Sneaky Snow White (Dark Fairy Tale Queen Series Book 2) Read online

  I know exactly where I’m going.

  ~*~ 36 ~*~

  I break out of the cave into the meadow with the tower. There it stands, sturdy and gray, the home I planned for me and Hunter. My hopes and dreams a shattered mess, just like The Mirror. I can hardly bear to look at it.

  The baby sleeps on my shoulder, worn out from crying. I didn’t hear the Dwarves behind me as I ran. But they will come. This clearing is hard to find but not impossible.

  I turn back to the round mouth of the cave, barely taller than I am. I’ve got to seal it off somehow. I look at my free hand. I sure hope I can do this.

  I press my palm to the rock wall of the cave and think of my poor, precious Hunter lying dead in the palace. The ice flows from my fingertips, circles up and around the mouth of the cave. Icicles grow out like teeth, reaching toward each other. They touch at the center and spread until the entire mouth of the cave is closed by a smooth window of ice. I continue to let the ice flow out of me, my body tiring, until it grows thick and white, no longer transparent. I drop my arm, exhausted. There. We should be safe for now.

  I walk toward the little door at the bottom of the tower. I’m so tired. Now that I think about it, why didn’t I let the Dwarves kill me? Why did running seem like the better idea? I am forever an outcast now. And my childhood is over.

  I wrench open the stiff wooden door and turn in with the baby. Before shutting the door, I look at the green meadow around me, the fringe of trees and scruffy bushes, and the blocked mouth of the cave that leads down to the world I once knew.

  We can never go back.

  ~*~ 37 ~*~

  My heart is frozen.

  Hunter had given warmth to my life. I grew and blossomed under the sunshine of his love. Losing him is like losing the sun. I will never be warm again.

  Night has fallen on this accursed kingdom. I’m standing at the window in the highest room of the tower. I listened while the Dwarves crashed through The Wood, searching for me. They didn’t find me, not today. But they’ll keep looking. I must thicken the ice, fill the whole cave with it if I can. I want to be completely alone.

  The baby grunts behind me, reminding me I’m not alone. She’s sleeping in the crate I stuffed with my old white dress. I was able to feed her – oh my stars, it hurt – and my tears fell on her face as she suckled. It scared me, how Godnutter just snatched the other baby from me. What if she comes back for this one? What if someone else does? This child is the only family I have left. I must keep her hidden, keep her safe. No one will ever steal her away from me. My little sister.

  I decided to call her Rapunzel.

  I spread my fingers on the stone ledge of the window. With some concentration, I spread a slick layer of ice over the sill. I raise my hands to rub the sting of chill out of them. Despite everything, I’m tempted to smile.

  I have power now.

  I don’t have to feel small and helpless anymore. I don’t need to be protected by anyone. I have magic, and it’s strong. Undeveloped, of course - I need to practice. But I have lots of time ahead of me. I will grow this magic to fearful heights. Until I can freeze the whole kingdom if I choose. It’s what they deserve.

  I can’t see much beyond the window. But out there in The Wood, Cinderella is still lying on her table, with no one to kiss her awake. Out there in The Wood, the seven Dwarves are hunting for my head. And out there in The Wood, there is no Hunter waiting for me at the well.

  I blink and two tears slip onto my cheeks. I freeze them and they fall like diamond droplets, plinking when they hit the sill.

  ‘Who are you, Snow White?’ my mother asked, so contemptuously. As if I were nothing without her. I lift my chin and glare at the darkness. I don’t need her or anyone else. I know who I am now.

  I am the Snow Queen.

  Coming Next:

  Rotten Rapunzel

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  About the Author

  To me it makes perfect sense that Snow White would become the Snow Queen. I mean, they’ve both got ‘Snow’ in their names, right? It had to happen sooner or later.

  If it seems that this story has kind of a sad ending, all I can say is, hang in there. These characters will appear again and their stories will continue. Lots of fun and surprises ahead, so stay tuned! Make sure you sign up for the Royal Reader List so you don’t miss the next book when it comes out. And if you like adult coloring books, I’m planning to draw a few scenes from Sinful Cinderella and this book, and send them out free to subscribers. So sign up and you’ll get them!

  So about me, I grew up in Philadelphia, PA, but I live near Poughkeepsie, NY now. I’ve got four awesome siblings, two brothers and two sisters, who are my best friends in the whole world. When I’m visiting Philly, we all go out to dinner and call it our ‘Sibling Supper.’ And though most of us are in our 30s now, we still occasionally play Nintendo together. Some things you never grow out of!

  If you enjoyed Sneaky Snow White, I’d be so grateful if you’d click HERE and write a review for me on Amazon. You’d be surprised at how important reviews are, they make all the difference in the world. Books that get frequent reviews are bumped up higher on Amazon and get seen by more people. So it helps me out tremendously.

  Thanks so much for supporting an indie author. God bless you.

  Anita Valle

  Links to my Website & Books

  Anita Valle Art

  Maelyn: The Nine Princesses Novellas - Book 1

  Coralina: The Nine Princesses - Book 2

  Heidel: The Nine Princesses - Book 3

  Briette: The Nine Princesses - Book 4

  Sinful Cinderella (Dark Fairy Tale Queen Series - 1)

  Sneaky Snow White (Dark Fairy Tale Queen Series - 2)

  The Bully Monster: A Novel

  50 Princesses Coloring Book

  The Best Princess Coloring Book

  Dog Cartoons Coloring Book

  Email: [email protected]