by Jenni James
Smiling at her reflection, she stood up and readily walked out of her rooms, prepared to face the dazzling world below. But once she made it to the final landing, she needed to take a deep breath to steady her nerves before she began to step down the grand staircase that led to the ballroom.
She was surprised to see Terrance at the foot of it, pacing.
He looked at her when she approached. “Are you well?”
“Yes, thank you.”
He walked up the last few steps to come back down with her. “You are sure? I did not make you ill with my confounded rudeness?”
“Your—what do you mean?”
He shook his head and clasped her hand, pausing at the end of the stairs. “Forgive me, Princess. I have thought over my actions repeatedly the last several minutes and have found them very lacking. I would like to beg a proper apology. You deserve to have the full attention of your partner and I have erred significantly in not giving it to you. Will you forgive my lack of manners and boorish ways?”
“I—uh . . . “ She blinked and then promptly closed her mouth when she realized it was open. Raven did not know whether to be amazed the man thought of her enough to apologize or to be mortified that her actions made him feel the need to do so. “Goodness!” she finally said. “I do not deserve nor expect such an apology.” She pulled her hand out of his and began to walk forward again, dismissing his eagerness with a flick of her wrist. “I am quite accustomed to this treatment. You cannot help yourself for noticing my sister’s beauty any more than anyone else can. Believe me when I say that I expect no different treatment from you than I do any other.”
Terrance halted her again, once more clasping her hand. Slowly he pulled her toward him until they faced one another. His dark eyes searched hers a moment. The worry upon his brow did not allow for one dimple to peek out. That is the true tragedy here, not my overly sensitive feelings. The man should be smiling.
He inhaled rather sharply before saying, “The fact that you dismiss this extreme discourtesy of mine as commonplace rather sharpens the pain and adds to the weight I am bearing. Please, I beg of you to forgive me.”
She met his intense gaze for several moments, wondering what else he had hidden within. “You are forgiven, but certainly, there was nothing to forgive. I am not the type to place blame upon another. I know full well my weaknesses and lack of charms. I do not expect any man to wish to be with me when my sweet sister is in the room. It is not pity I seek, or forgiveness—it is merely a fact I have learned to accept.”
Terrance slowly shook his head before leaning over and leaving a very surprising, very gentle kiss upon her mouth.
CHAPTER THREE
SNOW GLANCED AROUND THE room for the third time since stepping out with her new partner. Where was Raven? It was hard to appear fully lost in Lord Loland’s continual prattle whilst covertly searching for her sister. The last time she had seen Raven was upon the dance floor, smiling up at that charming man and completely oblivious to anyone else.
Snow grinned. Could it be that Raven was finally losing her heart to someone? Snow looked again and did not see him, either. Perhaps they were together. Oh, goodness! After all these years, was there at last a gentleman who could see what Snow saw? If so, she would love him forever herself. How many times did she push the silly princes and men of the court away, hoping one of them would turn around and see the glories that made Raven? Yet none of them did.
Curse this silly enchantment, anyway. It had to be an enchantment—though no one else claimed to know anything about it, there was no other logical reason for the attention she received. It was folly. Snow sighed. For once she would like to be seen for herself and not because of a spell.
“I beg your pardon,” Lord Loland said. “Am I boring you with my endless talk? I did not mean to make you sigh.”
Oh, dear. “No. It was not you. It was—” How does one rectify sighing while dancing with one’s partner?
Thankfully, the song ended.
“Your Royal Majesties, prince and princesses, lords and ladies of the court,” the herald began, “it is with pleasure that I direct your attention to King Herbert and Queen Melantha as they open the royal gifts they are bestowing upon one another. These are the only presents that will be opened publicly, though they would like to thank their guests who did bring gifts of their appreciation for the marriage. For now, may you enjoy the festivities and the customs of Olivian. King Herbert and Queen Melantha.” He swept his arm toward the couple seated upon ornately carved high-backed chairs as the crowd surged forward.
Snow headed for the seats reserved for her and her new siblings. Glancing over, she watched as Raven walked in on the arm of the handsome gentleman she had been dancing with earlier. Her heart burst with happiness at the sight—it most definitely seemed as though Raven had found someone. She caught her sister’s eye and motioned her forward.
Raven turned and pulled away from the man’s arm, speaking a few words to him before she came and sat with Snow.
“Hello,” Snow said. “Have you been enjoying yourself?”
Raven rolled her eyes. “There is nothing going on with anything or anyone.”
Snow laughed. “You sound like a girl trying to convince herself. He appears to be a very nice man. Who is he?”
“He is a very nice man—too nice, really. His name is Prince Terrance of the Sybright court and he has traveled this whole way to make your acquaintance.”
Good heavens. Snow sat back in her chair. “Another?”
Raven looked out toward the gathering crowd. Almost everyone was situated. “Just so.”
“I would prefer not to meet him, then.” Snow sighed. Why must every eligible man come to her? It was not fair.
“I believe it will be inevitable. It would seem he was invited by your father specifically to be introduced to you.”
“Father? He would not dare!”
“He already has.”
“What has Father done?” Corlan asked as he sat down next to the girls.
“Invited another suitor for Snow,” Raven explained.
Snow watched Corlan’s jaw twitch. “Another one?”
“I am not any happier about it than you are.” Snow folded her arms. “Why would he think to do something like this? It forces me to want to run away. If he just left things as they are, he might find himself attending my wedding soon. But to be forever plaguing me with men and allowing all those who wish to see me to do so—I find it completely…” She trailed off when she realized she had been speaking a bit louder than was seemly.
The king and queen were just about to begin opening their gifts when Raven leaned over and whispered, “Do not throw this one away, Snow. He is different.”
She looked at her sister. How much did it cost her pride to say such a thing to me? He must be quite a prince indeed if her sister was willing for her to give him a second glance. Snow shook her head. “No. I will not give him any more of a chance than I have the rest,” she whispered back. “I deserve a man who will fall in love with the real me.”
“He is more than likely the one you seek, then.”
“Ahem.” Corlan scowled at them both.
Snow tucked her hand through the crook of his elbow and leaned into him. “Are you tired of hearing us blather on about silliness?”
“No.” His gaze met hers. “I am tired of you taking it all so seriously. There is no reason for anyone to be thinking of falling in love just yet.”
“There is not?”
“No. Not until you fully know your own heart and what you truly wish. Until then, this is all a nonsensical game.”
“And what do you know about falling in love?” She chuckled.
“I know a lot more than you give me credit for.” He looked away.
She watched his lashes for a moment and then ran her gaze to his nose, down to his lips and then chin and jaw.
“What are you doing?” he said from the corner of his mouth.
Snow put her head o
nto his shoulder, still clasping his arm. “I do not know. I was just watching you for a moment. Can I not watch you?”
There was a long pause before Corlan said quietly, “I would never wish to interrupt any activity of yours that you enjoy. If it is watching me, very well, you may do so.”
She grinned and squeezed his arm a bit tighter. He really was such a wonderful older brother.
Melantha’s lady-in-waiting approached with her father’s gift.
Just then Raven gasped.
Snow glanced over at her and then toward their parents, where Raven was looking.
Oh, my word! What is Father thinking? “Tell me I am not seeing the Lythereon Mirror being presented to Melantha. Tell me Father would not have thought to do something as ludicrous as that.”
“Does he not understand the curse associated with that thing?” Corlan asked, his foot tapping upon the ground. “Foolish gift!”
“Mother has wanted that mirror for years. And hoping to impress her, he has obviously granted her the wish of her heart,” Raven said. “Look at her smile, the joy on her face.”
Snow could not stop staring at the genuine giddiness Melantha displayed as she had two footmen hold the mirror up so she could admire herself. “Why would anyone want that particular looking glass?” When Raven and Corlan did not answer, she continued, “Perhaps there is nothing to worry about. Perhaps the legends are false and it is merely just a mirror and nothing more.”
Corlan squeezed her hand. “Or perhaps Snow has read too many fairy stories and believes that everything is always perfect.”
“What is the worst that could happen to us?” she asked him.
“The mirror is evil, pure evil, and will bring out the vilest thoughts of any who possess it. It is also said to make them extremely powerful.”
“So, if that legend is true,” Raven said slowly, speaking aloud the fears neither of them were willing to voice, “how long until we lose our mother completely to the control of the mirror?”
CHAPTER FOUR
“SNOW,” HER FATHER CALLED out from the west drawing room as she headed up the grand staircase. “Come in here a moment—I would like you to meet someone.”
Snow paused at the second step, knowing it really was inevitable—she would have to meet Prince Terrance. She turned and smiled at her father, who was standing just inside the door as she came into the fashionably decorated green-and-white room. “Yes?” Her gaze focused solely on her father, not the man she could see from the corner of her eye seated in Melantha’s favorite chair about eight feet away.
Herbert wrapped his arm around her shoulder and turned her toward the handsome man as he stood up. “Prince Terrance wrote me and requested a visit some time ago. I replied to the missive, as I felt it necessary that you two meet. He is of the Sybright court, which was, until recently, run by his father, the late King Alexander II. Now his mother is on the throne until he can find a suitable woman to marry and make her his queen. Alexander and I were schoolmates years ago and the best of friends. I, of course, welcome any of his family into my home, and I hope you will go out of your way to guarantee that Terrance is treated with the greatest courtesy and respect.”
Snow curtsied and met the prince’s eyes. He was probably one of the more handsome men who had come to try his hand with her. When he smiled and bowed low, she knew then why Raven was so smitten by him—dimples. How many times had Raven exclaimed over wanting a husband with dimples?
Her father continued, “Prince Terrance, may I present my fair daughter, the delightfully captivating princess Snow White? She is my only child by birth and holds a very special place in my heart. She is goodness itself—kind and thoughtful, with a lively mind and caring soul.”
Snow tried not to grimace as she looked over at her father. The fine lines around his eyes creased as he spoke of her. She loved him so very much, but there were days when he could mortify her.
He grinned and kissed her forehead. “Now stop blushing so much, my dear, and shake hands with the poor man. He has traveled days to be here.” He gently pushed her toward him.
Snow held out her hand and enjoyed the prince’s firm, yet careful, hold. “Hello,” she said, her gaze meeting his. “I hope you find everything you are looking for here in Olivian and will go home a very happy man.”
“Only time will tell. I await these next six weeks with fervent hope that what you say may come true.”
Those dark brown eyes danced a moment, and she could not tell if he knew she was speaking of Raven or if he believed her to be speaking of herself. Whichever the answer, he did seem to have a maturity about him—he had an older soul than any of the other suitors who had come before. He was different.
She tilted her head slightly and smiled—genuinely smiled this time. “Thank you. I believe we shall all have fun getting to know one another.”
He watched that smile and inhaled sharply as if he were reacting to whatever enchantment she had about her.
Snow’s face fell. No—he could not decide upon her for his wife. Not until he saw Raven again. There is no future with me; there never will be for any man until dear Raven is happily settled. “Father?” She turned toward him. “Since the prince has planned to stay with us for so long, do you mind if I introduce him to Corlan and Raven as well? I believe we shall all get along famously.”
“Of course! I would expect nothing less. He is staying in the guest quarters and should be treated as one of the family as much as possible.”
“Then I shall take him to the library, where they both are at present.” She glanced over. “If that is well with you?”
Terrance hesitated a fraction before stating, “Yes. Thank you.”
“If you will follow me?” There was no reason to stay another moment in the drawing room. “Good night, Father.” She kissed his cheek. “The wedding was beautiful, and your bride even more so.”
“Aye, it has been a wonderful day. I will leave you to explore and get to know one another.” He grinned and waggled his eyebrows at her. “I have a new bride to attend to.”
Snow laughed and kissed his other cheek. “I will see you in the morning.”
She walked out of the room and waited at the staircase for Terrance before ascending. Together they began to climb.
“Princess Snow,” he began, “I can see you are not completely in favor of me coming to meet you. Is there a reason I am not to your liking, or is there something else I should know? Something you refuse to speak of and yet I can see hiding in the depths of your very stunning blue eyes?”
“My!” She was shocked. “You do get right to the point, do you not?”
He chuckled as they turned at the landing and continued up. “I know I have been frank. I am driven to do what is right, and I find that honesty and being completely upfront from the beginning always work best in my dealings. And so, I ask you again, is there something I should know? Something you would like to discuss prior to meeting your new sister and brother?”
Holding out her arm, she stopped him before they made their way down the wide corridor that led to the library. Turning to him, she asked, “Can I trust you?”
He matched her gaze steadily with his own before replying, “I believe so.”
“I have much I wish to impart and no one to share it with. And here you are, like a godsend, asking me to reveal to you what is in my heart. It is indeed a very tempting proposition, though I fear you will not be happy with me once it is all out.”
He shook his head and stepped forward. “Princess Snow, I am not the type to judge wrongly or to entertain false hopes. I thrive in knowing the situation from the beginning. If you mean to use me as a confidant of some sort, as long as you are not planning murder” –he paused to grin— “know that I will heed your wishes and allow you to speak without revealing what you have told me to a soul.”
He had such calmness about him. “Are you sure you are not a knight of King Arthur’s court come back to life?”
Chuckling, he replie
d, “I wish! I fear I am not half as noble or own a portion of the integrity they did. But men like that are truly my heroes.”
Snow liked him. It made absolutely no sense at all to trust him as she did, but she knew she could. “Very well. You have won me over. I shall take the risk and make you my confidant, though you must promise to be my friend no matter what I reveal.”
CHAPTER FIVE
TERRANCE WATCHED SNOW TAKE a deep breath and then say, “Come here. There is not much time.” She led him to a small alcove in the corridor. It was a window seat with views overlooking a large portion of the kingdom.
Once they both were sitting on the plush cushions, she earnestly began, “I have told no one, but I fear I am under a spell to make people love me. You are only one of many hundreds—hundreds—who who have come to pay court to me. It is exasperating and confusing and frustrating, the attention I receive. I wish to be normal and loved for who I am, not simply because every single man in my vicinity can look at nothing else. I do not know how to break this, either. It is terrifying and I secretly worry it will be my demise one day.”
“I see.” His eyes roamed over her features. She was extremely beautiful—easily the most beautiful woman he had ever seen. But was that enough to capture the hearts and attention of every single man she had ever met? It may be. But she could be correct in assuming there was something cast upon her, for he did feel an undeniable tug that he had never felt toward anyone before.
She continued, “It seems to affect women as well—not in the same way, but thankfully they like me and are not overly jealous as of yet. But I fear one of them will be able to remove herself from my enchantment sooner or later and then desire me dead.”
“Why would they want you dead?”
“Because of the attention I receive, of course. It cannot be pleasing to any female to watch another be lauded with all the glory. Take Raven, for instance. She is a very pretty girl and should have her own onslaught of suitors, and yet, no man will look twice at her. I genuinely fear they never will while I am still here and unwed.”