Blood and Snow 11: Resolved to Rule

by RaShelle Workman

  “Lips red as rubies, hair dark as night. Drink your true love’s blood, become the Vampire, Snow White.”

  Praise for the Blood and Snow series:

  “The modern twist on the Snow White fairy tale was interesting and original, which isn't easy to find these days. Highly recommended.” Sarra Cannon, bestselling author of the Peachville High Demons series

  “This book will definitely suck you in (no pun intended) instantly.” Anthony

  "BLOOD AND SNOW draws you in from the very beginning and never let's you go, only to leave you anticipating more! Loved it. Can't wait for volume 2." Debbie Davis from Debbie's Inkspectations

  "This is a fun, smart, and sexy read!" Elizabeth Mueller, award winning YA author of Darkspell

  “I definitely look forward to more, and recommend this to anyone who likes a fairy tale with a twist.” Kay Glass

  “If you enjoy vampires and fractured fairy tales you'll enjoy these quick reads!” Laura Pauling, author of the Circle of Spies series

  “Best books that I have read!” Mercedez

  Main Menu

  Start Reading

  Afterword

  Additional Works by RaShelle Workman

  Indelible Authors

  About the Author

  Contact Information

  Copyright Information

  Table of Contents

  Chapter 1

  Love is like a pyrotechnics display. The vibrancy and beauty not truly appreciated until after they erupt. When the sparks burst in radiant color, and gloriously proclaim to the sky, “This is what you’re missing. This is what you’ve lost.”

  At least that’s how it was with my mother. I adored her. Loved the way she sang while she cooked, the way her eyebrows came together when she read something interesting, and the way she snuggled into my neck when she tucked me in at night.

  Those memories were priceless, and I wished I relished her more while I had her love. Cuddled longer. Hugged her tighter. But then, I didn’t know she was going to die… or leave me.

  The knowledge that all this time she was alive, but chose to stay away, filled me with a pain I didn’t know existed. I was devastated, and, if I was honest with myself, also excited to see her.

  My mother used to say, “Promises are lies spoken from the heart. Never make a promise unless you’re one hundred percent sure you can keep it.” When she said it, I hadn’t understood what she meant. But as Dorian, Gabe, Cindy, and I got closer to the city my mother called home, I thought she must’ve known all along she would leave.

  That I would be alone.

  At those thoughts, some of my pain changed to resentment. At her. She allowed me to be raised by a mean stepmother, and a father who cowed to her every whim. A man who wasn’t strong enough to be there when I needed him most.

  How could she do that? Why? I hoped I’d get the chance to ask.

  “Is Snow’s mom like an elf-mermaid?” Dorian asked Abernathy, bringing me out of my reverie.

  Abernathy laughed. “Mermaids are fish. Elves are land dwellers. Snow’s mother is not a fish, but an elf. Please try to keep up.”

  Gabe smirked. “It may not be possible.”

  Dorian reached over and slugged Gabe in the arm, knocking Cindy and I slightly askew.

  “Hey, none of that,” Cindy hissed. “I don’t want to fall.”

  “You won’t,” I whispered, leaning into her.

  “You doing okay? You must be freaking out about your mom.” Cindy murmured.

  “Yeah, a little.” I swallowed, afraid if I said more I might cry. I still didn’t totally believe she was alive, and I wouldn’t until I saw her again, with my own eyes. And maybe she was as Abernathy said, an elf. But since she looked human while she lived with me, wasn’t it possible she could become something different while under the sea? Could she be a mermaid too?

  You’re an idiot, my inner voice scolded.

  “Hang on,” Abernathy growled.

  I glanced ahead. We were nearly to the large bubble surrounding the city. “How are we going to get in?”

  Abernathy’s response was flippant. “How are we in this realm? How are you four able to breathe, or more importantly, how are you able to keep from being crushed? The answer is the same for all questions. Magic. I have it and I know how to use it.” He shook his head, and his amber mane danced slowly in the water.

  When I thought Abernathy would crash, he yelled one word. “Opherium!” And he glided through.

  The bubble surrounding the city was much thicker than I believed, and as we passed through it, my body felt tingly, as though each cell was tickled. On the other side, there was a collective sigh from the others, and I realized they must’ve felt the same strangeness I did.

  Inside were tall, vibrant buildings. Colors similar to the coral I’d seen—turquoise, hot pink, salmon, neon blue, and lime green. Yellows, from buttery to vibrant, tangerine, and lavender. Various types of trees grew in rows along the perimeter of the buildings. The trees reminded me of a combination of kelp, and seaweed. Heat from above warmed my skin, and I glanced up. A yellow sun shone bright in the sky. Wispy clouds sailed across a blue firmament. “How?” I began, and then stopped. I already knew what Abernathy would say.

  Magic.

  Chapter 2

  Roads and sidewalks intersected, and meandered along the buildings. The roads looked like they were made from pearls. And all manner of creatures flew or walked the streets. Trolls, elves, fairies, and gremlins. Even humans.

  Several streams meandered lazily in different sections of the city. And surrounding the city’s outskirts was a vast ocean. Did mermaids dwell here? I strained by eyes, hoping to catch a glimpse of one.

  The idea of mermaids brought up another concern. Where exactly did Abernathy bring us? What was this place? The dragon said the city was called Mizu Atlantica, but what was the city for?

  Abernathy flew us along the streets, over the heads of the multitudes of residents. No one shrieked, or screamed. Instead, most waved to Abernathy, and greeted him like an old friend.

  I shook my head in disbelief.

  This was wild.

  Abernathy landed in the exact center of the city. On a large, circular patch of green. It wasn’t grass. It was slimier—like moss, or algae.

  “Do not climb off,” Abernathy said, tucking his wings along his back, and to the side. “We are going below.”

  As he spoke, a screech reverberated through my body, like metal scraping against metal. I peered over the side, and realized the circle Abernathy stood on descended.

  Cindy wrapped her arms around Gabe. Dorian tightened his grip. I leaned into him, thankful for his nearness. Since I told him I was in love with Christopher, he’d been more quiet, but still available when I needed him. I realized a friendship like his rarely came along. I turned back to him, and smiled.

  “Thanks, Dorian.”

  “No worries.” He nudged me with his shoulder.

  After several long, nerve-wracking moments, we stopped.

  A blue-green light flickered on above, along with a rigorous hum, as the large hole in the ceiling closed. There was a click, and a door in front of us slid open. Standing in the doorway, flanked by two (I’m guessing) bodyguards, was my mother.

  She wore slick black pants, and a matching black top. It reminded me of a scuba suit, but with more flair. On her feet were boots with sparkling black buckles holding them to her legs. They went to midway up her calves. On her back was what looked like a large gun. And her long hair was in a braid, hanging down her back.

  “She’s kickass,” Dorian whispered.

  A glint of a smile crossed my mother’s lips, as though she’d heard
him.

  I couldn’t say anything. I was shocked. Physically, she looked the same as she did the last time I saw her. Long hair, the color of spider silk, a lithe body. But she also appeared more hardened. There was none of the softness I remembered. Instead she looked… as Dorian said, like a kick ass, no nonsense woman.

  A woman who resembled my mother in physical attributes, but that was all.

  “Ariel,” Abernathy said, his voice low and soothing. “It’s lovely to see you again.”

  “That’s your mom?” Dorian asked.

  Chapter 3

  Abernathy and my mother made small talk. She glanced my direction several times, her smile lighting my insides with happiness. But I couldn’t speak. Dorian wrapped a protective arm around my shoulders. Cindy tried to strike up a conversation, but I didn’t respond. I couldn’t focus on anyone but my mom.

  Gabe and Cindy hung back, unsure what to do with themselves.

  Mom. I can’t believe it’s her, I thought.

  Once Abernathy and my mother finished talking, the circular opening above slid open, and Abernathy flew away. “I’ll return when I’m needed. Good-bye little vampire,” he said.

  I noticed my mother flinched at his word—vampire.

  “See ya,” I said, and my voice echoed against the strange walls. A strange odor radiated from everywhere. It took me a minute to place it, but I realized the strongest smell was hazelnut. Underneath was salt water. It wasn’t a bad smell, but I was curious if they used some sort of scented candle or… something to cover up the stench of sea water, fish, and all things relating to sea life.

  Inclining her head to each of us, my mother directed we follow. My feet began to move of their own volition. We crossed the doorway, and the door slid closed behind us. The blue-green lights lit up the hallway that appeared to be made out of something black. It sparkled and I wondered if the walls, floor, and ceiling were black diamonds. None of us spoke. The only sound was the swishing of our clothes, and the rhythmic padding of our shoes. When we reached the end of the hall, a door slid open. We went through, and entered a room. It looked like a formal living room, with a fireplace, couches, chairs, end tables. Even a piano. But the materials were different somehow. I touched one of the couches as I passed, and was surprised by its softness.

  “The furniture is made of eel skin,” my mother said, though she didn’t turn, but kept walking forward.

  I was shocked, and pulled my hand away.

  Should I be disgusted?

  The piano was in the shape of a baby grand. The lid was up. The white keys shone next to the black ones.

  “Everything you see here is from Mizu. Created from the animals, rocks, and minerals found in this land. Nothing is from the surface,” Ariel said, answering the question I felt certain I hadn’t asked aloud.

  Dorian walked next to me, and gave me a look.

  I shrugged.

  After the living room we came to the kitchen. An overwhelming heat permeated from an enormous fire in the center. Men and women of all shapes, and heritages moved as though in a dance, preparing food.

  My mother stopped, and I nearly ran into her before I realized, and halted.

  She turned back, and grinned. A smile I remembered. The kind that touched the innermost secrets of my soul.

  I breathed in, and waited for her to speak.

  “Are you hungry?” she asked.

  “Starved,” Dorian answered.

  Gabe agreed.

  “I could eat,” Cindy said.

  Blood sounds good, I thought, but said nothing.

  “Please, have a seat.” She indicated a wooden table. The centerpiece was filled with flowers I didn’t recognize.

  When we were seated, plates were brought, and positioned in front of us. The food smelled divine. It looked like fish covered in a creamy yellow sauce, green beans, and fresh baked rolls. By the way Gabe, Dorian, and Cindy ate, I guessed it must be good. I didn’t even try to fake it. My stomach was already in knots. I couldn’t add human food to the mix.

  No one spoke for several minutes. The cooks whispered amongst themselves, but the five of us didn’t say a word. Dorian, Gabe, and Cindy stuffed their faces. I stared at my plate, and I caught my mother staring at me.

  When they finished, my mother addressed them.

  “Better?”

  “Yes,” Cindy said, giving me a sidelong look.

  “Good.” She rose, and eyed her bodyguards. They’d been standing against a wall, out of the way. “Will the two of you escort these children to their… rooms. They should get some rest.”

  The bodyguards moved forward.

  Gabe, Dorian, Cindy, and I began to follow. I wasn’t tired and had no desire to relax. I wanted to stay with my mom. There was a lot I wanted to discuss. But, I didn’t know how to voice my wishes. I was still shocked that she was alive, and standing feet away.

  My mother grasped me by the elbow. “Can we talk? Just the two of us?” Her voice was light, soft.

  Dorian, and the others turned back, waiting for my answer. I shrugged. “Sure,” I said, my shaky words betraying my nervousness.

  Cindy shot me a look, one that said, “If you need me, I’ll stay, or change her into a leprechaun.”

  At the idea, I smirked. “I’ll catch up with you guys in a while.”

  Cindy nodded, and they followed the guards from the room. After several moments, my mother said, “Let’s go somewhere with a bit more privacy.” She walked to the living room, and made her way over to the fireplace. At the touch of a button, it sprang to life. She crossed her arms.

  It was a strange feeling—watching her, being near her. I wanted her to hug me, but I was scared to have her hug me.

  She was focused on the flames when she began talking. “I knew as soon as you were Marked, as soon as you showed me the spot on your shoulder, that our lives would never be the same. From the day you were born you were special. Even as a baby you were this little black-haired, blue-eyed force to be reckoned with.” She paused. And I waited, watching her in awe.

  My mother was alive.

  When she spoke again, her voice shook with emotion. “Every day, every second, of every minute, I thought about you. Wondered how you were growing, if you were happy.” She sniffed, and suddenly turned. “Are you happy?”

  I winced, hesitant to reply. A part of me wanted to comfort her, ease the agony evident in her eyes. But memories flooded through my mind. Of all the times I needed her. From knee scrapes, to birthday parties, to the time I got my period, and Vivianne laughed, telling me to suck it up.

  Then there was everything else. I was bitten, and transformed into something new, irreverent, and wholly fantastical. First a revenant—not quite human, not quite vampire—to what I was now. A vampire given the task to restore balance to all magical creatures.

  In the past thirteen years I experienced moments of happiness. I’d laughed, enjoyed time with friends. Fallen in love.

  But there’d been plenty of miserable times as well. Most of them normal teenage girl problems. Human problems. Like, whether or not I’d trip up the stairs. Would I ever get a first kiss, pass Biology, or go to college? I still didn’t know how to drive—not really. And what about when I needed to talk to her about my craving for boys, and blood… and kissing…

  Or just needed my mom because I was having a horrible day. It was one thing when I thought she died. Something else entirely that she’d chosen to stay away.

  Living in this… place. Hiding. When I needed a mother. She’d run.

  Was I happy?

  My mother reached out a tentative hand, but I pulled away.

  She sighed. “I’m sorry, Snow.” She turned back to the flames. “If I could have stayed, I would have. I swear. I know what I’ve missed.”

  Finally, I found my voice. “Do you? Really?” I shook my head, swallowing back my sadness. “How did leaving, pretending to be dead, help me in any way?” The words tumbled out, filled with aching sadness. “I-I needed you. In so ma
ny ways. You leaving didn’t stop Chris—my Hunter from biting me. It didn’t stop my need for human blood. All your absence did was tear a hole in my heart. All you did was leave me alone, afraid all the time. I didn’t have anyone. Dad and Vivianne started leaving me alone when I was thirteen, and not just for a few days, but for weeks. If it hadn’t been for Professor Pops… I mean Mr. Henry and his sons, I would’ve died from loneliness. So, tell me how it helped? Tell me why leaving was so noble. Because I don’t buy it.” I breathed heavily, my chest rising and falling rapidly. Tears were streaming down my face, and I let them. My mother was wrong to leave. I knew it. And I wanted her to know it.

  Chapter 4

  “I get that, Snow. I do. You’re loneliness has weighed heavily on my heart since the day I left. But look at you?” Her eyes sparkled with awe. “You’re magnificent. A leader. A creature destined to save us all.”

  I let out a noise somewhere between a snort and a sob. I wiped at my tears, wishing they’d stop. “How can you say that? I’m a wreck.” But I had to admit her words made me feel better.

  My mother wiped my cheek with the back of her hand. “Maybe you are a bit of a wreck, but aren’t we all? Isn’t that what life is about? The mess.”

  My hands trembled. I listened to her words, heard the gentleness of her voice, and all it did was anger me more. How could she console, or tell me anything? She didn’t have the right.

  “I don’t know,” I whispered.

  She rolled her shoulders. “Do you want to sit?” she asked.

  I shook my head.

  “Fine.” She crossed her arms. “Abernathy told you the name of this city, correct?”

  “Yes,” I answered, and cleared my throat.

  “Did he tell you what the city’s purpose is? Why we’re here. Under a million tons of water, in a totally different realm.”

  “No,” I said, gently. I dreaded something big was coming, something I didn’t want to hear, but couldn’t stop.