Page 5

A flash of anger crossed my face, but I reeled it in and opted for the poor, distressed Queen. “Please… help me…” I pleaded, reaching up from the ground.

“My Queen. What happened?” They asked, rushing over. It was a frumpy little woman in a bland brown dress with a bonnet tied around her head, holding a candle. I didn’t know their names. They weren’t important enough to me.

“My goodness, thank you. I think you saved my life. Snow…” I paused, shaking my head. “I thought…” I wiped the invisible tear from my eye. “She tried to kill me.”

“Snow?” she said in utter disbelief. Of course, who would ever think that wretched girl would do something so heinous?

“It shocked me too.” I feigned. “Until this.” I pointed at the arrow the dreadful bitch had managed to shoot into my side. I was just about to pull it out when the housemaid called out.

“Oh, my!” Her hand shot to her mouth.

“Please help me.” I reached up for her again.

“Right away my Queen.”

“I wonder…”

I could tell the simple-minded woman was still trying to figure out how something like this could happen, so I began crafting my story. “I heard arguing which stirred me from my beauty sleep, so I rushed to see what was going on, fearing that something bad was happening to the poor girl.” I sighed, shaking my head, “I found her out here arguing with her father. The King! Can you believe it?” I paused for a moment, standing, then continued. “I don’t know what they were arguing about, but then she punched him!”

“What?” She recoiled in shock.

“Yes. Punched him on the cheek.” I pointed to mine. “When I got to them, he had a slight cut.”

The woman was shaking her head. “Her mother was cursed, and I feared she was cursed as well. Banished away to this tower was the best thing for her.” She nodded her head agreeing with herself.

I had to prevent myself from rolling my eyes. “But she didn’t think so.” I stated as somberly as I could.

“Those young children don’t always know what’s best for them.” She swiped at the air.

“No, they certainly do not.” I was in a lot of pain, and this woman was grating on my last nerve. “Anyway, when I approached, she swung her bow at me, cut me here across the cheek and took off running.” I pointed to the field that was on fire. “She threatened to burn this place down, and when I told her I wouldn’t let her, she shot her arrow at me.”

“My Queen, I will call the healer right away.”

“Please take me to my room before you do.”

I rolled my eyes. I could have had this arrow out of me by now and healed myself if it wasn’t for this frumpy, meddling, hag.

We got back to the main house a few minutes later, and she helped me to my bedroom door. “I got it from here.” I nearly snapped out. Fortunately, she seemed to think my short temper was a result of the pain I was in and less about her.

“My Queen, you’ve been shot. Please let me help you to your bedchamber.”

“No.” I barked, startling the poor woman. “I mean to say,” I steadied my voice. “You have already done so much for me. I can make it these last few steps while you call the healer.”

“Right ma’am.” She looked around and in a hushed tone said, “I will let the staff know Snow is not allowed on property.”

“Thank you. Please call the healer right away and get me the name of the town's best huntsman.”

“Right away my Queen.”

Once the door was shut, I broke the arrow and pulled it through, tossing it to the ground. I slipped out of my clothes and walked over to my kit of potions, which hid in my closet, and pulled out a handful of ingredients and began concocting them into a salve. I rubbed it over the wound and watched it heal quickly. “That’s better.” I muttered to myself, popping the cork back into the bottle of toad’s tongue.

I looked out of the window at the smoldering flames in the field and slammed my fists onto the table, knocking several jars in my kit over. Tonight had not gone as planned. I should be feasting on her heart and liver right now, not mending my own wounds.

I put my kit in order and tucked it back into the closet.

How did the King learn of my plans to kill his beloved daughter? How did he get close enough to her?

I glanced around the room, wondering if anything looked out of place. I shook my head. He was not that clever.