Frustration edged through her. “Did you forget all that we did while we were in Westfall? Those villagers are willing to fight for me.”
“For the throne you no longer possess?” He sounded dejected.
She deserved that. He was right. She had relinquished it with ease and even swore a blood oath. But if there was one thing she learned from the elves, blood oaths were broken upon the death of one of the participants. Or, rather, the death of her magic. If the dark wizard told her true, destroying the Magic Mirror would remove Seraphina’s powers because the dark wizard would die. Somehow, she had to convince Roderick to use his elemental magic on the iron bars like he had on the door.
“Listen to me,” she said. “I know I am not your queen. But Iamyour friend. These bars are iron. You have the power within you to bend them and release us. I’m sure the Magic Mirror is in her bedchamber. If I can get there, then I can destroy it. Then Seraphina will lose her power.”
Another beat of silence passed. She heard nothing but the flicker of the torches lining the walls outside the cells.
“Please, Roderick.”
“Why? You gave up your throne.”
That was a good question. Why did she give up her throne if she was now more determined than ever to get it back?
“I made a mistake,” she said, her voice quiet in the shadowy darkness. She gripped the bars tighter, wishing she had half the power he did. “I’m sorry.”
She heard movement in his cell. The shuffle of feet. The rustle of fabric. Then he appeared at the bars. He peered out at her, the torchlight flickering in his blue-green eyes.
“If you destroy this Magic Mirror, will your blood oath to her be released?” he asked.
“Yes,” she said, though she wasn’t sure if she was speaking the truth or not. If it convinced him to use his magic to release them, then so be it.
“How do we get to her bedchamber without her knowing?” he asked.
“I have a plan.” That, at least, was the truth.
If memory served, there were several secret passageways within the castle. She wasn’t certain, but she thought one led to the bedchamber occupied by Seraphina. A secret door was built into the wall to help the king and queen escape in case there was an uprising and they needed to flee to safety.
Roderick pressed his hand against the lock of the cell door and closed his eyes. She watched as he used his Artificer magic to heat it up like he had the door pull in their prison chamber. Moments later, it glowed with a bright yellow light. He gave a push. The door swung open on silent hinges. He stepped out of his cell and then used the same magic on hers. When the lock clicked free, he pulled open the door.
Grinning, Snow stepped out and, without thinking, she flung her arms around his neck and hugged him. He was startled for a moment and didn’t react. Then, finally, he hugged her back. Snow pulled away, holding him at arm’s length.
“Thank you! Now, let’s find that mirror.”
“And not get caught this time,” he said.
She grinned. “Right. Follow me. I think I know a secret passageway.”
They headed through the dank hallway lined with flickering torches to the exit. What they didn’t account for were the men standing guard. Roderick motioned for her to stop as he crept up on the first one. He quickly knocked him out. The second one tried to give him some trouble, but he managed to incapacitate him. He swiped a sword.
“Just in case,” he said.
She followed him up the stairs and out of the dungeon. As they exited, the captain of the guard intercepted them. Roderick held his sword aloft in defense.
The captain, though, appeared to have seen better days. His face was bruised and battered, as though he’d been in a tavern fight.
“You…” he said on a deep breath as he looked at Roderick. His gaze landed on Snow, then. “Both of you.”
“Stand aside,” Roderick said. “I don’t want to hurt you.”
The man’s gaze danced between the two of them. Snow stepped around Roderick.
“What did she do to you?” she asked, referring to the queen.
“She didn’t like the way I tied you up in the other room,” he said. “And so, I came to release you from the dungeon but I see that’s not necessary now.”
Surprise flickered through Snow. “Why would you do that?”
