From the description, she knew the girl was Snow White.
Snow White who protected the unicorn from her hunter deep in the Wyldwood Forest. Who somehow managed to survive after her Shadow attacked her. Who still had the audacity to live in her kingdom even after she exiled her all those long years ago.
She thought of the mirror’s command to see the master blacksmith in Bridgefort. If the mirror was sending her there, then perhaps the blacksmith could lead her to the enchanted weapons. But the journey was far too long and would take far too much time. She would definitely need to open a portal.
Returning to her chamber, she slammed the door behind her. The spell book she acquired was still hidden in the bottom of her wardrobe. She went there now, shoved aside shoes and other items, and hefted the massive tome out. She placed it on the edge of her bed.
The book was probably four inches thick. The pages were yellowed with age. On several of the pages, the charmed ink was faded to almost nothing—the sign the spell was nearly used up. Once the ink was gone, the spell was rendered useless.
Using great care, she turned each fragile page until she found the one she was looking for—the portal spell. All she needed to do was draw a circle. The text showed the sigils in which one would need to draw it. Once it was complete and the incantation said, the portal would open to the desired location.
Smiling, she began.
Chapter 7
Thefirsttwitterofbirds awoke Snow to morning light streaming through her window. When she returned that night, she hadn’t drawn the curtains closed. Opening her eyes, she saw Annilen still curled into a tight ball on the pillow next to her. The poor little sprite must have been exhausted from the previous night’s excitement.
Snow yawned and stretched and tried hard not to disturb her sleeping friend as she came to a sitting position. It was only then she realized she still wore her dressing gown over her nightdress. She hadn’t bothered to remove it when she returned for the night.
As she sat there, drawing up her knees to her chest, she thought of what Faradill told her. That the darkness had crept into the forest and would be back. A cold shiver of fear danced down her spine. Did that mean the darkness would be returning for her?
She didn’t know.
There was something else bothering her. The voice in her head that saidI am coming for you.She recalled that with a sort of trepidation and was unable to shake a sense of foreboding resonating through her. The only thing she knew for certain was the voice sounded female.
A terrifying thought came to her. Was Seraphina the one? Did she know she lived in the forest with the elves?
Annilen stirred next to her with a yawn and a sigh. “Good morrow, my lady.”
“Good morrow, my friend,” she said. “Did you sleep well?”
“I did.” Indeed, the forest sprite looked well rested as she climbed to her feet and walked down the pillow, leaving tiny footprints behind. She hopped down and then craned her neck to look up at Snow. “Thank you for letting me stay with you.”
Snow held her hand down to the little sprite. Annilen stepped into her palm, allowing her to bring her to eye level.
“I’m glad you were safe with me,” she said. But even as she said it, she chewed her lower lip.
“Something troubles you, my lady?” she asked, sensing her distress.
“It’s just that…” She paused, trying to choose her next words. “Faradill said the darkness was here and would be returning. Do you think it’s true?”
Annilen cocked her head to one side as she considered. A thoughtful look creased her tiny features. “I don’t know, my lady. But Faradill is old and wise.”
Which meant Snow should heed his warning. Perhaps she should stay within the confines of the village, safe behind the protective magic of the elves. That went against who she was at her core.
“It has been many years since such a darkness has touched our forest,” Annilen said, almost as an afterthought. As though she remembered something.
Snow lifted a brow in question. “What do you mean?”
She tapped her chin with her forefinger, a thoughtful look crossing her features. “There is a legend about a wizard. A dark wizard who lived somewhere in these woods.”
“I’ve heard no such tale,” she said.
“It was a long time ago before you came to live with us,” Annilen said. “I don’t recall the story. All I do remember is that the elves cast him out.”
“What happened to him after that?” she asked.
Annilen shrugged. “No one knows.” With that, she launched into the air, her wings fluttering behind her. “I must be off, my lady.”
