“A binding spell,” the queen said. “I was a fool not to use that on you both before.”
As Snow struggled to get out of the bonds, Seraphina used the same spell on Roderick as he was climbing back to his feet. He’d taken the fall harder than she had.
“I thought to kill the two of you right away. But then I decided it would be much more fun to play with you for a while. My captain didn’t tie your ropes tight enough, I see. For that, he will be punished. How you escaped the locked room, though, is a bit of a mystery.”
She eyed Roderick with a wicked glint as she approached him, looking him over with disdain. “You have been nothing but a disappointment from the moment I met you. If you had complied with my request, I would have given you the antidote to the poison. Now, you will never get it.”
“It’s me you want, Seraphina. Give him the antidote and let him go,” Snow said.
“How sweet,” the queen said, her voice dripping disdain. “While I appreciate your sentiment, the answer is no.”
“Please,” she said. “I’ll do what you want.”
“Snow, don’t,” Roderick warned.
Seraphina angled her body toward her, intrigue written on her face. “Anything?”
Snow cut him a glance. He shook his head. She took a deep breath and returned her gaze back to the queen.
“Anything,” she said.
The queen moved toward her with slow, methodical steps. “Will you abdicate your throne?”
Pain sliced through her. “Yes,” she said, the word ice.
“No,” Roderick said. “Don’t do it, Snow.”
The queen moved a step closer. “Will you recognize me as the true and rightful ruler of the Mystic Vale, willingly?”
Her mouth went dry as she met the queen’s gaze. She lifted her chin a little higher. “Yes, I will.”
“Snow!” Roderick shouted. There was desperation in his voice.
The queen smiled. “And will you announce this to the entire kingdom? That you are willingly stepping down?”
Her stomach churned as she stood there, looking deep into the queen’s eyes and seeing nothing but greed, vanity, and pure evil. If she did this, her reign was over before it had a chance to begin. And likely her life would end. She would join her parents. Finally, she nodded.
“I will.”
“Swear you will do this. Swear it by your royal blood.”
She waved her hand to release the bond a bit and reached for Snow’s hand. She brought it out, palm up, and held it in her icy one. The queen was cold through and through. The enchanted dagger materialized from thin air and landed in her other empty hand. She held it up, at the ready.
Roderick sucked in a sharp breath. “Don’t do it, Snow. I beg you.”
“Silence!” Seraphina said, snapping her heated glare in his direction. A gag appeared around his mouth.
The queen had learned the dark wizard’s magic well.
“Swear it,” she repeated.
Snow inhaled a deep breath, then let it shudder out. “I swear.”
With that, the queen pressed the tip of the enchanted dagger into her palm, drawing a line until blood swelled. There was a hiss from the cut and then an image of steam formed in what appeared to be a leaf drifting upward from Snow’s palm. Moments later it disappeared.
Seraphina used the tip of the blade to cut her own palm, then pressed it against hers. A heated sizzle went through her. Dark magic poured into her, suddenly at war with the light magic residing inside her. She had never felt it before. Not like that. It had always just been there. Snow cried out as the pain lanced through her. Her blood oath was complete.
Roderick made a muffled sound of agony behind the gag. Seraphina merely chuckled as she pulled her hand away. Then she turned to Roderick.
