Chapter 25

T he moment the queen disappeared, the Elders stopped chanting and dropped their hands. They turned their attention to Snow, who still sat on the ground beside Ardan's lifeless body, her face tear-streaked. Tasnia moved to tower over the two of them, her eyes ablaze with seething rage that threatened to consume everything in her path.

"Move away from him," Tasnia ordered.

Shivering with fear, Snow got to her feet and slowly stepped back. The Elders formed a circle around his lifeless body, once again holding hands as they edged her out. They began to sing.

A lament for the loss of the young elf. The others joined in, moving behind the circle. Even Elator and Master Harwin. Snow backed away from them and headed to where Roderick still lay on the ground. He was coming to, shaking his head and trying to understand what was happening. She reached a hand down to him. He took it and allowed her to help him to his feet.

His keen eyes took in the scene. He turned to her, question on his face.

"What happened?"

"Ardan stabbed Seraphina. Then she killed him for it."

Roderick wrapped an arm around her shoulders, pulling her close. She allowed him to comfort her for the moment, but she couldn't help but think this was his fault. If he hadn't come to the village, Ardan would still be alive. It was almost more than she could bear.

When the melancholy song ended, all but the Elders moved away. A shriek from the other side of the village as Ardan's mother shoved aside those in her way. When she saw her son, her hands went to her blanched face. She fell to her knees next to him, bowing over his body as she sobbed.

Tasnia turned to Snow and Roderick.

"You are the cause of this. Both of you," she said.

Roderick stepped forward. "This isn't Snow's fault. It's mine."

"Yes," Tasnia agreed. "Yours for coming here. You drew the dark magic. And now this queen knows of our existence." Her gaze landed on Snow. "She pierced through the perimeter magic with ease. Our village is no longer safe. I cannot allow our people to be in danger because of one human."

Snow lifted her chin, looking down her nose at the Elder. "Then what will you have me do, Tasnia?"

"Leave this place. Never return."

Roderick said, "You're banishing Snow White from the only home she's ever had?"

Her glittering gaze flickered to him. "Yes."

"Tasnia—" Elator began.

"I will not hear any objections. My word is final," she snapped. "Nor will we support the girl's claim as the rightful ruler of the Mystic Vale. Human affairs do not interest us."

Word, it seemed, traveled quickly. Tasnia went to console Ardan's mother. Elator approached then, a strange look of apology and sorrow on his face.

"Snow—"

"There is nothing left to say," she said. "Ardan's death is my fault."

"It's not," Roderick said. "It's mine. I should have never come here."

"No, you shouldn't," she snapped, unable to hide her ire. "You should have returned home."

"Snow, we don't want you to leave," Elator said.

"You don't. But Tasnia does. The other Elder's will agree with her."

"I don't," Master Harwin said as he approached. "We witnessed history here today."

She almost smiled. "No doubt you'll record it in your archives."

"Indeed," he said. "Ardan's name will be forever linked to the dark magic attack on the village. He defended us and you. He gave his life to save yours."

Snow didn't see it that way but she appreciated the thought. She merely nodded.

Movement caught her eye. Tasnia was speaking in low tones with the other Elders, glancing over her shoulder at Snow. She was conversing with the others to convince them of her decision.

"They will vote to remove me from the village," Snow said. "And I will go. Willingly."

"But—" Elator began.

"I must ," she said. "If Seraphina found me here once, she will find me here again. Roderick is right. She'll return. And next time, she may kill more."

Tasnia returned to her with the others trailing behind her. Her features were hard, unforgiving, as she looked at Snow.

"We have decided," she said. "The Elders vote was unanimous. Snow White, you are hereby banished from our village forever."

Despite already knowing the outcome, her heart dropped into her churning gut. "Allow me to gather my things and bid farewell to Yirrie?"

Elator turned pleading eyes on the Elder. "Yirrie will be devastated if she leaves without saying goodbye."

"Very well. You have but a few moments. Then, you must go." She turned her lethal gaze on Roderick. "Both of you."

With a nod, Snow returned to her home for the last time. Elator was right. Yirrie would be devastated in so many ways. But Snow could no longer stay here.

She didn't know where she would go. She certainly didn't want to go with Roderick. Perhaps she could flee into the forest and live the rest of her days there near Faradill.

Her heart heavy, she opened the door and stepped inside. Yirrie was busy pacing the length of the kitchen as she wrung her hands. Worry lines were between her eyes. She halted as they entered. Her relief was short-lived.

"What is it? What happened? I heard a commotion but I was too afraid to open the door and look out."

Elator went to her, took her by the elbow and led her to the dining chair. "I think you should sit down."

"Why?" she demanded.

Snow remained where she was, just inside the door of the small house. Roderick didn't enter at all. That was wise of him. He decided to wait outside and closed the door behind her. They were sealed in silence.

"What's happening?" Yirrie said, glancing from Elator to Snow and back again.

"Queen Seraphina arrived," Snow said. "She attacked. Ardan tried to defend me. He stabbed her."

A bright smile showed on her face. "He did?"

"Seraphina retaliated. He's dead," Snow said, her voice flat.

Elator reached for Yirrie when she let out a sharp cry of despair. He wrapped his hand around hers, holding it tight.

"There's more," he said.

"Tasnia blames me for the attack on the village. She's right. It is my fault. I'm banished."

"No!" Yirrie practically shrieked. "That can't be. Elator, talk to her."

"Tasnia's decision, along with the other Elders, is final. I cannot change her mind," he said. Sorrow tinged his voice.

"I'm going to pack."

Snow walked through the house toward her bedroom with purpose. She refused to look into Yirrie's eyes, for if she saw the pain and the hurt there, then she would fall apart. She didn't have time for that. She had to pack and get out as quickly as possible.

But Yirrie jumped up from the table and stepped into her path. When she refused to move, she reached for Snow, wrapped her into a fierce hug and held her there for a long moment. When she pulled back, she held her at arm's length.

"What will you do? Where will you go?" she asked.

Snow shook her head. "I don't know."

"Will you go with Roderick?" she pressed.

Again, she said, "I don't know."

"Will you reclaim your throne?"

"I don't know!" Snow shook her off. Agitated, she stepped around her and hurried to her bedroom.

She slammed the door, then leaned against it, forcing away the tears that wanted to erupt. Then she opened her eyes, and took one last look at the room that was hers for the last ten years. She didn't even know what to pack. Then she spied the silver circlet Elator had given her on the first night of festival. With her heart in her throat, she stepped to her dressing table and picked it up. Eyeing herself in the mirror, she placed it on her head.

Fit for a princess.

Perhaps Elator wasn't wrong in his assessment. She grabbed a bag and shoved an extra dress inside it. She packed her pants and tunic she liked to hike in. Then she whisked the cloak out of her wardrobe. She shouldered the bag. With her head held high, she opened her bedroom door. She went to Yirrie, hugged her tight, kissed her cheek.

"Farwell, Yirrie. Thank you for everything you did for me. I will love and miss you always."

It was more than the woman could bear. Her breath hitched with a sob. She ran to her bedroom, closing the door behind her. Snow turned to Elator. She hugged him next. When she pulled away, he eyed the circlet on her head, a small smile playing at the corners of his mouth.

"Perhaps you will wear it when you sit the throne and rule the Mystic Vale. In remembrance of us."

Hearing those words was like a dagger to the heart. She didn't know what to say to that, so she nodded.

"Farewell, Elator. I will love and miss you, too."

He kissed her cheek. "Farewell, Snow. May you find the peace and happiness you seek." He gave her one last smile. "I better check on Yirrie."

Then he was gone.

Taking a deep breath, Snow walked to the door and left the house, never looking back.