Snow's Lament (16 page)

Naomi’s decorating skills could be classified somewhere between teenage goth and the French boudoir. It had been awhile since I’d been in the throne room, but while the bones of it hadn’t changed, everything else about it had.

Besides the twist in my heart at seeing her occupy my mother’s throne—unchanged since her death—I felt little emotion at the other changes she’d wrought. Bright crimson draperies swept over the windows, giving a decidedly bloodthirsty air to the room. I walked confidently to where she sat, her face impassive and pale as always. She’d wiped away the tears she’d cried earlier and now stared at me not with confusion, but defeat.

My steps hitched, but I kept walking toward her, only to stop a few feet away. She wore a dress of the deepest black with a high neckline. Her trademark hair fell around her shoulders. A hint of silver flashed on her neck when she shifted. She was wearing the gem. My gem.

“Giles has been permanently…detained,” she said, speaking first. Enjoyment flashed in her eyes.

I steeled myself and tried not to show emotion for the man I’d grown up with. I would not let her catch me off guard this time.

“I’m here to negotiate,” I said, with much more strength than I felt.

“Then negotiate.” A chair appeared behind me and I sat, crossing my legs at the knee, the comforting cold of gun metal at my waist.

“Vacate my castle and the Enchanted Forest or I will wipe that smile off of your pretty face with a bullet from my little lady here.” I patted the holster at my waist and picked at a stray piece of lint on my black pants while I waited for her response. I could have gone in a little softer, but it was Naomi. She didn’t deserve any softness from me. Or any kind of negotiation whatsoever.What I actually felt like doing was kicking her pretty white teeth in and then castrating Max, but I was a lady.

She snorted in amusement. “Your negotiation tactics need work.” The faint shadow of grief etched in her mouth and around her eyes.

I felt something akin to sympathy and I squashed it down, far, far, far. I shrugged and tried to show nonchalance. “I’m getting tired of this, Naomi. I just want it to be over. Take the contents of the castle. Everything except my mother and father’s personal effects in their room. I don’t care. I’m ready to start over.”

I wasn’t lying. I didn’t care about anything inside this place except a few things. I just wanted her gone.

She sighed. “I tire of this, too.”

My gaze flew to her face. That was…unexpected. “Then, you agree?”

She shook her head and stood to her full height. “The day I get ran out of something that rightly belongs to me is the day I lie down and die. We finish this. You and I. Once and for all.”

“But it never rightly belonged to you,” I said softly.

“I married your father.”

“Under false pretenses,” I shot back.

She stepped down, her steps sinuous and lithe. I choked back the jealousy coating the back of my tongue. I couldn’t blame Max for loving her. I could never compare to her.

“It matters not,” she said. “I was his wife and I am entitled to something.”

“Take your dignity,” I implored.

“My dignity,” she spat, “disappeared the day I had to compete with a bratty little girl for your father’s love.”

I blinked in shock, but held my ground. She stopped mere inches away, invading my personal space with her wrong brand of magic. Gooseflesh crawled over my skin and I itched to get away from her. She was beautiful, though. It was hard to deny.

I saw few touches of Merlin, a hint around the eyes maybe, but she must have taken her looks from her mother, whomever that poor soul was.

“I was merely a child.” I wasn’t going to play this game again.

A flame touched the palm of her hand and I steeled myself. “Please, Naomi. It doesn’t have to end this way. If you agree to leave, I will take Max back to the human world and get him the help he needs.”

Shock extinguished the flame in her hand and she took one hesitant step back. Confusion and something akin to fear flared in her eyes. She studied me, silent and appraising. “How did you find out?” she whispered after a moment.

“Doesn’t matter.” And, after all this time, it didn’t. I was an innocent fool and both of them used it against me.

“Why would you do this?” Her hand rested against her thigh, her magic inert for the moment.

“Someone very important to someone I love asked me to.” Although Merlin asked me not to tell Belle of his presence, I had a feeling he would eventually make himself known to her.

“So, you too are weak for love?” She tilted her head in question, but her tone sounded contrived.

The image of Max falling after the bullet I’d put in his head filtered through my head. “No. I’m stronger for it.” And I was. Because it wasn’t just Max I was worried about in that moment. I’d sacrificed him to save the people I loved and the kingdom my father had created. I should have known in that moment if I were willing to do that, then maybe something wasn’t quite right between us. Although I loved him with a hunger I’d never known, I couldn’t allow him to destroy everything my parents had built, even if he were under Naomi’s control.

She turned her back to me. “I never thought you’d do it.”

I didn’t have to ask her what she was talking about. “He was killing people. Innocent people.”

Her shoulders sagged. I watched as she inhaled deeply. She turned back to me, her face set in a blank mask. “Because of you.”

I scoffed. “Never because of me.” I took a step closer. “Tell me. Was Max ever under your control?”

She raised her hand and the flame reappeared. “Only as much as he wanted to be.” She’d answered my question, but the answer wasn’t one I wanted to hear.

“Tell me, fair Snow White. Will your friends grieve your death?”

I fingered the gun at my waist. “Not today they won’t.”

Instead of throwing the flame like I’d expected, wind crashed into me from the left side. My body lifted of its own accord and flew through the air. I slammed into one of the large stone posts, my breath leaving me in a
whoosh
. A crack sounded through the air and I slid to the ground, my breath a whistle through my broken ribs.

All of this had been a goddamn waste. Every single bit of effort I’d put into taking her down. All of it shattered once Merlin made his appearance. Naomi’s crimson hair floated around her shoulders. With a flick of her finger, she picked me up and held me suspended mid-air.

“Tsk. Does it hurt, fair one?” A gust of wind hit my broken ribs.

I sucked air through my teeth.

“Good,” she said, and threw me again. I crashed into the back wall and slid down in a boneless heap. Blurry blackness dimmed my vision. I had no magic and could barely function enough to draw my weapon. Two throws from her and my puny human body was just about done.

The wind picked up and just as I steeled myself for another brutal assault, the castle doors flung open. Maleficent strolled in, amethyst staff held high. Anger etched her face. A burst of amethyst magic shot toward me, knitting my bones and making me whole.

“How nice to see you,” Naomi quipped. “This battle is not yours.”

Maleficent stopped. “You’re quite right. But you’ve tipped the battle in your favor, haven’t you?”

Cold terror poured over Naomi’s face.

“You stole her birthright in the hopes her lack of magic would make it easier to steal her kingdom. And it worked.” Maleficent smiled her terrible smile. “For awhile.”

My friend glanced my way and pulled a bottle out of her robes. She tossed it to me. “A gift.” Her eyes held acres of meaning. “From your handsome friend.”

Oh boy. Merlin had struck again. I caught the bottle between my hands.

Naomi’s screech of rage had me hustling to open it. Whatever it was, I needed to get it inside of me. Stat.

“Snow!” Robin’s voice rang out and I flung myself to the side as a bolt of lightning tore through the place where I’d just sat. I ran behind one of the posts and downed the potion, never thinking about the consequences. Thunder rolled through the room and my body as the potion took effect. Every single cell in came alive, and even though I had no idea what the hell my supposed magical power was, I knew I needed to figure it out—right now, preferably.

Guards began to pour through the room with their weapons raised and ready. Bows began to fire first at Maleficent, then at Robin. Muffled curses rang through the room as their attention was taken from me. I rushed out behind the post and straight toward Naomi. Before she could muster another spell, I tore the necklace from her neck. We fell together in a tangle of limbs, but I felt victory as I held the family necklace in my hands.

A burning, tearing sensation tore through my abdomen and blood poured onto the stone and Naomi. I gasped in pain and surprise. She pushed me aside and stood, distaste at me and my predicament written all over her. She held a wicked stiletto in her hand, covered in my life’s blood. “You’ve taught me well, daughter. Never bring magic to a fight I can win with a blade.” She tossed the stiletto away from her and left me on my back to die.

As she started to leave me, she called back, “Tell my father he neglected to realize one tiny thing.” She turned back to me, a wide smile spreading like blood across her crimson lips. “I knew he was there the entire time. And my mother gave me a gift he never could. I can control visions, especially his.” She chuckled. “We share blood, a link between us that cannot be denied.”

Blood burbled between my lips and trailed down my neck. “Where is Max?” I gasped.

She turned, her blood red dress trailing behind her as I lay on the floor, my life pumping out of me, trying to come to terms with Naomi’s words. She loved him. I was almost positive of it, but I didn’t think someone like her could love a man more than her own power. How much of Merlin’s visions she could control, I didn’t know. No matter what happened between us, no matter if he really loved me or not, I loved him and Max would die without my help. With the hand holding the necklace, I held pressure against the wound, but I knew there was little hope for me. With the other shaking hand, I fumbled with my pack and pulled out the curse Rumple had given me so long ago. The moonstone Maleficent had given to me winked prettily on my wrist, the brilliant blue flash of the stone at odds with my imminent death.

An anguished scream tore through the sounds of battle. Belle’s face appeared above me. She fell to her knees and took off her leather vest to press it against my wound. “You bitch. You. Cannot. Die.”

I chuckled, but blood burbled from my lips. “Throw this.” I pressed Rumple’s curse into her hand. She looked at it and me in confusion until she remembered. “Oh, you beautiful thing,” she whispered as she stood and tossed it at Naomi’s retreating back.

I lifted myself painfully onto one elbow and watched the stone careen through the air, and, because I have the luck equivalent of Typhoid Mary, Rumple chose that exact time to appear directly in the path of the curse, holding a furious Cinderella by the elbow.

Belle’s terrified scream careened through the throne room. Rumple’s eyes widened in horror as he realized what was happening. His powerful muscles bunched as he attempted to throw a spell to counteract the curse. Magic burst through the air, throwing bodies and stone everywhere. I fell to my back and covered my face with my hands, praying to anyone who would listen to spare my friend. Silence bloomed over me, at complete odds with the chaos going on, and I lifted my hands slightly only to see a large bubble of magic above me and Belle crouched down beside me, straining with the weight of the magic she was expending.

“Cyndi?” I whispered.

The anguished slant of Belle’s mouth told me everything I needed to know. I tried to lift myself, but was unable to. Belle grasped my bloody hand and lifted me as gently as she could. I whimpered with pain, but sat up to survey the damage. The throne room was completely decimated.

There was no sign of Cyndi, Rumple, or Naomi. Robin and Maleficent stood bloody and grim-faced, staring at the spot where their friends had been only a second ago.

Rage filled my heart and soul. Still gripping the necklace covered in my blood, I lifted it to my face and stared at it, uncomprehending how something so small had caused so much grief and pain. I tilted my face to the sky, unable to stifle my tears. A scream of anguish tore from my throat and I slammed the sapphire gem onto the stone floor below me, shattering it inside of its silver casing.

Magic tore through my body, ripping my wound even wider. Above me an enormous swirling cloud appeared out of nowhere, fueled by the magic of the broken stone. I fell slack against Belle as the silver chain slipped through my fingers.

Belle’s magic fell as she gently laid me back against the floor.

“Snow!” Maleficent screamed.

My eyes drifted closed. I was tired. So very tired.

In between life and death is a place where the veil is thinnest. I knew I walked in the veil now, unable to save myself, unsure if anyone else could save me either. I stood, feeling clean and whole for the first time in a very long time. I was in a forest of green. Sunlight sparkled above me and animals ran cheerily through the woods. There was no fear here. No violence.

I took a deep breath free of pain and felt my abdomen. There was no wound there, no life’s blood spilling. I wore a long white gown, completely unlike my own style, but I guessed it was par for the course if I were dying. Not that I thought I’d go to Heaven or Valhalla or anywhere else all those religious folks believed in. The deeds I’d done over my lifetime reserved a special place for me. I wasn’t sure where, but I knew the odds were good that I’d never be sharing a drink with Joan of Arc or anyone cool like that.

“You need to go back.”

I spun at the sound of his voice.

Max stood there, handsome and whole, but most importantly, not wearing a nightgown.

“It is not your time.”

I wanted to run my fingers through his shaggy, tawny hair, but then slap him in the face for everything else.

“Do you love her?” Of all the things I could have asked him, it was that. I really needed to get a grip.

He stared heavenward. “That’s your most important question?”

I shrugged. “You don’t seem to be trying to kill me right now. That’s a good change of pace. So, yes, that’s what I want to know.”

“Naomi is a liar. She’s always been a liar.”

I crossed my arms over my chest. “That’s not an answer.”

He grinned. “I know.” Max walked closer and sat down on the soft grass. I sat in front of him so I could drink in the sight of him.

“It’s complicated.”

I swallowed hard. “So, you did care for her?”

He spread his hands out. “She was not always the terrible person you’ve known. I saw instances of kindness inside her.”

My thoughts drifted back to the carefully maintained herb garden on her property. “And your daughter?” I didn’t want to tip my hand just yet.

He scratched his head. “She isn’t mine. Posing as her father was the only way to protect her.” His honesty, finally, was refreshing.

I was confused. “Whose is she?” My mind scrambled through the possibilities, but nothing came up.

“Maleficent’s.” Max sighed. “I met Maleficent years and years ago when I was still married. She was on the run from…someone. She would never say. She brought a bundle with her and asked me to keep her safe until such time she would see her again.”

“But what about the vision and the letter you sent me about her? Why would you never tell me this?” I was angry with him about lying, but thought I knew Maleficent enough to know she would have told me if she believed she could.

“Naomi had spies everywhere. Every missive I sent was monitored. Every action under surveillance. I was able to get the note to Belle, but knew I had to be careful not to betray Lana’s true identity. Naomi would have killed her on the spot.”

“You sacrificed your life for her.” I stared at him in awe. “You gave up everything for her.”

“It was an easy decision. Maleficent was desperate to keep her safe. She didn’t expect what happened with Naomi. She truly believed Lana would be safe in the forest with me. When Naomi found us, she never realized Lana was not my daughter, and to keep her safe, I kept up the ruse.”

“And me?”

“I did terrible things, Snow. And if you can’t forgive me, I will understand. But I did those things to protect Lana. And you.”

I shook my head in disbelief. “And killing those people in the village?”

Grief appeared on his face. “Naomi doubted my loyalty to her and strengthened the binding on my soul. I had no choice.”

He reached for my hand. “I also know you had no choice when you raised your weapon to me.”

Tears sprung to my eyes. “Is there an apology card for shooting someone in the head?”

Max chuckled. “Doubtful.” He tilted my chin up. “You must go back. Portals are opening all over the forest. If you choose to die, the Enchanted Forest will die with you.”

I stared into his cognac eyes and thought I’d rather just stay here with him—even if it meant dying.

He shook his head. “You must go back, even if I do not survive. Snow, you are a kingmaker. A power leech. It’s why Naomi took your gifts.”

I pulled away. “Power leech?” Even though Belle had made me read all those damn books, I’d never seen the term.

“You have the ability to steal magic and land. Your gifts are rare and prized.”

“What does that even mean?” I asked in confusion.

“Most of the children are born with a magical gift. Some are immediately apparent, while some gifts aren’t evident until the teenage years. Naomi began to suspect when you were a young teen what your gift was.”

“But I don’t understand how she knew. I didn’t even know.” I lay back against the cool grass, content to stay here and talk to Max. It had been so long since we’d done that.

“Naomi is an incredibly powerful sorceress. She’s the daughter of Merlin and another witch she refuses to say. Over the hundred years I was enslaved to her, she opened up a little. There is more to her story than just trying to steal your lands.”

I huffed a breath. “It sounds like you’re defending her.”

Max touched my knee with a gentle hand. “It’s nothing so simple as that. It’s so much more complex. She’s not an easy person to know. Or like.” He paused.

“Or love?” I added. It hadn’t escaped my notice he’d never answered my question.

“Or love,” he added quietly. “Love is a complicated thing, Snow.”

Hurt took root in my heart. “It doesn’t have to be.”

Max lay down beside me and crossed his arms beneath his head. “That’s what young people think.”

“So, now you insult me.”

Max sighed. “Listen to me. Regardless of our feelings, you have to make this right. Naomi is gone. The kingdom has to be claimed.” He inhaled deeply. “And,” he reminded me gently, “breaking the stone resulted in all the portals being forced open, which will result in a reckoning. Soon.”

Something tickled the back of my mind. “What about Simeon? I don’t understand why the portals opened. We didn’t have his blood.”

Max lifted himself to his side and smiled gently. “It was never Simeon’s blood needed. It was yours. And Naomi spilled it all over the gem and your castle.”

“That damn Rumple,” I murmured under my breath.

“Never trust the cursed one.”

I sat up. “The cursed one?” Merlin had said the same thing. “Why does he have that name?”

“That is a story for another time.” Max stood and held out his hand to help me up. I shook my head and continued lying on the ground, not ready to leave this place.

Max reached for me and gently pulled me against him. “Not to be crude,” he whispered against my hair, “but you’re bleeding out on the floor of the throne room. You have to go back. NOW.” Max shoved me away from him and I stumbled, my nightgown billowing out from me as I fell.

I came to, covered in blood, with three pairs of concerned eyes hovering over me.

Maleficent’s face was pale with exerted effort. She held her hands above my wound as amethyst colored magic poured from her. Belle held one of my limp hands in her own and Robin stood above me, muttering nonsense and shoving his hands repeatedly through his hair.

The portal still swirled ominously above my head. My thoughts weren’t so clear right now, but I knew something would need to be done about that very soon.

“Kingmaker,” I whispered through dry, bloody lips.

Maleficent’s eyebrows crinkled in confusion. “Shut up,” she said through gritted teeth. “I’m trying to save your foolhardy life.”

“Power leech,” I whispered instead, and felt the hiccup in her magic as her gaze flew to mine.

She shook it off and continued pouring magic into me. “Try it with me and you’ll be wearing your lungs on the outside of your body.”

It hurt to laugh, to do anything really, but I did anyway. The blood pouring from my wound had slowed, but the injury was still there, raw and pulsing. From the grim set of her face, I wasn’t sure there was much left she could do for me.

“Stop,” I murmured.

“No.” Sweat broke from her brow as she intensified the work.

“It isn’t working.” Belle crouched down and murmured to Maleficent.

“It has to,” she said.

Max’s words came back to me. I needed to claim my kingdom. It wasn’t enough that Naomi was gone. It wasn’t enough that, for the most part, we had won. I needed to make a mark upon the land.

“Let go,” I said to Maleficent and licked my dry lips. My body began to shiver with cold.

Robin crouched beside me, his hair standing on all ends. “Lass, do not do this. Do not let her win.”

I smiled and reached for his hand. “She didn’t win.” He took it, holding my thin, cold hand inside his large, warm one. “We did. Don’t you see?”

“No, lass. If you die, it’s all been for naught.”

It was a struggle to stay awake, to speak…to think. “This is my kingdom. And I claim it.”

My eyes slid shut and my body went boneless. The shocked gasps of my friends followed me into the darkness.