to making wreaths out of pines, some of the evergreens in the area, along with pinecones and cinnamon when we went back up to our rooms.
Lucien and I would help her hang them in different areas until the night before Yuletide when most of the library and our rooms looked very festive. We agreed to give ourselves the day to celebrate, enjoying the small celebration to reset.
When we woke up on Yuletide, flurries were starting to fall; it felt like it might be a big storm too. It was the latest snowfall we had ever had before. This worried me that a very brutal winter was coming. Katarina spent most of the day before and the day of Yuletide prepping, cooking and baking. So, as soon as we finished our run, we walked into the smell of cinnamon and oranges along with something savory. My stomach growled at the mouth watering scents, and I couldn’t wait for our meal together.
Lucien and I took separate baths to ensure we didn’t fool around. During Yuletide, we always wore our best, but it seemed I was starting to wear the same things for every celebration. I grabbed my black trousers with a green button-down that seemed festive enough, combing my hair back to look more presentable. It wasn’t much but it would have to do.
I exited my room when I noticed Zev exiting his room too. Today we all woke from the curse early, and it seemed it had allowed him to get up early too.
“Blessed Yule,” he said, nodding at me.
“Blessed Yule,” I responded.
Our relationship had been strained since he had lashed out last time. It also didn’t go unnoticed that Katarina had given him the cold shoulder after we had chased her. She hadn’t said it out loud, but she kept her distance from him. That didn’t stop him from looking at her with longing. I knew why she had kept her distance, even though I was tired of both of their constant back and forth.
“Dammit A, I tore my shirt.” Lucien came out of his room to see us both standing there.
The seam on the side was ripped and I couldn’t help the chuckle that escaped my lips.
“I have an extra green shirt, or I might have a maroon one,” Zev spoke up. “Blessed Yule.”
“Uh, sure, it’s either that, or I wear my gray shirt.” Lucien stalked to Zev’s room. “I know Katarina is going to look beautiful, and I don’t want to look underdressed. Blessed Yule to you too.”
I didn’t know if I should follow or not, but I decided I wanted to see inside the room because I knew he had been carving a few things.
Lucien was changing his shirt when I walked in. Even though he was naked most of the time, I appreciated his sculpted chest with that delicious V that showed me exactly where to go.
“This will work, thank you,” he said, looking at Zev.
He buttoned up his shirt letting me appreciate the room instead of his body. Zev looked like he had replaced most of the furniture that he had destroyed a few months ago. It wasn’t as ornate as the ones before, but they were still beautiful.
“It needs more work, but I wanted something in the room.” His deep voice was somber.
“It looks good, Z,” I said, seeing he had also made nightstands that matched and he had a chair with an ottoman next to the enormous windows. The snow was falling in thick flakes and in no time the floor would be covered. I’m pretty sure Katarina had said she liked the chair, and that it was very comfortable. Had he done this for Katarina? The entire room was cozy, inviting, and Katarina would definitely like it.
“Ok, I’m ready,” Lucien said, running his hand through his hair, messing up what he had fixed earlier.
“Let’s go,” I said, walking out of the room.
We walked down the stairs and saw Mr. Potter on the landing. He beamed at us. Seeing us together always made Mr. Potter happy.
“And there she is,” Mr. Potter whispered.
We all turned around, seeing Katarina coming out of her room. She hadn’t seen us yet; we were all able to look at her freely as she smoothed her gold dress into place. It was close to her body, dipping low in the front, flaring out slightly at the skirt with a huge slit in the dress showing her throwing knives strapped to her leg.
I liked that she never went anywhere without them. She turned around to her door, like she was going to go back inside, showing us her bare back. The skirt of her dress started right above her perky ass.
“Seriously,” Zev whispered, frustrated, almost making me feel bad for him.
Changing her mind, Katarina turned around and walked to the stairs saying something to herself. Nervous energy filtered throughout our bond, amusing me. What was she nervous about? When she looked down at us, her cheeks flushed a gorgeous red. She slowly made her way down the stairs; appreciation shone in her amethyst eyes as she took us all in.
“Blessed Yule,” she said, with a hesitant smile.
Her lips were a gorgeous shade of red that went with the black around her eyes, making them look even more vibrant.
