~*~
And so Snow sat in her mother’s famous window seat, gazing at the courtyard below her. It was the eve of her sixteenth birthday, she assumed there was to be some sort of a party planned, her birth date was after all, a national holiday. But she had heard nothing.
Rosalyn, distant for years, had recently become eerily silent. Always busy with something, something magical Snow had come to realise after her encounter with the mirror all those years before. She hated the mirror, although she knew it was ridiculous, she held the mirror responsible for stealing Rosalyn from her.
Sighing deeply, she rose from her seat and decided to check in on her father. Roland, weaker than ever, hadn’t spoken a word in nearly four years. Four very, very lonely years for Snow. Regardless, every day Snow checked in with him, sitting by his bedside and chattering about whatever came to mind. And every night, when he was wheeled out to his balcony to breathe in the fresh evening air, Snow came with him and pointed out the constellations, just as he had taught her. Even though he couldn’t outwardly acknowledge her, Snow had the distinct feeling that he was aware of, and appreciated her company.
The hallways between Snow’s bedroom chamber and Roland’s sick room weren’t very long, but they were beautiful. Eye catching tapestries and beautiful White family portraits hung on the walls, a family crest, impossibly luminous chandeliers and an abundance of fresh flowers, adorned the hallways as the young princess made her way to her father’s chambers.
Carefully she opened the door to her father’s sick room. As far as sick rooms went, this one was magnificent, which is as it should be considering Roland was still king. The walls were covered in rich cream, satiny paper, family portraits adorned every wall, the ever present fresh flowers filled sparkling crystal vases, and the floor length dark green curtains were pulled wide open to let the early morning sun fill the room.
Roland lay in a velvet bed jacket, in the exact same shade of rich emerald green as his curtains, on his large, comfortable bed. A cream coloured throw blanket across his knees, his crown placed carefully on his regal head, and a distant look in his eye as he stared blindly at the wall. He had not changed expression in years.
Alda, his nurse smiled warmly at the princess, and she put down her embroidering. Robust, with a kind, wrinkled face, the nurse radiated an inner serenity, the kind of serenity Snow hoped one day to achieve.
Bedridden for years, Roland’s thick head of dark waves had grown to his shoulders, Snow was saddened to notice the streaks of white on either side of his head, that seemed to have appeared over night.
Apparently Alda the nurse, noticed Snow’s distress over the streaks as well. “Now, now, there dearie, those streaks just make him distinguished looking, you know.”
Snow smiled wryly. “Yes, yes they do.”
“Now, I’ll be going to make myself a cup of tea, would you care for one as well?”
“No thank you, Alda. I’m just visiting with my father for a few minutes.” Snow replied warmly.
The nurse curtsied and left the room. Snow bent down and kissed her father on the cheek.
Throwing herself in to the chair beside his bedside, she let out a long teen age girl’s sigh.
“So, I’m hoping there are going to be some good looking boys at my party tomorrow. Now don’t get all upset, I’m not planning on dating any of them, it’s just that I am going to be sixteen tomorrow and it would be nice to dance with a real boy. I have been taking those horrid lessons with Madame Bagoda, yeesh....she is a pill, and she always smells funny too. Just between you and me, I think she has been hitting the sauce. Anyway, I have been taking those lessons with her for six years now, six long, long years and the last time I danced with a real live partner was...you.”
She fell silent for a moment as a memory washed over her.
“I miss you Dad.” She whispered.
Snow leaned over and held her father’s hand. His hand felt so warm and vibrant in hers, it was hard to believe that he was all but dead. Find a cure Rosalyn, find a cure. She thought hard, she knew, as did the entire nation, that Rosalyn had been searching endlessly for a cure for this mysterious, and completely debilitating disease. Snow also had a strong feeling that Rosalyn had been searching on paths less often followed, magical paths in other words, at least that would explain her stepmother’s strange silence.
“So, it’s my birthday tomorrow. I’m going to be sixteen Dad, I don’t feel any different, but sixteen sounds a lot older than fifteen. I look exactly the same though, I’m not sure what I was expecting but it seems that sixteen is just a number after all.” She laughed a little at herself. “I wish, I wish that you could be at my party so we could waltz together like we used to. I really liked that. But I promise to think of you all night long, and come in here when the party is over and tell you everything.”
There was a sudden knock on the door.
“Come in.” Snow asked curiously, no one ever disturbed her when she was in with her father, unless it was a true emergency.
Gregor, the huntsman stuck his head in the door way.
“Princess Snow? I was on my way out to the Grey Forest, and I thought you might like to join me?” He asked, a sad and distracted look on his face.
Snow smiled widely, it had been months since she had been allowed to leave the grounds of Castle White, and years since Gregor had taken her on an adventure.
“I would love to!” She sprang out of her chair in excitement. She leaned over to kiss her father again quickly. “I will be back in time for star gazing Dad!”
“Let me just grab a coat!” She sang over her shoulder as she raced down the hallway to her room where she grabbed a long red coat. Pulling it on quickly, she looked down to examine her outfit, bright yellow tights, a soft blue sweater and her equally bright red coat...what an outfit. She laughed at herself again, oh well, the forest didn’t care what she wore. Pulling her long dark hair off of her forehead with a blue headband, she danced her way back to the huntsman.
“I’m ready.” She announced with a smile.
“I see.” He replied with a shake of his head. “Then let us make haste.” He smiled back at the young princess.
And so they went.
Snow was as happy as she had ever been. She had always, and would always love the long walks with her one best friend, Gregor. As they walked through the deep, dark forest, she began to wonder when the tales of lands far away would begin. She could hardly wait. The kindly huntsman had never disappointed her, and he seemed to know everything. The fresh forest air was enchanting, the birds warbled snippets of joyous tunes, rabbits scampered by, and Snow even thought she caught sight of a magnificent stag, gazing at her from the distance. She felt like dancing.
“Really, Gregor, I adore this forest. If you can’t take me out, why can’t we get someone else? Although, of course I always prefer you. I understand all about the danger, and how I shouldn’t travel alone, that’s why I said you could pick someone. Someone you approve of. I am getting so bored in the castle...it’s lessons and books, then even more lessons, and if I’m lucky another book. And not a good book, full of stories like the ones you used to tell me. Nope. History books...very dry, very thick. I feel like I never have any fun anymore.”
She turned to look at her friend.
“Gregor, what’s wrong?” She asked, he looked so distracted. She had never seen him look that way before, it worried her.
“Sorry, Princess?” He asked absently, his usually sharp blue eyes were watery and unfocused.
“I asked what was wrong, you aren’t acting like yourself.” Snow asked with concern. “Are you ill?”
“No...not ill.” he mumbled gruffly.
She shook her head slowly, she didn’t believe him. She was just about to suggest they turn back and head home so he could rest when the stag that she had thought she had seen earlier emerged on the path in front of them. They both stopped immediately to admire his magnificent antlers and his regal presence. That was the
word for him...magnificent. The stag looked up in to Snow’s large dark eyes. Snow was so delighted, she could hardly breathe.
“Oh Gregor! Isn’t he beautiful!” Snow whispered softly. “Do you remember the first time you showed me a deer? I do, they look so gentle and kind, I would love to pet one. Although I’m not sure how I would ever get close enough, and I am pretty sure this stag wouldn’t appreciate it if I tried either. But just look at him. He’s enchanting.”
The stag suddenly startled and jumped off the path, Snow watched in awe as so effortlessly and gracefully galloped away. A bird, a bluebird squawked in apparent terror and Snow spun around in alarm.
Time stood still.
Gregor. In his hand, he held a long evil looking knife. Snow’s heart stopped as she realised that he was holding it high above his head...as if he was ready to strike. But what scared her more was the look in his eye, he was horrified, remorseful....conflicted. For one endless minute they stared at each other.
“Run.” He whispered, his lips quivering as he struggled for control of his hand. “She’s asked for your heart.” He managed to spit out.
She didn’t need to ask. It could only be Rosalyn of Rylak, only Rosalyn had enough power to spellbind someone as strong as Gregor.
“Run.” he whispered again, hand shaking with exertion, beads of sweat trailing down his face as he fought the compulsion to slay her.
And so she did.
She ran east. She ran to Lonstas.
I hope you enjoyed this novella, please follow Snow as she flees to the magical kingdom of Lonstas in Evermore: The Rylakian Heir.
Use this code at the checkout when purchasing Evermore: The Rylakian Heir to receive $1.00 off the price. UL44D. This code is good until June 2013
And the story continues in Evermore: The Secret in Sarrilia coming soon!
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Evermore: Snow Falls Page 8
