Read Online Shadows on Snow: A Flipped Fairy Tale (Flipped Fairy Tales) by Starla Huchton - Free Book Online

amongst the saddles I was tasked with polishing that day. When his expression registered, I stood and brushed off my hands. “Are you unwell, Sire? You look in need of rest.”
    With a tired sigh, he shook his head. “It’s not my health that concerns me, Rae. I thought I’d take a ride to clear my head a bit.”
    “Certainly, Your Highness.” I stepped out from the piles of tack surrounding me, retrieving his saddle from its place on the wall.
    We walked in silence back to the stalls. His brooding quiet worried me. A small part of me wished to tell him the truth, to give him hope that the situation might yet be rectified, but I knew I couldn’t risk as much in the light of day.
    “Speak your mind, Sire. Perhaps it will help ease your burden. I see plainly that you’re troubled, and, though I might not have useful advice for you, I’ll listen if you’ve need of it.”
    He greeted Remy with a soft pat on his nose, the horse nuzzling his palm. “While I thank you for the offer, Rae, I wouldn’t know where to begin.” He paused. “Though, I suppose you’re aware of the queen’s condition?”
    “Aye, My Lord.”
    “I imagine you don’t know the whole of it. The staff likely talks, but…” He took the saddle from me, slinging it across the horse’s back. “She’s very close to death. I fear she may not last the day, but I couldn’t bear another moment in that room. I’ve spent nearly every day by her side this past week, but my courage wavers. I…” The prince closed his eyes against a sheen of tears. “All the power of a kingdom behind me and I cannot save the only family I have left. It’s cowardly of me to not be with her in these moments, as each one might be her last, but I…”
    Heart breaking for him, I set a hand against his arm, as inappropriate as it was for someone of my status. Still, I couldn’t bear to see him in so much pain and not reach out to him. His was a suffering I knew well.
    “You’re only human, Your Highness. You mustn’t berate yourself for it. All life begins, and all life ends. It’s right that we mourn the passing of a great light, but take comfort when you can. She wouldn’t wish you to suffer. If a single ride in the open air will lift your spirits enough to carry on, she would want that for you.”
    Taking the buckles from his hands, I continued to speak as I readied his horse. “I’ve never met the queen myself, as she took ill before my hiring, but I’ve heard many tales of her kindness and compassion. Wherever I’ve traveled, there were stories in the towns and villages about her. Even the soldiers spoke well of her diplomacy when it came to avoiding war. As such, I can’t imagine a woman such as her would keep you from a small moment of peace in the storm.”
    I tightened the last belt and straightened, standing beside him as he frowned to himself. “This heaviness suits you ill, Sire. Were there anything I could do for you, know I would help in any way at all.”  
    When he met my gaze, I willed myself to keep breathing. A deep, lonely sadness passed from his eyes into my heart. I couldn’t share my knowledge with him. He wouldn’t be able to hide the truth from King Alder. Even so, I wished it were different.
    After a moment, he broke his hold over me, giving a sad smile and a nod. “And I thank you for it,” he said. “And for your words as well. I needed them dearly today, as I likely will in the future. Are you still set against the position I offered you? It would be nice to not need an excuse to see you.”
    I balked. “His Highness is free to see me here whenever he likes. Are excuses necessary?”
    He chuckled a little as he set a foot in a stirrup and mounted his horse. “I suppose not, though I might be thought odd were I to spend inordinate amounts of time in the stables for no apparent purpose.”
    “And why should royalty have care what others think of him?”
    At this, he frowned again. “It’s not for a ruler to place himself