It was too late now to go to Philip’s castle. He’d be asleep. She’d have to wait until morning, so she may as well get some sleep. She crawled onto her high bed, restless and excited by her idea. Sleep was an impossibility for the rest of the night.
*****
It was early, so early she suspected Philip might not be up, but she couldn’t wait any longer. Snow jogged the path from her cottage to the castle. She’d left a note pinned to The Seven’s door, telling them she had something important to do and she’d tell them about it later.
At the castle she stopped. Should she go to the thicket of trees where she normally found him, or knock on the castle door since he might still be in bed? Without thought, she found herself crossing the bridge and coming into the red trees. She hurried to the clearing, surprised Philip was there, pacing and tense.
“Philip,” she said. He jumped as if startled. He’d never been unaware of her approach before.
“Snow?” he said, crossing quickly to her and pulling her into his arms. His entire body was taut with alarm.
“What’s going on?” she asked worriedly.
“I don’t know,” he said releasing her. “But I think maybe you do.”
“I do?” she questioned, forgetting in her worry for him what she’d come here for.
“I dreamt of you,” he said, and she smiled. Her smile dropped when he continued. “You were dead. I found you in the forest, and you lay dead on the ground. Why is that, Snow? Why am I dreaming of your death?”
Snow reached out and placed a hand on his arm. “I’m not dead, Philip. I’m right here.”
He quickly pulled her into his arms again, almost desperately. “I know. And I’m grateful. It was horrible seeing you like that. I haven’t been able to sleep since the vision woke me in the middle of the night.”
That reminded Snow of her idea. “I didn’t sleep either,” she said, moving out of his arms. “I think I’ve figured it out, Philip. I think I know how to break the curse.”
His face changed at that, lighting with hope. Snow felt a twinge of guilt for entertaining the idea of staying here, keeping Philip trapped with her. “How?” he asked.
“I started thinking about how time is here, and how no one can see anything without it being shown them.”
“Except me,” he said wryly. “Show me all you want, I still can’t see it.”
Snow laughed. “Except in the water.”
“Except in the water,” he confirmed, then added, “with you.”
She smiled as she remembered their times in the water together.
“So tell me your idea,” he said.
“On the first day I was here, or I guess the second really since it was after I’d spent the night, I tried to escape. The Seven told me it was impossible, but I didn’t believe them. I ran for hours trying to get out.”
Philip smiled with amusement. “I know. Grouchy told me all about it. He found it quite entertaining.”
“Yeah, I know,” Snow grumbled. “But what I think now is that I couldn’t leave because they’d put the idea in my head.”
“What do you mean?” His expression reflected his confusion.
“I mean that my whole life I’ve believed everything I’ve been told, whether it was my dad, Katarina, my friends, whoever. I’m pretty gullible that way, always have been. So I think when they told me I couldn’t leave, I believed them and so it was true.”
“I don’t understand,” he said.
“If I’m the one, as you believe, then that must mean that I can leave, because how else can the curse be broken? I have to leave and I have to find Katarina.” Philip immediately began shaking his head. Before he could speak his denial, Snow swallowed over the lump of fear lodged in her throat and said, “I have to destroy her.”
“No, Snow, absolutely not.” He stepped forward urgently and took her arms in his hands. “It’s too dangerous. You have no idea what she’s capable of.”
Looking into Philip’s clouded eyes, Snow knew exactly what Katarina was capable of.
“I have some idea,” she said. “But if I’m the one spoken of in the prophecy, then I’m the only one who can destroy her.”
Philip continued to shake his head, but it was clear he knew she spoke the truth.
“I don’t know how much time has passed in the outside world, but I think we don’t have a lot of time for me to do this. If I leave and Fableton’s been moved then I may not ever find her.”
Philip released her arms and swung away from her, cursing beneath his breath. He continued to pace, muttering, and finally he dropped to his haunches, holding his head in his fisted hands. Snow had never seen anyone look so conflicted and wretched. She walked over and placed a hand on his back, squatting next to him.
“I have to do this,” she said.
Philip lifted his face, and in spite of the clouded eyes his torture was clear. He stared in her direction as if he could see her, and finally he nodded.
“If you’re going to do this, we need to do everything we can to make sure you’re protected.”
“Okay,” Snow agreed. “Whatever you think is best.”
*****
It turned out that Philip thought the best protection for Snow was to be taught how to fight. He enlisted the help of The Seven, who were none too happy at the idea of her tracking Katarina down once they heard her story. Still, they agreed she needed to be prepared as possible, so they helped.
In spite of his blindness, Philip was an expert marksman with a bow and arrow. He taught her how to hold it, how to breathe when shooting, and how to aim. It wasn’t long until she was hitting the bulls-eye nearly as often as Philip.
Grouchy, not surprisingly, was an expert in hand-to-hand combat. These lessons were Snow’s least favorite. The idea of laying her hands on someone with intent to harm them turned her stomach. Still, she paid attention when he showed her how to hit, where to hit, and how to use body parts other than her fists to cause damage.
Dim taught her to defend against all the moves Grouchy taught her. It made her heart ache at what must have happened to him for him to learn to defend himself so well. Coy was a swordsman of the highest caliber, though Snow wasn’t sure when she’d ever have use for a sword. She didn’t plan to stab Katarina. Coy had a sword made for her that wasn’t too heavy and that she became quite proficient with.
Dozy and Sneezer taught her how to track, how to climb trees for the best lookout, and how to run stealthily without making noise. Medic taught her which plants could be used medicinally and how to bind up any wounds she might receive. Blithe was the one who rubbed the soreness out of her muscles at the end of each day, and told her jokes until she was laughing and her spirit was lifted.
Finally the day came when she felt like there wasn’t anything more they could teach her. She stood facing all of them.
“I’m ready,” she announced.
Seven pairs of eyes turned to her in alarm. She looked at Philip. He was staring down at the ground, tense anger in his body. She knew why. He thought it should be him who went to destroy Katarina since he was the reason for the curse in the first place. It infuriated him that he couldn’t leave, and that even if he could he wouldn’t have much chance to defeat her without his sight. He hated the idea of Snow being put into danger.
“No!” Grouchy exploded, striding toward her. “We’re not done here. You still need to—”
Snow placed a hand on his arm, “No, Grouchy, you know I’m right. We’re only going to waste more time that we may not have. It’s time.”
He stared at her, and she was shocked how much he was worried for her. He didn’t want her to go any more than Philip did. Finally he nodded and returned to where the others stood.
“I’ll need to gather some supplies, so I’ll go the day after tomorrow,” she said. Philip suddenly swung around and strode away from them, disappearing in the direction of the waterfall. She watched him go, as did the others. She swallowed and addressed The Seven. “Can you guys he
lp me gather what I need?”
“Of course we will,” Blithe said, sad for the first time since Snow had met him. He took a deep breath and put his shoulders back. “We’ll get everything you need.” He glanced in the direction Philip had gone. “You should go after him. He’s worried for you.”
Snow nodded. “I know.”
Blithe shook his head. “I don’t think you have any idea. Go to him. We’ll take care of everything.”
“Thank you,” Snow said sincerely before hurrying in the direction that Philip had gone.
He stood by the waterfall, arms crossed tightly across his chest, feet planted wide apart. Snow walked up next to him and stood silently.
“I hate this,” he said.
“I know.” She looked up at him. “But if it works, then the curse will be gone, and you can live a real life.”
He turned his face toward her. “What kind of life will it be without you in it?”
Snow took his hand and he desperately clenched her hand between both of his. “I’m going to come back when it’s all over,” she said.
Philip’s jaw clenched. “What if you can’t?” he said. “What if breaking the curse puts me back in my time? You won’t be there. What if she manages to finish what she started? I can’t stand the thought of you dead, Snow. I can’t stand the thought of living, here or anywhere, without you by my side.”
Snow stepped in front of him and wrapped her arms around his waist. She knew his fears were valid. They had no idea what would happen if she succeeded. If Philip returned to his own time, he’d be long dead in her time. “I don’t want to live without you, either.”
He bound his arms around her, holding her tightly. “Stay here,” he whispered harshly. “Stay here with me, forever.”
Snow smiled. “Don’t think I haven’t thought about it,” she said. “But do we really want to live forever knowing that at any time she might come and destroy us and any chance we have of lifting the curse?”
“I don’t care,” he said fervently. “We’ll set up some kind of warning system, or guards. We’ll make sure you’re protected.”
Snow buried her face against his chest. She was sorely tempted to give in.
“What if she doesn’t stop?” Snow said. “I mean, with others. Can we risk the chance that she’ll continue to hurt others in the future?”
Philip was silent so long Snow thought maybe he didn’t hear her muffled words. Then he squeezed her and loosened his grip so he could look down at her.
“No,” he relented, “we can’t do that.”
*****
Two days later, Snow stood behind The Seven’s cottage, where she’d first stumbled upon Fableton to begin with. She wore some of the clothes that had been provided for her, similar to the clothing The Seven wore. She was surprised they’d provided her with “breeches” but somehow that the clothing was appropriate for her encounter with Katarina. She felt she had some of Fableton with her by wearing it.
The seven men who’d taken her in, fed her, and built her a home, surrounded her.
“There aren’t words to thank you guys for everything you’ve done for me,” she told them. “You saved my life. You gave me a home, and you became my friends. I’ll never forget you.”
“You talk like you’re never coming back,” Grouchy grumbled. Snow looked at him and saw he actually had tears in his eyes. “Everything will be fine. You’re ready.”
“I am,” Snow confirmed. “But just in case when the curse is broken you leave before I get back, I wanted to thank you.”
They all knew she was softening the blow, that there was a very real possibility she’d never see them again. One by one they all stepped forward and hugged her. Grouchy was last, and when he hugged her, he whispered, “Be careful. Whatever you have to do to save yourself, you do it. Even at the cost of Fableton.”
“I’ll be careful,” she promised. She wouldn’t promise the other thing he asked of her. She glanced one more time toward the path, hoping to see Philip. She’d spent every possible moment with him for the past two days, but still she expected he’d be here. There wasn’t anyone on the trail. She returned her gaze to the men who surrounded her and saw the sympathy in their eyes. “Well, I’m off then,” she said, trying to sound cheerful. “I’ll see you soon.”
With one last glance at the still empty path, Snow turned and walked away from them, heavyhearted. She hadn’t gone a hundred yards when she saw him leaning against a tree. A smile lit her face as she walked toward him.
“I didn’t think you’d come,” she said.
Philip turned to her and she saw the conflict tightening his face. “I wanted to say good-bye alone.”
Snow stepped forward and put her arms around him. He held her tightly, tucking his arms beneath the pack, bow, and quiver she wore on her back, his cheek resting on her head. She felt cocooned and safe, and dreaded walking away from him.
“I’m going to be careful,” she promised. “I’m going to come back and we’re going to be together.”
He squeezed her then loosened his grip as he spoke. “She’s not only manipulative, she’s also cunning. She’ll use any piece of trickery she can to defeat you. She doesn’t understand fighting fair. Her magic gives her an advantage that you must beware of.”
He’d already told her all of this, but she knew he needed to say it again. “I’ll watch for anything that seems off, Philip. I’ll listen to my instincts and if anything doesn’t feel right, I’ll walk away.”
“It’d be better if it was me going,” he said. “I even tried again, all night long.” He jerked his chin up, indicating the area in front of him. “Three feet that way brings me out on the castle grounds.”
Snow looked where he indicated. All she could see was more forest, but she knew how deceiving looks could be. She looked up at Philip and saw him gazing at her as if he could envision her. He cupped her face with his hands, his thumbs stroking fiery trails along her cheeks. He bent and pressed his lips to hers, urgently, as if he couldn’t get his mouth close enough to hers. She met his kiss with her own passion, trying unsuccessfully to keep the fear of never seeing him again from her mind.
He pulled back only far enough to rest his forehead against hers. “Please let me drag you back to the castle where I’ll never let you go.”
“I wouldn’t fight you, “she said.
They stood that way for long moments, knowing that they would never do that and allow Katarina to continue her wicked ways. He continued to stroke her cheeks and finally he sighed. He kissed her again, achingly gentle, sending her heart into a tumble. Without another word, he released her. She placed her hand in his. He held on until she moved out of reach and their fingers slipped apart.
*****
Snow stooped to look at the ground. She’d been walking for three days, stopping only to eat and sleep. It was late evening. She felt she should be getting close, maybe tomorrow she’d arrive home. All of the colors around her now were green and brown. She missed the brilliant colors of Fableton. She missed The Seven. She refused to even think the name of the one she ached for.
There were footprints on the ground here, proof that she had to be getting close. No one came into the forest further than the very edge, or at least they didn’t if they wanted to come back out. Except for Hugo, she realized. Katarina must have made him immune to the enchantment.
Sitting on a log, she removed her pack and took out the loaf of bread. It was getting a bit stale, but she was hungry enough to not care. She had to keep her strength up for what was coming. She also ate some jerky, a peach, and drank some water. She thought about the day she’d left Fableton. She’d almost expected to walk those three feet and end up back at the castle. She hadn’t. She kind of wished she had.
She stood and unstrapped the sword, which was bulky and wieldy. She refused to sleep with it strapped to her side. She lay down with it next to her, along with the bow and quiver of arrows. She put the pack beneath her head and tried to relax. It was only n
ow that she allowed thoughts of Philip to enter her mind.
She pictured them together in the water, his eyes clear and laughing, watching her. She could imagine them as they grew darker with intensity just before he kissed her. She felt the warmth of his hands against her cheeks, the strength of his arms as he pulled her close.
Suddenly she sat up. She looked around her in the darkening gloom. She thought she’d heard something. She picked up the quiver and placed it on her back then picked up the bow as she stood. She pulled an arrow from the quiver and notched it as she turned in a slow circle, looking and listening.
She spun around at a cracking sound behind her. She didn’t see anything. Still, she crouched to make a smaller target of herself and waited. And then like a charging bull Hugo burst from the trees, running right at her. She took a breath, aimed and let the arrow fly. It struck him in the thigh as she’d intended and he went down with a howl. She quickly notched a second arrow and pointed it at him.
He continued to howl and roll on the ground as he grasped the arrow and tore it from his leg. When he looked back at her, his face radiated pure fury. It was that same fury that seemed to push him to his feet. He pulled a small knife from his belt, and she aimed, the arrow lancing his arm above the elbow even as she notched another. He dropped the knife with a scream. A bellow of pure rage burst from him as he ran at her again. This time her arrow pierced his shoulder, knocking him to his back.
“Enough!”
Snow spun to the right at the voice, the same one that’d commanded Hugo to bring her Snow’s heart. Her notched arrow rose to Katarina’s heart. Katarina simply lifted a brow at the gesture, continuing her walk to Hugo. She kneeled down next to the man whose scrunched face indicated his pain.