The weather was beginning to warm up. It still snowed, though not as intensely, and watching a light shower one morning, Yeva told the window, "Snow Queen, I've decided I don't care if someone sees your snow women. I don't even care if they see us together. I doubt anyone would be cruel to Rozie over such a thing, and if they are, they'll answer to me."
Yeva paused after making her announcement. Where the Snow Queen would usually answer back, the entire window fogged over.
She didn't reply.
"Are you alright?"
'Oh yes. I'm fine.' Her text melted in the window, visible for a short time, so she wrote it again. 'I'm fine.'
The Snow Queen began working outside with Yeva. Compacting the snow outside into a smaller version of herself, she held pieces in place as Yeva hammered her nails. Together, they smoothed the limbs of tables, chairs, and beds, and the Snow Queen spread like a wind over the pieces. She would draw patterns with her ice, and once pulling away the design, revealed where the flakes had nicked. Afterward, Yeva set them deep into the wood.
Sometimes Rozie would come home and catch the Snow Queen's effigy outside, who always turned to greet her. Rozie would face-plant into her skirts and leave a little girl-shaped indent in the snow. Yeva would keep working, as the two engaged in a one-sided snowball fight at Rozie's insistence.
Glancing over, Yeva witnessed Rozie bounce around the backyard, screaming and laughing beneath the Snow Queen's blizzard. She would gather snow and hold it above Rozie's head, while she ran away from the flakes accumulating on her shoulders.
The Snow Woman returned to work when it was time for Rozie to study.
Every Saturday morning, the Snow Woman would load the furniture, and disappear after Yeva and Rozie pulled into the street to head to town, where people talked.
Yeva allowed them to.
Under the gaze of the intact statue, they asked questions again—why had her furniture suddenly become more beautiful; why were the patterns so eerily symmetrical; did she have a machine to help her, or had she dedicated more time? To these inquiries, Yeva sometimes ended up telling the story of how she met the Snow Queen. Sometimes the simple answer was enough to send the people away.
Yeva didn't bother stopping Rozie from advertising the fact that the Snow Queen had helped her. The truth would sell all of her pieces in good or bad publicity, and Yeva and Rozie would go to the palace for dinner.
Sometimes there wasn't much to say, but after eating, Yeva would sit next to the Snow Queen as Rozie played in the throne room. Everything shared and events relayed, they occupied the same space, exchanging grins.
At one point, the Snow Queen reached out her hand, splendidly decorated in icy jewels for Yeva to hold. Under the protection of a kiss on the cheek, Yeva accepted it, blanketed in the Queen's avalanche of a touch without suffering frostbite.
The Snow Queen held her hand the way royalty might run their fingers over a trinket, golden, precious, and secret.
That night, after saying goodbye and seeing them home, she wrote in the window, 'I want to dance with you.'
Yeva, freshly ready for bed in her nightgown, saw the message in the window. Sitting upon her mattress before replying, she combed through her hair. "You could have told me when we were visiting. Were you feeling shy?"
'Certainly,' she wrote. 'It's easier to be honest about my desires through text. When you were here, I couldn't help but linger on your face, and whatever request I wanted to speak refused life outside my mind.'
"That's alright, Snow Queen. I only want to see you happy. However you need to express your desires is fine with me."
Yet again, the Snow Queen drew a heart in the bottom left corner, which Yeva traced before going to bed.
Their dancing began with the Snow Woman in the backyard. After finishing the day's work, the Snow Queen would hold out her arms and Yeva would fill them. Both ended up with one hand on the other's shoulder and one on her hip.
"I don't really know how to do this," Yeva admitted. "I used to watch my parents dance together sometimes, but neither of them taught me."
"No matter," The Snow Queen wove her voice into the wind. "I'm grateful to have you as a partner."
Awkwardly at first, they made their way around the yard, turning in what would eventually become smoother, more consistent circles. On a few occasions, Yeva accidentally stepped on the Queen's gown, which fortunately, was only snow. She apologized and both of them laughed, mirroring one another in the shaking of their shoulders. Likely, the Snow Queen laughed to herself in her throne room where she danced alone.
Yeva told her one night, "I want to dance with you at the palace."
To that, it took the Snow Queen a moment. 'I would enjoy that,' and continued. 'May I gift you a gown?'
"But Snow Queen—"
'Please, Yeva,' She wrote. 'I've pictured you countless times in a particular gown, and while you might prefer a suit, I would love to see you in a dress. If you only wear it that evening, I'll be overjoyed.'
"You'll be overjoyed? I thought you didn't feel anything, Snow Queen." She said this, crossing her arms and presenting her cheek, which the Queen might kiss or slap if they stood across from one another.
'I've been having more emotions lately,' She wrote, 'Emotions that you've made me feel.'
"Mostly good feelings, I hope."
'It's been terrible. I'm only happy when you're at the palace. Otherwise, I long for you to be here, or I impatiently wait for you to wake up.'
"I'm sorry, Snow Queen."
'As you should be. The least you could do after causing me such suffering is to visit in a gown, even only once.'
"If that's what it takes to redeem myself."
'Yes, you scoundrel.' The Snow Queen drew another heart. 'I'll send it to you before you visit this Saturday. You are coming, aren't you?'
"Of course, My Queen."
'Good. Now I order you to bed.'
"Yes, Madame." Yeva kissed the window. "Goodnight."
The window fogged before producing a kiss of its own—a plump imprint close to where Yeva left hers.
It took time, but after a few days, Yeva awoke Friday morning with a message on the window, telling her to look outside, where she found a brown paper package tied shut with bright string. Rozie was up when Yeva set it on the living room floor.
"What is it, Yeva?" she asked. If Rozie's eyes had the power to remove gift wrapping, the paper would have burst into a mess of confetti.
"I believe the Snow Queen has sent me a dress."
"Finally!" Rozie clenched her fists. "Well, what are you waiting for? Open it!"
Yeva patted her on the head before pulling her ear. "It's not very courtly to be so materialistic, Rozie."
"Okay, fine." Pouting, she said, "But please open it."
Yeva turned it over and tugged away the string, leaving the neatly folded corners. Placing her finger under one side and pulling it apart, she revealed tissue paper insides—crème with fine glitter. Tearing them gently, she revealed the fabric, tucked into the package like a sleeping kitten, as well as a card.
Yeva opened the envelope and read it before continuing.
"Dearest Yeva," She recited. "Thank you for allowing me to gift this to you. It's been a fantasy of mine to see you dressed this way, even before we started talking frequently. I wanted to make something like this for you while you were at the palace, but I'll be ecstatic to have you visit while dressed up. It's more climactic that way, wouldn't you agree?
"—Amicably, Your Snow Queen."
"Your Snow Queen?" Rozie let out a long 'oooooo,' little hands on her red cheeks.
"Rozie, please." Yeva peeled back more of the paper and revealed a bodice of gold sequins, as well as light translucent sleeves that would end at her wrists.
The sight of the gown stopped Rozie mid-song, (Yeva and the Snow Queen sitting in a tree—), having attracted every sprinkle of glitter in her snow globe eyes.
Taking the dress by the shoulders, Yeva caused something else to fall out—a necklace of gold, pearls, and small yellow gems.
"She shouldn't have," Yeva held it carefully, "This was really too kind of her."
"It's beautiful!" Rozie said. "You're going to be so pretty, Yeva."
"You think so?"
Rozie nodded while Yeva folded away her dress, placing the necklace upon its chest.
"Come on, before you're late for school."
Yeva spilled her thank you into the cool air around her workshed window. She told the Snow Queen that she didn't need to put so much into the gown—that all of it, from the perfect sequins around its neckline to its thick and flowing skirts were too much, but the Snow Queen replied, simply, 'No, Yeva. You're beautiful, and you deserve it.'
Then she built a snow woman and went to work.
"I'm looking forward to tomorrow, Snow Queen."
The Snow Queen's double touched her on the cheek with careful fingers, and that day passed as though she had snapped them. It wasn't long until Yeva was sitting on her bedspread, dressed in her golden gown with an unopened bag of makeup on her lap, lip color, bronze eyeshadow and new rouge that didn't happen to come with a mirror. Using her mother's old compact, she switched frequently between her reflection and the brown paper bag.
Even through her skirts and the bag's barrier, Yeva could make out where the lipstick ended and the eyeshadow began.
Just then, Rozie knocked on the door, peeking her head in.
"Yeva, are you ready?"
Rozie too, had dressed in her gown. Lopsided tiara on her head, she half-stepped in, adjusting it.
"Maybe just ten more minutes."
Rozie smiled, "You look really pretty."
"You do too."
Rozie batted her eyelashes and ran away, laughter echoing in the main room. Yeva looked again into the compact mirror, opened the bag and took twenty minutes.
She and Rozie wandered into the snow, dressed fabulously in ball gowns obscured by winter coats. As though divided into day and night wear, they walked amongst the setting sun and rising moon to find the Snow Queen waiting for them at the edge of town. She appeared as a vision in white in her plush riding coat.
Coming upon her, Yeva paused, as did she. Their gazes bled like glaciers melting into the same ocean.
The Snow Queen touched her coat where her frozen heart would lie underneath. She took in Yeva's new rouge, and her dark lashes, and the bronze sprinkled around her honey eyes. Normally statuesque, Yeva witnessed her breathe as she said, "It feels as though it's been such a long time. You look beautiful, Yeva."
"Thank you, Snow Queen. You do too."
"How kind of you," she moved her arm to open the carriage door. "Well, come along. I'm anxious to show you the palace. The ballerinas will dance with us, and I've created servants to play music."
Yeva and Rozie boarded, and soon after, arrived to the palace which bustled with activity. Two ballerinas stood waiting outside for them, and once the Snow Queen opened the doors, various dancing figures came into view, elegant noblemen and noblewomen made of snow. Like the ballerina of an expensive music box, they moved in predetermined patterns, rotating mechanically in consideration to one another. They never collided, working in perfect time, like the gears of a clock.
"Wooooooooow," said Rozie as the Snow Queen leaned down to kiss Yeva's cheek. In surprise, she turned too far and the Queen caught the edge of her mouth.
"I'm sorry to surprise you."
"That's alright—"
"Me next!" Rozie ran forward and leapt into the Snow Queen's arms, causing her to laugh in kissing both her cheeks. Her tiara had fallen into the snow, which the Queen picked up and set back onto her head.
"Shall we go inside? I didn't have my ballerinas prepare dinner, but I've set out refreshments. You're both welcome to eat or dance whenever you like."
"Thank you, Snow Queen!" Rozie shouted and received another kiss.
"Yes, thank you, Snow Queen. We've both been looking forward to this."
"You say it as though I haven't been too. Come. Let's begin."
Once inside, the Snow Queen set Rozie down and allowed her to run to the corner where Dr. Spots and Lady Felicity danced together. As she embraced them, both she and Yeva turned to one another for a speechless moment.
The Snow Queen went first. "You really do look lovely, Yeva. I wanted to tell you that you didn't need to wear makeup, but I admit that I didn't bother stopping you. You're plenty beautiful without it, but the colors you chose suit you."
"I didn't know what I was doing. I don't wear makeup often, but it felt…necessary. Did it turn out well enough?"
"Of course. Though I have to admit, I'm of a very biased opinion. You could come here painted like a circus clown and I would be elated, but I know you have much better taste. You're quite an artist."
Yeva didn't need any rouge. "You flatter me, Snow Queen."
"Perhaps. I only hope you don't mind." She held out her hand. "May I take your coat? I'd like to start dancing with you, unless you would prefer to eat."
"No," Yeva removed it, exposing the upper half of her gown. "I'd like to dance too."
Accepting the coat, the Snow Queen said, "You remind me of a drop of sunshine. You could light this entire palace," and before Yeva could witness the fogged mirror of her face, the Snow Queen turned away, erecting a coat rack of ice.
When she returned, still clouded over, Yeva offered her hand. Accepting it, both took to the floor while the other dancers waltzed to the sidelines, allowing the Snow Queen and Yeva nearly the entire throne room of space. The musicians in the corner with their frozen instruments stopped to begin a new song—a slow dance meant for a Queen.
Both tried to set their arms, but the Snow Queen's hand covered Yeva's entire shoulder, and Yeva could hardly reach hers.
"Well, this isn't exactly what we've practiced, is it? Wait a moment—" The Snow Queen stepped back, and drawing up a blizzard around her, shrank. The storm compressed her, like pulling tight the ribbons of a corset. Instead of compact snow, she looked like a woman cut from ice, and Yeva was able to look directly into her nearly blue eyes. They appeared frozen over, the backing of a mirror.
When the Snow Queen touched her, Yeva didn't feel any colder, though her breath escaped in clouds of steam.
Over the music, Rozie said, "Wooooooooooow."
Laughing, they began.
The Snow Queen moved stiffly at first, as though her joints had frozen. As a result, Yeva made a few missteps, feet contacting the hard edges of the queen's gown. Crashing into one another, they laughed. The steps grew easier with each moment, as the Snow Queen's stiff limbs loosened, and as Yeva recalled each step.
There were moments where both tripped. Twirling around the throne room, Yeva caught the skirts of her gown beneath one of her shoes, and the Snow Queen—unadjusted to her new percentage of ice, missed a count, but they grinned, watching their feet as their faces clouded.
They danced until the outside grew dark, when the chandeliers and lights resembled stars and planets, but it was when Rozie yawned that the three prepared to leave.
As usual, the Snow Queen took her guests home, returning to her normal size, and summoning her carriage. In a comfortable silence, she commanded her wolves as Rozie slept within Yeva's arms. Her quiet snoring prompted the Queen to glance back, grin, then focus on the path.
That time, closer to midnight, the carriage stopped in their backyard in a peaceful flurry the Snow Queen had brought with her. It rained over them like falling powdered sugar, sticking to their coats as both searched for words like lost house keys.
Yeva found hers first. "Thank you again, Snow Queen."
"Of course, Yeva. Thank you."
As usual, the Snow Queen kissed her goodbye, this time on the forehead, but lingered a moment. In that brief span of time, Yeva kissed her back, catching her chin on the left side, just under the lips. Gracing her, Yeva shivered but chuckled.
"I'll talk to you tomorrow, Snow Queen."
"Yes," she answered. "I'll talk to you tomorrow."
Carrying Rozie inside, Yeva left her in the backyard, where she stood for a time. Fogging over, she finally went back.
The Queen wouldn't notice until approaching her mirror, but the diamond within her crown had cracked.