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I swallowed, knowing this was the likely request. Not so much the heart and liver part, but the death of the princess. It wasn’t a secret the Queen loathed the princess. When the dark Queen first moved into the castle, it didn’t take long at all for the princess to vanish. “Of course Queen.”

“Not even a flinch. I think this will be a very good partnership indeed.” She dropped her handkerchief on the desk and reached into her drawer. “I will give you partial payment now and the rest when you bring me her liver and heart.” She handed me a box. “Please put them in this.” It was a silver box adorned with a raised bird on the lid.

“As you wish.” I grabbed the silver box and placed it in my side duffel.

“I think this goes without saying, but for good measure… no one, and I mean no one, including the King, is to hear about this.” She paused, looking over her shoulder. “His mind is in such a fragile state right now. The grief he still faces from the death of his first wife and now the betrayal of his daughter’s attack last night.” She shook her head.

“Understood. Please give my condolences to the King.”

“Of course.” She nodded and reached behind her neck to unclasp her dress.

“I’ll see myself out.”

She looked at me and frowned as I was leaving.

“Can you tell me where the attack happened or where you think she may have gone?”

She smiled. “Over near the animal pens. She ran out across the field into the trees.”

I nodded and left, making my way towards the animal pens. I could feel her eyes on me through her bedroom window, so I walked around searching for clues about what happened, even though I knew the answer. I walked through the field and made my way to the wood line where she exited, trying to figure out a way around this.

I knew I couldn’t go against the dark Queen, or it would mean my certain death, but I also knew I couldn’t kill Snow. While I had tried to keep myself at a distance from her emotionally, I had grown fond of her.

Chapter seven

Snow - Scarlet the Disruptor

Iwokeuptofind Enzo at the foot of my bed. Startled, I pulled the sheet around me and sat up.

“Good morning!” He jumped to his feet.

“Good… morning. Have you been watching me long?” My mind was filtering through a variety of feelings. I was nervous he had been here for who knows how long, while at the same time, flattered. Or was it moved? Happy? I wasn’t sure. I’d never had someone that seemed to care about me before, so this was different, but also so nice.

His eyes squinted into small slits as he whispered. “I’d rather not answer.” Then yelled, “Jace!”

Jace was walking up the stairs a few moments later. “I was wondering where you went. Have you been up here this whole time?”

Enzo cocked his head at Jace like he wanted him to stop talking.

Jace looked at me. “How are you feeling?”

“I feel good. Rested. Thank you so much for letting me sleep in your bed last night. It was the most restful night's sleep I think I’ve ever had.” I laughed.

“Of course. Let me check your feet.”

I scooted towards the edge of the bed and slung my feet off, while Enzo jumped onto the bed to sit beside me. “Here, you can grab my hand.” He said with twinkling eyes.

“I think she’ll be fine.” Jace chuckled.

“She might or she might not.” Enzo rebutted, bouncing his shoulders up and down playfully.

“Thank you Enzo.” I interlaced my fingers between his and could feel the warm roughness of his palm against mine. He looked at me with puppy dog eyes, eager for affection. I felt his thumb rub the inside of my wrist briefly, which sent a shiver down my arm. I looked at him, but he was watching Jace.

“How are they looking?” I turned to Jace, embarrassed by the slightly awkward moment with Enzo.

He was unwrapping the second bandage. “They look fantastic. Better than I could have expected.” He said, shocked. “Perfectly healed, in fact.”

“Really?” Enzo asked, his tone somewhere between shock and sorrow. “But she probably should stay for a couple more days, just in case, right?” Enzo prodded.