Chapter 9

Mortal

Vanessa sat quietly as the carriage pulled into the kingdom of Ventura. She could not recall a time when she questioned her best friend's motives more than this moment. She understood Myrtle meant a great deal to Aria, but riding into the kingdom of the Evil Queen just seemed straight up dangerous. Derek, unlike Vanessa, was not so silent on his concerns.

"You really don't think Kendal will be willing to help because I think it's a lot safer than where we are now," Derek pointed out.

"You heard what Adora said. Kendal officially declared allegiance with this Ice Queen," Aria reminded him, bitterly. "She won't help undo her magic."

"Does that mean this is it?" Vanessa wondered aloud. "We've lost her?"

Her best friend looked at her and consoled, "Nothing's final let. Maybe if we can convince Sahrissa to help us save Myrtle, we can also get her to put a stop to this war."

"Okay, I'm confused," Derek blurted out, scratching his head. "I thought Sahrissa was the enemy. I mean, last semester she was. Who's the enemy now, Kendal?"

While Vanessa's heart dropped, Aria shook her head firmly and answered, "No, the Ice Queen is the dangerous one. She clearly does not care who she harms on the way to getting to Sahrissa and we don't even know why she wants her in the first place."

Vanessa peered out the window as the carriage neared the palace. "Whatever the reason, I think Sahrissa is ready for her."

Once the carriage came to a stop, the three got out and saw that the entire gated castle was surrounded by lit torches, peeking from the top of the gate. The set of guards that stood by the entrance were carrying torches as well.

Aria walked up the guard closest to the door and took in a breath before saying, "I, Princess Aria of Galatia, am a friend to the Princess Snow White. May I speak with her or her stepmother, the Queen?"

The guards looked at one another before one opened the gate for the other to go inside. Moments later, he returned with Princess Snow White. The young princess rushed over to Aria and embraced her.

"Oh Aria, it's so good to see you," Snow White said. "It's so awful with this war going on. What brings you here? Will Galatia side with us or Bellaire?"

Vanessa had no idea which side Galatia would choose and based on the look on her best friend's face, she did not either.

"Galatia remains neutral as of now," Aria finally said, "though since the Ice Queen did freeze our lands, I doubt my people see her as a friend."

Snow White opened her mouth to say something else but before she could, her stepmother called from the open gate, "Snow White! Come here this instant!"

Obediently, Snow picked up her dress and pranced over to Sahrissa.

The Queen stroked her stepdaughter's head and said, calmly, "Snow, remember what I said about leaving the castle gates? You need to stay inside for your own safety."

"I was just talking to Aria," Snow protested. "After all, Galatia still hasn't picked a side so I thought maybe she could help…"

"I will speak with her," Sahrissa said, firmly. "Right now, I need you to go straight to your chambers."

Snow White nodded and waved goodbye to Aria before returning inside. Sahrissa then ordered her men behind her, "I want two guards with torches standing right outside her chambers at all times and two more outside her window."

Once they went in to follow their orders, Sahrissa stepped outside to speak with Aria. As she approached the princess, she gave a nervous glance to her surroundings. Vanessa imagined she did not leave the castle so often anymore.

"So Princess Aria," she began, "What brings you to my kingdom?"

"I want to make a deal," Aria answered, getting straight to the point. "I need to find a way to save Myrtle and clearly your kingdom needs help so perhaps if you help me I can have Galatia…"

"Your offer is gracious young Princess but there is nothing I can do for Myrtle," Sahrissa responded in a doleful sigh.

"Have you even tried?" Aria demanded.

Sahrissa shook her head. "You don't understand. The Ice Queen's magic is too strong and it only gets stronger. There is nothing we can do to fight against her or we would have by now. There is also no undoing of her magic."

Aria stepped forward and insisted. "There has to be something we can do. What's your plan, just to hide from her for the rest of your life?"

Sahrissa looked stumped for a moment. Clearly, she had not thought of this. Her face, however, whitened more as she gazed past Aria and her friends.

Vanessa heard cries and wails from the people in the kingdom as she turned her head and saw the cold woman in the flesh emerging towards them.

Sahrissa motioned her hands towards the gates and insisted in a panic, "Get inside now before she gets you too!"

Aria started in and Vanessa followed.

"Guards, torches," Sahrissa hollowed and dozens of guards emerged armed with fire. The Ice Queen struck but the flames challenged her aim. The fire surrounding the gates appeared to double their size.

Vanessa and Aria both ran inside the gate and turned around to see Derek was not behind them. He had slipped right in front of the gate on a patch of ice.

"I'm going to go make sure he gets in," Aria declared, darting back out. "Wait here."

Vanessa ran up towards the gate and watched as Aria helped Derek to his feet. Behind them, the Ice Queen raised her hand to strike. Aria turned her head and saw her. The moment the ice shot from her fingers, Aria shoved Derek forward inside the gate. The ice, however hit her in the back.

"Aria!" Vanessa rushed outside to her best friend's side. Derek took the other.

Aria tried to say something but the freezing went to fast. The next thing Vanessa knew, her best friend was stone cold, unable to move.