Crimson Snow

by D A Rice

  Snow screeched before them, her frustration overtaking her innocent act. She stomped her foot, crossing her arms. “And I was going to show you off to the queen and everything!” she huffed.

  The huntsman met Brie’s gaze one more time, a slow, pained nod, following the movement. “Oh no…” Brie whispered. Before Brie could make another move, they watched as the huntsman shivered one more time, then gasped and fell to his knees.

  An eerie cry escaped his lips, raw from a lack of voice for who knew how many years. When the man looked up, his eyes focused solely on Brie before them, Eason could see his humanity return with a jolt.

  Albeit still the equivalent of the walking dead, and though Eason didn’t know for how long, he could see that the huntsman was free.

  Chapter 19

  Brie’s emotions spiked at the look the huntsman gave her, kneeling on the ground. She barely registered Snow’s screeching as she paced back and forth. “Why are all of my toys broken?!” she screamed, which made Brie finally shift her gaze to the other girl. Her eyes narrowed, grip tightening on her sword. Snow stood with her fingers over her forehead in exasperation. “Fine.”

  The dwarves moved as one. She could see the life they still retained, as well as each of the seven’s deep brown eye color. Below the beards, their cheeks flushed, as if their bodies knew what their minds did not. Hammers and axes and swords alike raised as one, circling the huntsman as he knelt there. Brie wondered if he could even move.

  Before she could think about it more, she reacted, charging forward and diving between a gap the dwarves had created. She swung her sword in a wide circle, causing the men around her to halt. The need to survive, she reasoned, triumphs over mind control, and so she did not hold back, causing her friends to flinch back. They dropped their weapons, stepping back. Their eyes were still glassed over, but they didn’t move to approach.

  “Interesting!” Snow echoed from behind them, genuine curiosity in her voice. “Apparently, they know how dangerous you are, sister.” She waved at them and they stepped back as one. “Control of one’s mind is always so tedious. Control over a body, however….” Eason cried out and Brie spun, watching him take a small step forward.

  She could see how he fought her with every step, but Snow pulled him closer anyway, a grin sliding up her face once more. Brie stepped forward, but a hand on her wrist stopped her. She glanced down at the huntsman, he was whispering. She knelt before him, an arm coming around his shoulder as his palm met her cheek. “My… daughter…” he was saying over and over. A tear slid down Brie’s cheek as she leaned into his fingers.

  “And I always will be, but now I have to save someone else I love,” she stated softly, her lips meeting the huntsman’s cheek.

  “Save…” he croaked below her, his dark gaze shifting over her shoulder.

  Brie nodded and moved to stand. She could feel her eyes narrow as her grip tightened. Eason was almost to Snow now, one halting step after another. If her father, the huntsman —for she now believed Snow’s words to be true—could break free while he was essentially dead, then so could Eason Grimm. Flipping her sword, Brie stood, shooting forward. The dwarves blocked her path in an instant. Eason glanced at her, fear in his eyes. He still held the sword inches from his heart, a battle Snow would not resume. If nothing else, she’d use his own sword to cut out his heart, but Eason still controlled his mind. She could see it in his ice blue eyes as they shifted back to Snow, narrowing in a steely resolve.

  “Fight, Eason!” Brie shouted over the dwarves’ shoulders. She shoved hard, but found them immovable. “You can win!”

  Eason stopped with a jerk, his eyes closing as he took in a deep breath. The sword inched closer to his chest. Snow growled, her fist clenching. “That is mine, Eason Grimm.” She said, voice low and dangerous. Darkness gathered around them as eyes flashed all around. Animals! Brie realized, and people too, who started to climb over the wreckage.

  “No….” Brie whispered, her eyes widening in horror as an army began to rise. She could see a mixture of peach-colored and pale skin. Among the living, she spotted Fallon, her Captain of the Guards, crawling towards Snow with the rest. A shuffle and a moan had her flinching, then a hand snatched out, grabbing her wrist. Brie glanced back, catching the huntsman, who’d schooled his face into a lifeless mask.

  “Follow,” he breathed, pulling her with him. The dwarves moved aside and Snow giggled, catching his movement as the huntsman brought Brie forward, having taken her sword out of her hand with a jerk.

  Brie held back the tears as Eason stumbled forward those last few steps, the huntsman dragging her up to stand beside him. Snow smiled at her, her fingers finding Eason’s chin as Fallon forced him to kneel. Brie watched as Eason’s pupils dilated and he stopped struggling, the sword dropping to his side. “Much better,” Snow cooed.

  Brie growled. “Release him. Release them both.”

  Snow laughed, “You can’t have what is already mine, sister. That’s not how this works.”

  The huntsman shifted behind her and Snow’s eyes widened a fraction, causing Brie’s brows to furrow in confusion before the huntsman released her. “Go.” He said softly, and then he was plunging her sword into Snow’s chest. He glanced back once as she screamed. “Well… wishing… well…” he managed, voice barely audible.

  Eason relaxed instantly beside her, his eyes returning to normal as he shook his head. Fallon’s grip on his shoulder tightened as he pulled out a sword, attempting to block Brie and keep Eason confined. Brie dodged, knocking the guard’s sword away before stomp kicking the captain’s knee. He screamed as he collapsed, and Brie grabbed Eason’s hand. They ran. When she glanced back, she saw Snow reach up with both her hands. “Useless,” the girl said, and with a pulse of power, Brie’s father crumbled to dust.

  ~

  Brie pulled Eason into an underground tunnel before turning to block it off. Eason knew they were in the catacombs instantly. He’d only been down here once, but he remembered it well. Brie pulled him forward and he followed at a stumble. He’d seen what had happened to her father, the tears that streaked from the princess’s face, but he didn’t know how to comfort her. “If my mother is still alive, it is only because Snow couldn’t find her.” Brie stated, voice low with emotion, but strong.

  Eason nodded. “Fallon must’ve moved her before the attack.”

  “And then closed off that part of his mind so that she wouldn’t find out where from him.” She hitched a breath before her voice steadied once more. “He was trained by the queen herself on how to section off parts of his mind from Snow, just in case. As captain of the guard, it was a necessary precaution.”

  “Yeah… I’m glad.” Eason watched Brie with concern. He knew how close he’d come to becoming Snow’s slave. Only she’d been able to wake him, and even that had almost not been enough. If the huntsman had not sacrificed himself, if he hadn’t bought them time, they wouldn’t have been able to escape. They needed the queen, and they needed her now.

  “He would have taken her to the crypt,” Brie’s voice echoed off the walls, even at a whisper. Eason glanced around, noting any mice or animals that Snow would be able to control. They had a head start, but it wouldn’t last long. Water trickled from nearby in the silence that followed as Brie lead the way.

  Minutes later, they stood in front of the old crypt door. Brie hesitated, her eyes closing, clinching shut as emotion shuddered through her. Eason reached out a hand, his thumb caressing her shoulder. Her own palm met his and she took a deep breath before stepping away from him. Eason let her go in silence.

  As Brie’s hand touched the door in a gentle caress, the door opened with a soft crick. She glanced back at Eason, nodding her head towards the dark interior. Eason nodded once, stepping forward to follow her inside before the door slammed shut behind them. “Not just anyone can get in here,” Brie explained. “Only those my mother allows. Snow would have to force her way in. With my mother down, we must move fast.” She fingered the po
tion at her side, pulling it up in deft fingers.

  As Eason’s eyes adjusted to the room, he took in all the herbs and pots once more, as well as a soft green fire, the only light in the room. The queen lay out on the table, her hands in her lap, her hair a dark grey. Eason stepped forward, had her hair gotten darker? He glanced at Brie as she moved to her mother’s head, a hand resting on the queen’s clasped ones. “Time to wake, mother.” Her voice was soft.

  Brie moved her hands up to her mother’s face. “Eason, I require your assistance.”

  In two steps, Eason was across the table from her. “What do you need?”

  “Hold her head.” Brie moved Eason’s hands so that he tilted the queen’s head up as Brie moved the phial with the potion to her mouth. She tilted the phial back, letting the potion drip between the gaps of her mother’s lips. The queen did not respond for a moment, then there was a gulp.

  Eason’s eyes widened as the queen’s hair thickened out, darkening to black, and her face began to turn younger. She gasped, her head jolting from Eason’s grasp as her eyes shot open. Eason took a step back, as Brie took a step forward. “Mother?”

  The queen looked toward her daughter, a hand coming up as a grin spread across her face. “My daughter, you figured it out.”

  Brie leaned into her mother’s touch for a moment before straightening. “I did.” She didn’t mention what she’d learned, only watching the queen sit up fully, shaking out her dress-covered limbs. The queen stilled for a moment, her eyes going out of focus, and Eason recognized she was reaching out her mind. He’d seen her do it many times before.

  Grimhilde’s eyes narrowed a moment later, before focusing on Brie, then Eason to her other side. A wry smile slid upon her lips. “Right,” she said, setting her feet on the stone floor. “We have work to do.”

  Chapter 20

  Eason stood near Will, who’d been placed on a shelf at head level, as he watched the two royals work. Brie stood at the table, silently crushing herbs her mother placed beside her. The queen bustled about the room, picking various jars and plants off the wall. Sometimes she would set things on the table, and sometimes she’d slide things into the cauldron hanging by the wall. A fire was lit underneath it, and Eason could hear it bubbling as it brewed. “I never believed in magic until I came here…” Eason said to Will in a quiet voice.

  Will was silent for a moment. “The queen’s potions are less about magic and more about the herbs she uses. It’s a science. Here, it is called Alchemy. In your world, they do not have the force that we do. You believe in a God, or gods, but we do not. Things just are. If someone created it, we do not know who. Not as intimately as many do in your world.”

  “Not everyone believes in God in our world either,” Eason whispered, leaning against the shelf.

  Will nodded. “Perhaps not. But they all believe in something, whether they want to admit it or not.”

  Eason eyed the mirror. “I think you guys do, too.”

  Will smiled. “You’re not wrong.”

  The queen leaned over the cauldron, a ladle in her hand as she stirred it. She glanced at Will with a smile on her face. “You know this concoction, do you not?”

  Will nodded within the mirror, his hollow eyes narrowing just slightly. “I do.”

  “Then you know what is required?” The queen asked, softer. Will remained silent, and the queen nodded, as if satisfied, before turning away. She glanced at the door. “We have little time left, are you ready, daughter?” Brie glanced between her and her mirror, but nodded.

  Eason straightened. “She’s here? I didn’t even feel her…”

  Grimhilde smiled, “you wouldn’t, child. Not in here. However, once she breaks down that door, there will be little to stop her from taking you.” She held up a large phial before dipping it into the cauldron. Her smile deepened as she brought it back out, a glowing green liquid inside. “Except this.”

  Brie pulled together the herbs she’d been working with, wrapping them into a bundle with twine. She glanced at Eason. “Grab Will. We are moving locations.”

  Eason jumped to Will’s shelf, scooping him up, much to the indignant protests of the mirror himself. “How are we changing locations, exactly?” Eason asked, genuinely curious. He didn’t doubt it could be done. He’d seen what Grimhilde could do. The queen didn’t reply, her hands raising above her head. Light flashed as a circular doorway appeared, a familiar glass coffin guarded by wolves on the other side. With the flick of a hand, the doorway widened and Grimhilde sat back, hands on her hips in contemplation. Eason could see the tiredness in her eyes, and he almost felt bad for having to wake her before putting her straight to work.

  “It will have to do.” The queen turned to Eason. “We must guide her to where she needs to be. Come, child.” She waved him forward, just as a loud bang sounded behind them, as if to punctuate Grimhilde’s point. Eason stepped up to the portal with a start.

  Brie took her place by his side, a small, sad smile playing at her lips as she side-glanced him, a knowing look in her eyes. “I’ll be with you every step,” she said, the bundle of herbs in her arms, bow over her shoulder.

  Eason nodded, his lips twitching up, “I’m counting on it.” Together, they stepped through.

  ~

  The wolves snarled as they came out the other side, and Eason stumbled a few steps, reorienting himself to his new surroundings. Brie had her sword up as the wolves paced before them, the bundle of herbs slowly lowering to her side. Before either side could react to each other’s presence, however, the wolves were suddenly being flung in all directions before collapsing as if asleep.

  Brie lowered her sword warily and Eason straightened from where he’d instinctively crouched, hands out. A thump behind them had them turning with a start as Grimhilde collapsed. Brie’s sword dropped as the portal closed with a whoosh. The last thing Eason saw within it was Snow blasting the door open, meeting his gaze with a frown. When he looked down again, Brie was coaxing her mother up, Snow all but forgotten. “I am still very weak.” The queen spoke, her voice raspy as if she’d aged again, even though her face and hair looked much the same.

  Brie pulled out her waterskin from her belt and brought it to her mother’s lips. “Rest, mother. I will start without you.” Grimhilde nodded and Brie paced back to Eason. She picked up her bundle and nodded. “Watch her while I place these around us?”

  Eason nodded and strode forward, squatting next to the queen, who was now resting against a nearby tree. She smiled at him. “Do you have the mirror?”

  Eason brought forward his palm, Will resting within. “He’s been unusually quiet…”

  If Will could roll his eyes, Eason imagined he might have as he gave an audible sigh. “I am thinking, young Grimm. Something you might do once in awhile.”

  Eason glanced at the queen with an eyebrow raised and she chuckled. “When the time comes, Eason,” she started, “you must do as he asks.” She shifted, her eyes finding her daughter over his shoulder. “I am not strong enough to do what is required, but Will can. He may be the only one who may yet survive it.”

  Eason started. “Wait… What? Survive what?” He glanced down to the mirror.

  “To seal Snow back up, it requires a sacrifice of love, boy.” Will stated calmly.

  Eason shook his head, his gaze meeting the queen’s again. “Then let me do it.” He leaned forward, his voice dropping so that Brie wouldn’t hear. “I set her free, let me make that sacrifice.”

  Grimhilde smiled, her hand coming up to his arm. “You cannot. You are the last Grimm. If we lose you, we lose all hope of ever being able to visit other worlds. You have the key to keep these worlds in balance. There is still so much you do not understand.”

  “I am the only one who can do this, boy. Accept it, and do as you’re told.” Will’s voice became commanding, a certain magic underneath it compelling Eason to do just as he said.

  Eason shook his head. “But Brie…”

  “Can survive without me
for a bit.” Will’s voice softened. “I have looked into my own future, child. I know what is to come. I welcome it with open arms.”

  “Brie does not know all this magic will require. She has not seen that part of it yet, but this spell is far stronger than the first we used. If we do this now, Snow will not wake again, for Will will always be guarding her, at least until her heart is found and destroyed. “ The queen rose on shaky legs. She placed a hand on Eason’s shoulder. “There is no one I’d trust more.”

  Eason glanced down at the mirror as Will nodded inside. He sighed in defeat before glancing out again. “She may never forgive me,” he whispered.

  “She will, for this was never your choice to make. Now let me make it.” The mirror replied, surprisingly gentle. A shadow passed in the mirror, as if a small red star, barely noticeable to the eye, filled Will for a moment. Eason didn’t know what it was, or if it’d just been a trick of the eye, but as Will met his gaze in determination, all Eason could do was nod.

  “What must I do?” This time, Eason looked at the queen.

  She placed a hand on his shoulder. “You will know, my dear. It is in your blood. Only you can help put Snow in her place. Follow your instincts and above all…” She squeezed his shoulder as he met her gaze. “Be brave.”

  “It’s ready!” Brie called from the other side of the coffin. Grimhilde nodded, standing straighter as she gathered her strength.

  “Then let us begin.”

  Chapter 21

  It was nightfall when the singing started, jerking Eason out of a restless sleep. He could see the stars twinkling above him, peeking through the trees as he reoriented himself to his surroundings. Brie lay in the grass next to him, and as he sat up, he could see the queen at the edge of Snow’s clearing, mirror in hand, calmly looking out in that glazed way of hers. The queen had insisted that they rest, having stated that they hadn’t the night before and they would need it. Eason hadn’t argued, but Brie had told the queen she’d need to rest as well. She’d told her mother she’d rest if the queen woke her for a watch rotation so she could rest as well.