Of Snow and Blood

by Kris Black

  “Are you trying to tell me something?” She whispered down at the tiny lights, only to have them circle the sapling faster.

  She couldn’t, could she? She couldn’t possibly make that tree grow tall enough for it to catch her - or for her to climb down. Not from way up here, with no way to center on the ground or without touching its bark. That would be impossible. Wouldn’t it?

  Alina wished, not for the first time, that her mother was here. That Breena would show her the full capabilities of her magic. Instead, she remembered the faerie man’s words when he had saved her: trust your instincts, they’ll guide you.

  Her mind was telling her it was impossible. But even now, her fingers tingled with power as she looked at the sapling.

  It was worth a shot, she decided, and a better option than the possibility of a broken leg, Alina crouched down and laid both hands flat on the stonework of the balcony. Alina took a deep breath, closed her eyes and concentrated. She focused on sending waves of energy through the stone, down the pillars, and into the ground towards the sapling. Her mother had done this, her mother had grown a tree with her energy.

  Alina saw the tree growing strong in her mind, bending and turning skywards, its limbs reaching out, reaching towards her. Her breathing became deeper as she concentrated, then lighter - shallower. She was losing too much energy, giving too much of her life-force. But she couldn’t stop. She couldn’t even open her eyes.

  Lights flickered before her, flashes in front of her eyelids. Something hit her right hand hard. She gasped, her eyes open as she fell backward, collapsing onto the stone of the balcony. Her chest rose quick and short as she tried to catch her breath, staring up at the stars twinkling in the night sky. A firefly flew in front of her, briefly blocking out the night sky before disappearing. Alina pulled herself up, a feat when she felt like she weighed as much as a bag of bricks. She grabbed onto the railing to help her and hissed. She backed up abruptly, cradling her hand that was now sporting a blistering welt on the palm.

  She stepped back again, away from the railing, and tripped over something that caught her foot. She just caught herself using the wall near the door.

  There was the large rock that had dropped on her hand. And just past that - the sapling. It was near full-grown, one bough reaching towards her balcony close enough to climb onto.

  She had a way down. She had a way to meet up with Felix and finally get her hands on the enchanted mirror again. Alina pulled off her cloak and placed it over the iron railings, hoping that it was enough to protect her from as she climbed over and grasped onto the tree branch. It kept steady as she reached back and retrieved her cloak before hastily making her way to the truck and down the tree.

  Folding her dark cloak around her to protect against the cold night air, Alina hurried to the servants’ entrance with her cloak hood up. No one should be up at this hour, but she didn’t want to risk it. Luckily, the corridors were deserted as she snuck like a thief in the night towards the queen’s rooms.

  Alina met Felix outside the queen’s quarters just as the clock was tolling midnight. He looked visibly relieved when he saw her, his shoulders slumping down. It took only a few moments for Felix to turn the key and allow them entrance. The space was dark as a tomb as they shut the door behind them, the lingering scent of Calista’s cloying perfume hanging in the air like decay. Felix deftly found a matchbox on the fireplace mantle and lit a candle.

  “Better if we only have one or two, as to not arouse suspicion. The castle knows the queen is away.”

  Alina nodded her assent and allowed Felix to lead the way to the dressing area where they had retrieved the mirror the first time. Just like a creature of habit, the queen left the enchanted hand-mirror face down in the same spot. The silver glinted in the candlelight. Felix set the candle down on the table as Alina picked up the mirror, turning it over. The glass was clear and easily mistaken as a normal hand-mirror.

  “Show me my attempted murderer,” Alina whispered, despite the doors being heavy enough to dim any noise they created. Something about sneaking around in the dark put her on-edge.

  The mirror came alive, lighting itself like the sun behind a curtain. A picture appeared, starting blurry before it sharpened into focus.

  Alina gasped and nearly dropped the mirror. Felix, who had been watching over her shoulder, let out a string of curses. There, lying calmly in her bed like a baby was the queen - peaceful and almost angelic in sleep. She wished it didn’t surprise her, but Alina had secretly hoped that Abigail had been lying to her. She had known that Calista had disliked her, maybe even loathed her, but she didn’t think she had stooped so low as to poison her.

  Why? Why would Calista of all people want to murder her? It was something she couldn’t figure out since she had discovered she may have been behind at least one of the poisonings. Calista wasn’t of Lormount royal blood, she couldn’t sit on the throne if Belmont died. They had no children of their own together, so Alina wasn’t usurping one of her own children’s perceived right to the throne. Why had Calista felt so threatened that she needed to murder her?

  The mirror twisted again, only to show Abigail, also asleep. It didn’t shock Alina to see her sister. Felix turned his head sharply to Alina, disturbed by her lack of reaction.

  “It’s a long story,” she said, not wanting to launch into an explanation about the apple. “I’m surprised everyone in the castle doesn’t know about it already.”

  The visions in the mirror faded, leaving only the candlelight. Alina held the ornate, heavy mirror in both hands staring at the darkened glass. The Duchess of Briarbay was noticeably absent. Had she not sent her the poison comb? Was she sitting in the tower, innocent of the accusations levelled against her?

  Alina squeezed the mirror tightly, knuckles white. She wouldn’t leave it here, not again.

  Calista was a monster. She tried to kill her step-daughter, even attempting to get her sister to unwittingly murder her. How low would she stoop next time? If she would do this to the crown princess within the castle walls, what had she done to other people who weren’t so well protected? To their people?

  “She uses this magical mirror to spy on everyone in her court. To spy on everyone in the kingdom.”

  “Alina-” Felix warned.

  Alina’s grip on the mirror tightened. “It doesn’t have to be that way though. If she lost her main source of information, she wouldn’t be able to threaten them with their secrets anymore.”

  “She would just build a network of spies.” Felix argued.

  “But that would take time, years of it.”

  “Everyone is already afraid of her.” Felix whispered, clearly a bit alarmed. “They don’t know that she has an enchanted mirror, they would still be frightened.”

  “But eventually, they wouldn’t be. Someday, they will realize that she isn’t all-knowing.” Alina argued.

  Felix took a deep, soothing breath. “Princess, you can’t take that mirror.”

  “This is the one thing I can do. She thinks she is unstoppable. She thinks she can get away with everything - get away with murdering the crown princess - because she has this mirror. Well, I won’t let her anymore. I’m taking this mirror.”

  “Will that make you any better than her? Will you be able to resist using it in your kingdom?” Felix accused.

  “Not to garner secrets. Not to threaten my people. I’m charged with protecting them. If I can’t do that, then what’s the whole point of this monarchy?”

  “A noble cause.” Felix sighed. “But this is on you. I have no recollection of helping you tonight.”

  “Agreed.” Alina tucked the mirror into a deep pocket in her dress. One reason it was a favorite. “I have no memory of you being here at all. Let her figure out the mystery of her missing mirror without resorting to magic.”

  The journey back to her room felt less treacherous, but the adrenaline was wearing off. She barely had enough energy left to lift her limbs and pull herself back up the tree and ont
o her balcony.

  Alina had only just returned to her bedroom when she sensed a shift in her body. It was subtle at first, the crescendo of the cold wind outside getting sharper and sharper. The sweet smell of tea becoming overpowering. The light was unbearable. She moved to her bed, impulsively placing the enchanted mirror underneath her pillow within her pillowcase.

  Before she knew it, her back arched in pain - twisting and contorting. She held back a scream, teeth piercing her tongue in the effort. Thick, metallic liquid slid down her throat. Her hands clenched in claws and grasped for purchase on the sheets. The thunderous sound of fabric ripping filled the air, like the sound of an earthquake heaving earth.

  Exhausted from pain, the muscles in her back unclenched and she dropped onto the bed. She rolled onto her stomach, gasping for breath when her jaw cracked open and her teeth ached in pain. The seizing left her hands and back, moving the whole way down her body. She stayed with it, to endure it until it reached her back again.

  It wasn’t the full moon.

  Why was this happening?

  Maybe this had nothing to do with Christian. Maybe there was something wrong with her.

  She leaned over her bed and retched before darkness encompassed her.

  Alina awoke once more to a large, warm hand clutching her face. Her mouth tasted of bile and she was unable to move. Her eyes cracked open, just enough to make out shapes in the room.

  “What have you done now, Banphrionsa?” The faerie man was back, his deep voice whispered a dark timber, a lullaby. His walnut-hued hair fell almost into his eyes as he leaned over, pulsing power through his hand once more into her, filling up her empty reserve.

  Alina brought up her hand so sluggishly it took an eternity and laid it over the one he had on her cheek. She sighed in relief, her eyes fluttering shut.

  “You again.” She whispered to him. “Does the queen have another message?”

  He was quiet for a moment or maybe a year. Time was a fickle thing and seemed to go too fast and too slow all at the same time. “No. She doesn’t know I’m here this time.”

  Her eyes shuttered open again as she took in his frown. “I grew a tree.”

  “That explains the new oak singing outside your balcony then.” He said, his face twitching like he was trying not to smile. “Why would you grow a whole tree in one night?”

  “I needed to get out of my bedroom.” She replied. He was still sharing his power with her and it was filling her, like pouring water into an empty barrel. It was wonderful, the euphoric melding of nature and her and him. Like all the birds in the morning would sing just for her. Like she had sunbathed for the whole day.

  Realizing that she was still holding the faerie’s hand and that he was leaning over her on her bed, she sat up abruptly. The man’s hand fell to his side as she moved her back up against her headboard.

  “If you aren’t here on behalf of the queen, why are you here?”

  “Such hospitality.” He tsked. “I sensed you were in pain. I came here to ensure you were all right.”

  “You sensed my pain?” Alina paused. “Who are you?”

  “Finley. My name is Finley, Your Highness.” He said finally.

  A name. A name for the man who had saved her life twice. No, not a man, fae.

  “But how-?”

  “Your Highness, are you all right?” Rhys called from outside her door. They had not been as quiet as she thought.

  “Yes, Rhys, I’m fine!” She called back before turning back to the fae - to Finley - and whispering. “How did you know I was in pain?”

  “I can’t explain that yet.” He frowned at her.

  “Can’t or won’t?” Alina was getting frustrated by the lack of answers. No matter how helpful, or how beautiful, this faerie had shown up in her bedroom twice when she needed him and only left her with more questions than answers.

  “Can’t.” He gritted his teeth; Alina saw the muscles in his jaw tighten. Much like when Christian wanted to share something about the curse but was forcibly unable.

  “Fine,” Alina said. “But are you able to help me? I have some questions. Questions about my heritage, about my powers.”

  “I’ll do my best.” He agreed, running a hand through his chestnut hair which only moved it away for a few moments before it fell back over his forehead.

  “Iron. The queen poisoned me with it in an apple. It burned me tonight. Why am I suddenly sensitive to it? It has never affected me, not until recently.”

  Finley’s storm-colored eyes widened for a moment before his brow furrowed. “Where is this burn? How did I not know about the poison?”

  Alina shrugged and opened her right hand, palm upward to show him the blistering welt. Finley hissed, almost catlike - like she had when it burned her initially. It wasn’t quite human, but also not quite an animal. He gently took her hand in his and breathed over it, blowing as a mother would blow on a cut.

  It was like he had summoned wind from the Arctic. Her palm cooled instantly, and the welt faded.

  “The redness will last for a day or two, but that should help with the pain.”

  “But why now? Why iron?”

  “There could be multiple reasons for it.” He said after a few moments. “Using your powers for the first true time may have triggered something. Stress too. There are many reasons that half-breeds suddenly develop faerie aversions.”

  “Princess, are you sure you’re alright? We keep hearing voices. We’re coming in!” Another guard called out.

  Finley looked to the door and then back to her. “I fear that is all the questions I can answer for you.” He began to make his way towards the balcony.

  “Please, Finley.” She said. His head snapped towards her when she said his name. His eyes reflected in the candlelight, almost glowing for a moment like a cat’s. She stood and crossed the room towards him like she couldn’t stop herself. “When will I see you again?”

  “Never fear, a stór. It’s our destiny to meet again one day.” He said and leaned down, leaving a kiss on her forehead before disappearing out the balcony door in a flash.

  When the guards opened the door, Alina was sitting in the middle of her bed surrounded by her skirts. Rhys’ nose turned up from the smell of sick that permeated the room from when she vomited earlier.

  “Your Highness?” He asked gently as he approached her. “Are you all right?”

  “I’m just a little sick Rhys, I promise.”

  “We thought we heard voices.” The other guard said as he looked around the room for an intruder.

  “There’s no one else here. It must’ve been having night terrors from the fever.” Alina stood and Rhys reached out a hand to help her, which she accepted.

  “We’ll get a servant up immediately to clean everything up.”

  “Thank you. I’ll just get back into bed then.” The energy Finley shared with her wore faster than last time and Alina felt like she could sleep for a hundred years.

  Chapter Seventeen

  Princess Alina of Lormount

  The smell of bile, thick and acrid filled flooded Alina’s senses as she awoke. Her swollen tongue, dry and sour filled up more space in her mouth than necessary. A pounding headache played a steady rhythm on her temples as she opened her eyes and hissed at the light pooling in from outside.

  The servant had been in last night to clean, but the smell lingered like tar.

  She flung an arm above her head and the other towards her pillow where it collided with something hard. The mirror.

  Alina hastily grabbed the gilded handle and pulled it from the underside of her pillowcase.

  “Show me Christian,” she breathed, hardly having glanced at the reflective surface before the words tumbled from her lips.

  She expected to see him sleeping in his bed or brooding in his office. What she didn’t expect was the image of a large wolf with obsidian fur and crystalline eyes. He roamed through the forest, prowling like a hunter. But it wasn’t the full moon. Why was Christian s
till a wolf? How?

  Alina remembered her mother’s words. The nature of the curse alters after they meet each requirement. What did this mean for Christian?

  Was he stuck in wolf form now? Alina thought, horrified.

  She continued to stare at the mirror, waiting for a sign - any sign - that her mate would return to his human form. She watched for the snapping and breaking of bones, the loss of fur or the shifting of the jaw, but Christian remained firmly a wolf.

  She wasn’t sure how long she had sat there, only that her door opening jarred her. Hastily, she shoved the stolen mirror beneath the covers of her bed.

  “It smells in here.” Ella squinted her nose before pinching it closed with her forefinger and her thumb. “Oh no, you’re not sick, are you? Henry! Fetch a maid to clean this up and a physician!”

  “No need, they were here last night,” Alina groaned, covering her head with the blanket to block out the sunlight and try to ease her headache. She reached up to her pillowcase to hide the heavy hand-mirror. Ella walked over and pulled the blankets from Alina’s bed.

  “We have lots of things to do today. Even if you aren’t well.”

  Alina determined then that she would have a miserable day.

  “Today is the day you get to formally meet with the nobility,” Ella didn’t sound excited. “Your coronation is in less than a week. It’s time we presented you to them. The king is expecting you at court today.”

  Alina’s body ached and bones groaned. Even her gums stung as though she had grown new teeth. She remembered the pain that had hit before Finley had shown up, the excruciating agony of her whole body being ripped to shreds. She wished that the king had warned that they would present her in court today. An especially strange occurrence, given that the queen was still holed up in a baron’s manor.

  “Must I, today?” Alina said. “Belmont… My father didn’t mention it to me.”

  “The king is a very busy man, Your Highness, he has a lot on his plate. Perhaps it slipped his mind.” Ella stood patiently. “You should have been attending court before this, but the king has put it off as long as possible.”