Chapter 15

S now spent most of the days and nights locked in her room. By choice.

Yirrie was determined to keep her safe and out of the forest. But what the elven woman didn't know was that she was beginning to lose her strength from not being part of nature. Connecting with the forest gave her the strength, fueled her energy. Without it was like living without food and water.

She had grown weaker and weaker as the days passed. Her mood plummeted without seeing the sun light her window.

Yirrie tried on more than one occasion to coax her out of her room. Tried to get her to return to festival for the remaining nights. But Snow wasn't having it. She was not interested in joining any of the festivities. Even Elator tried to persuade her to return to festival by suggesting Ardan had been asking about her. She did not want to see Ardan and his adoring looks again.

Finally, only when festival was all over, all of the couples made their intentions known, and things returned to normal did Snow crack open her bedroom door and peer out.

Yirrie and Elator had retired for the night. The house was silent and dark. And though the moon was no longer full, Snow needed to slip into the forest where she would find solace and strength and renewed life.

Of course, it would be difficult to sneak away from the house with someone watching the door as Yirrie had mentioned. But perhaps that was over now that she was sequestered for days on end. She'd proven to Yirrie she wasn't leaving.

She crept from her bedroom, pulling the door closed behind her. She made her bed look as though she were sleeping buried under the blankets. The window was still boarded up, so it kept the room plunged in total darkness. If Yirrie or Elator looked inside, all they would see was a rounded shape on the bed and nothing more.

It was her one chance to slip out unnoticed. Now that festival was over, she would have a better chance at that.

But first, before she returned to the forest, she had a stop to make.

Rather than dress in one of her usual gowns, she opted for the pants, tunic, and vest combination. Her hair was pulled back and tied with a leather thong. She carried her boots so as not to make any unusual noise as she tiptoed to the front door in her stocking feet.

At the front door, with her heart ramming against her chest, she twisted the knob. Holding her breath, she pulled open the door thankful for the silent hinges and stepped into the night.

She stood a moment on the stoop and her head tipped upward into the slight evening breeze, inhaling the damp scents of the world around her. It had rained recently somewhere deep within the world. She sensed the wild earthy smell on the wind and smiled.

But she didn't want to linger. She pulled the door closed, then paused to step into her boots. Then she hurried to Master Harwin's home, her heart in her throat as she made her way across the village.

She sensed the presence before she saw him. The hooded figure came out of the shadows, stepping in her path. The scream rose into her throat but she stifled it, pressing a hand against her pounding heart. The man shoved off his hood.

"Ardan!" She said his name on a gasp. "You scared me."

A sheepish look came over his face as he dropped his head and looked down at his feet.

"What are you doing here?" she demanded.

"Yirrie asked me to watch for you to make sure you didn't leave the village."

First shock then anger pounded through her. She clenched her fists into a tight ball.

"I'm not leaving the village," she said. "I'm going to see Master Harwin."

His head snapped up. "Master Harwin? Why?"

She huffed out a breath and shoved passed him. "I have to talk to him about something."

"I'll come with you."

Spinning around, she placed both her hands on his chest and gave him a shove. "No, you will not."

"But—"

"I can take care of myself."

"But Yirrie said—"

"I don't care what Yirrie said."

Turning on her heel, she stalked off once again toward Master Harwin's house.

"If you let me come with you, I won't tell her," he called.

Snow halted. So, it was to be blackmail then. Disappointment flooded through her that Ardan was willing to stoop to that level. She cut him a glance over her shoulder.

"Fine, then. Come on. But say nothing."

At Master Harwin's door, she pushed it open and paused in the little foyer with the desk. Ardan stood next to her. Knowing Harwin rarely slept, she marched to the door on the right and knocked. Moments later, a squinting, sleepy-eyed Master Harwin opened the door and poked his head out.

"Snow?" His gaze landed on Ardan. "And who's this?"

"This is Ardan," she replied. And then something occurred to her. "He has the enchanted blade."

Harwin's brows flew upward. "The enchanted blade?"

"And…" Pausing, she cut Ardan a glance. "I have answers."

Excitement lit his eyes as he waved them inside his home and to the table where they had shared tea once before. She perched on the edge of the stool, Ardan on the one next to her, and waited while Harwin started to brew a pot of tea.

Ardan leaned toward her, his voice low. "You told him about the enchanted blade?"

She nodded, remaining silent. When the kettle whistled, he brought it and cups over to the table, placing it in the middle. He poured two cups and slid one to Snow and one to Ardan, then poured one for himself.

"Well?" he prompted. "Let me see this enchanted blade."

Ardan remained statue still in his seat. Snow nudged him with her elbow.

"Show him," she urged.

Reluctantly, Ardan unsheathed the blade and placed it in the middle of the table. Harwin leaned forward, his brows drawn together, to get a good look at it. He reached for it, gave Ardan a questioning look.

"May I?" he asked.

The boy nodded.

Harwin picked it up, turning it this way and that, letting the light glint off the shiny, wavy blade. He hmmed deep in his throat. In the lamplight of the room, there was a rainbow iridescent glow to the steel.

"What do you think now?" Snow asked.

"This was made by someone with a love of the craft. I have never seen a more perfect blade," Harwin said. "It's magnificent."

He handed it back to Ardan.

"Thank you," the boy said.

"It was definitely made by an Artificer," Harwin said.

"What's an Artificer?" Ardan asked.

"A master craftsman that can wield the elements," Snow answered.

"You mean with magic?" Ardan asked.

"Yes," Harwin and Snow said in unison.

Ardan sheathed the dagger once again, then reached for this tea. Harwin looked at Snow then.

"You said you had answers," Harwin said.

She nodded, then cut a glance at Ardan. "I do, but he doesn't know anything about…" She pressed her lips together.

Harwin grinned as he sat back in his chair, holding his cup. "I understand." He gave Ardan a look of earnest. "Would you mind waiting outside then?"

Ardan's eyes flew wide. "Me? But I'm supposed to keep an eye on Snow."

"I assure you she won't leave my sight," Harwin said with a grin.

Ardan glanced from her to Harwin, disdain clearly on his face. He took one last sip of tea, then rose from the table and shuffled out, closing the door with a snap behind him.

"You're not allowed to leave the village, are you?" he asked.

She shook her head, staring down into the tawny brew.

"But you did anyway, didn't you?"

She lifted her gaze to his finally. "I went to the wizard's cabin."

Awe was written all over his face. "You did?"

"Yes," she said. "And I found him."

"You found him ?" His brows knit in confusion. "He was there?"

"Well, a version of him, I guess you could say."

"What does that mean?" he asked.

"There was something of his essence there," she said. "His name is Govan."

She quickly told him about the wizard helping a young peasant woman rise to her position of queen—Seraphina. And how that queen murdered the king, intending to take the throne for herself. She did not tell him about the young princess the evil queen sent into the forest to fend for herself and instead ended up living with the elves. Nor did she mention the king was her father.

Then she told him about the spell book Seraphina stole and how she acquired all three of the mirrors from the elves by using a portal.

"Queen Seraphina has the Magic Mirror," she said. "Govan told me she used the Magic Mirror to curse him and steal his magic. All that's left of him is in the cabin, which is what's feeding her magic and keeping her powerful. The only way to release him from his captivity and destroy her is by destroying the Magic Mirror."

Harwin sat back in the chair, his forefinger tapping on the table. "Interesting. I have never heard of such magic. How did she know we had the mirrors?"

"Govan knew. He was still connected to them even after you took them and hid them. He told her."

He remained silent for a long moment, his mind working as he considered all Snow told him. "This Queen Seraphina has no rule over us elves, but the Magic Mirror she possesses is quite dangerous."

"Yes," Snow agreed.

They stared at each other in uncomfortable silence. He was right in that the queen had nothing to do with the elves. The elves had no royal ruler, but were instead led by the group of Elders. He ran a hand over his smooth chin, still peering at her with contemplation.

"Perhaps you should be the one to destroy the Magic Mirror."

"Me?" The word squeaked out of her. "Why me?"

"You are human," he said as if he were speaking of the everyday weather. "You would have a higher chance of getting into the castle than any of us." He waved his hands to encompass that of the elves.

Something about his statement hit her hard, her gut clenching at the thought of returning to the castle. Even Govan suggested she return to destroy the Magic Mirror and release him from his captivity.

If she were to return, would Seraphina try to destroy her then? Snow was a threat to her throne as it was hers by birthright. She doubted the queen would merely step aside and allow her to have it now that she had come of age. Nor would she allow her into the castle to destroy the mirror.

The way Master Harwin looked at her, though, made her wonder if he knew her true identity. But that was impossible. Even when she stumbled into the forest as a child, she never told anyone who she was.

She resisted the urge to reach up and touch the pendant around her neck.

Still, Harwin continued to look at her with curiosity deep in his eyes.

"I seem to recall a story long ago about a princess who had gone missing and was presumed dead."

"Oh?" She reached for her tea cup and took a sip, not meeting his intense gaze.

"We don't get much news through the Wyldwood," he continued, "but sometimes travelers passed by the village seeking refuge for the night. They have tales of the outside world."

Snow dropped her hand into her lap, clenching it tight to keep it from shaking.

The outside world to the elves was the other kingdoms which surrounded the Wyldwood Forest. The Mystic Vale to the north, the Feywood to the south. Each had their own ruler.

He leaned forward. "Why were you so interested in the dark wizard and the mirrors?"

"I wasn't," she said, too quickly. "It was just that I wanted to help you find out what happened to them."

He lifted a brow, as though he didn't quite believe her.

"Where are you from, Snow?"

Startled, the question pounded through her, leaving her momentarily speechless.

"You came to us ten years ago, yes?" he asked.

"Yes," she said and managed a weak smile as if the subject didn't bother her one bit.

"And ten years ago, we heard the stories of the missing princess. The princess who was exiled by a tyrannical queen." He tilted his head to the side, looking her over. "Are you that princess?"

She pressed her lips together, recalling the day she had stumbled into the forest alone and frightened. She had managed to make it all the way from the castle without being spotted by any villagers. It had taken her days to traverse the kingdom. She hid in barns, stealing food to survive along the way. She recalled how hurt she was none of the servants came looking for her. Now that she was older, she understood it was probably Seraphina's doing. If they left to search for her, they would tempt her wrath.

Finally, she said, "What if I am?"

He sat back in his chair, his gaze never leaving her face. "Hair black as ebony. Lips red as the rose. Skin white as snow."

A prickling sensation when over her. "Where did you hear that?"

"That's you. Isn't it?" he asked, ignoring her question.

She shook her head. "I don't know how it could be."

The pendant felt heavy around her neck. The one that proved she was Princess of the Mystic Vale, heir to the throne. The one with the rose and crown embossed on it.

His eyes glinted with knowledge and a smile crossed his face at her denial. "I rarely leave my archives, but I am not so sheltered I don't hear the stories from others."

Finally, Snow leaned forward, reaching a hand toward him. He grasped hers, his hand warm on hers.

In a low voice, she said, "I am that princess."

"I knew it!"

"But," she said quickly and squeezed his hand to press her point. "You cannot tell anyone. No one knows. Not Yirrie or Elator. Promise me."

Harwin didn't move for a long moment as she gripped his hand.

"Why do you not wish for anyone to know? You are a princess and—"

"Seraphina cannot know I'm here."

Even as she said it, she realized the truth of it. Seraphina likely already knew she was there. That was why the Shadow came for her and tried to kill her.

Finally, Harwin said, "I promise."

She released his hand and sat back in the chair. "Thank you."

"But, Snow, why do you stay here? You are of age now. You can return and take back your throne." He paused, a knowing smile coming over his face. "And destroy the Magic Mirror."

It was a valid question. "How can I fight her? She has the Magic Mirror and castle guards and soldiers at her disposal. I am one person."

"Perhaps the Elders can help—"

"No," she said, cutting him off with a slash of her hand. Then she shoved her chair back, the legs scraping along the floor. "I must go. Poor Ardan has waited long enough."

Harwin also rose. He came around the table and reached for her, gripping her by the shoulders. "Consider it, Snow. The Mystic Vale is yours by birthright. If you destroy the mirror, then you destroy Queen Seraphina and her magic."

And the dark wizard, but she didn't say it.

If she left the Wyldwood, she'd leave Yirrie and Elator behind. How would they take the news she was the missing princess and she decided to return home to reclaim her throne? She wondered if they would even believe her. The only proof she had of her identity was the pendant around her neck.

She gave him a nod. "I'll consider it."

"Thank you for telling me about the dark wizard and the mirrors. Now, I must decide how to share that information with the Elders." A sort of sadness crossed his face.

"I think you tell them you were unable to prevent their theft. After all, she used a portal to steal them," she said. Then she bent and kissed his cheek. "Good night, Master Harwin."

His eyes lit with a spark of joy. He pressed his hand against his cheek as she turned to the door and left.