Crimson Snow

by D A Rice

  “I can. I believe it was an innate response to direct her magic to greater things.”

  “Like hiding her heart…” Eason finished and Will nodded within the mirror. “Too bad. It would have made things so much easier for Brie.” Eason’s eyes shifted back to the princess before them as she stirred her concoction.

  “She likes you, you know,” the mirror continued, his face producing a grin. “She may never tell you, but she does.”

  “We’ve become good friends. I hope it stays that way.” Eason found himself smiling as he watched Brie mix, before glancing down at the mirror, who had an eyebrow raised. Eason started. “Oh! That’s… that’s not what you meant, is it?”

  The mirror only laughed as Brie’s head came up. “What in Cylentra are you guys talking about over there?” She didn’t seem irritated, so Eason moved, coming to sit closer to the princess.

  “Will was just telling me a story,” he stated as Brie picked up her knife again.

  “A story of a prince and a princess, who loved each other, but did not know it. Either that, or they were too stubborn to admit it out loud.”

  Eason gave the mirror a look, but when he glanced back up toward Brie, her face had turned a light crimson as she became very intent on her ingredients.

  Eason found his lips twitching up; he’d have to address that blush later. “Tell us a different story, Will.”

  Will laughed again. “What exactly, dear Grimm, do you wish to hear?”

  “What’s your story?” He asked, bringing the mirror up between himself and Brie.

  The mirror was silent for a moment, and Eason shared a look with Brie, who shrugged. “He does not like to speak of his past. All I know is that he’s been in my family since before my mother married the king.”

  “My beginning as what I am now, happened long before either of you were born. My start happened, in fact, because of your ancestors, Eason.” Eason flinched, but Will smiled, shaking the mask that what his head. “You misunderstand, little Grimm. I owe them my life.”

  Brie set her knives down, stirring the pot in front of her. “The concoction must brew for a while.” She turned toward Eason and Will, straddling the log on which they sat, focusing on the mirror. “Time enough for a story. It’ll be better than thinking about how Cylentra is faring while we wait, anyway.”

  Will grinned before nodding in assent, his eyes shifting to Brie. “If you want video with this story, you need only say the words, my princess.”

  Brie exchanged a glance with Eason, who shrugged. “Mirror, mirror, in my hand, show me your story, Will. That is my command.” Her words were soft, and Will bowed his head, the scene changing from the mask of his face.

  A young man stood there, dark hair and green eyes, a wide smile on his familiar face. “Once I was a man, a prince, in fact, but I did not fit into the role set before me. I wanted to escape it, but there was little I could do.” The scene shifted, showing a young Will in courtly attire, a golden band across his forehead. His uniform was decorated in regalia and a dark forest green.

  “I was meant to marry someone I did not love. So I ran.” The scene changed again, Will in a dark forest, running as trees struck out at him. Every so often he would glance back, horror on his face. “Before Snow, this forest was alive and wicked. Only the Grimm brothers could cross it without injury, because of the witch who lived within.”

  Eason raised an eyebrow, his focus shifting to Brie, who looked solemn. “A witch who wasn’t Snow?”

  Brie shook her head. “No. It was her mother, my father’s first wife.”

  Eason nodded and the scene shifted in the mirror to a homey-looking cottage. Eason could see the glow of a fire as Will blinked awake, sprawled in a chair before it, a blanket thrown over him. Will looked confused as he sat up, glancing around. “At first, she was very kind. She fed me and took care of me. She told me she could erase who I was, that no one would remember the prince of Briar. I foolishly believed it would not come with a price, for in order to replace who I was, she had to remove my very soul from the prince’s body and replace it with another.” The scene in front of them showed Will sitting in the chair, his eyes wide and glowing as his very essence was ripped from him.

  Until the door burst open and two brothers burst in, engaging the witch. The ceremony continued while they fought, as if on its own. One brother knelt before Will, flipping through a book, as if in a desperate hurry. He glanced back as his brother injured the witch. She disappeared, escaping, but even Eason could see it was too late. Will’s very soul hovered above his lifeless body. Will’s voice broke as he spoke. “They were too late to stop the spell, but Jacob did not give up. He and his brother searched the cottage until Wilhelm found a mirror, this mirror. Jacob was able to relocate my soul into the mirror itself.”

  Will’s face returned, solemn in its mask form. “They did not have the means to put my soul back into a body. It wasn’t possible. By the time they found the proper spell, my body was gone. The witch had come back for it, using it and our family name to deceive the king.” The mask’s focus shifted to Brie. “Your father believed her to be a princess from another land. He wed her, but he did not love her, not like he did your mother. The Grimm brothers placed me in your mother’s care because they knew her to be a powerful sorceress, but also kind.”

  Brie nodded, tears lining her eyes. She stirred the pot in silence as she took in Will’s story. “And all because you loved someone else,” she said quietly.

  “All of this tragic history, one could say, is because of love. Someone loving who they weren’t supposed to, or not speaking the truth when they should have.” Will glanced between them and smiled. “Do not make the mistakes of your ancestors.”

  Brie paused in her stirring, pulling the spoon out and eyeing the mixture within. “It’s ready.” She found Eason’s gaze, a question lingering there: Are you?

  Eason glanced back down at Will, who winked at him, grinning. He turned to Brie again as she took the mixture out of the fire. The trees around them swayed with the breeze. It was still dark out, though Eason wondered how far away dawn was. “Tomorrow, we go to your country, and we fight for it. I’ll be right by your side.” Eason caught her hand before she could turn and she stilled, a lid now covering the pot beside her. He turned her to face him. “If Snow is to gain control over me, I need you to promise me something.”

  Brie shook her head. “I will not kill you, Eason. I’ve seen you fight. I know you can still.”

  Eason raised an eyebrow. “Wasn’t it you who said you’d fight until I couldn’t? Then basically told me you’d kill me?”

  Brie shrugged. “I changed my mind.”

  “No, Brie. You’ll keep your promise, because that’s who you are. If I become a danger to you, you have to do whatever it takes to survive. Even if that means killing me. I have no idea how long whatever your mom did to hide me will last. She was pretty weak.”

  “Then let us get back there, so that we can give her strength,” Brie replied, voice soft as her hand cupped Eason’s cheek. Eason’s voice hitched as his eyes traveled down her face. Her lips twitched as his eyes rested there.

  “If you are to kiss, better do it now. You may not get another chance,” came Will’s wry voice from below them. Eason smirked, but Brie reacted first, pulling him into her before he could say a word. Her lips met his and he found his hand coming up to her neck, cradling her as she breathed life into him.

  She pulled away from him gently, her forehead meeting his. “If Snow is to take you, remember this.” She kissed him again. “This is real.”

  Eason watched her as she pulled away, moving to pack their supplies. Will remained silent below him, giving them a sense of privacy. “I won’t be forgetting this. Trust me.”

  Brie glanced back at him, a grin forming on her face, before her eyes narrowed, glancing back the direction they would have to go. “Good. Then let us go. Hell awaits us.”

  Chapter 18

  The journey back to Cylent
ra went by far faster than Eason wanted. As the dark horse galloped across the plain, they could already see the smoky tendrils that filled the sky from the city itself. Tears fell from Brie’s eyes, but she never faltered. All Eason could do was hold her tight from behind in comfort. He had no words that would do for the trials that still lay before them.

  “Is there anyone on the wall?” he asked instead, squinting his eyes. It was eerily silent, even from as far away as they were. Snow had a day’s lead on them, and even though Eason could tell how hard Cylentra had fought, in his heart, he knew how it’d ended.

  Brie knew as well. “We need to get there quicker.”

  Her heels dug into the horse’s side, and Eason’s grip around her tightened. He tracked the too-still towers, remembering how many had come to greet them that first day he’d come. He shivered. There was no life around them now; everything was so very still. Brie’s horse sprinted onto the stone of the bridge to Cylentra, clopping as the princess reeled him in. The horse pranced for a moment with its uneasy momentum before slowing to a trot. Helmets and armored bodies lined each side of the bridge.

  It’d been a bloody massacre, but even Eason could tell that there should’ve been more bodies for all the violence that’d happened here. He wanted to say something. He wanted to comfort the woman before him, who’d tensed up as she went on high alert, but he found the words frozen in his throat. The breeze rustled a torn flag at the top of the wall as they paced forward, a gate swinging on its hinges before them. Eason couldn’t hear the sounds of the kingdom on the other side, and that unnerved him even more than he could’ve thought possible.

  “Brie,” he whispered, choking on his emotions once more.

  “I know,” she whispered back, before dismounting and taking the reins in her hands. Eason followed suit, as Brie inched up to the swinging gate, a hand out. “Cylentra has fallen.” Her fingers met the wood in a gentle caress as she spoke, then pushed. The gate swung open in an almost violent way. Brie’s hand clenched into a fist around the reins, the other skimming her belt for the potion she’d secured there. She strode forward, tugging her horse behind her. Eason followed, matching her pace.

  Singing began to echo from the city’s walls, causing Eason to pause. He glanced at Brie to see her glancing around warily. “Please tell me you hear that, too…”

  Brie nodded, her eyes narrowing. “She knows we’re here. Be on your guard, Eason.” She glanced at him, an emotion he couldn’t decipher passing over her eyes. “It is you she wants.”

  Eason gulped, but nodded once. He could feel Snow’s presence building in his mind again with the singing. He knew Brie was right, but he would fight like hell to keep his head and his heart to himself before he’d let Snow take them. Brie must have seen his face change, because she smiled. “You may not know the sword, but you have a warrior’s heart.”

  “Sister!” came a cheerful voice from in front of them, soft and childlike in quality. They both tensed, Eason shifting his gaze to the girl standing with her arms extended in front of them. Her eyes were malicious, but her smile was kind as she tilted her head in a deceivingly innocent way. “It has been far too long!” She appeared alone, but Eason knew it’d only take one thought for that to change. His hand found the pommel of his sword. Snow’s eyes flicked to him before returning to Brie, as if dismissing him for something she already owned. His grip tightened as the pressure in his head built.

  “You are no sister of mine,” Brie responded, stepping closer to Eason.

  Snow pouted, hands moving to her hips, then she grinned again. “You have something of mine.” She tapped her chin with a slender finger as if contemplating something. “And I have something of yours.”

  “Eason Grimm is not yours. He has not succumbed to you yet, and I have confidence he won’t.” Eason twitched his eyes to Brie as she spoke, weaving her fingers through his own.

  The motion did not go unnoticed by Snow, whose eyes narrowed marginally. “Do you not want to hear what I have for you?”

  Brie tensed as if bracing herself. “I know about the Huntsman.”

  Snow examined her nails. “You know that he is alive? Relatively speaking… or that he is your father?” She glanced at her sister here, and Eason felt Brie’s grip tighten on his hand. The pain Brie elicited from her force centered him from the song trying to consume him.

  “You’re lying.”

  Snow looked aghast, but even Eason could tell it was mockery. He forced himself not to look at Brie beside him, to not turn away from Snow in front of him, even with her presence building between his ears. She was trying to take control, and he was fighting to stay alert. His own grip tightened on Brie. She massaged his fingers with hers, letting him know she was there for him. Snow laughed with a tinkle. “Oh, sister! How deceived you have been!”

  Snow glanced to the side and the Huntsman rose from a crouch on top of a house nearby. Eason jumped in surprise. When did he get there? He’s silent as death!

  “Accurate description, Eason dear.” Snow answered his thought out loud and he shook his head, as if to shake her out of it. His palm found his forehead, then Brie was pulling him to her, and slightly behind. She didn’t let go of his other hand, even as she gripped her sword, now out of its scabbard. She faced the Huntsman without turning away from Snow on her other side. Snow laughed again. “Are you really going to fight him?! How fun!” She clapped her hands once.

  The Huntsman straightened robotically, and Eason recognized that almost undead gait to his walk as the Huntsman stumbled forward, his furs rustling with the movement. He had a dark, unruly beard and long, tangled locks. His eyes were like Snow’s, dilated so much they couldn’t see their color. His skin was so pale, Eason knew he should be long dead. Eason had seen the same things with Florian, who was now decapitated in the woods. He couldn’t imagine Brie doing the same thing to this man who was like a father to her, if not a father by blood, provided what Snow said was the truth.

  “He is not my Huntsman,” Brie whispered under her breath.

  “Perhaps not, but he was your father. Let’s ask dear Mom. I left her alive for you, you know.” Snow tilted her head, her hands clasping in front of her. “And your friends, the little men.” She glanced to the side as the dwarves began to come up behind her, axes and swords in hand. Eason could see the blood that coated their thick beards as well as their weapons, the emptiness in their eyes. “Not sure about many others though,” Snow glanced around, as if in regret.

  Brie growled beside him and Eason tightened his grip on her. He could see the boiling rage in her eyes as she clenched her mouth shut. Eason glanced to the Huntsmen on their right, who’d paused with an almost unnoticeable jerk, before taking another step forward and halting for real when Snow held up her hand. “Where is the queen now?” Eason spoke softly, voice pained from the pounding in his head.

  Snow watched him. “My, you do fight hard, don’t you?” Her voice softened, as did her presence in his mind. She held out her hand to him, her red lips pursing. Her pupils, however, were so dilated, they were almost black. Eason shuddered, taking an involuntary step forward. “Come to me, my pet. It is inevitable. I claimed you, as you did me in the enchanted forest.”

  Brie’s grip on him tightened and Eason shuddered again, coming back to himself. He glanced at Brie, catching her pleading gaze. Relief passed there. She’d thought she’d lost him. “I didn’t claim you,” he said to Snow, eyes locked on Brie with a slow spreading smile. “No.” His voice softened to a whisper as his fingers caressed Brie’s hand in his. “I choose you.”

  Brie’s eyes lit up with his words, then narrowed in worry as Eason ripped his hand away from her. He faced Snow again, stepping in front of Brie, then taking two more steps. He forced himself to halt, although his body wanted to keep going. His hand found the hilt of his sword and he gripped it hard. “You can’t have what isn’t yours.”

  Quicker than he thought possible, he pulled his sword free, angling it towards his chest.

&
nbsp; “NO!!” both princesses screamed at the same time and Eason found himself halting, frozen with the sword inches from his chest. Snow stood with a hand out, but Eason fought her in his mind. She commanded him to come forward. He refused, but the cost was that he couldn’t move at all.

  Snow snarled before him. “Pesky.” Her eyes shifted to the princess, who was now beside him, hands on his shoulders and tears in her eyes. With a small nod in Brie’s direction, Snow glanced at the huntsman. “Without her, he has nothing to fight for. Kill her.”

  Brie stepped away from Eason, shifting into a fight stance with her sword. He could see her eyes narrow out of the corner of his own. He could see her mentally prepare to fight the man in front of them. The huntsman took another step forward before halting again. Snow glanced at him with a tilt of her head. “Well?”

  The man grunted, twitching as if something internal were taking over. “My… daughter…” he whispered in a voice so hoarse Eason could barely make out the words.

  Brie faltered beside him but did not drop her sword. “No,” she said, “it cannot be true.”

  Eason was watching Snow though, as her expression slowly changed to one of confusion, and then fury. “No! You can’t fight me! I own you. You only live because I allow it!” The huntsman twitched again and Eason understood at once.

  “Brie,” he whispered, able to move his lips while Snow was distracted. Brie stepped closer to him. “Brie,” he stated again, “he’s fighting her.”

  Brie stepped back with a start, stunned. “That cannot be. He’s been under her control almost as long as Florian, and you saw the state of him.”

  “Watch him, Brie. The boy is right.” Will’s voice chimed in, low so that only they could hear him.

  Brie turned back to the huntsman as he took another step forward, and shifted her fight stance. The huntsman twitched again, emotion passing in his eyes, “my…. flower blossom….”

  Brie dropped her sword with a gasp. “Oh my… that… that’s not possible.”