“You mean kill me,” she interjected.
He nodded. “I would fall into an eternal slumber. She called it a sleeping curse.”
“How can this curse be broken?” she demanded.
He shook his head. “I don’t know. I only know I had a fortnight before it would take hold. Snow…” He took her hands in his, holding them tight and looking deep into her eyes. “Since we left Lighthill, I’ve been feeling strange. As though something is not right with me. I think it’s the poison trying to take hold.”
“Then we need to find a way to break this curse. We need the antidote.”
“Only the queen has it,” he said. “It’s not likely she’s willing to give it up.” His mouth quirked a grin.
“Why didn’t you tell me this before?” she wanted to know.
“Because I thought I’d have more time.We’dhave more time. That we’d be able to destroy the queen and you would have your throne,” he said.
“In a fortnight?” She almost laughed, but managed to hold it in.
“It was a hope and a dream and perhaps a wish.” He squeezed her hands. “So, if something happens to me, promise me you’ll go on. You’ll fight her.”
Her suddenly mouth went bone dry. Her stomach clenched with a distinctive fear. “Youpromised me you would be by my side the entire way.”
He nodded before she finished. “I did and I’m sorry I didn’t tell you then.”
“I can’t do this alone.” Her breath hitched, a sob threatening to erupt. “I can’t do this without you.”
Something in his expression softened at those words. He cupped her face, then, gently tipping her head back. “You can. You will. I believe in you.”
A breath shuddered out between her lips as he held her there, looking intently into her eyes. A sensuous light passed between them. His lips parted slightly and she understood then what he meant to do. She melted against him, wanting nothing more than his lips on hers, to feel his kiss, to know what it was like to taste him.
She wasn’t exactly sure when her feelings had switched from anger with him to something more intimate. But shift it had. He had become a part of her that she was desperate to keep by her side. He’d traveled with her, told her story to the villagers in Westfall. Had he made mistakes? Yes, of course. Had she? Yes.
“Roderick?”
“Yes?”
“Are you going to kiss me?”
He tipped his head to one side, a smile tugging at the corner of his mouth. “Yes, I believe I am.”
“Then get on with it.”
He chuckled, a rumble deep in his chest. One hand brushed through her hair, cupping the nape of her neck, bending her back at just the right angle. Her eyes fluttered closed in sweet anticipation.
But before his lips met hers, there was a deep, malevolent laugh echoing through the hall.
“Aren’t the two of you simply adorable?”
Seraphina’s voice made them jump apart. Roderick pulled her close, then pushed her behind him as though protecting her from the queen.
“Just simplyadorable. Alas, you both have to die. But not before I have a little fun with you.”
A grin crinkled the corners of her eyes as she lifted her arms.
Chapter 35
Sheflungaboltof magic toward Roderick. Snow did the only thing she could think to do and shoved him out of the way while she dove in the opposite direction. He landed on the stone floor a few feet away. She managed to break her fall by throwing out her hands, which was a mistake. When she landed, the jarring sensation went through her palms all the way up her arms to her shoulders. She cringed and rolled to her side, before getting back to her feet.
Seraphina scowled and threw another bit of magic at Snow, this time wrapping her upper torso with tendrils of purple smoke that held fast.
