by Dana Piazzi
Snow was letting her eyes wander when she spotted a pewter frame sitting on the mantel. She stood, taking a closer look. It was a black-and-white photograph of a young Cristoff standing beside a dark-haired woman with a small boy attached to her hip. Smiles brightened their faces as Cristoff held the woman close to his side.
“Who are you?” a male’s voice came from the door. Snow spun around and gasped, startled. “How did you get in here? Where’s my father?”
“Um…” Snow stammered.
The young man stepped into the cabin and narrowed his grey eyes. “Father!” he called out. “Father! Where are you?” The man walked toward the hall, but stopped when heavy footsteps sounded on the porch.
“Son, was that you bellowing?” Cristoff asked, glancing between his son and Snow. He dusted his trousers before removing a brown cap from his salt-and-pepper hair. “Snow, this is my son, Lucas.”
Snow shyly smiled while her heart thumped in her chest. “H-hello.”
“Snow? What kind of name is that?” Lucas smirked.
“My mother liked the winter season,” Snow snapped. “What kind of name is Lucas?” She rested her hands on her hips and heard Cristoff chuckle.
“Luke, calm down. Snow’s our guest,” Cristoff said, noticing the pile of dishes. “Did you clean the supper dishes?” He looked at Snow, who nodded. “I believe Snow just saved you from one of your chores, Lucas.” Cristoff chuckled while Mirabelle snaked her way through Lucas’s legs.
“Thank you,” Luke mumbled.
“Now that we’ve been acquainted, Luke, can you show Snow her room, please? I’m going to wash up.”
Lucas turned to the hall. “This way.” Snow grabbed her satchel and quickly followed the boy. She saw a door on her left and a door on her right before stopping behind Lucas. He opened the last door on the left and let it swing back on the hinges.
“This is your room.” He stepped to the side, allowing Snow to look past him. “The outhouse is behind the cabin and there’s a tub near the backdoor.”
Snow gripped the handle of her satchel. “Thank you,” she said, gazing up at Lucas. Her heart was still pounding wildly in her chest and her mind felt like it was scrambled. His grey eyes were beautiful and his chocolate-colored hair hung nicely across his brow, cascading to his collar in small flicks and waves.
“Are you okay?” he asked, cocking his head.
“Ahh, yes.” She slipped past him and stood in the middle of the room.
Lucas watched her for a moment before bobbing his head and leaving the room.
Chapter Eight – The Kiss
Several days later, Snow was sitting in the window seat watching a squirrel exploring when she saw a movement in the trees. Straining her eyes, she saw a figure hiding behind a tree; long blond hair glowed in the dappled sunlight.
“Rella,” Snow whispered. She hurried out of the room, only to halt in the hall when she heard Lucas and Cristoff talking in the kitchen.
“Father, what does it feel like to be in love?” Lucas asked.
“Love? Well, when I first saw your mother, my heart pounded in my chest and my breath left my lungs,” Cristoff told him. “I thought of her before I slept and thought of her when I woke. Abigail never left my mind and she always drew me in. Why do you ask, son?”
Lucas stayed silent for a moment and Snow became nervous. She was contemplating stepping out from her hiding spot, but changed her mind when Lucas finally spoke.
“I always think of Snow. Every minute of the day, she’s on my mind, and every night, I dream of her,” he said in a soft voice. “When I see her…my heart feels like it’s going to jump out of my chest.”
Cristoff chuckled. “You’ve fallen hard, my son,” he said. “Snow’s a beautiful young woman, and I can see she makes you smile. I haven’t seen you smile since your mother passed.”
“What do I do, Father?”
“Hmm!” Snow peeked round the corner and saw Cristoff rubbing his chin. “You need to tell her. She needs to know what your heart is feeling. I think you’ll be surprised.” He stood then turned in her direction. A half-smile appeared when he spotted her.
Snow showed herself, making Lucas stare at her. She saw the affection spilling from his eyes as she headed into the kitchen. “I thought I would go and pick some berries for after supper,” she said, feeling Lucas watching her every move.
“Good idea, Snow. Why not take Luke with you?” Cristoff said, pulling his cap over his head. “I’m going to water the animals.”
Snow listened to the old man leave before turning and meeting grey eyes. Luke slowly stood and closed the gap in two strides. He raised his hand to her cheek and rubbed a thumb across her temple. “Snow, I-I…” he swallowed. “I never stop thinking of you. You plague my days and haunt my dreams.”
“Oh, I am sorry,” she apologized, frowning.
Lucas chuckled, sending warm breath across her face. “No; it’s good. I promise.” He moved his face closer, their lips inches apart. Snow was melting from the inside out. She had never kissed a boy, and it excited her and scared her at the same time. As Lucas’s lips lightly touched hers, Snow closed her eyes and let her body become one with his.
Lucas trapped Snow between his lean body and the bench. His strong arms encircled her waist as their mouths moved together; Snow’s arms rested on his shoulders while her fingers clung to his locks. It felt right to both of them and they could have kept kissing, but a loud thud separated them.
Snow was regaining her breath while Lucas scowled at the back door. He stepped over and threw the wooden door open. “Hey! Stop!” he called out, running out of the cabin.
Snow quickly followed and saw Lucas chasing a figure into the trees. Lucas’s path was easy to follow; branches were broken and leaf litter was disturbed. When she reached a clearing, Snow saw Lucas doubled-over and puffing. At her approach, his head swivelled in her direction.
“I lost her,” he said, straightening to his full height. “She disappeared through those trees.” He pointed across the clearing.
“It was female?” Snow asked, frowning at the looming trees.
“Yes,” Lucas replied, coming over to her. “What’s wrong?”
“Describe her.”
Lucas tried understanding Snow’s expression, but came up empty. “I saw long blond hair and a pale pink dress. This was on the ground.” He opened his hand and showed Snow a ribbon the color of cotton candy.
“Arella,” Snow whispered.
“Who?” Lucas asked, but Snow turned and left the clearing.
Chapter Nine – Blue Bird
“Mother!” Rella screamed, barging into the castle. “Mother!”
Genevieve ran from the parlour and found her daughter fuming in the foyer. “Arella, what’s wrong?” She reached out, touching her daughter’s blond hair.
“She’s in love,” Rella cried.
“Who?” Genevieve asked, confused.
“Catherine,” Rella spat, clenching her hands at her sides. “She was kissing a boy. He’s handsome and I want him to kiss me!” She ran into the parlour and flopped onto the couch.
“Oh, my love,” Genevieve soothed. “You are much prettier than Catherine.”
“Then why doesn’t he love me?” Rella sobbed. “I want Snow to suffer.” She lifted her head and squeezed out a single tear.
Genevieve petted her head then kissed her daughter’s forehead. “Leave it with me.” She rose from kneeling beside her daughter then left the room.
Snow was sitting on the porch, Mirabelle curled up on her lap, while the sun slowly dipped lower in the sky. She was stroking the kitty’s soft fur when Cristoff strode across the yard.
“Snow, where’s Luke?” he asked, stamping clods of mud from his boots. Mirabelle squinted up at him then yawned.
“He said he was going to collect firewood, but that was hours ago,” Snow said as Cristoff turned toward the forest. “I thought I’d wait for him.”
“Hmm!” The old man scratched his
head. “He should be back by now.”
Snow placed the cat on the floor then stood, concern clawing at her heart. “Maybe I should search for him?” She was about to step off the porch when a small blue bird flew down, landing on the railing.
“No; I’m sure Luke will return soon,” Cristoff said as Mirabelle eyed the bird. She licked her lips as the blue bird fluffed his wings. “I’ll start supper.” He scooped the white kitty up, going inside.
Snow watched as the bird preened under his wing then cocked its head, looking up at her. “Hello,” she said, leaning her arms on the railing. “You haven’t seen Lucas, have you?”
The bird twittered and it was a sound unlike any of the other birds in the forest. It sounded like tinkling bells and it made Snow’s heart swell. She stuck her finger out and smiled when the small blue bird hoped on it like a perch. With her free hand, she gently stroked the feathers as the bird whistled a beautiful song.
Chapter Ten – The Search
Snow was pacing the porch as the small blue bird watched her. When she sniffled, he took flight, landing on her shoulder. He gently pecked at her short black hair while she scratched his chest.
“Oh, Luke! Where are you?” she said to herself. She stared off into the trees while tears welled in her sparkling green eyes. “I miss you.”
“Snow?” Cristoff came out of the cabin, his face creased with worry.
“I’m sorry, Cristoff, but I have to search for him.” She brushed the bird off her shoulder and pushed past the old man. “I can’t stay here wondering where he is.” Snow headed into her room and started to shove her things into the satchel.
“I know I can’t stop you,” Cristoff said, standing in the doorway. “Please be safe and bring back my son.” He wiped his eyes, making Snow’s heart break. She dropped her clothing on the bed and went over to the man, hugging him tightly.
“I’ll try my best,” she whispered against his shoulder.
As Snow left the cabin, she hoped she could come back with Cristoff’s son. She had seen the sadness in his wrinkled grey eyes and knew it reflected in her own. Her pain was his pain. Snow clutched her satchel and wished she had talked Cristoff into joining her so she wouldn’t feel alone. But as she followed the trail to the main road she saw the small blue bird flying close beside her
Chapter Eleven – Gowns
The old oak tree stood pride and place amongst other, smaller trees. As the sun danced across the branches, its trunk held a very important notice for everyone to bear witness. Snow was ambling past the ancient oak when her eye caught something blowing in the breeze. She stopped, stepping closer to the parchment paper staked to the tree.
“Please join Arella and-” Snow squinted her eyes, but the paper had ripped, making the name impossible to read. “Getting engaged? The Masquerade Ball is being held at…Queen Whitelock’s castle.” Snow frowned as she tore the paper from the trunk. She ran her eyes over the calligraphy before balling it up and throwing it into nearby bushes. “It’s not her castle…it will never be her castle,” Snow growled then heard the tinkling twitters of her companion, the blue bird.
She rested against the oak and let the small bird land on her shoulder. She gently stroked his chest while he rearranged her raven hair. “Should I attend, Blue?” she sighed while listening to leaves rustle above her and other forest animals going on with their day.
Snow had been searching for her one true love, Lucas, for several months now, and was still empty handed. But still she moved on. Her heart felt incomplete without him and she had made a silent promise to Cristoff to bring back his son.
The blue bird was hopping along the ground until he took to the air and started to swoop around Snow’s head. He trilled out to her while she followed him through waist-high grass and fallen trees.
“Hey, Blue, slow down,” she called up to him. “I’m a mere girl and I don’t have wings like you.” She pushed past wildflowers and rounded a cluster of trees, coming to a stop when a stone cabin appeared out of nowhere. Vines and grass crept up the walls while the porch leaned to one side. The windows were dark holes and the warped door stood wide open.
Snow carefully stepped onto the wooden porch while the blue bird landed on the railing, fluffing his wings. As she tentatively approached the door, she felt the velvet touch of the bird’s feather on her shoulder.
“Hello! Anyone here?” She listened for any sound, but the cabin was abandoned.
The cabin was empty except for a large, solid, timber armoire, intricately carved with roses and vines. Snow stood in front of it as the blue bird perched on top of it, peering down at her.
“Here goes nothing, Blue.” She reached her hand out, pulling the doors open. Her eyes widened as her mouth popped open. “Oh, my goodness!”
Inside the armoire were several beautiful gowns ranging from pinks, mauves, and buttercup yellows. As Snow removed the garments, she let her eyes travel over each one and noticed delicate details; small glittering crystals on a neckline or fine lace on the sleeve hems. When she removed the last gown, her heart stuttered and a giant grin spread across her crimson lips.
“I think I’ve found the right gown, Blue,” she said, gently running a finger down the sweetheart neckline. She was admiring the dress when she heard the tinkling twitter of the blue bird. When she turned, Snow saw that in his beak was a pair of powder-blue, satin gloves. Moving forward, a pair of matching slippers caught her attention. Snow looked up at her companion and saw his grey eyes twinkling.
Chapter Twelve – Masquerade Ball
The castle gardens flickered with soft candle light as the sun slowly dipped behind the forest. Snow watched as people moved about, dressed in fine gowns or handsome suits; all disguised with masks. She took a deep breath before securing her blue, satin mask and stepping out into the twilight.
Her powder-blue gown swished around her feet as she picked her way past garden beds and a grand white gazebo covered in jasmine vines. The cool air was scented with roses and lilacs as the blue bird stayed close to Snow.
Snow heard whispers and felt eyes watching her as she snaked through mingling groups. She was relieved that no one knew who she was behind the mask.
When the porch came into view, she stopped, watching a blonde female with a silver mask talking to a tall man wearing a black suit and a gold mask with peacock feathers. When the woman laughed, it sent chills up and down Snow’s spine.
Snow was standing away from the party, the blue bird perched on her shoulder, twirling her hair in his beak when she heard footsteps coming toward her. When she turned around, Snow came face-to-face with the blonde behind the silver mask.
“Hello,” she said, “do I know you?”
Snow bit her lip before answering. “Yes. I’m Snow.”
The blonde’s sky blue eyes widened while her pale pink lips formed an O. “Snow? Where have you been? Mother was-”
“Please, don’t pretend you were concerned about me,” Snow said, cutting Rella off. “I know you saw me with Lucas.” She turned to leave, but Rella’s hand touched her arm.
“Please, don’t leave,” Rella said. “I apologize for the way I treated you for all of those years. I’m ashamed of my behaviour.” She removed her silver mask and Snow saw guilt written all over her face. “I’ve changed. I’m in love with a wonderful man…”
“I’m happy for you, Arella. At least you have your love.”
Rella searched Snow’s face then frowned. “Lucas was the boy I saw you kissing all those months ago?” Snow nodded. “Where is he?”
“I don’t know…” Snow removed her own mask. “Luke has been missing, so I’m searching for him. Where is your mother?”
Rella’s eyes turned sad. “Mother died last month.”
Snow stayed silent.
“Come; you must meet Edward.” Rella grabbed Snow’s hand and tugged her toward the party. They came to a stop at a group of men sipping champagne and laughing. “Darling, this is Snow. My sister.” She looked at Snow and sm
iled. Snow eyed Rella and realised the smile was genuine.
“Hello, it’s nice to meet my sister’s soon-to-be husband,” she said, holding her hand out to the masked man.
“It’s finally good to meet you, too, Snow,” Edward said, shaking her hand. “Arella has told me all about you. I know she and her mother were…unkind.” He wrapped his arm around Rella’s waist. “But believe me, she’s a changed woman.” He kissed her cheek, making Rella smile.
“I can see that,” Snow replied as the blue bird softly twittered in her ear.
“Oh, before I forget, I found something in Mother’s belongings that had your name on it,” Rella said. “I’ll just be a minute.” She turned and scurried into the castle. Snow was watching the masked people when she felt Arella beside her. “Here, this is for you,” she held out a plain white envelope. On the front was ‘Catherine Whitelock’ scrawled in cursive writing. “I’ll give you some privacy.”
Snow held the envelope in her hand as Rella and Edward joined their friends. When tears threatened to spill, Snow ran toward the forest until she was far away from the castle. She leaned against a fallen tree and stared at the envelope in her hands. When the blue bird landed beside her, Snow came out of her trance.
Ripping the envelope open, she pulled a single piece of parchment out and read the sentence in the same cursive writing:
True love’s kiss will show one’s true self.
Snow sighed sadly. “True love’s kiss can never become real for me.” A tear slipped from an eye. “I gave my heart to a boy, only for him to disappear soon after.” Her heart felt heavy as she read the single sentence over and over again. “My heart can never love another.” She balled the note and envelope up as another tear slid down her cheek. A velvet soft feather wiped it away.