by R. L. Weeks
The man nodded and walked away. ‘What was that about?’ asked James, who had caught up with her.
‘I thought I told you to leave me alone.’
James smiled. ‘Thought I told you that I’m not working with Lori to destroy you? I’m just looking out for my mother.’
That hit her where it mattered. She understood. If it were her, she would have done anything to protect her mother. had she known that she was in danger or upset.
James swallowed hard. ‘Why do you still dislike me? You seemed quite smitten with me, to begin with?’
Snow opened her mouth to speak but closed it. She was speechless, for once. She had an excuse to dislike him when she thought he was working with Lori. But now, she didn’t. Maybe it’s because she’s scared of getting hurt and handsome, confident men like him always end up hurting girls. ‘I just know your type,’ she said.
‘You don’t know me. Give me a chance. I wasn’t lying when I said I liked you!’ James stated.
Snow took in a deep breath. ‘I’m not looking for a relationship if I’m honest.’
He grinned. ‘Well, can we at least be friends?’
‘Yes,’ she replied and walked with James up to the top of the garden. ‘If we are to be friends, then I must know if I can trust you. Tell me something personal about you.’
His expression darkened. ‘I like daisies.’ She laughed but he groaned. ‘I can’t help it,’ he admitted. ‘They’re so pretty.’
Snow bit her lip then smiled. ‘Enough with jokes. Tell me about your life. How did you end up here?’
James brushed the snow off a log and gestured Snow to sit down, then sat down next to her. ‘My grandfather was cursed by a beastly man. My mother and I went to the castle to see if we could make some sort of trade. He was cursed to die. Anyway, when we got there the man who cursed my father lifted the curse and kept us there as prisoners. Except, he treated us nicely, I guess. My mother fell for him.’
‘Oh.’ Snow said.
He sighed and fiddled with the hilt of his new sword. It was a present given to him by Lori for joining her plans. ‘He thought of himself as a beast. I know now that he was cursed to be as ugly on the outside as he was on the inside.’
Snow grinned. ‘Wow, was there a beast?’
‘Well, he wasn’t actually a beast. It was more of a metaphor I think… Anyway, I was being taught to sword fight so didn’t mind staying. I wanted a way to protect my family so used the castle as a way to do that.’
Snow nodded. ‘I would’ve done the same thing.’
He raised an eyebrow and smiled. ‘Well, it was a mistake. Long story short. Mum fell in love with him. I should have been there to talk some sense into her. Maybe then she wouldn’t have sought comfort with him.’
Snow looked at his expression. She could see that he was hurting over it. He was remorseful after all. ‘Anyway,’ he continued. ‘He kissed her and the curse broke completely, and then… he left.’ Snow showed nothing but compassion. He noticed that she had an almost innocent aura about her. Well, he would have believed it if he hadn’t got to know her. ‘I found out more when they left. I read through diaries. Stilt ate his own child!’ James’s eyes widened. ‘Like, his own real-life child. Lori cursed him, which I don’t agree with.’ Snow didn’t look surprised. Instead, she gave him a told you she was evil look. He continued. ‘And Edward was a frog for years. Apparently, the first kiss didn’t work so he found another. She became a frog and he killed her. Then, he came to the castle to get more power and the enchantress used his own ego to trick him into a kiss... Snow?’ He realised she was no longer listening. Her face had warped into one of pure anger.
Snow opened her mouth, tears brimming in her eyes. Tears of anger. ‘That man, Edward. I think the woman he killed was my mother. She died as a frog. I thought for so long that I had killed her. I stepped on her and only found this morning that she was already dead. I hated myself for so long and now I barely have any family left, only my grandfather, the King. The fate of the kingdom, the continuation of the dynasty falls to me. This man, Edward, ruined everything!’ she stood up and pulled out her dagger. ‘Where is he? I will remove his head from his shoulders!
Tears fell like a veil down her face and for the first time in a long time she felt vulnerable.
James grabbed her hand and lowered the dagger. ‘We’ll have to be careful. I want him dead too. Join me with Lori and my mum. We are going after them.’
‘I can’t,’ Snow admitted. ‘I have promised the people whose beauty she stole that we would destroy her. A group of dwarves out for revenge. I’ve been hiding them in the dungeons. We were planning an attack.’
‘Ask for their help,’ James offered. ‘Tell them to wait. If they help us kill Edward and his sneaky friend Stilt, then we will take Lori out. I promise,’ James took her hand in his and looked into her eyes. ‘We will get our revenge. Let’s help each other. It’ll be our little secret.’
She looked back into his and grinned. ‘So, what do we do first?’
Snow pointed at a yawning dwarf. ‘This is Fred, I call him Sleepy. He is always drifting off during our meetings. It’s side effects of the spells that take their beauty from them,’ Snow informed James. ‘And this one is sneezy, he keeps having allergic reactions to almost everything,’ she said sympathetically. He looked around the dungeon. In the middle of the dimly lit room was a wooden table which looked out of place with the rest of the room, which consisted of stone seats, a barred window, and chains attached to the wall. He looked at the dwarf who was rubbing his nose. They all looked ugly. James felt pity for them. They were all once men, who simply ate an apple and had their lives ruined. ‘That one’s Doc. He was a doctor before, so, it fits.’ She shrugged. ‘And that one is Bashful. Always blushing away.’
‘No, I’m not,’ Bashful said as his face filled with colour.
One dwarf extended his hand to Edward. ‘I’m Gregory, Snow calls me Happy,’ he said a little too enthusiastically.
‘Nice to meet you,’ James shook his hand and looked at Snow. ‘How are we going to do this? We are nine people.’
Snow smiled. ‘Ten if you include Henry.’
‘Will he help?’ James asked.
‘I’m sure he will,’ she said and shrugged. ‘I can get guards, too. There are men I can pay to help us. Experienced sword fighters, assassins, and thieves.’
‘Let’s fight bad with bad, makes sense?’ Gregory said.
Snow rolled her eyes. ‘Oh, now you have a moral compass. You’re planning on helping to kill a woman, and you’re judging me on who I get to assist us?’
‘Well, if we have to commit murder, then we must do it in the right way,’ Gregory replied.
‘Oh shut up you blithering idiot. We will use who we have too!’ Grumpy said. ‘I trust you, Snow. You’re the only one helping us. So, what do we do?’
James stepped forward and knelt by the table. ‘There are two men who are worse than Lori. Edward and Stilt. Edward killed Snow’s mother then left my mother. Stilt ate his own child and is helping Edward. They are our first target. Lori hates them, and they hate her. They are our key to destroying her.’
Snow smirked. ‘We have all been pawns in their games for far too long. It is time that we start playing them at their own game. We are going to be the ones who give them the pushes they need. I have spies right now finding out information about Edward, Stilt, and anyone else they have been in contact with. We are going to bring them down.’
‘To do that,’ James said. ‘We are going to join Lori. To pretend that we are on her side to bring Edward and Stilt down.’
James wolfed down his chicken and potatoes as he mulled over their plan. His part was probably the easiest. He looked at the door as Snow walked in. He noticed little things about her that he didn’t before. Like, how cute her dimples were when she smiled. How she kept pushing her fringe out of her face and, when she got nervous, she would pick at her fingernails. That she would always have a hole in her tig
hts within half an hour of wearing a new pair. That her boots were always tied sloppily. ‘Hey,’ he said, feeling a little breathless. She grinned and sneakily poured a little whisky into his goblet. ‘What are you doing?’
‘Having a little fun,’ she stated. ‘Come on, never had whisky before?’ she asked, giggling.
‘No, actually,’ he admitted and drank it. ‘That tastes vile.’
She laughed. ‘I know, I hate it. Was fun to see you try it, though.’
‘I really hate you sometimes,’ he said and huffed.
‘Aww, damn! I’m going to cry,’ she said sarcastically and ate some chicken. ‘Anyway,’ she whispered. ‘Update. I know where Stilt and Edward are. Apparently, they are in Dolorom.’ James leant in closer to her and noticed that she smelled subtly of strawberries with a hint of vanilla. He felt himself go lightheaded for a second, then shook it off. ‘A woman, Red, she lives nearby. Apparently, Stilt had something to do with her mother’s death, and she wants revenge.’
‘I know her, Red. We’re friends,’ James said.
‘Oh,’ Snow replied. ‘Good.’
James looked puzzled. ‘So, she’s in?’
She shook her head. ‘Not yet. I will go and see her. I’ve not actually met her.’
‘We will go to see her. I know her,’ he pointed out.
‘Okay,’ she breathed. ‘We’ll leave this evening. Now, pass me the water,’ she demanded.
He handed her the water. ‘Are you okay?’
Her eyes widened. ‘I’m fine.’
He brushed his fingers along her hand. ‘If you want to talk to me, I’m here whenever you need me, Snow.’
She looked down. ‘I’ll be fine.’
He tousled his hair. ‘Still, I’m with you.’
She gazed into his eyes, her own were sparked with madness. One minute she was crying and the next laughing. Still, she maintained an heir of grace – she had too, she was a princess after all.
*****
‘Red,’ James said and hugged her. Her hair was a dark brown, but still lighter than Snow’s. She wore studded black boots, black trousers, with a bright red top. The most unique thing about her was her eyes. Coated with black lashes, slightly tinted red, were bright violet eyes that shone in the moonlight. Besides her was a wolf, staring at Snow and James hungrily.
‘I’m Snow,’ Snow said and looked down at the wolf nervously.
‘Red,’ Red replied and shook Snow’s hand firmly. Snow noticed that Red looked, well, cool. She had the whole “I’m a badass, and I don’t care what people think” look about her and Snow kind of envied the fact that Red seemed to pull it off better than she did.
‘To what do I owe the pleasure of this late-night visit, James,’ she asked, cooing his name. Snow held her breath for a second and gritted her teeth.
James placed his hand on her arm and smiled the most charming smile. ‘Do I need an excuse to see one of my favorite girls?’
Snow coughed loudly. ‘Can we get down to businesses. We have important things to discuss.’
‘Of course,’ James said and held back a grin. ‘You know how we were talking about Stilt and Edward? Well, Snow would like for you to join us with our plan. She’s going to explain it all to you now.’
Red invited James and Snow into her tiny shack and Snow revealed every detail of their plan with Red until Red was on their side. They would all approach Lori, explaining their ‘motives’ after James had spoken to her first. They were all now making their moves in the game, not knowing who would end up winning.
‘Today is the day,’ Snow said, grimly. ‘Today, Lori becomes my stepmother.’
‘She’ll be dead soon,’ James stated and shrugged.
‘She’d better be.’
James sat down and sighed. ‘I went to see Red. She’s gone, Snow. Only a wolf is there. Do you think she just up and left because of the danger?’
Snow shrugged. ‘I don’t know. I can send out spies to try and find out where she is, though.’
‘Please do,’ James replied. ‘She doesn’t seem like the type to just run.’
‘No,’ Snow admitted. ‘Guess not.’
‘She was courageous; she didn’t mind a bit of danger. I’m going to miss her. She made me laugh,’ James said.
Snow smiled in response then looked down at the floor. ‘I could make you laugh if I wanted too!’ Snow said under her breath.
‘What?’ asked James.
‘Nothing.’ She hated to admit it, but in a way, she was glad Red had left. James had a soft spot for her. Not that she should care, even though she did.
James leaned in closer to Snow. ‘Have you briefed the dwarves? We will be meeting at Lori’s tomorrow. Lori will send the army once she is wed to invade Dolorom. We have weeks, if that, to prepare ourselves.’
‘I have and I know,’ Snow said and smiled sweetly. ‘I’m so sick of every conversation I have of late being about killing or secret meetings. I need to have some fun.’ She picked up some snow, wearing her leather gloves, and made a snowball, then threw it at James’ head. ‘That’s a ten out of ten, there. Right on the nose.’
James shook his head. ‘Nice effort, Princess. But, I’d give that a six out of ten. Maybe a seven for effort.’
‘Oh really?’ Snow said, rolling another snowball. ‘We shall see.’
*****
‘What?’ Snow screeched.
‘I will be marrying Lori,’ the King said with a sparkle in his blue eyes.
Snow looked at hi tight-lipped and curtseyed. ‘As you wish,’ she said bitterly. ‘When will the wedding happen?’
‘Tomorrow.’
‘So soon?’
He smiled dreamily. ‘Yes.’
‘Fine.’
‘You will marry this year,’ the King said simply. ‘To the Duke.’
Snow opened her mouth but closed it again. What could she say? She fiddled with her bracelet. ‘What if my heart is with another?’
‘Then,’ the King said angrily, ‘I suggest you keep your virtue and remember your duties.’
Snow nodded stiffly and walked out. He had been spelled, she was sure, still, she couldn’t argue against the king's wishes.
James headed down the corridor. ‘I came to say goodbye…’
Snow grabbed his hand. ‘Wait.’
His lips curved into a smile. ‘Always.’
Her heart skipped a beat. ‘I have to marry the Duke.’ Tears brimmed in her eyes and one escaped, trickling down her cheek to her chin. James wiped it away with his thumb and brought his lips to her ear.
‘Then I will just have to enjoy you from afar.’
Her breath hitched, he turned and brushed her lips against his.
Her sweet smell flooded his senses. He ran his hand through her hair and held his breath, pressing his lips against hers urgently. Warmth spread through him as her lips moved with his, not sweetly, but demanding. He wrapped his arm around her back and pulled her closer to him. Her body pressed against his, making him flush. He ran his hand down her side and let the dizziness go to his head, drunk from her kiss.
The sounds of guards marching up the hall distracted them both and with great resistance, James pulled away regretfully, only to not spoil Snow’s name. She was panting, her chest heaving. ‘We must never mention this again.’
He gulped and took in a deep breath. ‘Of course.’
Lori walked down the aisle wearing a beautiful, long, white lace dress. It dragged along behind her, and so did Snow, who looked grave as she begrudgingly made her way to the arch which was decorated with red and white roses. Everyone in the kingdom was there, waving flags, cheering for their new Queen.
Snow caught James’s eye, and he gave her a sympathetic look. The vows seemed insincere, and Snow swore she saw Lori gag a little as her grandfather kissed her. Finally, when the ceremony was over, Snow walked over to the food table.
‘Tasted already for you,’ said one of the servants who had been spelled. ‘Apple pie.’
‘Thank
you,’ Snow said, taking the bowl. ‘James walked over and hugged her tightly.’
‘What was that for?’ Snow asked.
‘You needed it,’ he said. ‘Plus, I like hugging you,’ he admitted. Snow realized he no longer looked confident. If anything, he looked a little shy.
‘I like hugging you too,’ she admitted and took a bite of the apple pie.
He wrapped his arm around her stomach. He went rigid, not knowing how to react. He pulled her closer to him. She pressed against him and dropped the bowl of apple pie. She felt dizzy yet excited. She could smell his scent. This was a hug, nothing more, she tried to think. But, the way he looked at her said a thousand words. Things were no longer sarcastic or cute, it was physical. He brought his lips close to hers. She felt tingly. His beautiful scent consumed her as his lips almost brushed against hers.
This morning he had acted as if their kiss had never happened so she presumed it was just a silly moment easily forgotten but his urgency told her that it was something more; much more.
Her head flopped back. At first, she thought she was going to faint, but then the garden and everyone in it started spinning around her until she was limp
‘Someone help!’ James shouted, holding her up.
Lori came running over. ‘Oh my, what happened?’ Lori asked, scooping up the rest of the pie. ‘I will get this checked.’
James felt devastated as he watched Snow being taken away. Later that day he was informed that she was not dead. Yet, she would not wake.
He crept into her chambers and felt his powers surge inside of him.
Clicked footsteps followed him. ‘You need to use your powers to wake her. Only you can. I have tried,’ Lori stated from behind him.
‘Did you do this to her?’ he shouted.