dreams suggests you’re who you claim, but I find it difficult to believe even Rose Curtana could have hidden you so thoroughly.”
“Long-lost heirs show up all the time,” Talia said.
“Not in Allesandria.” He gestured to the chairs. Both Danielle and Gerta sat, but Talia refused. It was another violation of Allesandrian manners, one which forced even a king to remain standing. “I saw your fears as well, Gerta. Like your friends, you fear for Ermillina. But there’s something more. You’re afraid of being reclaimed.”
“I was formed from her essence,” Gerta said.
“Meaning I’ve welcomed a part of Ermillina Curtana into my palace.” Laurence massaged his brow.
“I would never-” Gerta started.
“I know.” He raised a hand. “Had I seen anything in your dream to suggest you were a threat, you never would have emerged. But the fact that you wouldn’t knowingly act against Allesandria means little. Should Ermillina find a way to act through you-”
“She doesn’t know who… what I am,” Gerta said softly. “She burned my memory from her mind, and Talia’s cape shields us from her vision.”
“For now.” Laurence began to pace. “Years ago, Queen Beatrice promised me Ermillina would never return to this land. I’m familiar with Beatrice’s gifts, crude and untrained though they were. She gave me her word. Yet my cousin has murdered at least two members of the Nobles’ Circle. Her spells have enslaved hundreds.”
“Beatrice told the truth,” Gerta said. “Sight such as hers was often unreliable, even more so when one tries to see beyond one’s death.” She bit her lip at that, looking suddenly vulnerable.
“I trusted her.” Laurence’s knuckles were white around his scepter. “How many of my people are dead today because I allowed your queen to talk me into helping Ermillina escape?”
The beat of Talia’s blood threatened to drown out the king’s words. “Her mother tried to murder her,” she snapped. “You ‘helped’ her by stealing her throne for yourself.”
The room fell still. Danielle cleared her throat. “Talia, you’re not helping.”
Laurence no longer bothered to hide his anger. “Allesandria never would have allowed Rose’s daughter to-”
“How many people are dead today because you were too weak or afraid to stand up for a young girl whose only crime was to protect herself from a murderer?” Talia finished.
“I could have argued on her behalf,” Laurence admitted. “I could have defied the Circle, lent my voice to Ermillina Curtana… and I would have been shouted down, sent back to the eastern provinces while another claimed the throne. One less willing to allow the daughter of Rose Curtana to live, even in exile.”
“You should tell her that when she arrives,” said Talia. “I’m sure she’ll be very interested in your excuses.”
Danielle stood. “I must have misunderstood the plan.” She matched Talia’s stare. “I thought we had come to search for the means Rose Curtana used to imprison this demon. Not to provoke an incident between Lorindar and Allesandria.”
Talia’s blood pounded hot in her veins. She opened her mouth to respond.
“Which is more important?” Danielle asked mildly. “Venting your anger, or helping Snow?”
Talia clamped her jaw and slowly lowered herself into her chair.
“What is right is not always what is possible or practical,” said Laurence. “I wish every story ended as neatly as that of Cinderella-”
Danielle raised an eyebrow.
“-but we live in a world where fear and greed overrule justice. A world where a mother tries to murder her own daughter out of jealousy. I received the birds with their warning, thank you. We’ve taken precautions, but… that mirror never should have left Allesandria. If it had been destroyed-”
“Then the demon would have escaped even sooner,” said Gerta.
“This is where Rose Curtana captured it.” Danielle gestured at the walls. “Did she have a study or a laboratory, a place she might have used for such summonings?”
“My people searched every room when I took power. Four were killed by traps my aunt had left behind. Seven others were injured or driven mad. Believe me, we’ve examined this palace quite thoroughly. There is no such summoning chamber.”
“There has to be,” said Talia.
Laurence rubbed his eyes, and for a moment, the royal mask fell away to reveal worry and fatigue. “Who told you of this chamber?”
“Her name is Noita.” Gerta raised her chin. “She’s the one who helped my mother prepare it.”
“The flower witch?” Laurence gave a bitter laugh. “We hunted down most of Rose Curtana’s companions. Noita appeared harmless.”
“She’s not. I was there.” Gerta hesitated. “Snow was, I mean. We saw-She saw Noita helping our mother.”
“I will have the Stormcrows search again,” said Laurence. “But there is another possibility we must pursue. Your connection to Ermillina could give us the means to act against her.”
“We’ve tried to find Snow through Gerta,” said Danielle. “Our people-”
“Are not Allesandrian.” Laurence twisted his scepter in his hands. “When it comes to magic, Allesandria is second to none. If Gerta is who and what she appears to be, we can use her against my cousin.”
“Without harming her?” Danielle demanded.
Laurence hesitated ever so slightly. “We will do everything in our power to preserve her.”
Talia stepped between Gerta and the king.
“That’s why you allowed me to enter,” Gerta said.
“The Stormcrows advised against it,” Laurence admitted. “They feared you could be a trap. But Ermillina has avoided capture for too long. If we can strike at her through you, then I felt it worth the risk.”
“She’s a person,” said Talia, struggling to keep the wolf under control. “Not a weapon.”
Laurence started to answer, then stiffened. “Forgive me,” he said, stepping toward the wall. He pressed his fingertips to the wood trim circling the room. He rapped the end of his scepter against the wood, and a low hum filled the room. “In Allesandria, the distinction is often slim. As it turns out, the argument may be moot.”
“What do you mean?” asked Talia.
Footsteps pounded down the hallway. The door opened inward to reveal a woman in the silver mail of a Stormcrow. She bowed, speaking too softly for even Talia to overhear. Laurence clasped her arm and said, “Double the guards, and order the halls cleared.”
“What is it?” Danielle asked.
“My Stormcrows have captured Snow White. They’re bringing her to the palace now.”
CHAPTER 14
Captured, not killed. Relief flowed through Danielle, but confusion was quick to follow. What of Noita’s visions, and her own? Allesandrian magic might be powerful, but could it really be so simple to change the future? “Was Jakob with her?”
Laurence shook his head. “They took Ermillina, but there was no sign of the prince.”
“Let me speak with her,” said Danielle. “We can-”
“Whatever creature has taken her, it may try to escape to another host,” said Laurence. “The Stormcrows have done what they can to secure her, but you are defenseless as a babe, magically speaking. I cannot risk you being taken.”
“So let me go.” Talia bared her teeth. “Or do you think me defenseless as well?”
“I understand she was your… friend… and I appreciate your willingness to help.” The king took a step backward. His scepter rang once more against the wall, the sound stretching out an unnaturally long time. “Ermillina Curtana is a daughter of Allesandria. She attacked my nation, and was captured by my Stormcrows. You are welcome here, but if you accept my hospitality, it will be as guests only.”
“Can you free Snow from this demon?” Danielle asked.
