Shadows on Snow: A Flipped Fairy Tale (Flipped Fairy Tales) (10 page)

He lapsed into silence, turning the spit once more.

His obvious confusion wasn’t unexpected. Even more, I didn’t know if my words would help him gain a better understanding of it all. I stood and stretched, working out the stiffness in my muscles. Taking a deep breath, I began in earnest.

“He married my mother when I was five years old,” I said. “Four years later, she was dead, and my sisters and I were blamed for it. Specifically, the magic we possess was cited as the cause. He accused my eldest sister, Adelaide, of slowly poisoning our mother over time, so she could take the throne before my mother could bear a male heir to our stepfather. Most of the blame was on her, though we were all charged as co-conspirators. We fled with help from our aunt and uncle, and they were hung for treason because of it. Anywhere we went, he tracked us, killing anyone who dared to offer us shelter. We tired of seeing our friends and relatives slaughtered, and so we retreated from civilization. It took a while, but we found a home eventually.”

“Then why did you leave?” he asked. “If you were safe, why not stay hidden?”

I lowered myself to sit before the fire, staring into the flames. “Because of what I do, the glamour, it was my job to go into town when we needed things we couldn’t provide for ourselves. A year ago, I was out for supplies…” I swallowed, pushing past the memory of the place I’d earned the money for those supplies. “I overheard talk of him and how much worse things seemed since his wedding to your mother. I discussed it with my sisters when I returned home, and Delphine read the ashes and saw there was evil afoot. I was sent to watch what happened, to thwart his plans if I could. But… she was already ill when I arrived. I was unable to find the cause of the poisoning until it was too late.”

“That was why you were at the masked ball, wasn’t it?”

I nodded. “That was the night I finally found the flowers he was using to make her sick. I was leaving when you caught me.”

He chuckled softly. “That explains your advice in the stables then, as well as your refusal when I offered you a job.”

My face heated. “Anonymity is a requirement when you’re a spy, Highness.”

“Then it was probably best you chose not to wear a dress but that one time,” he said. “I’m fairly certain you were all anyone spoke of for a week following that.”

Irritated again, I stood and began packing up our things. “There are more important things in life than making an impression at a party. It was nice to eat my fill for once, but I’d just as soon forget the whole incident.”

Hearing him walk up behind me, I spun, instantly on the defensive. The prince held out a large piece of bark that served as a plate for half of the cooked rabbit. I relaxed a little and took the offering, stepping away from him.

He gave me a kind smile, then turned back to the fire to put it out. “Well, I do hope the entire evening wasn’t unbearable,” he said quietly.

I winced, knowing he referred to our shared dance. Still, I wouldn’t encourage him to pursue whatever notions he harbored about it. Food in one hand, I shouldered my pack. “We can eat as we walk. If we hurry, we might make it to the cabin before nightfall.”

Walking slowly, so as not to lose him, I headed south again. If he had more questions, hopefully he would save them for my sisters.

My feet ached from two days of walking, but not any more than they did while working at the palace. Still, it was a relief when the first unsettling feelings came over me.

We were close.

I headed in the direction my body insisted I not go, and within a few feet, the prince laid a hand on my arm.

“Wait,” he said. “Are you certain this is the right way?”

“Yes, why?”

He frowned, but shook it off.

Twenty steps more and he stopped me again. “I think perhaps it best we go back. This path sits ill with me.”

I smiled reassuringly. “That’s how I know we’re going the right way. You’re feeling the effects of Farah’s wards. The closer we get, the more wrong you’ll feel about it. I should warn you, however, you’d be hard-pressed to find stronger wards than these. My sister is very skilled with them, and more than one man has run from this place screaming. It’ll take all your wits and courage to break through.”

“And you’re absolutely certain of this?”

I nodded slowly. “Do you trust me, Highness?”

He paused, his eyes catching mine in a brief moment of uncertainty. “As you’ve saved my life once already, there’s little reason not to.”

Turning back in the direction of the repulsion, I set my shoulders. “Then you must trust me now. Steel yourself, Sire. This won’t be pleasant.”

One foot in front of the other, we continued on. Before long, I heard his heavy breaths and every movement as he jerked at the slightest sound in the forest. Gritting my teeth at the nauseating fear, I kept going.

“I… I can’t go there,” he said, stopping. “Death awaits in that place.”

Forcing my own calm, I turned to him. “We must go, Your Highness.”

His pinched his eyes closed and sweat glinted on his brow in the dim moonlight. Lingering here would only make it worse.

Before he could bolt, I reached out and took his hand. I sucked in a sharp breath as the tingling warmth cascaded over me, driving out the icy fear. The prince’s shoulders instantly relaxed, mirroring my own feelings. Too exhausted and anxious to give it more thought, I squeezed his hand tightly and met his gaze.

“Run until we’re through it. Don’t stop for anything.”

Stunned, he nodded.

“On my count of three.” I turned, still holding his hand.

“One.” I took a deep breath.

“Two.” I braced, knees bent to propel me in a sprint.

“Three!”

We darted forward, running in tandem as we pushed through the certainty of our own deaths, the crippling fear and doubt, and the overbearing weight of the entire world working against us. All of this, we beat back and kept going forward.

It vanished the moment we broke through the ward, and he fell to his knees as I doubled over, gasping, beside him.

“It seems Farah’s reinforced that some since last I was here,” I said when I could speak again. “The urge to throw myself on a sword is a new touch.”

“Do this a lot, hmm?” he said, breathy.

I grimaced. “More than I care to. Your stepfather has one set on the castle grounds, hiding his workshop of the damned. It’s not nearly as strong as this one, but four times through it wasn’t exactly pleasant.”

He stared at me. “Past the west end of the castle?”

I chuckled. “Brushed against it, did you?”

“There were rumors of hauntings and monsters, but, yes, I’ve felt it more than once. You went through that on your own?”

I straightened and stretched. “Well, once you know what it is, it’s easier to overcome. The difficult part is holding on to your rational mind. Are you all right now? Ready to continue?”

Standing, he brushed off his knees. “Yes, though I don’t think I could have done that by myself. Thank you again. Is it much farther?”

I pointed up ahead to a dim light in the distance. “Just there. Be on guard, however. Follow where I walk and don’t stray from behind me. Farah is as adept with traps as she is wards. With the strengthened spell there, I don’t think she’ll have set new ones along the safe path I know, but I’d rather it be me who discovers it if she has.”

“You aren’t sure it’s safe?”

“I didn’t tell them specifically that I was coming, so, no.” I said.

Carefully, I picked my way through the trees concealing the cabin, and he hurried up behind me.

“Should I be at all concerned about the welcome I’ll receive here?”

“Are you worried about surprising six witches with only me standing between you?” I chuckled softly.

“It’s nice to see you’ve a sense of humor, but it’s more the surprising…” he paused. “Did you say witches?”

Stopping again, I looked at him, hands planted on my hips. “All of us have magical abilities, Highness. What else would you call that?”

“Fair enough, though I would rather call them friends, if it’s an option.”

Shaking my head, I continued on. “Consorting with stableboys and witches… You are quite possibly the strangest prince that ever was.”

“I can think of far worse alternatives,” he said behind me. “Were I of another bent, I daresay I’d not be alive this long.”

“A fair point. Now, best be quiet. If they hear us talking, they’ll think the worst. Keep silent until I’ve told them about you.”

When at last we were at the door of the wooden house, I inhaled deeply. The scent of dinner remained in the air, along with the hint of flowers. The ivy growing along the outside walls was still green, even so close to Yule, a testament to Adelaide’s talents with plants. I turned to Prince Leopold and set a finger to my lips, put a hand on the doorknob, and entered my home for the first time in nearly seven months.

“Hello?” I called as stepped into the warmth of the front room. “Sisters? Are you here?”

There was a great pounding of feet from the second floor, and soon, one after the other came crashing down the stairs, all of them in their nightclothes.

“Raelynn?” Delphine said, incredulous as she pushed her long brown hair away from her face. “What are you doing here? You’re supposed to be—”

I stopped her. “I know, but I need your help. I’ve brought—”

Erata, her light blonde hair much more closely cropped than I remembered it, snorted derisively. “Another wounded animal, Rae? This is too important for you to be bringing home helpless creatures for us to save.”

Blood rushed to my head, my fatigue distracting me from minding my temper. “Wounded animal? Do you think me stupid? Do you think I’d abandon all of this for the sake of a random creature?”

Clarice stepped between us, her serene blue eyes barely making a dent in my irritation. “We wouldn’t think it, dearest one.” She wrapped her arms around me and hugged me tightly. “I’m very glad to see you, but I’m curious. What is it that brings you home?”

Pulling away from her, I shot a peeved glance at Erata before opening the door once more. I motioned to him, and he stepped inside, greeted by gasps all around.

“Ladies,” I said. “I present to you His Royal Highness, Crown Prince Leopold Atimen…” I paused, stumbling as I tried to remember all of his names.

“Dedalus…” he prompted.

I pinched the bridge of my nose and took another deep breath. “Dedalus Trineal Benforno. The Third.” Too worn out to explain any more, I dropped my pack and headed for the stairs. “Now, if you’d do me the favor of seeing to our guest, I’m very tired and would like to sleep in my own bed for once. That is, if you haven’t pitched it into the forest.” I shot another brief glare at Erata. “Again. We can discuss plans in the morning.”

It was very poor form to abandon them that way, but it had been over half a year since I’d slept on a real mattress, and every bone in my body felt ready to evaporate from sheer exhaustion. Fortunately, my bed was exactly where I’d left it.

I collapsed onto it, barely making it under the covers before I was soundly asleep.

Sunlight warmed my face as I awoke. Not yet ready to give up my comfort, I rolled over on the pillow. Bright green eyes stared at me over the edge of the bed, and I yelped, jumping back.

She giggled, and her wild brown curls bounced with her laughter. “About time! I’ve been waiting here for ages!”

I laid a hand over my heart and willed it to slow its rapid flutter. “Do you never tire of scaring me senseless, Belinda? I’ve not the wits to sort enemy from ally when I’m half asleep.”

Belinda clicked her tongue rapidly five times. “Still half asleep? It’s nearly lunchtime, lazy thing. Get up now. Get up! It’s too exciting with someone new in the house to be sleeping all day.”

I rubbed my face, already weary. “As chipper as ever, I see. Tell me, which of them is still angry with me for bringing him here?”

Her head bobbed from side to side as she considered it. “Clarice and Delphine are ever patient. Adelaide fusses that it’s another mouth to feed, but is as agreeable as she ever is. Farah is none too pleased that a stranger is here, but she doesn’t dislike him.”

“So it’s only Erata then?” I grumbled. “But she’s never overly warm, so I suppose that’s nothing surprising.”

“She grins at him like a cat,” Belinda said. “I wonder what that means? Cats are so very mysterious. Ever-changing creatures, cats.”

Chuckling, I shook my head. It was good to know Belinda was much the same as when I left. “And what of this prince, sister? What animal do you see in him?”

She tilted her head to one side, thinking. “Mmm. Hard to say. Grace of a stag, strong as a bull, yet gentle.” She refocused on my face. “He reminds me of the horses you smell of.”

I groaned. “And thank you for the reminder of the stench I’ve carried for months.”

“You are not who you left as, you know.”

Frowning, I looked at her. “I wear no glamour. I’m the same as I was when—”

She shook her head. “You aren’t. Parts here and there, yes, but where you were scattered, you are coming together.”

Only half of what Belinda said to me ever made sense. She spent far too much time with animals and not enough with humans anymore. Even so, she was genuinely pleasant to be around, and was always the first to forgive. I loved her dearly, eccentricities and quirks included.

She took my hands and tugged me out of bed. “Come on then. We’ll see about a bath and new clothes after you’ve had some lunch.”

In no hurry to face the rest of my family, I dragged my feet all the way out of the bedroom I shared with her and Farah. Belinda all but pushed me down the stairs she was in such a rush. Still rubbing the sleep from my eyes, I trudged through the common area and into the kitchen.

I pulled up short as I entered, blinking at the sight before me. Adelaide hovered at the prince’s side, expertly guiding him through her method for peeling and chopping vegetables. Her dark hair was braided atop her head, but she continuously brushed the loose strands away from her round face, as it all never stayed in place for long. Delphine watched from the table, an inscrutable smile playing on her lips.