Page 3 of Snow White

A small group of women has gathered in the corner of the tearoom, twittering away as they work on their embroidery. Their delicate hands make quick work as they gossip about everything that has happened today. Another girl works on her painting, the picture an exact replica of the bowl of fruit in front of her. The princess beside her plays the piano, filling the space with a lovely melody.

None of those things truly interest me. I have always been drawn to activities considered more unconventional for princesses. Yet, I will need to adjust my way of thinking if I want to make friends. At least I will be able to talk to Azura. That should hold the boredom and chill at bay.

Azura looks around the room before sighing. “How about we go somewhere less occupied? Can you ride?”

My eyes light up at the thought. A beautiful, elegant woman like Azura wants to go riding? One of my favorite pastimes? My body vibrates with excitement.

“Do I ever!” I say. “I have this magnificent spot where we can go! If you are up to it, of course.”

Azura’s gaze sweeps over me before she looks down at her own outfit. “Let me change into my riding clothes, and then we can go. I can’t ride in this dress.”

Her violet dress shimmers in the light shining through the window. She nearly glows, her beauty radiant and unique, like a perfect single snowflake. My lower stomach burns with… jealousy? No, that doesn’t seem right. I don’t get jealous, and I have always admired a woman who could look beautiful in anything. I will have to figure out this emotion later.

“You can’t?” I ask her. “I think you look beautiful.”

Azura’s brows furrow slightly. “It is my preference to ride astride, my dear Snow. I need my riding habit for that. It will only take me but a moment.”

I nod, looking down at my periwinkle-colored dress. I wore it to impress the other princesses because nothing says princess like a puffy, frilly gown. But Azura is right. Riding in this will be very uncomfortable, and like her, I prefer riding astride.

“Should I change as well?” I ask her.

“Depends if you’re planning to race me,” she says, touching my arm gently. My heart flutters, and I bite my lower lip. A race? I haven’t taken part in a race since my brother left. That was when the coldness sunk into my skin and my bones.

I take her hand, leading her away from the tearoom and to the stairs.

“Then I will change.” I giggle.

Azura laughs as we quickly climb the stairs. She stops in front of one of the doors. “This is my room. Shall we meet downstairs?”

I chew my lip, nodding. “Alright. Promise to meet me down there?”

The question escapes my lips before I can stop it. I can’t let her know how desperate I am for a companion. If she figures that out, she may think me odd. Then I will be back where I began. Alone.

Another part of me is afraid that this is all a dream and I will arrive downstairs to no one. It wouldn’t be the first time I dreamed of something like this, and Azura is definitely a woman from a dream. My heart twists in my chest.

Azura blinks. “I am a woman of my word, my dear Snow.”

With that, she turns around and enters her room. Once the door closes, I bolt to my room, determined to beat her down. Friendly competition never hurt anyone, right?

My maids rush to my side to help me, but I shake my head, thanking them before getting to work. The ties are harder on my own, but I manage to get them undone before slipping out of the dress. I run to the wardrobe, my eyes scanning the outfits. I pick one of the ivory riding ensembles, slipping on the pants first.

If I am honest, I prefer pants. As much as I love a good dress, pants provide comfort and ease of movement that a dress does not. In fact, I wear pants more than dresses, though I know that will not be the case this month. So, I must take the opportunity now.

I slip on my shirt, fiddling with the buttons. My fingers fumble from the adrenaline of this little competition, but I know I am going to win. I can feel it. I giggle as I grab my cloak, throwing it around my neck before bolting from the room.

Azura doesn’t stand a chance.

Chapter Three

Azura

I step inside, closing the door behind me. So many of these foolish hens will click and cluck around the king’s feet, hoping for some meager scrap of attention, some parcel of focus. If they knew anything, they’d know you never attack an enemy head-on. Instead, you strike where he is weakest, and his weakness stares at me with icy eyes.

Snow White.So eager to please, so desperate to make a good impression. She tumbled into my lap, wrapped in a pretty bow, waiting to be unraveled. If I yank her strings hard enough, I’ll earn a kingdom and a king. But most importantly, I’ll gain the power of her bloodline and enough natural magic to bring the world to its knees.

I snap my fingers, and magic fills the air as my dress becomes my riding habit. I move to the mirror to check every line, running my hands over the sleek fabric. The skirt is split in the front, revealing my black breeches and shining boots. The red hat perches on my arranged curls, artfully tilted to the side.

One of my spelled maids sits in the corner, staring vacantly out the window. My mind reaches for hers, making sure the enchantment is still in place. In her mind, she’s on a quiet beach, watching the surf crash against the shore. She’s deeply at peace and doesn’t know that time has passed. She will never awaken from the peaceful dream, not even when I tear the heart from her chest.

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