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He shrugged. “You can’t say for certain. You were born from dark magic, so one would have to assume you have dark magic in you.”

I had a shiver run up my spine. “I’m not dark.”

“I don’t think so, but that’s why she couldn’t help you.”

Calix popped out of this chair. “Enough of this!” He clapped. “This calls for a celebration.”

“We’ll get the bosom berries.” Enzo announced, shaking my shoulders back and forth.

I looked up at him and smiled.

“Come on, Snow.” He quickly kissed my forehead and pulled me to the front door.

Chapter twenty-one

Merla - Gardening is Good for One's Health

Ibattedabranchout of my way in frustration and snatched my skirt, which had gotten stuck on the trunk of a small broken tree on the ground. I heard the rip of the fabric as the sharp stump tore a hole through it.

Cheap fabric.

I had taken a number of layers from the frumpy woman’s closet and was starting to get hot. It had taken me a full day to get this far and the sun would be setting soon.

But it was for a good cause- Snow’s death.

I envisioned her frail, lifeless body in my arms as I cut into her chest.

I crested the top of a small hill and let out a sigh of relief. In the distance, I saw a house built into the side of a tree and recognized it from my mirror.

The miners’ house.

And to my delight, there was smoke coming from the chimney, which meant she was home.

I picked up my pace and saw the mangy brown horse Snow had used, parked out front of the house feasting on some vegetables in the garden. It looked at me and reared up, causing me to take a few steps back.

I pointed my finger at it and whispered, “Reducio.”

With a zap, the horse shrunk and was no larger than a miniature pony.

He looked down and started to charge at me again, but when I held up my finger, he skidded to a stop, turned and ran off.

I riffled through the bag on my side and pulled out a mirror and examined my face to make sure I was still in the woman peasant's body from the dungeon. I only had so much time in her body before the decay started to set in and began to smell.

I pulled the mirror away quickly. The sight of my dirty, wrinkled, and haggard face with an oversized wart made me nauseous. I stuffed it back into the bag and quickly pulled out several chains and necklaces, and hobbled to the door.

I gave it a gentle, elderly knock, and waited.

Nothing.

I gave it another knock, this time a bit louder.

Nothing.

My patience was wearing thin.

Just before I was about to knock again, the door swung open and there she was. All bright eyed and bushy tailed.

“Oh. I’m sorry. I didn’t know anyone was here.” She was standing in the frame with a basket on her hip, looking very homely.