Page 40 of Snow White

Snow giggles, nodding. “Yes, I have been waiting all week.”

Her giggle reassures me, even if her eyes are still sad. I catch her glancing at me repeatedly, worry making her brow furrow. She sounds genuinely excited to see these women parade themselves around for her father. She seems to view this as a casual event with her friends, not women trying to become the next queen.

Belle smirks, finishing her food. “We should celebrate tomorrow.”

“Celebrate?” I ask, my hand still entwined with Snow’s. I need to pull away and start putting up those walls again, but I don’t move.

Belle’s gaze catches on our hands. “To this new friendship and how successful our showcase will be. It will be a girls’ night. I’ve never had one of those before.”

I’ve never even heard of one of those.The only girls’ nights I’ve had ended in me fucking someone. I slip into Belle’s mind again, mentally fortifying the warped memory I’d planted there. I stop myself from sighing in annoyance. She’s scratched the mental wall again.

I only need to keep up the altered memory until I’m the queen.

Snow’s eyes light up, some of the shadows receding. “Girls’ night?”

Belle claps her hands and stands. “Perfect! After dinner we shall all get together—”

Snow stands and lets go of my hand, which drops uselessly into my lap. “My room! It is the biggest.” Snow giggles. “Oh, I should start preparing!”

My finger trails along the inside of my palm, feeling the slight chill leftover from Snow’s touch. “Yes, preparing…”

I focus on the hand that was just in mine, my brows furrowing. Why isn’t she holding my hand anymore?

Snow kisses Belle’s cheek and then mine, but my gaze returns to the forest, distantly hearing her next words.

I let my guard down, and the trees are moving again.

“I shall prepare now! I will see you both at breakfast!” The door opens and closes as they both go, leaving me to watch the forest that continues to creep ever forward.

The trees want my Snow. My happiness.

My eyes narrow on them, and I can practically hear them whispering.Liar.Murderer.Betrayer. No one will take this moment of happiness from me. I will hold on to it as long as I can. Once she knows the truth and everything changes, she’ll never hold my hand so trustingly again. She won’t be able to even look at me.

It’s time to get back to my true nature. If I want to survive, I have no choice.

I need to stop pretending to be someone kind and gentle, someonegood.If the fae want a fight, they are going to regret it. They have no idea who they’ve challenged.

The wicked bitch is here to stay.

I snarl and drag the trunk from under my bed, flipping up the lock. The illusion that keeps my box invisible breaks when I move it. I’ll strengthen the wards on this castle, keeping the trees from coming closer and watching me. They’ll never get my Snow. After gathering a golden bowl, an athame, and the heart of a newborn griffin, I start to chant.

I’ll keep these fucking fairies out. I’ll keep Snow safe.

The chant echoes around the room, and I can feel the dark magic leeching from me, taking more than I want, but I don’t stop. I need to protect her and this little piece of innocence that still exists. Somehow Snow hasn’t yet been spoiled. I barely manage to finish the spell and struggle to put my tools away, my energy depleted. I try to stand, but the room spins, and I hear something fall.

Chapter Twenty-Six

Snow

The next morning comes quickly, and I skip to Azura’s room. The showcase is today, and then the girls’ night with Azura and Belle. Excitement bubbles inside me, creating tiny butterflies. I have heard rumors that the maids and commoners have nights like this with their friends. They gossip for hours, play strange games, and tell secrets. Things that friends do. My lips curve in a small smile. I have that. Belle and Azura are my friends.

I stop in front of Azura’s door, knocking in a playful rhythm.

“Azuurraaaa, breakfast time!” I sing.

I frown when I get no answer. That is odd. Azura is usually up by now. She is an early riser compared to Belle and me.

“Azura?” I call out, knocking again.

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