Chapter 27

I t was almost nightfall. After the events of the day, exhaustion had set in, leaving her body fatigued. She placed the dagger on the ground next to her and pretended it didn't exist. All she thought about, though, was what happened to Seraphina when Ardan stabbed her with his. The way her skin seemed to sizzle. She wondered if that would happen to her should she be stabbed with it. She shoved away those thoughts.

"We will camp here tonight," she said. "In the morning, we will begin our trek to the villages to see if your claim about me is true."

She gave him a pointed look as she settled down at the foot of Faradill, still trying to come to terms with her emotions. Grief over the death of Ardan. Anger at Roderick for coming to her village. Yes, Ardan defended her and the village from Seraphina's attack, but none of that would have happened if it hadn't been for Roderick.

Annilen curled up next to her on a bed of leaves making her body as small as possible to keep warm. Snow rested her back on the trunk of Faradill, spreading her cloak over her as a makeshift blanket. She used one corner of it to cover Annilen. The sprite looked up at her with sleepy eyes and gave her a grin, then yawned and pillowed her head on her arms.

Roderick pulled a bedroll from his saddle bags, then unfolded it on the ground opposite Snow, then laid down on his back, his hands under his head as he looked up at the sky.

"I am sorry, Snow," Roderick said, his voice quiet in the gloaming. "I never meant for any of that to happen."

She wanted to tell him it was all right, that it didn't matter. But it wasn't all right and it did matter. Ardan's life mattered. The village mattered.

"I hope you'll accept my apology," he added.

"Perhaps I will."

"But not today." He didn't move to look at her, but she sensed his dejection.

She did not reply. She snuggled under the cloak, closed her eyes, and allowed sleep to take her.

The dream came almost instantly. Of Seraphina standing before one of the mirrors in a chamber somewhere deep within the castle. She understood that this was one of the mirrors stolen from the elves' archives.

It was a large, round mirror in an ornate gold frame. But the strangest thing of all was there was no reflection. It was simply a blank silver. Then a voice rang out.

"Magic Mirror on the wall. Who is the fairest of them all?"

It was Seraphina.

A featureless face flickered into the silver. "The fairest of them all, my queen, is the one who seeks wisdom and kindness, befriends those in nature, for true beauty lies within the heart."

Seraphina clenched her hands into tight fists as she spun from the mirror. Rage etched her face, making the lines go deeper and deeper.

"I am no longer the fairest in the land," she said.

"No, my queen. It is Snow White you seek who is the fairest in the land."

She snarled with her anger. "She must come to me, then, since the blacksmith cannot kill her. I will destroy all she holds dear if she does not present herself to me. Snow White must die."

Snow startled awake, jerking upright with her heart beating a rapid rhythm. The forest was still cloaked in darkness. Roderick still slept across from her, though he had turned on his side sometime during the night. She glanced down at Annilen who was still curled on her side and fast sleep.

You sense something, don't you? Faradill asked.

"It was only a dream," she whispered so as not to disturb the others.

A dream that is not so far from reality, he warned.

"I understand. On the morrow, I will begin my new journey."

She settled back down against the trunk of the old oak.

You must forgive Roderick, he said then. For he is the only one who can protect you from what is to come.

"From the queen?" she asked.

The queen and her dark magic.

"I will consider it," she promised.

She tried to sleep, but as night turned to morning, she hadn't. She was still sitting against the tree when Roderick yawned, stretched, and sat up on one elbow.

"You're awake early," he said.

She merely smiled. "I am. We should be on our way."

As she picked up the cloak, Annilen stirred and came awake. She fluttered upward to face Snow. "Are you leaving now?"

"Yes," Snow said.

"Can I come with you?"

She shook her head. "It's far too dangerous for a sprite."

Her expression fell into one of sadness. "Will I see you again, Snow?"

That sent a pang to her heart. She granted her a smile. "Of course, you will! I will return and when I do, I will make sure that all those in this forest are safe forever."

"Do you promise?"

"With all my heart," she said.

Annilen flew closer, her iridescent wings brushing against her cheek. Snow understood this was a gesture of affection. Then the sprite was off, disappearing into the morning light. Roderick rolled up his bedroll, then tucked it under his arm as he stood. Snow draped the cloak over her arm and got to her feet. Glancing down, she eyed the dagger still in its leather sheath.

She bent and picked it up, acknowledging the slight weight of it in her hand. The circlet Elator gave her was still on the ground, too. She picked it up and held it a moment, thinking of him. She placed it back on her head.

"What's our first stop?" she asked.

"The village of Westfall," he said. "A small but vibrant village with boisterous people who are not shy about telling you their opinion about anything." He grinned.

"Are they?" She was amused by the thought of this. "I can't wait to meet them all."

He reached a hand out to her. "We can ride together."

She wasn't sure about that and eyed his hand with suspicion.

"I can put your cloak and your bag in my saddle bags. And give you a way to wear the dagger on your hip." He nodded to the weapon still resting in her hand.

"Oh, that's not necessary—"

"You may have a need for it," he said. "Allow me?"

At last, she nodded and handed over her bag and cloak. He eyed the circlet still on her head. She tilted her head back, a bit defiant.

"I'm wearing it," she said. "It was a gift from Elator."

"Wear what you wish, princess." He reached for her, then, hooking his finger under the chain around her neck and flicking the pendant out from under her clothes. "But let them see this. The sigil of your royal house. Then they will know you are the true princess and rightful heir to the throne."

She started to object when she realized he was right. She nodded agreement, but it was difficult for her to keep the pendant out where it was to be seen. For the last ten years, she'd kept it hidden under her clothes at all times.

Roderick packed her things in the saddle bags.

"Come, princess. Let us break our fast in Westfall, for there is a tavern there that serves the beast oat cakes you've ever had." He held his hand out to her.

He was hard to resist. She took his hand and followed him to the horse. He mounted first, then helped her up behind him. They rode away and for the first time since she was a child, she left the Wyldwood Forest.