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Chapter 38
Snow White
Thetowersoarsaboveme, its stone face blank and impassive as I stand in its shadow. Staring up at it, my mouth goes dry. The palace holds so many memories. A few good ones—my mother reading to me before bed, Cassian playing hide and seek with me, Alaric carrying me on his shoulders so I could pretend to be a giant. The corner of my mouth lifts as the memories play through my mind. But being here doesn’t bring me peace. Yes, there are good memories, but those are heavily tainted by Morana’s and Silas’s sins. The palace no longer rings of happiness and laughter, but practically oozes malevolence and despair.
I may not love living in a tent, but I have done so quite successfully so far. I can happily continue to do so, and I might just have to—because after today, Adarvan Palace will cease to exist. It isn’t something I have discussed with Cassian or anyone else, but it’s been playing on my mind, and being here only confirms it. I could never live here again, not with any measure of happiness.
A loud boom makes me jump, bringing me back to the present. This isn’t the time to dwell in the past. I’m going to ensure my country’s future, no matter the cost.
Thor’s distraction should work to get Morana out of the palace so we can get into the tower. The Oracle told Cassian we need to break the glass from the inside. My “knowing” had informed me the glass was none other than the mirror itself. The only way to do that is to go into it, although I can’t say I’m not a little apprehensive. It sounds so simple . . . go in, break the glass, get out. But we don’t know what’s on the other side. Even Merlin, with his seemingly omniscient knowledge, was unable to tell us.
“Snow!” Cassian hisses, breaking me out of my reverie. “Come on, she’s gone.”
Unfortunately, he lacks hair long enough to use as a rope. Calling on my power, I bend my knees and jump, laughter ripping from my throat when I shoot into the air. His eyes grow big, and he throws himself over the ledge, arms outstretched to catch me. I reach out, grabbing his hands, and he hauls me into the tower.
Cassian steps back, running a hand over his face. “I’m not sure I’ll ever get used to this.” He shakes his head and pulls breeches from his bag, quickly pulling them on.
“It’s only one day,” I remind him.
He tugs his tunic over his head, his muscles rippling enticingly. I wet my lips, my gaze trained on his delicious body. Is it bad that I want to lick him?
“Are you sure it’s the right decision?” He turns, catching me watching him. A cocky grin lights up his face. “If you keep looking at me like that, we won’t make it through the mirror.”
Giving myself a shake, I answer his question. “It’s the only decision, Cass. There’s no other choice.”
He blows out a breath, then removes the mirror and sets it upright, leaning it against the wall. “I know. But I hate what you’ll have to sacrifice for it.”
I place a hand on his chest and press my lips to his cheek. “I would give up any number of lifetimes to have just one with you.”
He crushes me to him, wrapping me tightly in his arms. Another boom sounds, rattling the foundations. He breathes a sigh and releases me. “Ready?” I nod, and my eyes begin to glow. Remembering how Morana activated the runes, I reach out, sweeping my hand over them. The surface shudders, wisps of smoke sailing across it. Cassian and I exchange glances, then step into it.
It grabs at us, simultaneously trying to keep us out and pull us in. It’s thick and viscous, a humid, wet space we have to forcefully punch our way through. My lungs seize, unable to breathe, and I experience a moment of panic when our hands are torn away from each other. I reach for Cassian, my hand grabbing at the empty air, but before I can find him, the mirror spits me out.
I stumble out of a stone wall and crash into a hard chest. The man it belongs to steadies me by my shoulders, and I look up, then up some more, meeting the quizzical, icy blue gaze of the goliath before me. Cassian follows me out of the mirror, landing much more gracefully than I did. He tears me away from the man and thrusts me behind him with a snarl on his lips and a hand on his axe.
The blond-haired man takes a step back and raises his hands. “I meant no harm. But do not raise a weapon to me. I do not wish to hurt you.” His eyes flash a warning, one I recognize immediately.
Placing a placating hand on Cassian’s back, I say, “Please forgive us our intrusion, my lord.” I allow my eyes to flash in return so that he recognizes me as one of his own. “My name is Snow White, Princess of Valderán, and this is Cassian.” The tension slowly leaks from Cass’s shoulders.
“Your Highness. Welcome to my humble abode.” Humble indeed.
The small square room is perhaps twelve by twelve feet. Roughly hewn stone lines the walls, while the ceiling, made of dark walnut beams, soars above us, making the area feel bigger than it is. A lone window graces one wall, open to the elements without the benefit of glass or shutters, a bench of sorts resting beneath it. A narrow cot sits against one wall. There is no door, just a slight shimmer on the wall we came out of.
“Do you mind?” I ask, jerking my head toward the window. The man inclines his head. Clasping my hands behind my back, I wander over to it and lean against the wide sill, catching my breath at the sight before me. A lavender sky dotted with pink and gold clouds stretches out to the horizon. Dragons gracefully soar amongst them, their shadows lighting over the turquoise sea below. Waves pound against brilliant white sands, while farther afield, jagged mountains preside over rolling fields. Their snow-capped peaks glimmer in the light from the two suns, both tinging the world in a golden glow. It is one of the most magical, beautiful things I’ve ever seen.
Cassian joins me, placing his hand on my lower back. I turn to the god. “May I ask your name?”
“Forgive me, Princess. I have been alone here for some two hundred years, and I forget my manners. I am Baldr, son of Odin and Frigg.”
“We are family, then, as I count your nieces, the Valkyries, as my kin.”
Baldr’s eyes go misty. “I have missed them greatly. Tell me, how do they fare?”
“They will be better now that we have found you. Your brother, Thor, is with them now at my palace.” Baldr slides down onto the bench and places his trembling hands on his lap. I’m sure he has a million questions, but time is of the essence. If Morana figures out Thor is only a distraction, we may not have much time.
Cassian must read my mind. “We’ve come to destroy the mirror. We are just about to engage in battle and have little time. Will you come with us?”
Baldr runs a hand through his hair. “Time works differently here. An hour in your time is a week here. And there’s no way out. Believe me, I have tried.”
