The closet was already shaking. Snow White was using her magic.
“The character known as the Wicked Stepmother wasn’t my stepmother,” Snow White said and pushed the door open to another dimension. “She was my m—“
22
Angel & Carmilla
“—oooooooom.” Snow White screamed, falling from the sky.
Loki’s heart darted up into his throat. He flung his hands out, trying to hold onto anything that might slow their sudden decent. He knew that the closet was some kind of portal that would lead them to a new time and place, but he didn’t expect to be falling from the sky when she opened it. He tried to grasp at the branches but leaves tore off in his grip as he hurled to the ground. His weight caused his body to sink deep in the snow. Stretching his neck out so he could breathe, he sucked the cold air into his lungs.
“I’d rather fall in love than fall like that,” he mumbled, sitting up straight. As soon as the words left his mouth, Snow White landed in his lap, knocking him down, flat on his back again. Their arms and legs tangled, and Loki coughed strings of her hair out of his mouth.
“Does it have to be hair in my mouth?” he complained, trying to wriggle free from under her. “Lips would be just fine.”
“Ouch!” Snow white whined, laying on top of him and staring at his face. “Couldn’t you just move? This isn’t the closet anymore, you know.”
“Sorry I didn’t bring my parachute, Miss I-control-my-dreams,” Loki said, leaning up on one elbow while she regained her breath from the fall. “Actually, you’re the one who should move; I‘d like to breathe if you don’t mind,” his forehead banged into hers accidentally. Their cold noses touched slightly, infusing an electric feeling into his body. His lips felt dry so he licked them spontaneously.
“Not in your wildest dreams,” Snow White banged his head with her forehead, knocking him back. Loki saw the blue sky behind the tree branches of yellow and brown leaves over Snow White’s shoulder. It was autumn wherever she had teleported them.
“Oh. Come on,” Loki said. She had a strong forehead, and he wondered if it represented her stubbornness. He also wished the bump had brought his memories back like it did in movies sometimes. “As if I really want to kiss a vampire in a dream; I was just trying to stand up and lick my dry lips.”
Snow White snarled at him, showing off her fangs. It was a much friendlier way than when she did it in the castle, the way friends boo at their annoying friends. She was just messing with him, and she probably didn’t know she looked adorable.
“I’m only scared of frogs,” Loki wanted to stick out his brave tongue but he worried it was going to get frost bitten in the cold.
Snow White laughed, puffing cold vapor onto his eyes. “Too bad I didn’t take pictures of you in the waking world,” she teased him. “You were as scared as a little puppy, holding your stake in your trembling hand as if it were your magic wand. I could’ve posted those pictures on the internet.”
Loki imitated her laugh, mocking her like a mirror, mirror on the wall.
“Besides, I had no choice but fall on you,” Snow White stood up, hands on her waist.
“Really? Why do I have the feeling you did it on purpose, trying to take advantage of a lonesome boy in a dream? “
“You have no idea how many boys in my father’s kingdom dreamed of marrying me.”
“Seriously? Did you just say that?”
“If you can’t stand me, then why are you even here? Why haven’t you killed me yet?” Snow White said. “You’re dying to know about me so don’t make fun of me. I’m not like any other girl you ever met. You do like me whether you want to admit it or not!”
“I should’ve just killed you,” he said as he wiped the snow off his clothes.
“So why didn’t you?” she stood on her tiptoes so she could meet him eye to eye, clenching her fists.
Loki had to admit she was a much better version of the Snow White in the fairy tales, the giddy, helpless, and na?ve girl. This one was kind of kickass. He liked that, even if she was a bit bratty sometimes.
“Why do you care so much about me then? Huh?” she said.
“You were the one who asked me to save you,” Loki tilted his neck since she was unapologetically pushing hers forward. One more exchange between the two of them and he imagined she’d be sticking her forefinger up his nose.
“So what?” she squinted. “Why don’t you just go to the nearest closet and leave me alone? I will make sure you’ll wake up in the Ordinary World again, the same pathetic, aimless boy who’s always whining about going back to Heaven, and refusing to enjoy life without questioning the universe.”
“How do you know so much about me?” Loki swallowed hard, wanting her to back off since he couldn’t really resist her red juicy lips.