Shadows on Snow: A Flipped Fairy Tale (Flipped Fairy Tales) (8 page)

BOOK: Shadows on Snow: A Flipped Fairy Tale (Flipped Fairy Tales)
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The Royal Guard shadowed him? To what end? Were they protecting their almost-king, or were darker forces at work?

My trepidation grew as the day turned to night. When at last Master Grey inflicted his usual round of insults on me before dismissing me for the evening, I retreated to my pallet to think. Perhaps it was a good thing I was going along. If nothing else, I could keep an eye on the prince at all times. It was entirely possible nothing was amiss, but I couldn’t help the growing unease that kept me from sleep. To placate myself a little, I crept from my bed and out to the hollow log that hid my bow and arrows. Keeping them bundled in a linen wrap, I returned to the stables and covered it in the pile of hay, intending to roll it up in my blankets when I woke.

There was one thing yet to do.

Lighting the fire in the metal bucket, I needed to inform Delphine of where I would be the next few days, lest she try to contact me. Bracing for an inevitable barrage of questions, I decided on my story before her face formed in the smoke.

“We’ve no news, dearest one. Still working. Is there something pressing you need?” she said, hurried.

“I wanted to let you know that I’ll be away from here for two days at least,” I said. “I’m being sent along on a hunting expedition to care for the horses.”

“Any horse in particular you’ll be caring for?” she asked with a hint of mirth.

I scowled. “All of them. Why are you asking?”

“Because it amuses me that you thought to tell me this. I’m already aware. Have you packed your bow?”

“Have you been reading the ashes again?” I hissed at her. “I told you—”

“Yes, you did tell me, but I won’t leave your safety to chance. If we have a way to avoid danger, we need all the advantages we can get. Or have you forgotten what we’re facing in this?”

Gritting my teeth, I tried very, very hard to control my temper. “I haven’t forgotten, but I wish you’d avoid it if at all possible.”

“You’ll have a choice to make, dearest one. I know not what it is, but please use as much caution as you can. Everything rides on your actions. Choose wisely.”

“No more ashes,” I said, ignoring her warning. “If you don’t hear from me in a span of four days, then you may. Otherwise, respect my wishes. I won’t be made into a self-fulfilling prophecy.”

“Is that all?” she asked, clearly in a hurry to be done with me.

I grumbled in exasperation. “Yes, that’s all.”

“Then I wish you well, dearest one. Be swift. Be safe.”

“Spirits willing,” I said in return, putting out the fire when she was gone.

The soft snuffle of a horse rousted me from the blankets knotted around me. I’d thrashed about in my sleep so violently that I was nearly trapped by the fabric. After a few trembling breaths, I tried to determine the hour. Within moments, I heard the castle watch cry half past four. As there was little point in attempting sleep again, since surely more of the same memories would haunt me in slumber, I stood, stretched, and went about the morning’s preparations.

By the time Prince Leopold approached the stables, Remy was brushed, saddled, and waiting at the hitching post outside, along with three other steeds for the guards accompanying us.

His pleasant smile dissolved into a curious frown. “Will you not be coming with us today?”

I adjusted my pack, confused. “Of course, unless His Highness has changed his mind…”

“Then where is your horse?” he said, smirking.

“My… what, Sire?” I’d assumed I’d be walking, but I supposed that made little sense.

He strode past me into the stables, considering each horse as he went along. When he stopped, it was to study a mare with a softly dappled gray and white coat. None ever rode her, but Master Grey told me she was Queen Muriel’s favorite. Prince Leopold gave her a gentle pat.

“What say you, Cora? Care to come along?”

I swallowed hard. He wished me to ride his mother’s horse? Mortified, I opened my mouth to protest, but he’d have no argument.

“She’s missed the open air,” he said. “It’ll be good for her to be ridden again. Hurry with the tack now. We must be away.”

I stammered a bit more, then, at his look of reproach, scurried off to find myself a saddle. While I’d given Cora as much care as any other animal, knowing who she belonged to caused me to hesitate when I approached her with laden arms. Prince Leopold scooped the saddle from my hold and hummed as he readied her to ride.

Setting my palm against her nose, I let her see me through my glamour, that she might be comfortable as my companion. At her nuzzle, I grinned and gave her a pat before helping ready her. He took her by the reins when it was done and led us both out of the stable. Even though I was following the prince’s orders, I couldn’t meet the eyes of the Royal Guard once I’d mounted the mare, not wanting to see their disdain and disapproval at such an early hour. We set off then, and I kept to the back, knowing my place was simply to watch.

After several hours of riding through the countryside, we stopped by a river to water the horses and ourselves. I ignored it as the other men dug into their saddlebags, removing bread and fruit for their morning meal. Easing onto a nearby boulder, I contented myself with a drink and the gurgle of water as it rushed by.

An apple appeared in front of my face so suddenly that I nearly tumbled backwards.

Prince Leopold laughed. “I beg your pardon. I didn’t mean to frighten you. I brought extras if you’re hungry.”

Blinking at the offered fruit, I wasn’t sure what to do. “For me, Sire?”

He tossed it at me, and I caught it with a fumble. “I won’t have you starve. I didn’t expect you’d have your own resources.”

“Thank you, Highness,” I said as I stared at the unblemished apple resting in my palms.

After we’d eaten, he motioned me over to return to our horses, but he pulled something small from his pocket, placing it in my hand. “For Cora,” he said with a wink before swinging himself up onto Remy’s back.

My eyes popped as I stared at the sugar cube. It was quite the indulgence, as sugar wasn’t always readily available in winter. If he meant for me to win over the mare with this gift, was he concerned we might not get on? Cora wasn’t as warm as Remy was once convinced he liked a person, but Cora didn’t dislike me in the least. She carried herself with the grace of a queen, hiding most of her feelings about things, though her ears betrayed her when someone she didn’t like was about.

As I approached her with the sweet, her ears tuned toward me, and she shook her mane with a happy snort.

“Already know what’s coming then?” I said with a chuckle as she sniffed my hand impatiently. “He worries for us, but I think we’re all right, yes?” The moment I presented the cube, her lips wrapped around it and her teeth pulverized it into delicious particles, though it was not her favorite treat. I stroked her neck and smiled. “Do you want to tell him you prefer salted apples, or should I?”

She whinnied and nuzzled my face, sniffing at the remnants of apple juice clinging to my chin.

“All right, all right, silly thing,” I said, quietly laughing. “I’ll tell him next time. I promise.”

It was shortly after lunch when we arrived at the first stop of the hunting expedition. We were to make camp and spend the rest of the day hunting game. It was a small clearing, soon dotted with the men’s unrolled sleeping pallets and a ring of rocks for a fire. Without being told, I hurried into the trees for firewood after tying up the horses. When I returned, Prince Leopold was gone, as was one of the Royal Guards. Suspicion raised the hairs on the back of my neck, but I showed nothing of the sort as I arranged kindling inside the ring of stones.

“It doesn’t sit right with me, Sergeant,” one man said quietly. “I can’t believe the prince would be capable of such a thing.”

“You’ve heard the evidence as well as I,” the other said, so low I almost couldn’t hear it. “We have our orders from the king. Come back with his heart, or don’t come back at all.”

Willing my hands to work without trembling, my mind raced.

“Is Jamison the one to do it, then?”

“He’ll send the signal when it’s time. That one’s too good with a sword. One isn’t enough a match for him.”

“And what of the boy?

There was a pause, and I intentionally knocked the circle of stones into disarray.

“Take the horse. Let the wolves have ‘im.” He chuckled. “That one isn’t bright enough to find his way around a tree, let alone back to the palace.”

They shared a good laugh at my expense, but, as always, I feigned blissful ignorance and headed back into the woods. Hiding myself, I watched them, waiting until I saw them sit up, attentive. With a look back at the treeline where I’d disappeared, they disregarded me entirely and fastened their sword belts.

A single arrow flew into the air past the far side of the clearing. The two guards broke into a run, hurrying in the direction the shot had come from. The moment they were gone, I bolted out of the woods, grabbed my bow and quiver, and cut around slightly to the right of the way they went.

The idiot guards were none too quiet as they trampled through the forest. I caught up and passed them without so much as disturbing a twig, beating them to their destination.

When I came in sight of Prince Leopold and the last guard, I scrambled up into a nearby tree. There, perched on a branch, I sank low with my back against the trunk and readied my weapon.

“A fine shot, Highness,” the guard said as the prince approached a downed stag. An arrow protruded from its eye. It had been killed instantly, a mercifully accurate shot.
 

Prince Leopold knelt, setting a hand against the animal’s side. “A handsome one, indeed, though he was old and wouldn’t see many more winters.”

As he reached for the arrow, the man behind him rested his hand on the pommel of his sword. My own arrow nocked, I pulled back on the bowstring and took aim.

Quietly, the soldier unsheathed his sword.

I took a deep breath.

“Be swift,” I whispered.

He lifted it above his head to strike.

With a last exhale, I made my choice. “I will keep him safe.”

I released the arrow, and it whistled as it flew, disturbing the prince’s hair moments before finding its mark. He stood and spun to face the guard, the man’s arms still raised for the blow, but his face a mask of stunned surprise. With a single cough, he collapsed, sword falling away.

The prince turned again as the remaining guards came crashing through the trees, stopping short when they saw their compatriot laying in a growing pool of blood. Their faces darkened, and they drew their weapons.

“What’s the meaning of this?” Prince Leopold demanded as he unsheathed his own blade and shifted into a defensive stance.

“By order of King Alder,” one of the soldiers said. “You are hereby sentenced to death as atonement for the murder of Queen Muriel.”

“For the…” His face paled, shocked. “My mother? What insanity is this?”

“We’ve heard the proof of your treachery,” the other guard sneered. “You cannot run from justice.”

Without further warning, the men rushed at him. I didn’t hesitate. Another arrow already nocked, I let it fly, sending it through the neck of the one who suggested they leave me to the wolves. The other didn’t slow, and I couldn’t take aim before the clang of steel rang through the forest. I remained as I was, however, ready to fire the moment the shot was clear.

Prince Leopold was fair with a blade, but the other man had an advantage in his strength.

“More will come, Highness,” he said as they fought. “If they see you living, my life is forfeit!”

The prince fended off another hard blow, spinning out and around the other man. “This is madness! What proof have they that I caused my mother’s illness? How could I have done when I’ve been away for years?”

“Your accomplice…” the guard swung at him again. “Your traveling sorcerer told us everything!”

In the midst of the conversation, the man’s back turned to me. My shot now unimpeded, I took my aim.

“I have no—”

The prince’s words halted as my arrow hit and the soldier pitched forward. I growled at myself. It wasn’t a fatal shot, instead piercing the man’s right shoulder.

On his knees, he cursed as he tried to stand, but my second arrow to his thigh grounded him.

He tossed his sword at the prince’s feet. “I yield. Make my death a swift one, if you have any honor left.”

As I could not bear to see him take a life, I quietly climbed down the back of the tree and made my way to the clearing again. Whispering soft prayers to the spirits, I asked for forgiveness for killing those men. Even if it was for good reason, all life was precious and must be recognized.

I gathered up what few things I had and plundered the saddlebags of the men who died, taking as much of their dried meat and fruit as I could carry in my small pack. After tying two water skeins to my belt, I returned to the horses. I found a spare apple and cut it in half, sprinkling some salt I found in one of the bags on one side, leaving the other as it was. Feeding the plain half to Remy, I gave him a gentle pat.

“Don’t worry for him, friend. I’ll keep him safe. You’ll see him again if it’s within my power to do so. You have my word.”

His ears twitched in response, and he nuzzled my hand one last time.

With a tired sigh, I laid a palm against Cora’s shiny silver coat. “I’ve brought you your favorite, Your Ladyship,” I said to her before presenting the salted apple. It was a strange thing for a horse to love, and I wondered briefly how she acquired such a taste. “Look after Remy for me, will you? He’ll be lonely until I can return his master to him.”

“Am I going somewhere?” Prince Leopold said, not ten paces behind me.

I gave Cora one last pat before I turned to face him. “We have to go, Sire. There’s much to tell you, and we cannot stay here. When those guards don’t return to the palace—”

“One of them shall.”

I blinked, unsure I heard him correctly. “Highness?”

“One still lives.”

The expression on his face was painful to see. It wasn’t anger or sadness, but something far more unsettling. Numb apathy aged him, turning him into a man I didn’t recognize. “You didn’t kill him?”

BOOK: Shadows on Snow: A Flipped Fairy Tale (Flipped Fairy Tales)
13.71Mb size Format: txt, pdf, ePub
ads

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