7. Dove

7

DOVE

S tanding before a large mirror, my hands trail the softest gown I’ve ever felt.

The light blue satin molds to my body as if it were made just for me. After scrubbing my body and scalp properly, I emerged from the tub, only to be greeted by a warm towel carried by the wind. Invisible hands wrapped it around my wet body while another blotted my hair dry. The taste of metal coated my tongue. The notion of being attended to by the Frost King’s magic was a bit jarring.

However, I quickly overcame my shock once I stepped into this lavish room and watched the large wardrobe magically fill with all manner of fine clothes. Thick wool socks hang next to silky stockings and nightgowns. Satin dresses in various shades of blues and whites hang from the racks next to furlined cloaks and scarves.

His magic had helped me dress and even went so far as to conjure a warm breeze to aid in drying my hair. Glossy, loose curls fall to the middle of my back. A portion of it is braided along the crown of my head and secured with a glittering silver pin.

As I continue to study my appearance, color has returned to my face. Behind me, my opulent room is awash in bright sunlight. White light filters in through the massive window across from my large bed, which looks wide enough to sleep ten people. I shared my old bed with Sophia; our feet or arms would have to hang off for us both to fit.

The silky sheets and comforter are soft white, while the mountain of pillows match the dark blue of the bathroom. A massive silver headboard leans against the wall. Besides the bed and the large window, there is a fireplace with a small sitting area and table.

This room is larger than our entire cottage. Guilt creeps in. Here I am in these wonderful clothes, having just had the most glorious bath, and later, I’ll sleep in the most incredible bed while my sister and mother wonder if I’m dead.

Tears sting my eyes, but I remind myself that being here is my only chance to save them from the curse. I will do what I must to try and lessen their hardships now that I’ve been taken captive.

Ice and snow gently hit against the large window. Time must move differently on this side of the mountains. There is no hint of sunset approaching. The sun has remained the same height since we emerged from the trees.

I still don’t know how long I’ve been away. Hours? Days? Weeks? The journey over the mountains could not have been quick. Yet, the Frost King does possess magic. I have to imagine that if he can slide through walls and spell clothes to fit me perfectly, he can travel quickly over the land.

With a deep sigh, I turn from the mirror, only to catch sight of something from the corner of my eye. Pulling back, I look closer at the reflective surface. Inclining my head, I can make out the faintest of shimmering. It rests at the base of my neck under my hair. It is a glittering ball of light. How strange. Reaching for it, my fingers brush against something warm and soft.

A buzzing sound tickles my ear.

“What the?—”

I grab the shimmering orb again but miss it. This is entirely ridiculous. I swat at the thing repeatedly until finally, I raise both my palms, intent on crushing whatever annoying vermin is pestering me.

“STOP!” A shrill voice cuts through the air.

My eyes widen in horror as I watch the orb float in front of my face. It sparkles brilliantly before emitting a soft glow. From its center, a figure emerges. It is distinctly female, curvy, and no larger than my palm. Her blue skin is iridescent, as is her pale blue hair. Gossamer white wings flap at her back. Her eyes glow brightly as she smiles with two dainty rows of razor-sharp teeth.

“Hi,” she chirps, giving me a small wave.

My shock at seeing her causes a scream to rip from my lungs. Falling onto my backside, I crawl backwards away from the creature. Frantically, I look for anything to use as a weapon. Kicking off one of my slick slippers, I grip the show in my hand.

Unperturbed by my reaction, the creature flies towards me on her tiny wings. She buzzes before my face—pinching my nose and cheeks with her small hands. I swat at her and push back further, but she merely flies to the side of my head.

“Round,” she states, squeezing the top of my ear. “How odd.”

I swat her again, but she misses my shoe. Crawling back until my back bumps the far wall, I raise my hands in a defensive potion. The creature just floats in front of me, grinning with her sharp teeth.

“What—what are you?” I ask, failing to keep the tremble from my voice.

“A snow fairy,” she replies, primly.

“A snow fairy?”

“Yes, the last one.” The glow of her eyes dims. “At least for now.”

I eye her warily as she buzzes closer to my face again.

“You’ve never seen a fairy.”

It isn’t a question, but I shake my head regardless.

“Well, now you have,” she announces proudly, her skin turning a deeper shade of blue.

“Is…” I pause. “Is the Frost King a fairy, too?”

Something flickers in the little creature's gaze before shaking her head.

“An elf.” She scrunches her nose. “No wings and cumbersome large bodies. A nightmare if you ask me.”

Despite myself, I let out a chuckle. She’s made no attempts on my life, so perhaps being afraid of something bigger than a potato is ridiculous. I drop my slipper and slide it back onto my foot. The creature returns my smile and buzzes on happy wings.

“I’m Glimmer,” she says. “What’s your name?”

I pause for a moment. What’s the harm in sharing it? I’m already stuck here.

“Dove.”

“Dove,” she repeats. “Dove.”

Her small hand touches my cheek, a burst of cold against my skin.

“Names are powerful.”

I nod, not sure exactly what that means. Rising from the floor, I brush my palms on the skirt of my gown.

“What are you doing here?”

Glimmer shrugs her delicate shoulders before flying over to my bed. She lounges on it with a dramatic flurry of sparkling dust. Rolling onto her stomach, she props her head onto her hands before kicking her feet.

“I was bored. No one’s ever in the palace besides the King—seeing a human was quite a surprise.”

“Do you know a way out of this place?”

The question is out of my mouth before I can think. It would be good to have an escape route even if I plan to stay until the Frost King lifts the curse on my village. I could have ruined my chances of saving my family if Glimmer decides to report my question to the King.

I expect her to fly off and do so at once, but her color merely dims. Her wings droop at her back, and sad eyes meet mine.

“You can’t. No one can, not until?—”

The snow fairy breaks off in a fit of coughs. Her body shakes as she hacks through it. She shakes her head before muttering something about tricky magic. Her wings flap, and she flies towards me. I don’t know what motivates me, but I lift my hand, and her cool body fits snugly in my palm.

“I forgot how little I’m able to say.” At my confused expression, she goes on. “If you want to leave this place, you must listen to the King. He’s the only one who can save you.”

“Save me? He’s the one who brought me here—the one who cursed my village.”

Glimmer shakes her head.

“Nothing is what it seems here.”

I let out a huff.

“You aren’t making sense.”

The snow fairy’s wings sag once more.

“That’s what she intended.”

“Who?” I ask.

“The sorceress, the one who?—”

Again, Glimmer breaks off in a fit of coughing. Using my finger, I gently rub circles on her back until it subsides. Glimmer smiles up at me.

“My tongue can be loosened more so than the King’s, but I am still not immune to what has been done.”

I nod, trying to sift through the riddles and half-truths that are all of her sentences.

“I just want to get back to my family.” Sadness washes over me.

Glimmer’s eyes lower, and her lips part, but before she can speak, six loud chimes of the tower bell echo around us. Unease turns my stomach, realizing that my evening is far from over.

The snow fairy flutters to my pointer finger and grips it with both hands.

“Come. I’ll lead you to the dining hall. The King has never been a very patient male.” At my lowered brows, Glimmer’s cheeks blaze dark blue. “I may have been eavesdropping, but only a little.”

Despite myself, my lips tug upwards as the fairy pulls me from the room. We travel down the hallway in silence. The dark blue carpet drags beneath my slipper-clad feet. The walls are lined with windows showing off the light snowfall and the sparkling buildings below. Silver motifs and designs adorn the marble walls as we walk.

It’s eerily quiet. Only the sound of my breathing and Glimmer’s flapping wings can be heard. Our path is just as confusing as the one the Frost King led me on. We pass by great halls and sparkling ballrooms adorned with crystal chandeliers.

Despite the grandeur, the castle has a distinct look of disarray. Frost licks over exposed cracks in the wall. Most of the furniture is covered with sheets or removed from the walls, leaving behind old nails and some wires.

We keep traveling deeper within the castle until Glimmer stops me outside two massive double doors. Like all the others, a large snowflake has been carved and backfilled with silver on each one. Glimmer drops my finger and flies up in front of my face.

Her glowing eyes are serious.

“There isn’t much time,” she whispers. “Your freedom—all of our freedom—hinges on the King.”

I lick over my dry lips.

“And he can’t just let me go. What happens if I try to leave?”

Glimmer shakes her head. “The magic would stop you.”

I roll my eyes. “Great. Well then, I better get started on figuring out…whatever it is you want me to figure out.”

The snow fairy nods, deepening her color.

“Nothing is what it seems.”

“You mentioned that already.”

Glimmer purses her lips before buzzing up to my ear. I feel her soft hands hold onto my hair.

“Find the secrets hidden within the past. If you do, all this shall pass.”

I pull back silently and arch a brow.

“Did you just rhyme past with pass?”

Glimmer gives me a grin before beginning to shimmer. In a moment, she is nothing more than a whisper of sparkling, blue fairy dust. With a deep sigh, I turn back towards the door. I have no idea what will await me on the other side.

All I can hope for is figuring out what’s happening before it’s too late.