I was absorbed in Alfin, squeezing his hand as a coughing fit overtook him. Rhosen quickly appeared with the pot of smoke.
Slowly, he opened his eyes, and tightened his hold of my hand. “Did … did it work?”
“It seems so,” Rhosen answered.
I helped him sit up. “Alfin, don’t you dare scare me again like that, ever.”
He just smirked. “Don’t give me a reason. Life wasn’t worth living without you. Besides, you were done with your challenges. Why waste that?”
I laughed, so glad to have him back – my version of my beloved. “I’ve missed you, Alfin. I’ve missed you so much.”
And I kissed him. Then and there, without another care. We’d been through too much, and I knew that there was still so much to deal with – in multiple realms. But in that moment, none of it mattered. For that moment, we had won.
About Kendra E. Ardnek
Kendra E. Ardnek is the pen name of Kendra Roden, the self-proclaimed Arista of Fairy Tales. She lives in the piney woods of East Texas, with her herd of giraffe figurines and plushies and honor guard of nutcrackers.
Once upon a time, she used to knit. Now she just wears the cloak she made and remembers the days when she had that much time.
More Magic Mirrors
This book was published as part of the Magic Mirrors co-release, a collection of seven unique and exciting retellings of Snow White. Check out these other titles, each showing a side of the tale you’ve never seen before!
Red as Snow
Kendra E. Ardnek
Snow needs a husband in order to claim her throne, but it’s hard to compete with a younger, prettier stepmother.
A Twisted Fairy Tale.
The Princess and the Invisible Apple Tree
Meredith Leigh Burton
Snowdrop didn’t want a sister, but she and Rachel find their fates twisted together by a sinister enemy.
A Dark Reimagining.
Blood in the Snow
Sarah Pennington
The fairest of all, Baili is destined by prophecy to unite ancient enemies – but her stepmother has other plans.
Asia-esque Fantasy.
For Such a Time as This
Heather L.L. FitzGerald
It’s a beauty pageant to determine the new queen – but the deposed Vashti is not ready to relinquish her power.
Fantasy Dystopia.
Overpowered
Kathryn McConaughy
Fleeing a terrible crime, Taliyah bat Shammai finds herself barred from the city of refuge. Can a band of seven landless fighters protect her from the Avenger of Blood?
Near Eastern Fantasy.
But One Life
Wyn Estelle Owens
Ginny serves the Revolution as a spy in New York City, but when her stepmother’s Tory leanings endanger her life, will she be brave enough to do her duty?
Historical Fiction.
The Seven Drawers Page 11