Page 16 of Snow White

I cup her chin in my hand, looking down at her. “Oh, Snow, you are so innocent.”

Pure and unspoiled by the world.

Her glacial eyes shimmer, looking up at me. “I...is that wrong?”

I shake my head. “No. Just different from most.”

She gulps visibly. “O-Oh.”

I don’t release her. “It’s better to be different. Different is strong.”

Only the sheep are led to slaughter.My mother’s voice rings in my head.Theynever think to look for the wolf until it’s too late.

Her hand rests innocently on my chest. “It’s strong?”

I nod. “It is. Be strong, Snow. Be different.”

She smiles up at me, going to her toes to kiss my cheek. “Thank you. You’re a good person, Azura.”

I manage to cut my laugh short. “You should go back to your room, Snow.”

She sighs softly and pulls away. “Will I see you tomorrow?”

I nod, tucking my hands behind my back and curling them into fists. “If you wish to.”

Her eyes brighten. “I would love that.”

“Well then, hurry off.”

She looks down at my lips for a moment. She shakes her head and smiles at me before running out. I relax my hands, feeling a slight bite of pain in my palms from where my nails cut into my skin.

Chapter Twelve

Snow

Snow is falling from the ceiling, forming a thin layer on the floor. It wakes me from my sleep, my lips tugging into a smile as soon as I see it. I can’t stop the snowfall, not when I am this excited. My emotions are too strong in this moment, and I am not fully in control of my powers. I feel a pang of guilt as the maids come into my room and shiver from the cold. Surprisingly, I do not feel the chill. I just feel warm and happy.

I give the maids a soft smile of apology and dismiss them. It isn’t fair of me to expect them to work in the chill of my room, and I am fully capable of dressing myself. It just takes a little longer. Besides, I want to enjoy the feeling of the snow on my skin.

For today’s dress, I decide on a daffodil-colored one. Its sleeves stop at my mid forearms, and the fabric is thinner, with fewer layers. It is comfortable and keeps me warm as I go about my daily chores.

At breakfast, the princesses buzz with compliments and attempt intelligent conversation with my father. I press a kiss to his cheek before taking my seat beside him to eat my food.

The conversations continue, and someone suggests a showcase of talent for the end of the week. My father’s eyes light up with interest, and before I know it, the event is scheduled. I smile at the princesses, excitement bubbling inside of me. It will be fascinating to see what these women’s interests are. Perhaps I can find a connection with them through their talents.

I am practically humming with anticipation after breakfast as I make my way to the tearoom. After last night and this morning, I have more confidence, and I am looking forward to talking with the princesses who have shown interest in getting to know me.

“You can do this, Snow. You can do this,” I whisper to myself.

Can you?

I grit my teeth.Yes, I can.

My heart flutters as I open the door, but immediately my hopes plummet into the void. The princesses all glance at me, look me up and down, and turn back to each other. Their whispers are harsh in my ears, but I listen anyway. I was wrong to get my hopes up, and the reality hurts. I felt it last night that these women were only faking it to get close to my father, but to see them dismiss me so easily is like a slap in the face, and the coldness returns.

I told you little Snow. You are nothing but a waste of space.

“Good morning, Snow,” Azura says, pulling me from my sorrow. She holds her hands out to me, but I don’t take them. My fingers are frozen, and my blood is running cold. I regret my decision to wear this silly thin dress that barely warms me. I can’t touch Azura or anyone in this state.

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