A short oneshot I was inspired to write after watching Snow White and the Huntsman (again).
A Promise Broken
He had been enchanted by her almost ethereal beauty ever since he had first lain eyes on her trapped and dirty figure within that caravan. Hers was a cold beauty, one that showed the state of ice in which one could find her heart. Harsh as the winter's cold that had taken his Eleanor only recently.
He should have known.
He had met many women when he had been searching for his Eleanor. Many had attempted to use trickery to gain his favour and what they hoped would be marriage afterwards. Beauty such as Ravenna's was not of this world. She was not of this world.
Her entire speech had been a grave warning, each word dictating the utter contempt she felt towards men in general. She had spoken with such a lazy contempt, seemingly bred from years of unadulterated hatred allowed to fester. Her each word had been soaked in a poison of her own creation, entrapping what must have been many kings before him. He had not taken the hint, too engrossed by her magnificent beauty. Even now, as her surprisingly strong hands clenched him painfully almost paralyzing where they remained, he could not remember much of what she had spoken. Her words had seemed useless and insignificant at the time, now carried more meaning than he had anticipated.
He apologized, not entirely understanding why. It simply seemed like something that would somehow have a slight chance of saving his life. He was desperate to live, to survive the wrath of the woman he had married that very morning.
The strength of the grip of Ravenna's hands soon had him gasping for breath, each rise and fall of his chest more painful than the last. He barely felt it when she turned them over, her clothing moving around her with a strange ease, only thankful for the sudden ability to breathe.
The sound of a blade being drawn caught his attention quickly; the deadly gleam in Ravenna's eye told him everything he needed to know. His life would end soon, that much was certain. He had been foolish, so very foolish. He had fallen for Ravenna's beauty, a mistake that would cost him everything.
A single quick movement and the dagger had buried itself into his chest. It had only been a single sharp pain, drawing crimson blood that was so much like Snow's cheeks often got when she was excited.
Snow! What would Ravenna do to his darling child? Ravenna wished for the throne and Snow stood directly in line to inherit the throne. He had endangered his daughter in his own stupidity. Sweet, innocent Snow could be killed that very night, nothing would stop Ravenna if she so desired to kill Snow. He had left his only child to face the witch he had married on her own.
Dully, he felt his arm hit something that fell to the floor with a clatter. His vision was darkening at a rapid pace but he could only think of Snow and how he had fallen for such trickery. He had promised Eleanor to keep their daughter safe from all harm. He had failed.
I'm sorry, Snow…