collapse the spell and kill Snow White by accident.
Fritz yanked his gloves off and carefully pulled Snow White into a slumped, upright position. “Support her back.”
Angelique sat directly behind Snow White, supporting the princess and still holding up the starfire. “Do you see something?”
“A half-chewed apple piece,” Fritz said.
Angelique felt afraid to breathe. That’s it. It must be the apple—sticking anything spelled in her mouth would account for the fast delivery and just how well the spell stuck to her!
Fritz shifted slightly. “Could it—”
“Possibly,” Angelique answered—her voice tight—before he could ask his full question.
Fritz gently tugged Snow White so she was slumped forward, her face pointed down at her lap. Then, the forester carefully stuck a finger in her mouth.
Time stretched on uncomfortably, and it seemed like a year passed before Fritz was able to pull out a half-chewed piece of apple.
Angelique stretched, her eyes narrowing in on the apple chunk…and the gray magic that surrounded it.
Before she could whoop with excitement, Fritz lovingly wiped Snow White’s lips off with the inner lining of his cloak. “Should we try to rinse her mouth—”
Snow White coughed—a wet, wheezing sound that rocked her body.
Fritz slid an arm around Snow White’s back, taking her weight.
Freed, Angelique scrambled around to crouch in front of Snow White.
Snow White coughed again, spitting out a little piece of apple.
Angelique grinned widely as not a flicker of magic remained on the princess.
Moments passed, and Snow White didn’t move any more.
But…the spell is gone? Did it just have to touch her and then the effect would be permanent? Does that mean there’s no way to remove the spell?
Chapter 27
Feeling utterly lost, Angelique thumped her forehead on the cot’s wooden frame and tried not to cry.
Why didn’t it work? The spell is gone!
Angelique miserably lifted her head ever so slightly, and Snow White bolted upright.
Surprised, Angelique fell back on her rear, gaping at the blue-eyed princess…whose delicate face was twisted in undeniable anger.
“It’s that mirror,” Snow White snarled, her normally pleasant voice shaking with fury. “That cursed mirror! I’m going to shatter it myself when we march on Glitzern.”
Angelique stared up at Snow White, hardly able to believe she was up, alive, and angry?
She mentioned a mirror?
Snow White furrowed her brow and looked around the cottage with tangible confusion. “Did I die?”
Angelique tried to laugh, but it got caught on the emotion welling in her throat. She threw her arms around Snow White and squeezed her in a hug. “You little idiot. Didn’t Faina ever teach you not to take food from strangers?” Angelique was caught half between laughter and crying.
She’s awake! Snow White is awake! She’s going to be okay.
Snow White sheepishly cringed. “The apple was laced with something, wasn’t it?”
Angelique snorted and let her eyes briefly shut as Snow White patted her back.
Fritz saved her. She’s well.
She had to keep repeating it in her head like a mantra because she could barely believe it. After a few moments, Angelique made herself release Snow White. She glanced at Fritz, who was staring at Snow White as if she’d saved his entire world.
As much as I find romance in times like this ridiculous, I really ought to give them a moment.
Angelique winked at him, then scrambled to her feet. “Oi, warriors!” She bellowed as she made her way to the foot of the stairs. “Wake up—Snow White is alive!”
“What?”
“Her Highness?”
Thuds shook the loft. There was a scuffle, and then a roar—someone must have woken Gregori.
Angelique couldn’t stop grinning as she listened to them thrash over her head.
But as the warriors stumbled downstairs, and Fritz and Snow White murmured sweet nothings to one another (at least that’s what Angelique assumed they were doing, based on the sappiness of their embrace), Angelique’s thoughts returned to what Snow White had said when she’d first woken up.
“It’s that mirror…” I assume it must have something to do with Evariste’s mirror. It would seem to confirm that he’s being used to power whatever nefarious plans the Chosen have. But…is it the same mirror the Snow Queen tried to bury in the mountains?
Severin intercepted that old message that confirmed it was sent north to Mullberg… And it is remarkably odd that Faina was sent to deal with Snow White—which was riskier if the Chosen’s end goal is to use her to control Mullberg. That mirror is an artifact; it has a magical nature.
“Snow White!” the other warriors shouted as they piled onto the main floor of the cottage like excited puppies. Marzell, Aldelbert, Rupert, and Gregori—his