SNOWRED

The dagger feels right in my palm, it’s not only a weapon, it’s also somehow connected to my new purpose; killing Snow. So, in some ways, it’s a part of me now.

I plan on waving it around in a second once the wolves catch me. However... such a plan is not needed, as there is a strange calm behind me.

I dare spin to check and what I see is worse than the wolves chasing me.

A diversion.

I see the last wolf turn and follow the rest down the nearest green slippery slope full of melting snow. My eyes follow them to see what exactly has completely compelled them off track from me.

It’s a group of four horsemen wearing the Queen’s banners. They carry a chest between them.

Though the horsemen wear large swords, it’s noting to stop the silent wolf warriors.

The horses react first, rearing - yet it does them no good.

I can only watch for a couple of moments.

The very second I see a head go flying from Snow’s red jaws, the same time a horse is completely slaughtered by the rest of the pack - then I am turning and sprinting once again.

It’s a spontaneous ambush - but also a vile display.

I think Snow wants me to hate him - he certainly didn’t hesitate in showing his violence, did he?

The only benefit is misconstrued freedom on my part.

I try to run to safety while I have the chance, winding down a different track.

I don’t get far until I realise my mistake.

If I run, I’ll be caught anyway; just later. If I maintain the bargain... with the monsters... they’ll be forced to pour me a bath, talk and drink tea with me.

Ridiculous. I know. But I also feel something strange flutter in my chest.

A pull, almost, back to the den.

I turn my head at that moment of quick reflection and I see the den in the near distance.

Okay. I’ll talk. If I can keep my cool.

I try to pretend the bloody rampage isn’t happening while I trudge the last few steps to the den and open the door tenderly.

When I walk in, my anxiety increases.

I start with nervous habits.

I try not to think and I don’t really, not when I’m running around folding blankets, picking up dirty laundry and popping it in a bucket. I find a broom and I start sweeping. I find hooks in the wall and I hang up their coats they don’t seem to use but rather sleep upon.

Now that it’s sunny and warm, there is a distinct change with magic in the land. A powerful change.

For whatever reason, I was connected to the fate of Snowred and his pack and I needed to be here.

I would take this opportunity to get to know them; and possibly befriend the monsters of the De-Iced Valley. Perhaps I could even reunite Snow with his old family. Perhaps, I could also prove that I was not a hunter.

That one eyed raven cawing at me to kill him, constantly, gave me an insatiable desire to prove everyone wrong.

I didn’t even completely understand my own logic, I just feel like I know where I should be.

And I needed to be here...

...near Snow.

Speaking of the devil.

"Run the west paths, she’ll be nearing the town soon!” Snow snarls the order from outside the den, “Haul that treasure to our underground storage. I’ll grab some rope -” Snow is laughing sadistically as he kicks open the front door.

A hinge goes flying and I’m frozen by the kitchen bench with a wash cloth in my hand as I wipe mud from the table.

Snow doesn’t even see me, he reaches up for a rope hanging from a ceiling hook just inside the door frame.

His hand is brushing the length of the rope when his now blue eyes, snap over to my form and freeze.

Snow can’t quite believe it.

“You came back?” Snow doesn’t snarl. He just asks the question. Utterly gobsmacked.

“...your den is an awful mess; and I have honour, we did make a deal -” I whisper.

“There’s no mess,” Snow snarls suddenly, swiping his hand through the air, “Look!”

“That’s because I just cleaned it!” I yell but as I do it, my heart beat sends out another signal as Snow smiles with my anger.

No.

Hold. Aim.Throw.

The dagger is in my second hand and I chuck it in Snow’s direction.

It flies awfully fast, swirling around in circles and landing approximately ten feet in the adjacent direction, twanging into the wood stock for the fireplace.

Snow glances at the dagger, far too many inappropriate words are about to fall past his lips.

“I was just trying to shock you,” I gulp and grab a kitchen knife in front of me, holding it up as Snow turns to face me, glancing at the rope one more time, only briefly.

He almost pulls it down, but then he decides to leave it.

Good?

“I. Am. Shocked,” Snow admits, in a low growl, “Welcome home? I guess? Ellie.”

I love and hate the way he says my name.

“A bath,” I state, gulping, “You said you’d run me a bath. Where are the others?”

“Chasing you?” Snow reaches up a hand and scratches through his head, keeping in a chuckle, “...we don’t have a bath, honey. I may have lied because you’re so slow.”

Wait -

He -

Argh.

I consider my next words, licking my lips, my eyes flickering back and forth before I blurt, proud of my response, “Then you owe me for your lie and dishonour,” I nod to myself then I turn and look out the window when I see him step further in, “You killed the Queen’s men and horses, for a chest of treasure?” I ask.

“Did it scare you?” Snow inquires, from somewhere else in the den.

I do not wish to watch his every move or I’ll probably stutter and collapse.

I am more confident looking out the window, away from his voice and his eyes and his... touch.

“It did scare me, but I was far more scared about running and being caught, than staying and learning something, now that I’ve won some time to t -” talk.

My words stop when Snow appears behind me like a snake, pulling a cloth gag through my open mouth and tying a knot at the back of my head; just like that.

Snow jerks me back so I fall upon his chest, my eyes furiously glaring.

I don’t know if I’m more angry at myself for being so stupid; or Snow for being completely devoid of honour.

“I told you... Ellie,” Snow holds my chin back with a blood stained hand, keeping me immobile as he speaks down to me, “I don’t have a soul. Only desires.”

It’s all a warning. A pre-cursor.

I remember the word that almost broke my faith in my hope for him.

Whore.

Snow was being serious all along and even now, he was still going to use me like a whore.

I can’t speak. But I let out a twist to test his strength against mine, only to feel his hand tighten on my face, pulling it further back so I can’t twist anymore.

“You can’t break free...” Snow smiles as I panic a bit, and he leans down to whisper in my ear, “...now that I have you, honey, I’m going to play with you,” his free hand lands on my breast above my night gown, grabbing the round fullness, then feeling my heart race underneath, “...I don’t just play rough. I’m going to make your heart bleed for me, Ellie -” I close my eyes with the threat, the malice in his voice is so strong, “You behold a queen’s beauty,” I gasp, pulling away from Snow as he presses his lips to my cheek, and I feel how cold they are.

NO! I don’t want this!

My prayers are answered.

The window shatters from an arrow flying straight through.

I’m free.

But then I turn, and I scream at the sight of the arrow buried into Snow’s left eye and at the fact he tries to pull it out while the blood spills heavy.

I rip off the gag and I run for the den’s door - only to be balled over by a squad of Queen’s men.

“Grab her,” a woman speaks, from somewhere, “Put Ellie in the carriage.”

I can’t see her.

But three men haul me up to my feet and out of the den while I’m in hysterics.

“Grab him,” the woman speaks again, my eyes flying up to another raven on the den’s roof tiles, its beak opens and her voice flows from there, “Put the beast in the cage. Bring them both back to me. When you see the pack following him; release the poisoned arrows and kill them all... and take their furs, too. I’m sure Snowred will approve of my new robe; fit for his Queen.”