Tasnia was finally spurred into action. She and the other Elders joined hands in a semi-circle around Seraphina. Too late did she realize what was happening to stop it. The Elders chanted something in elvish and light swarmed around them, moving in a shimmering cloud toward the queen. Seraphina backed up but there were others behind her doing the same thing. She was surrounded.
With clenched fists and a scowl etched deep on her face, she let out an exasperated cry before vanishing into thin air, leaving behind a swirling cloud of angry purple mist.
But the damage was done. Ardan was dead. The village would never be the same.
Chapter 25
Themomentthequeendisappeared, the Elders stopped chanting and dropped their hands. They turned their attention to Snow, who still sat on the ground beside Ardan’s lifeless body, her face tear-streaked. Tasnia moved to tower over the two of them, her eyes ablaze with seething rage that threatened to consume everything in her path.
“Move away from him,” Tasnia ordered.
Shivering with fear, Snow got to her feet and slowly stepped back. The Elders formed a circle around his lifeless body, once again holding hands as they edged her out. They began to sing.
A lament for the loss of the young elf. The others joined in, moving behind the circle. Even Elator and Master Harwin. Snow backed away from them and headed to where Roderick still lay on the ground. He was coming to, shaking his head and trying to understand what was happening. She reached a hand down to him. He took it and allowed her to help him to his feet.
His keen eyes took in the scene. He turned to her, question on his face.
“What happened?”
“Ardan stabbed Seraphina. Then she killed him for it.”
Roderick wrapped an arm around her shoulders, pulling her close. She allowed him to comfort her for the moment, but she couldn’t help but think this was his fault. If he hadn’t come to the village, Ardan would still be alive. It was almost more than she could bear.
When the melancholy song ended, all but the Elders moved away. A shriek from the other side of the village as Ardan’s mother shoved aside those in her way. When she saw her son, her hands went to her blanched face. She fell to her knees next to him, bowing over his body as she sobbed.
Tasnia turned to Snow and Roderick.
“You are the cause of this. Both of you,” she said.
Roderick stepped forward. “This isn’t Snow’s fault. It’s mine.”
“Yes,” Tasnia agreed. “Yours for coming here. You drew the dark magic. And now this queen knows of our existence.” Her gaze landed on Snow. “She pierced through the perimeter magic with ease. Our village is no longer safe. I cannot allow our people to be in danger because of one human.”
Snow lifted her chin, looking down her nose at the Elder. “Then what will you have me do, Tasnia?”
“Leave this place. Never return.”
Roderick said, “You’re banishing Snow White from the only home she’s ever had?”
Her glittering gaze flickered to him. “Yes.”
“Tasnia—” Elator began.
“I will not hear any objections. My word is final,” she snapped. “Nor will we support the girl’s claim as the rightful ruler of the Mystic Vale. Human affairs do not interest us.”
Word, it seemed, traveled quickly. Tasnia went to console Ardan’s mother. Elator approached then, a strange look of apology and sorrow on his face.
“Snow—”
“There is nothing left to say,” she said. “Ardan’s death is my fault.”
“It’s not,” Roderick said. “It’s mine. I should have never come here.”
“No, you shouldn’t,” she snapped, unable to hide her ire. “You should have returned home.”
“Snow, we don’t want you to leave,” Elator said.
“You don’t. But Tasnia does. The other Elder’s will agree with her.”
