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

above others,” he said. “In truth, what more does a ruler have than how he’s seen by his people?”
    Feeling reprimanded in the face of such wisdom, I shrunk back a bit. “Of course, Highness. I only meant to say, what good is the opinion of others when you don’t like yourself? A miserable ruler would be a poor ruler indeed, incapable of clear, level-headed leadership. Without peace of mind, what peace can you bring to others?”
    He tilted his head, weighing my words. “I suppose that much is true, though there’s a fine line between finding small respite and being selfish.”
    I nodded. “Balance in all things, Sire. I wouldn’t suggest an extended trip abroad if one’s country was in the midst of war.” I handed him the reins. “But a short ride to fortify yourself during hardship isn’t selfish, so much as necessary.”
    “You’re right, of course,” he said, adjusting himself in the saddle, “but you didn’t answer my question.”
    “What question, Sire?”
    Leaning against the pommel, he pinned me in place with a look. “You won’t reconsider my offer? There’s a place at my side if you wish it.”
    Swallowing, I tore my gaze away and shook my head. “My answer is the same, Your Highness.”
    He eased Remy out of the stall and towards the exit. “Then I shall continue to wait. I’ve been gifted with patience and perseverance.”
    Laughing a little, I saw him out. “There’s wisdom in knowing futility. You may wait forever if it’s me you’re attempting to sway.”
    Casting me a last look over his shoulder, he smiled. “We’ll see.”
    With that, he set off on his ride, leaving me shaking my head and praying to the spirits that I could be as stubborn as Prince Leopold.

    The smoke wafted into the air, and I huddled close to soak up the warmth of the small fire. When Delphine did not immediately appear, I scowled and tried to focus on the memory of her face, her voice, her words. After several minutes of this, she appeared at last.
    “We’re working as quickly as we can, dearest one,” she said, “but I’ve nothing for you yet. We need more time.”
    “There isn’t any more time,” I whispered back. “The queen may not last the night, let alone another day. This, from the mouth of the prince himself.”
    “What do you mean from the prince himself?”
    I paused, suddenly aware that she didn’t know of my conversations with him. “He was in the stables today. I overheard him talking.” That I wanted to hide his attempts to befriend me surprised me. It was innocent enough, but still, I thought that telling her might earn me teasing at best, uncomfortable questions at worst. We had time for neither.
    “Talking to whom?”
    I grinned a little. “His horse.”
    “His horse?”
    “Yes,” I said with a giggle. “They’re quite close.” Waving off the subject, I turned the conversation back to the important topic. “How much progress have you made? Was the page I trapped in the crystal the correct one, or must I go back into that foul crypt?”
    “We’re still translating the words,” she said. “It’s a very ancient dialect that’s giving us some difficulty. If we’re not precise with the translation, we cannot replicate what was done, and thus we wouldn’t be able to counteract it.”
    “I’m all for caution, but is there something we might do in the interim? Something to slow the effects at the least?”
    She exhaled in a tired sigh, and I wondered if she’d slept since receiving the impression crystal. “All we know is that it’s both poison and enchantment. We cannot fight what we do not know. You must be—”
    The low, hollow clanging of the palace bell brought the conversation to an immediate halt. My stomach dropped into my feet, and I covered my mouth with a hand to keep from crying out.
    “What is it? What’s happened?”
    I pinched back tears, but a few escaped.
    “We’re too late, sister,” I said, my voice breaking. “They’re ringing the