Snow's Lament (18 page)

I turned to Maleficent, curious. “Why is Naomi’s magic still active here?”

Threads of red magic surrounded the chamber and Max’s body. Whatever she had done to him was keeping him alive. When the magic wave hit after I broke the stone, the rest of her magic eroded away.

Maleficent spoke softly. “I’m not really sure. But don’t you think this magic feels
different
?”

She was right. Every time I’d been around Naomi’s magic, there was malevolence evident. She intended to hurt me or those she cared about. This magic was not the same. Max was surrounded by what felt like love. I wondered again about the vision Merlin had showed me and why she would lie about it later. Perhaps someone like Naomi didn’t want to appear weak. Although she had used him to get to me, our resulting relationship was probably an unintended consequence of her efforts. To someone as proud as Naomi, it must have killed her to see us together.

But Max was still guilty. I wasn’t brave enough to ask him about the extent of their relationship. I didn’t think I would be able to handle it if he was sleeping with her at the same time he was sleeping with me. Not that we had the chance to do that a whole lot too many times. I was practically a virgin again. Still. Not cool on his part.

My emotions and feelings about him were all over the place. I wasn’t sure who to believe or what to believe, but I did know one thing: Max had betrayed me. I could handle the fact that he was a double agent. I’d known that all along. I’d never known he was in a relationship with her. If I had, I never would have allowed myself to give myself to him. I never would have fallen in love. Well…at least I could have hidden it better.

I put my hand on the glass of the chamber where his head rested. I swallowed hard at the sight of him. A thought occurred to me.

“Maleficent. Where is Lana?”

Her expression became guarded and tense. “She is safe. We found her after the magic fell. She was being kept in one of the third floor rooms.”

I wouldn’t tell her I knew about her daughter. Yet. “Where is she now?”

She was smart enough to know if she didn’t tell me I would become suspicious. “She is with Red,” she said shortly.

I studied the tense line of her jaw and the grim set of her mouth. This was one subject she didn’t want to talk about. “Good choice,” I said after a moment. And it was. Red was scary powerful, even if she tried to pretend she wasn’t. I would try to make it down to the village later to see the little girl Max had sacrificed himself for.

Quiet fell in the room, the only sound the occasional burble of Max’s chamber. I watched him for awhile, wondering whether he was dreaming or conscious of any of this. “He needs a human hospital. The Enchanted Forest is not equipped to deal with injuries like this.” Magic could heal most wounds, but when someone lost too much blood or was too grievously injured, there was no substitute for modern, Western medicine. “Can we transport him back to Earth?”

Maleficent’s voice was as dry as the Sahara. “In a magical life support chamber?”

I snorted. “No. Is there any way to disable or cloak it?” I thought about the difficulty of the task ahead of us. We couldn’t risk moving him too much. Maleficent would need to open a portal close to the hospital so we could get him there. I thought about pulling a Weekend At Bernie’s, but rolling a dude dressed like a Ren Faire Robin Hood through the streets would likely get us arrested.

“There could be a way to cloak it. We would have to work quickly.”

“I could step through the portal and call an ambulance. Once they’re close, I can contact you to send him through.”

Maleficent’s violet gaze pierced through me. “This is terribly risky. Are you sure you want to try this?”

For all Max’s faults, he was willing to sacrifice his life for a little girl. Regardless of my confused feelings about him right now, I couldn’t leave him like this. Plus, I’d caused this. The least I could do was try to make it up to him. “It’s his best chance.”

“Very well. We will begin in the morning. I will come back tonight to examine him and see if there’s anything further I can add to speed his healing along before we take him to Earth.” There was a note of regret in her tone, but I didn’t point it out. When she was ready to tell me, she would.

I leaned my head against the cool glass. Now, we just needed to figure out a way to explain what had happened to him without getting thrown in jail.

I really needed a reality show.

The absence of Cyndi was felt at lunch. Used to her inane chatter and cheery personality, the lack of it drove a nail into any personal conversation. Instead, we discussed how to get her back. Divination was ineffective so far, so it seemed magic was out—at least for now. We would need to use good old fashioned detective work. The pressure in my chest eased a little bit once I realized we were going old school PI and not full on magical mojo.

I still didn’t know what my newfangled powers were all about. All I knew was I now walked around with an uncomfortable buzzing and alien sensation in my blood. There was something different about me now, but I was as green as they came. I had no idea how to leech power or be a kingmaker. I’d claimed my kingdom here by only saying the words, but I didn’t think it would always be that easy. Not that I planned to run across the lands in a mad, power-hungry rush, but still, it might come in handy one day.

On the walk to lunch, Maleficent pointed out some benefits to what I’d done. No one would ever be able to come in and lay claim to my lands because I’d claimed them with my blood and almost my life. Had Merlin not given me my magic back, I would have bled out on the stone floor of my parents’ castle. It was in no way a comforting thought, but the goal I’d made had been accomplished. I was here and Naomi was not. Despite everything else that had happened and the fact that my heart was split into two, I’d call it a win for now.

The rest of the day went by in a whirl. I explored the castle, marveling at all the rooms previously cloaked in magic. I didn’t know if it was my parents or Naomi’s doing, but there were some seriously cool things going on inside. Maleficent had plenty of time to explore while I was comatose but had elected not to out of respect for me. She tagged along with me and geeked out a little at what she dubbed the “magic woo-woo room”.

I snorted when I saw the dazed expression on her face. Located toward the back of the castle, the room looked innocent enough from the door, but Maleficent could sense the remnants of magic clinging to it. When she entered, her gasp had me reaching for my Sig until I realized it was a happy gasp rather than a shocked one. Shelves lines all three of the walls and were stocked and labeled with miscellaneous herbal and alchemical ingredients. It looked like a mad scientist’s lair, but Maleficent looked like a cat who wanted to rub up against everything.

To me, it looked like a jumble of crap, but I guess to a magician, it was like hitting the lottery. “Do you think this was Naomi’s?” I asked once she calmed down enough to speak in a rational tone.

She was bent over one of the tables loaded with beakers and glass jars. “I don’t think so. I’ve never known Naomi to use many potions. She was more of a smash them up and leave kind of sorceress.”

“Hmmm.” I walked through the room, trailing my fingers across one of the tall wooden shelves. Dust came away and I rubbed my fingertips together. “It hasn’t been used in awhile.”

She made a noncommittal noise, which made me smile. Note to self: don’t talk to Maleficent when she’s having a moment.

All the exploration made me miss my parents. Their absence was always an ache, but now, seeing what they’d left behind, the ache grew into a chasm. “I never knew what my parents’ gifts were,” I said, mostly to myself, but Maleficent perked up.

She studied me for a moment. “Your father was a powerful clairvoyant. Your mother was a power leech.”

I blinked. Neither of my parents had mentioned anything of the sort. But if my father had been psychic…

“Love makes people blind to the truth, Snow,” Maleficent said, sympathy in her tone.

“He knew she was evil.”

One of her eyebrows rose. “Again, it’s a lot more complicated than that. Naomi was a multi-faceted person.” Disapproval laced her voice. “Just like everyone.”

“You’re defending her.”

Maleficent stood to her full height. I winced, knowing if she really wanted to, she could crush me like a tiny bug. “I’m doing nothing of the sort. I’m trying to make you understand.”

“Then make me understand,” I said in defiance.

“Naomi and I have many similarities. We’ve done so many things we are not proud of. But I am on the path of redemption.” Her shoulders slumped. “Most days.”

“She killed innocent people to gain power. She turned a proud man into a slave.”

Maleficent raised her hand to silence me. “And I have done all of that and then some. Does this make you feel differently about me?”

My lips twisted in anger. “You are completely different.”

She smiled sadly. “Alas, Snow. I am not.” She picked up one of the beakers filled with a soft blue liquid and shook it gently. “Some people never examine their mistakes. Naomi can be put into that category. But our lives have parallels. It’s just that I veered right and she veered left.”

I didn’t want it to be that simple, and I certainly didn’t want to feel empathy for the woman who ruined my life. “It’s easy for you to say these things. You weren’t put into my shoes. You never had to live with her cruelty.”

“I don’t deny this. But what I can do is put myself into her shoes to help you better understand.”

“So, you don’t think she should have been banished?” I was trying to understand.

“I’m not saying that at all. People need to atone for their mistakes, whether it’s them realizing it or another forcing them to a reckoning. Naomi will have plenty of time to mull things over. It was deserved.”

“You’re trying to make a point,” I said.

“And you are being stubbornly dull-witted today.”

I rolled my eyes. “Thanks, Maleficent.”

Although I pretended to be annoyed with her, Maleficent’s words stayed with me the rest of the day. I knew people were multi-sided, but it was easier to see someone as good or bad, black or white, than layered. I knew Robin was ultimately good, but I also understood he was a bit of a playboy. Belle had a crystal clear heart, but an anger problem, and Cyndi did her best to make you happy, but on her terms. I was stubborn as hell and made rash decisions, but I made them for the best interest of everyone—or so I liked to think.

I left Maleficent in the magic woo-woo room and went to my quarters for the rest of the night.

Cool wind blew in from the windows and caressed my skin while I lay on top of the covers, unable to sleep. I guess sleeping for two months straight would do that to you. One niggling, constant thought was bothering me. Rumple never fully explained the ins and outs of the curse he gave me. How many people would it take? Did it take only him and Cyndi or was Naomi included? I never asked if it could take more than one person.

I shifted to my side and stared out the window. Was it possible Naomi used all the chaos happening to escape? It didn’t seem likely since her hold on the castle was broken, but I was learning more and more never to discount anything in the Enchanted Forest. I was here. I had my kingdom. I would eventually learn to properly rule. Everything should have been fine…right?

So, why did the hair on the back of my neck stand up when I thought about it? I thought Cyndi was okay, especially if Rumple was with her. For all of his faults, he seemed to genuinely care about her and I didn’t think he’d let anything happen to her. But if they were trapped with Naomi, could he keep a vigilant eye on her all the times?

And if she wasn’t with them, where the hell was she? I felt surprisingly empty with what should have been a happy time. She’d trounced me good in our last encounter. I’d been taken by surprise when she played dirty. Stupid me.

I swung my legs over the bed and slid into a pair of slippers Belle had provided me. No idea where she got them from, but she was ever resourceful. I pulled on the robe lying across the recliner close to the bed. A cursory glance in the mirror made me grimace, but it was the middle of the night and no one cared about my crazy bed head. On an afterthought, I slid my shoulder holster over my robe and slid my Sig inside one of the pockets. I added the pack I normally carried, just in case. I knew I looked ridiculous, but I felt better knowing I was armed.

I clicked the door open as silently as I could and padded through the cool, stone walls of the castle. Wind blew softly through the open windows, allowing the scent of lilies to filter through the air. I breathed deeply and smiled. It was comforting and reminded me of happier times. There was little light inside the castle, only the soft moonlight and occasional candle, but I was familiar with the area I wanted to go to.

I shivered and pulled my robe closer together as I walked. The chamber room where Max lay wasn’t far away. I wasn’t sure why I was going there, but I felt the pull of him no matter where I was. It was a strange feeling knowing he couldn’t talk to me or pull me into his arms, but seeing him would ease some of that ache. I stopped short at the entrance and my heartbeat thudded almost to a stop.

The door was cracked and someone was inside. I crept to the open side and peered in, trying to slow my breathing and make as little noise as possible. A familiar and oh so unwelcome head of red hair greeted me.

Naomi.

Curse words and fear filled my brain faster than I could process any other thoughts. I was in my pajamas, alone, in the middle of the night, and that bitch had once again managed to take me by surprise. I calmed myself as best I could and decided to watch for a moment before I interfered.

She stood with her arms raised, dressed in regal white robes, and muttering an incantation in a language I’d never heard of. Max’s chamber was open, red smoke swirling around it. My gaze swept through the chamber until it landed on another hooded figure in the room.

My gaze narrowed. The figure was either male or an extraordinarily tall woman. I studied the person intently until he moved and a pair of familiar swirling eyes came into view.

Sonofabitch
. I bit my lip hard enough to draw blood. Rumple. In the flesh. And Cyndi was nowhere to be found. I was woefully unprepared and didn’t think I would be able to take them both on. In fact, I was sure of it.

Rumple stepped forward and I withdrew deeper into the shadows to avoid notice. “My end of the bargain is complete. You have your cure. I will take my leave of you and hope we never speak of this again,”

Naomi’s arms lowered. “I hope she was worth it to you.” She chuckled softly. “You never could resist the allure of a pretty face.”

Rumple lowered his hood. The glare he directed at Naomi could have withered a tree. “She is different and you will mind your tongue when you speak of her.”

“Rumple, she’s a blonde ditz and unpossessed of an ounce of power.”

He bared his teeth in a fierce grin. “That is why you will ultimately lose the war, Naomi. You cannot see past your own prejudices to see the heart of a person. You see what you want to, not what is there.”

Naomi scoffed. “You think I will lose against Snow White? She is a naive, brutal child. She has no sense and is unfit to rule a kingdom.”

“Ah,” he said lightly, “so this is why you are here skulking around in her castle in the dead of night? Because she is unfit to rule and weak? Seems to me, Snow was able to claim this place when you could only hold it.”

Naomi lowered her arms. “Watch your step, Cursed One.”

Rumple’s gaze lighted on the door. A small smile played upon his handsome features.

He knew I was here
.

An unbidden thought popped into my head.
Use your moonstone, Snow. Maleficent’s gift will help you.

My gaze narrowed. He offered a slight nod and pushed his hood up.

Check your pocket. And…I’m sorry. Do not look for me.

Like that had a snowball’s chance in hell of happening. I rummaged through my pocket and found the bracelet Maleficent had given me. I held it my hand and studied it, confused as to how it could help me.

When I looked up, Rumple was gone. One more thing I’d have to worry about, but at least I knew Cyndi was alive. Naomi refocused on Max’s chamber as I fretted about what to do next. Any slightest noise and she would hear me. The door was old and I knew if I touched it, it would creak. The opening wasn’t quite large enough for me to squeak through, even though I had lost a bit of weight over the last couple months. There was no way she was getting away from me again, though.

I watched silently, curious as to what she was doing to Max. If I saw the slightest hint of her harming him, I would step in, but the conversation with Rumple made me wonder if she had bargained to allow for him to escape with Cyndi if he provided a cure for his stasis.

My feelings were mixed over this. Just like they were on a lot of things lately.

Naomi continued muttering incantations as I watched and just when I was about to drool with boredom, she took a vial from her robe, uncorked it, and poured it in Max’s chamber.

I steeled myself to act, but made myself wait just a little longer. The blue-green of the potion swirled within Max’s chamber. The water began to roil and mix with Naomi’s magic until it completely engulfed it.

My breathing grew shallow. I hoped I wasn’t making a horrible decision in waiting. Green smoke filled the room, obscuring my vision of Naomi and the chamber.

I was paralyzed by indecision. On one hand, I in no way wanted to interfere in whatever magical mojo was currently flooding the room. On the other, I did not want to miss the chance to end Naomi once and for all. Merlin’s words floated black to me.

“Shit,” I whispered under my breath. Since when did the good guy ever struggle with killing the bad guys?

I was a terrible hero.

I sighed and pushed the door open as quietly as I could, hoping the roiling of the water and the general magical chaos would be enough to obscure the slight noise. I couldn’t see a damn thing, but tried to stay as close as I could to the wall. I stopped at what I thought was the corner of one of the shelves and waited for the smoke to clear.

The Sig was in my hand and down at my side, drawn and ready. I, on the other hand, was in my pajamas, cold as hell, and terrified about the next few minutes. I fastened the bracelet onto my left wrist, but was at a complete loss about how to activate it. If there was an incantation I was supposed to say, Maleficent had conveniently forgotten to tell me.

A cracking noise forced me out of my thoughts. I breathed through my nose, frozen in place. The sound of liquid pouring out alerted me to something happening, but the fog was still so thick, I couldn’t make head or tails out of anything. Liquid sloshed around my slippers and I couldn’t help but grimace. I didn’t want to know what was in it.

A wet plopping sound and Naomi’s shout had me moving away from the wall and into whatever fresh hell awaited me.