France, Orléans. Katarina Moon stood in her art room, the faint aroma of oil paint lingering in the air as her brush made the final strokes on a canvas. The painting before her depicted the Aurora Borealis in breathtaking detail, each hue blending seamlessly into the next. She stepped back, tilting her head as she admired her work.
The morning sun peeked through her closed curtains, and with a sigh, she set down her brush and crossed the room. Pulling the curtains apart, the sunlight bathed her pale skin, warming her petite yet athletic frame. Her round eyes, reminiscent of a cub's curiosity, scanned the quiet streets below. A small mole beneath her lips caught the light as she pressed her lips together thoughtfully.
At 20 years old, Katarina had developed a routine during her summer breaks. She would spend hours, sometimes days, holed up in her art room. Often, she lost track of time, unaware of whether the sun had risen or set.
In the corner of the room stood a human-sized painting of a white tiger's face, its eyes piercing and lifelike. This painting, like many others she had created, came from her dreams. Since she was five, her dreams had been filled with vivid, recurring images: a blurry-faced woman, a serene garden near a fountain, a majestic white tiger, and the northern lights. These images would visit her once or twice a month, growing more detailed as she aged.
Katarina had no explanation for the dreams, though she had her theories. Perhaps, she thought, they were glimpses of her past life. But why only these particular scenes? And why did they feel so significant?
A knock at the door interrupted her thoughts.
"Good morning, my little artist," said her mother, Silvia Moon, as she entered the room. Silvia possessed the elegance of a model, her youthful appearance often drawing disbelief from those who learned her age. She kissed Katarina's cheek, her warm presence filling the room.
"Good morning, Mama," Katarina replied, embracing her mother tightly. It wasn't often Silvia stayed at home, her business ventures frequently keeping her away. But Katarina knew why her mother was here today.
"Did you sleep well?" Silvia asked, her tone gentle.
Katarina shook her head, her eyes shutting briefly. "I couldn't sleep."
Silvia's gaze drifted to the newly completed painting. It was a familiar sight—one of many duplicates of the same recurring imagery. "You're still dreaming about those scenes, aren't you?"
Katarina sighed, stepping back from the embrace. "I don't know if they're nightmares or something else. The images are warm, but they're... unsettling. I can't figure out why I keep seeing them."
"You don't dream about anything else?"
Katarina shook her head again. "No, Mama. It's always the same: the young lady in white dress, the garden by the fountain, the tiger, and the northern lights."
Silvia folded her arms, a thoughtful expression crossing her face. "It's strange, I'll admit. Maybe those images are from a time before this life."
"My past life?" Katarina asked, her round eyes widening slightly.
Silvia nodded. "It's possible. The way the dreams repeat, it feels like they're fragments of something deeply ingrained in your soul. Maybe you don't see much because it was your first life. And now, in this life as my daughter, you're beginning to piece it together."
Katarina considered her mother's words, nodding lightly. "That could be true. Do you think I might've been the tiger? I rarely see its face. Most of the time, I dream from its perspective—its paws walking forward, its view of the earth, and the blurry face of the woman."
Silvia smiled at the idea. "That could be it. It's remarkable, really. If these are memories of a past life, they must've been special for them to linger so strongly in your dreams. I'm glad, though, that you weren't alone in that life. Unlike now," she added with a hint of concern, "you don't seem to have many friends."
Katarina chuckled softly, shaking her head. "I did have one friend in high school. But she went back to Sierra-Madre for college—she's studying at grandmother's university now."
"Oh? And why didn't you make any new friends after she left?" Silvia asked curiously.
"I don't feel like it," Katarina admitted. "Most of the kids at school are into partying and trouble. There are a few responsible ones, but I prefer being alone. It's... better that way."
Silvia nodded, though a flicker of worry crossed her face. "I see. But why didn't you tell me about this friend before?"
A faint smile tugged at Katarina's lips. "I didn't want to introduce her as just a friend."
Silvia's eyebrows shot up in surprise. "Oh, dear. My daughter has finally come out of the closet."
The two shared a laugh, the tension in the room lifting.
Katarina glanced at the white tiger painting in the corner, her expression softening. "Do you think it's possible to find answers, Mama? About these dreams?"
"I don't know, my love," Silvia replied. "But if anyone can figure it out, it's you. Trust your instincts—they've already guided you this far."
Katarina nodded, a spark of determination lighting her eyes. "Maybe I'll find the answers in my art. Or maybe... I'll find them in the future. Who knows?"
As the morning sun climbed higher, the two women stood side by side, their shared laughter and love filling the room. And though Katarina's dreams remained a mystery, she felt a little closer to understanding them, knowing she wasn't facing them alone.
"Are you with Nivada?" Katarina asked with a teasing smile as she leaned against the doorway to her mother's study.
Silvia glanced up from her laptop, her eyes lighting up. "Yes, honey. She's in the kitchen making breakfast."
Katarina grinned at the mention of her mother's fiancée. "And what does Nivada want to talk about this morning?"
"She wants to discuss something with her daughter," Silvia replied, closing her laptop.
"Her daughter?" Katarina tilted her head, intrigued.
Silvia nodded. "Not yet here, but she'll arrive in three days. For now, Nivada thought it'd be good for you to learn more about her, so you'll know what to expect."
Katarina raised a skeptical brow. "Why? Is she a troublemaker?"
"Well…" Silvia hesitated. "You could say that. But she's also respectful and kind—at least, that's how she's treated me. I've met her many times back in Sierra-Madre. She's accepted me wholeheartedly as her mother's partner."
"That's good," Katarina mused, though her tone carried a hint of doubt. "She might be polite to you, but that doesn't mean she'll treat me the same. What if she hates me?"
Silvia reached out and pinched Katarina's cheeks gently. "Why would she hate you? This face of yours is a charmer. You'll melt her heart in no time, baby tiger."
Katarina pulled away with a mock frown. "Who are you calling a tiger? We're not even sure about my dreams."
Silvia chuckled. "Dreams or not, you're still my tiger. Now, let's head down. Nivada's waiting for us, and we shouldn't keep her."
Downstairs, Nivada was talking on the phone when Katarina and Silvia entered the dining room. She was strikingly beautiful, with a confident air about her. Her charm was undeniable, making it easy to see why Silvia had fallen for her.
"Okay, take care," Nivada said before hanging up. Her face lit up when she saw Katarina. "Good morning, adorable."
"Good morning, Nivada," Katarina replied, flashing her dimpled smile.
"Where's my morning kiss?" Nivada teased, leaning down slightly.
Katarina laughed and kissed her cheek. "There you go. Happy?"
"Very," Nivada pats the kid's head affectionately. "You're too cute to resist. Now, let's eat before the food gets cold."
The three sat down to a hearty breakfast. As they ate, Silvia brought up their plans for the coming weeks.
"We won't be staying long," Silvia began. "We need to finalize your transfer papers for the university."
"I can handle that myself," Katarina said, a note of concern in her voice. "Aren't you and Nivada busy?"
"We are," Silvia admitted. "I have a meeting in Sierra-Madre, but I'll drop off your files first. Your grandmother already knows about your transfer to Levesque University."
"Okay, thank you," Katarina said with a small smile.
Nivada turned to Katarina. "So, where do you want to go before moving to Sierra-Madre? Any last destinations in mind?"
Katarina glanced between her mother and Nivada before answering. "I'd like to visit Iceland." She paused, and a silence settled over the table. "Is that okay?"
Silvia exchanged a knowing look with Nivada. She understood why her daughter wanted to visit Iceland—it was a place of beauty and wonder, much like the images that appeared in Katarina's dreams.
"Of course," Silvia said gently. "But I'll need to send someone to watch over you. I can't let you go alone."
"That's fine," Katarina agreed. She turned to Nivada. "What do you think? Are you okay with it?"
Nivada shrugged, smiling. "You already have permission, so I don't see why not. Besides," she added, "my daughter is heading there too."
Katarina's eyes widened in surprise. "Really?"
"Yes," Nivada said with a nod. "She just called to let me know she's going to see the Northern Lights before meeting us. Iceland is small—you two might even cross paths."
"That's… unexpected," Katarina said, her amazement clear.
Nivada chuckled. "It is, but it makes sense. My daughter is fascinated by the universe and the mysteries of life, much like you. I think you'll get along well."
Katarina couldn't help but smile at the thought. Having something in common with her stepsister gave her hope that they might form a bond. "Can I see a picture of her?"
Nivada pulled out her phone and scrolled through her gallery before showing Katarina a photo. The girl was stunning, her sharp features softened by a radiant smile.
Katarina stared at the screen, a crescent smile forming on her lips. "She's beautiful," she murmured. "Now I'm excited to meet her. I hope she'll recognize me."
Silvia laughed softly. "Why wouldn't she? You're unforgettable, my tiger."
Nivada added, "I'd give you her number, but she mentioned she'll have her phone off while traveling. She doesn't like distractions."
"That's fair," Katarina said thoughtfully. "I respect that."
After a moment, she looked back at Nivada. "What's her name again? I don't think you've mentioned it."
Nivada blinked, then laughed. "You're right. I haven't. Her name is Sharon Morningstar—your future step-sister."
Later that day, as Katarina prepared her art supplies for her upcoming trip, her mind kept drifting back to Sharon. She wondered what kind of person her soon-to-be step-sister was. Would they truly get along? Or would Sharon see her as nothing more than an outsider?
Still, the idea of meeting someone who shared her curiosity about the universe filled her with a sense of anticipation. And as she packed her sketchbooks and paints, Katarina couldn't help but feel that this trip to Iceland might be the start of something extraordinary.