The holidays gave Sera a perfect excuse to shop and decorate. Not that she really needed one, but she still used it as justification. So she had been out for hours, getting new Christmas decorations for the house. A little bit of everything. But nothing bright and gaudy. Nope. Not in her house.

She started in the entryway. Adding garland to the staircase, with soft lights and gold and silver ribbons. Ok, maybe she was a bit partial to those colors. But could you blame her? They looked stunning on her, surely, they’d look great in the house!

The more she decorated, the more the urge to hum, and then sing came over her. Her angelic voice carrying through the house. It was almost as if she didn’t notice it as she set to decorate the living room.

Pillows were changed out for festive ones. Some with green and red, some with trees on them even one with a reindeer on it.

As garland was placed on the fireplace mantle, it hit her. Stopping, she steps back to look around the room.

A small smile appears on her lips as she turns. If someone had told her a year ago that she would feel this much happiness and love, she would have laughed at them. Happiness had always seemed out of her grasp. Love was a foreign word used in the past to hurt her, a weapon, one that cut to her very core.

But now? It was something she never wanted to end. A feeling of belonging, feeling whole and like things made sense. Well, as much as they could, the life they leaded was far from understandable. But with him? It was easier. It was perfect.

Though the fear was still there. Like a dark cloud, always lurking, threatening to take it all away. Would he still love her once he saw her past? Saw what she hid so well for many years? Once it was revealed how imperfect she was, how damaged she was, would he still want her?

The thought sent a shiver down her spine, as she hugged herself. Those fears kept her delaying letting him into her Dreams.

No one had seen her less then perfect. No one could. Less then perfect was worthless. Her Keepers words echoing in her head.

Broken. Useless. Worthless. Unlovable. Ugly.

Everything about her altered and changed to please her Keeper. Body molded and sculpted, eyes brightened and jeweled, skin peeled and ripped away to be replaced with golden scales. The process painful and unforgettable. But the product was a beautiful creature to place in a gilded cage, to perform at his will.

She shakes her head, trying to push the voice and memories from her mind. That was behind her. Ahead of her was where she needed to focus. Focus on the one who made her trust and love again.

Shaky hands begin the decorating process again. It needed to be perfect.