Chapter 29: Chapter 29 - has now been found
Recommended for mature audiences only. Some content is not suitable for young readers.
(Updated for errors & minor content – 19 Oct 2022)
Snow's hands shook as she held the note. Her eyes burned as she read the words over and over, and a deep cold pit formed in her soul.
Eric.
Argus had Eric.
This couldn't be real. How had it come to this?
Snow growled, ripping the parchment into pieces. I was all her fault for being too soft, for not executing Argus the way the law intended. Now her husband was going to pay with his life instead. "I'm such a fool," she exclaimed, letting the note fall to the floor in pieces. She held her head in her hands and didn't try to fight back her tears. "I should have killed him when I had the chance. Eric warned me. You all did."
Bane took her shaking hands in his own, pulling them gently away from her face. His hands were large and hard, covered in calluses, but they were soothing and surprisingly warm against her frozen, trembling fingers. "We all had a chance to kill him at one time or another. Dwellin' on the past willnae change anythin'. Let me take the soldiers, Yer Majesty. We'll leave immediately."
Snow swallowed the lump rising in her throat, but her mouth had gone dry. She let out a shaky breath, trying to think. She had to think.
Finally, she slowly shook her head. "No," her voice broke. "No soldiers. It said I have to go alone." She knew it was a trap, but what else was she supposed to do? She couldn't risk Eric's life.
"Ye will do no such thing," Bane said sternly. "It's too dangerous. I will go, an' I will bring him home. Eric an' I have spent months trainin' the new guards. We dinnae have to take orders from this mad man. Ye are the Queen of Tabor. Ye have any army; men that will fight for ye – men that want to fight for ye."
Snow shook her head again. "No, I can't risk it, Bane. If Argus sees soldiers coming, he'll kill Eric… I must go alone. Playing Argus's bluff isn't worth Eric's life."
Bane studied her. "If ye go alone, he will kill the both of ye," his voice was grave. "He'll torture ye. He wants power, an' he'll stop at nothin' to get it. Goin' there alone no' only puts both of ye in danger, but the kingdom as well."
His words nagged at her conscience, but what choice did she have? "I won't let that happen. I'll just have to kill him."
"Please, Yer Majesty-"
"Who else knows about this?" Snow kicked the parchment pieces on the floor.
Bane's shoulders sagged when he realised she wasn't going to relent. "Just the perimeter guards an' I. I came straight here after we found Eric's horse."
"Good. Tell no one else. I don't want the palace to appear vulnerable." Snow's mind was reeling, and a plan was starting to form. But a small whimper from the bed caught her attention. Her eyes fell on the sleeping babies and her heart sunk again. How could she leave her children? She was sure to be walking into a trap with Argus. If this all went wrong, her children would grow up without parents.
Snow forced the thought from her mind. No. She couldn't think about that. She refused to let that happen.
She turned back to Bane, blinking back tears. "Lock down the palace. Put every guard we have on watch. When I'm gone, alert William and tell him-" she faltered as her voice caught in her throat. "Tell him, if I should not return-"
"I'm comin' with ye," Bane growled. Before Snow could disagree, he spoke again, "I'm Captain of the Queen's Guard. It is my responsibility to keep ye safe. If ye command me to stay, I will no' disobey ye' – but I swore an oath to protect ye. Please dinnae make me break it."
Snow wiped the layer of sweat that had appeared on her forehead. She licked her lips, her mouth still dry and her mind racing. No matter what she decided, she was risking a lot.
Bane spoke again, still trying to convince her. "Ye dinnae know for sure how many men Argus has with him. He could have none, he could have a hundred. Either way, let me help ye," his eyes pleaded with her before adding, softly, "I cannae just sit by an' do nothin'. Eric is a brother to me."
The grim look on Bane's face made Snow pause. How selfish of her to think she was the only one worried for Eric? Bane wasn't just her Captain; he was Eric's closest friend and comrade.
It was dangerous, going against Argus' demands, but if Bane could stay out of sight… maybe… maybe they had a chance. At the very least, if something were to happen to Eric and herself, Bane could return to the palace and warn William.
Snow studied Bane and sighed into her hands. "All right," she exhaled. "We will go together. But when we get close you must stay well behind me. Argus must not know you're with me, under any circumstances. We'll scope the area and come up with a plan on the way."
Bane nodded, the relief evident on his face. "Aye, Yer Majesty."
"The full moon is three days away. How long will it take to get to the Ruins?"
"Two, if we leave soon."
Snow nodded. "Prepare three horses and give the orders to lock down the palace. I will inform William myself, and meet you at the gate."
Bane bowed, his hand gripping the pommel of his sword as it hung by his side, and rushed out of the chamber.
Snow went back to the bed and looked at her sleeping babies. She couldn't think about what would happen to them if Argus killed her. There could only be one outcome to this. Snow wouldn't let Argus win; there was too much at stake. He had already threatened her husband, and the thought of him getting to her children made her skin crawl.
Something flowed through her, strong and powerful, coursing through her veins. It was liberating, it made her feel strong, as though she could do anything – would do anything – for those two beautiful humans sleeping before her.
She had to kill Argus.
She could not fail.
She would not fail.
"Absolutely not!" William gaped at Snow.
He had been woken by a tremendous bang on his chamber door and staggered out of bed not knowing what to expect. It definitely wasn't this.
Snow stood before him, dressed in dark riding leathers and a long black cloak. Her face was grave as she told him what had happened and what she planned to do, but the words barely registered in his head. It was utterly ridiculous, and he shook his head, wondering if it was all a dream.
"You can't be serious? You're not going after that lunatic by yourself!"
"I didn't come here to ask your permission, William," Snow replied. "Bane will be with me, and my mind is already made up. Argus won't get away with this. I am going to find him, and when I do, I'm going to kill him."
William stared at the young Queen. He'd never seen her like this before, not even when they fought against Ravenna. That seemed like years ago. Now she was a mother and a wife, and much to his own disbelief, William pitied Argus… The fool didn't know what was coming for him.
"Just promise me, Will," Snow begged, squeezing his arm. "If I don't return… Thomas and Ivy… You must protect them! If we fail, he will come for them!"
"Of course," William said, squeezing her back. "You have my word, I will protect them with my life."
"You're a good man, William," Snow smiled. "This is your palace now… Protect it, and everyone inside it, until I return."
William bowed to her, his hand on his heart. "My Queen, I won't fail you."
And with a sharp nod, Snow spun on her heel and marched away, her long black cloak bellowing behind her.
William let out a shallow breath, still trying to work out why he'd let her go. It was a fool's mission, he knew, but something about the look in Snow's eyes… He pitted any man who would get in her way of finding Eric.
An hour after Snow had read Argus's note, she and Bane rode out of the palace gates. Eric's black stallion was tied to her own mare's saddle, and he trotted dutifully behind them. The night air was bitterly cold, even with her thick riding leathers and heavy cloak. Snow pulled on her riding gloves and tugged the hood of her cloak over her head.
She glanced back as the guards lowered the portcullis behind them. The palace was already in lock-down, and every soldier and guard under her command surrounded it. There was a soldier at every door and window, in every hallway, and lining the perimeter of her quarters where Mary and Greta both sat by her sleeping babies. Nobody could step a foot in or out of the palace until she returned with her husband, and nobody was getting anywhere near her children.
Snow could see William's outline standing in his window, watching her. He hadn't been happy about her plan, to say the least, but he had promised to look after her palace, and most of all her children. Greta and Mary would be there to watch over them as well. She trusted them, and it made riding out into the unknown just that little bit easier, knowing that her children would still be loved and cared for if she didn't return.
Her mare snickered, prompting a whinny from the other two horses, and Snow focused her attention back to the road. Bane nodded in encouragement, and with a heavy heart, they rode away from the palace.
They rode hard and fast, only stopping long enough to rest and water the horses.
The Old Ruins was to the south, along the treacherous coastline of Tabor. Snow remembered the ghost stories William would tell her when they were small children. Many, many centuries ago it used to be a great temple, standing tall and proud, overlooking the Southern Sea. It was home to the beautiful Priestesses of a long forgotten religion, but now all that remained was large crumbling stones, fallen archways and eroded pillars.
"Have you been to the Ruins before?" Snow asked Bane, her voice almost lost in the harsh wind. They had been riding for a day and night, and Snow could already smell the salt in the air. Another day and they would arrive. Another day and she would put an end to Argus.
Bane shook his head. He kept his horse close to hers as they rode, and the way his eyes were always alert reminded her of Eric. "I havnae stepped foot on the soil, but I've been close enough to see it an' run the other way. The wind…" he hesitated and his eyes narrowed as if he was remembering something horrible. "T'was like it was screamin'... Screamin' at me to leave."
Snow had long ago outgrown the stories that had once kept her awake at night, but even now, a shiver crawled down her spine as she recalled them. William would often talk about Amaria, one of the so-called ghosts that still lurked through the Ruins. When the temple had been ransacked almost five centuries ago by the pirates of the Southern Sea, each one of the Priestesses were slaughtered. Amaria, the High Priestess and the most beautiful and wise of all the women, was saved for last, and was forced to watch as her sisters were raped and butchered. Many people had since claimed to see her spirit roaming through the Ruins, seeking her vengeance on anyone brave enough to enter. It is said that you can still hear her screaming, that her cries and pleas for the mercy of her sisters became trapped within the ancient stone itself.
Snow shuddered. "Why would Argus take Eric there?"
Bane's mouth formed a hard line. "I dinnae know. I dinnae know why Argus does anythin'. He's… He's insane, senseless an' very unpredictable. All the makin's of a mad-man – A very dangerous one at that.
"I remember when we were wee children, Eric an' I would pretend we were soldiers, joustin' an' fightin' with wooden swords we'd carved out of a piece of firewood. Argus used to watch us play. We asked him to join us a few times, but he just scoffed an' complained about our wooden swords no' bein' dangerous enough. There was no thrill, he said.
"We thought nothin' of it, but one day he brought over somethin' to show us. T'was a real sword; one of the many that Eric's father made for the King's soldiers. I told him to take it back, that if he was caught with it, we'd all be in trouble. He just smiled, an' held it right to me neck." Bane's face tightened, and Snow held her breath, waiting for him to continue.
"The look in his eyes, it was sheer excitement," he murmured, almost to himself. "He wanted to do it, he wanted to slit my throat, an' he would have done it, if Eric hadnae knocked him to the ground. Argus got away though, takin' the sword with him.
"Over the next few weeks, me parents kept findin' dead pigs in the pens. Every so often one would show up with puncture wounds in its neck, gut, all over. Eric an' I were the only ones who thought to confront Argus, an' when we did, he just looked us dead in the eye an' said 'I like to watch the blood run outta them.' The problem wasnae that he'd killed them. T'was that he admitted it without hesitation, an' there wasn't one trace of remorse in his eyes."
Snow swallowed hard. "Did you ever tell anyone?"
"Nae," Bane shrugged. "Who would believe us? A ten-year-old child wouldnae do a thing like that."
Snow tried to hide her shiver. She remembered when she met Argus in the dungeon at Stonehill. The way he smiled – like he had absolutely no regrets - sent more shivers down her spine. How could someone so unstable raise an entire rebel army? "Do you think we're walking into a trap? How many men do you think he still has after the battle at Talin?"
Bane shrugged. "'Tis hard to say. He couldnae have taken Eric by himself unless he snuck up on him, an' that's very hard to do with Eric. He must have had help. As for a trap, well… We'll find out soon enough."
A day later, right before sunset, Snow's ears prickled as a sea breeze picked up and blew around her face. The sound of a woman's soft cry tickled her ear and she studied the landscape. Bane stiffened beside her. "Did you hear that?" she whispered to him.
"Aye," he nodded, his face suddenly pale. "We're close. We should walk the rest of the way. We willnae go far, just enough to scope the perimeter an' stay out of sight."
Snow nodded and dismounted. As soon as her feet touched the ground, a large gust of wind ripped at her cloak and she staggered backwards. It was deafening as the wind tore past her ears and a scream drifted towards her. It was carried by the wind, just as Bane had explained before, and Snow swallowed the lump in her throat. Every part of her wanted to run, her instincts screamed at her to turn around and run far, far away. She covered her ears and closed her eyes, wiling it to stop. I don't want to hurt you; I just want to save my husband.
Snow looked over at Bane as the wind died down to a soft breeze. He stared back at her, still pale. "We should wait until dark," he said, his voice husky. "We cannae risk bein' seen together."
Snow nodded and led her horse to follow Bane. The now-soft wind tickled her hair and brushed against her face.
Snow White.
Snow spun around and searched the rocky terrain for the source of the voice. There was nothing, just rocks and dirt and the sea. The breeze caressed her face again. Snow White, it whispered gently against her ear, as if there were someone standing right beside her. She looked over at Bane to see if he had heard it as well, but if he had, he didn't make it known. Snow swallowed her nerves and walked a little faster behind him.
After the sun had set and the moon was glowing brightly, Snow peered over the large boulders they had been hiding behind for the past few hours. She was waiting for Bane to return from a quick survey of the area before they dared get any closer to the Ruins. She spotted movement in the shadows and gripped her dagger tightly. Shrinking back behind the large rock, she prepared to defend herself when Bane emerged from the darkness and crouched beside her.
Snow let out a shaky breath. "What did you find?"
"There are four men no' far from here, facin' each direction, about a hundred feet from the Ruins. It looks like the three rebels that escaped with Argus. I couldnae get a real look at the eastern guard, but I think it's Mason."
Mason; the traitorous guard that had helped Argus and his men escape the night she'd visited them in the Stonehill dungeon. "And Eric?"
"No sign of him, or Argus. There seems to be an openin' in the middle of the Ruins. It looks like a stairwell, leadin' downwards. Argus may be keepin' him down there."
Snow squeezed the leather-bound handle of her blade. "I should be able to sneak by the men and get inside."
Bane shook his head. "I'll have to take out the men one by one. We cannae risk them capturin' ye, an' its four less men to worry about. We dinnae yet know if there are more down below with Argus."
"Fine," Snow whispered and stood, shrugging out of her cloak. Her riding leathers blended perfectly with the darkness. "I'll take the north and east; you take the other two. We'll meet at the stairwell."
Even in the darkness, Snow could see the uneasiness in Bane's eyes. "Maybe I should handle the men, Yer Majesty. Ye should wait here an' stay out of sight."
"I'm not going to sit here and hide while my husband is being held captive. It's my fault he's in there, and it's my responsibility to get him out. I know how to fight."
"I dinnae doubt ye could kill them, Yer Majesty, but that's just it... Argus an' his men deserve everythin' comin' to them, but can ye live with their blood on yer hands?"
Snow swallowed hard. Could she? She wasn't sure, but there was one thing she was certain of… She couldn't live if anything were to happen to Eric. She gripped her dagger tighter and pulled a second from its sheath by her side. "I'm going. Take the west and south."
Snow snuck out from behind the boulder before Bane could tug her back. She wasn't going to sit back and hide, and they were wasting precious time. She felt Bane follow her for a short while and then they parted, Bane veering to the right and Snow went straight ahead, keeping her eyes and ears peeled for the northern guard.
It was the Old Ruins she spotted first, and her breath caught in her throat at the magnificence of the old stone. Under the moonlight, the Ruins shined, as if the stone itself was glowing. The landscape was uneven and rocky, dipping low in some places and climbing high in others. It gave her an advantage though, and she could remain hidden from enemy eyes no matter how hard it was to navigate in the dark.
The rebel was exactly where Bane said he'd be, and Snow moved amongst the rocky terrain, hiding in the shadows as she moved. The guard was facing her direction, so she veered around him, deciding it best to sneak up on him. Her heart was beating loudly in her ears, and she was barely breathing as she crept closer and closer. She tried not to think of the life she was about to take. She tried to convince herself he had no family; nobody that loved him. She had to do it. She was doing this for Eric; for her husband; for the father of her children.
The rebel still hadn't spotted her, so she raised her daggers and waited until she was close enough to touch him before she struck. It needed to be quick and as quiet as possible. Her gloved hand went around his head just as he felt her presence, and with one swift movement, she slit his throat. Snow tried to ignore the sound his blood made as it spurted from his neck, or the low gurgle he made as he fell to his knees and then onto his stomach. She swallowed the bile rising in her throat and turned and ran, desperate to find the second rebel; Mason.
She found him to the east of the old stones, pacing back and forth along the outskirts of the Ruins, in between broken, crumbling marble pillars. Mason seemed more aware of his surroundings than the other rebel, so she doubted whether she should bother sneaking up on him. She needed the element of surprise for this kill. Snow watched him for a moment longer, wondering how she should approach. This man had betrayed her. He had betrayed the Kingdom he had sworn to protect and put her people's lives at risk when he freed Argus, and that made her blood boil. She wanted him to see her face when he died.
She studied her surroundings as best she could in the dark and saw a cluster of broken pillars and stones large enough to climb up on to. If she could climb it undetected, she could pounce on him from above.
Snow crept close enough to stay just out of his sight, then picked up a small rock and tossed in the opposite direction of the broken pillars. The sound caught Mason's attention and he went to investigate, giving Snow just enough time to scamper up the rock and marble and crouch down while she waited for him to return. He was only gone a minute, and as soon as he was in the right position, Snow flung herself over the ledge, right in front of the enormous man.
"Hello, Mason," she purred, and smiled slowly.
The man jumped backwards, startled, and drew his sword. Snow had expected that, so she gripped her daggers tightly and bent her knees, waiting for him to make the first move; waiting for him to get close enough for her to strike. It was what Eric had taught her to do when they first met.
She could see Mason's stunned face, even in the dark, but he lunged for her anyway. Snow deflected his sword as he crashed into her and they rolled in the dirt, one of her blades getting flung across the ground. Snow shoved him with all her might, using his weight to roll them both over. She was on him in an instant and managed to straddle him, embedding her remaining blade in his chest. "Traitor," she hissed at him, twisting the blade in further until his groans stopped and the life left his eyes.
Jumping off the man, Snow wiped her dagger on her shirt and bent to pick up the second. She tried her best to ignore the cold, wet feeling of the blood soaking though her gloves. She'd think about what she'd just done later. Instead, she ran off towards the Ruins to find her husband.
Bane arrived just as she did. "No problems?" he whispered as they crouched above the stairwell.
Snow shook her head and they peered down the dark tunnel. "What… What if he's…" She couldn't finish her sentence, but the fear was eating from the inside out. If Argus had already harmed him, or worse, she didn't know what she'd do. How could she live?
"It's goin' to be okay, Yer Majesty."
"You don't know that." Neither of them knew what was waiting down there, but she was wasting time just standing there. "I'm going down." Just as she began to move, Bane reached for her hand and stopped her.
"Please be careful."
Snow smiled at the large man. "Thank you for your help, Bane. I know how hard it is for you to let me do this. You are a good friend to Eric, and to me."
"Just dinnae make me regret this. If I think anythin' has gone bad, I'm comin' down whether ye-"
Snow squeezed his shoulder. "I need you to guard this entrance and stay out of sight. If something happens to Eric and I… do not hesitate; get back to the palace and to my children. You and William – you need to protect them."
"With me life," Bane nodded solemnly. "Ye have me word, Yer Majesty."
And with that, Snow took in a deep breath and stepped into the darkness.
Snow felt along the cold stone walls as she descended the dark, steep stairs. She could hear nothing but her own breathing echoing around her. She felt for each step with her foot and moved slowly, listening out for any sign of Argus and Eric.
She'd been descending for a good few minutes when she felt it. A breeze tickled her ears and she pressed her back into the wall. Snow White, it called.
Snow's breathing hitched and she glanced around the darkness. "Who's there?" she whispered. The wind picked up, rustling in her hair. Where was it coming from? She swallowed and steadied her breathing. "Amaria?"
She felt ridiculous for even saying the Priestess' name out loud, but she swore the breeze stopped dead in its tracks. Snow stayed pinned to the wall, scanning the darkness, gathering enough nerves to move on. This was absurd. There was no such thing as ghosts. Especially five hundred-year-old spirits of murdered priestesses.
Snow had barely pushed herself off the wall when a burst of light made her jump. It took everything in her not to scream as a torch erupted on the wall beside her. It lit up the passageway with its bright flames and Snow blinked as her eyes adjusted to the glow.
Another breeze trickled past and the flames flickered. Come, it seemed to beckon. Snow held her breath and looked around for any sign of movement, but found none. The breeze tugged at her clothing as if it were trying to pull her further down the stairwell. She took another deep breath. Eric. This was about Eric. She couldn't let ghost stories get to her.
With a shaky hand, Snow pulled the torch from its holder and followed the phantom breeze.
Snow hadn't been walking for long when she came to a stop. The staircase had finally ended and before her was two hallways, both leading in opposite directions. What was she supposed to do now? She waved the torch in each direction and listened, trying to decide which way she should go first. She'd just made up her mind to go right when another gust of wind knocked into her and pushed her backwards… as if blocking her way into the tunnel she'd chosen. The breeze tugged on her clothes and beckoned her in the direction of the opposite tunnel. She let out a shaky breath, wondering if she was truly going insane. She swallowed. "Left it is then."
A short time later, she reached the end of the hallway, which was blocked by a large wooden door. Snow pressed her ear against it, trying to hear for anything that would give Argus and Eric away. She heard nothing. Getting down onto her knees, she peered through the small gap under the door. She couldn't see much, but she knew what lay beyond was a small room, and there was light from several torches flickering against the stone floor. Snow stood up and placed her hand against the copper bolt, sliding it across very slowly. It clicked open and she pushed open the door, not prepared at all for what she found on the other side…
The small room was bare, except for a chair and table covered with blades and chains, but it was the sharp tang of blood that caught her attention first. The rusty, sweet smell filled her lungs as she exclaimed.
Eric was kneeling in what looked like a puddle of blood and his arms were strung up by chains. Dried blood trickled down his naked torso from several large cuts spread over his chest. They were red and inflamed, already badly infected. Dark bruises the size of her hand laced his ribs, and his messy, blood-stained hair covered his face as his head drooped to one side.
Snow's heart stopped. "Eric," she called softly. She ran over to him, dropping to her knees, the blood on the floor soaking through her breeches. She cupped his head in her shaking hands. "Eric!"
He shifted slightly and his brow furrowed. "Snow?" he breathed, barely a whisper. He lifted his head just enough to glance at her. "Go."
"No," Snow whispered. "Not without you." She ignored the icy chill in the pit of her stomach and assessed the chains and cuffs holding up his arms. They had been locked with some sort of key. Snow stood and frantically searched the room, ruffling through the contents of the table.
"Snow," Eric called again, his voice weak. "Please. Go." Eric swayed where he knelt, and his head sagged again.
Ignoring his pleas, Snow scattered things over the table, looked under the chair and table, around the door and on the floor, but nothing. She hadn't found anything that resembled a key. Growling through clenched teeth, her eyes fell on a water goblet, still sitting undisturbed on the table. She peered inside and exclaimed at her luck. She tipped out the water, and a key clanged onto the floor.
With it, she hurried back over to Eric and unlocked the chains. As soon as his arms were free, Eric slumped to the floor and Snow dropped to her knees with him. Her grip on him faltered as the blood on his torso made it hard for her hands to hold him. "Eric, get up!" she pleaded desperately. His eyes opened again at the sound of her voice, but he was exhausted, and close to unconsciousness.
"Well then," the raspy voice sent a chill through Snow, and she jumped to her feet. "The Queen has finally arrived to save her prince."
Argus stood in the doorway, surveying them with a feral smile. Snow's blood turned cold as her eyes fell to the loaded crossbow in his hands. "You bastard," she spat at him, trying to mask her fear. "What did you do to him?"
Argus laughed softy and stepped into the room, closing the door behind him. Snow stepped backwards, putting herself between Argus and Eric. "We've only just begun," Argus said, too calmly. "I'm sorry it's come to this, but it was the only way you would give me what I want."
Snow's back stiffened, "And that is?"
"Your Kingdom."
Snow clenched her jaw. "This isn't just about my kingdom. You want revenge. For Sara."
Argus's smile faded. "Oh, I'll get my revenge. Eric will pay for taking her from me, mark my words. But first," he stepped closer, and Snow unsheathed both of her daggers. "You and I need to have a little talk."
Snow braced herself, her fingers tightening around her blades. "Don't you dare come any closer."
"You were so eager to meet me all those months ago," he laughed, a low guttural sound. "If only you'd had the stomach to kill me then, when you had the chance. You let me slip right through your pretty little fingers."
She remembered all too well. Snow could still remember his cold hands gliding over her stomach while she slept, completely unaware that Argus had escaped and snuck right into her rooms after she had visited him in William's dungeons.
A slow smile spread across his horrid face, and as if he could read her thoughts, his eyes dropped to her stomach. "How are the wee babes? People all over the kingdom are talking about the new Prince and Princess." Argus reached out a finger and flicked the tip of the arrow in his crossbow. "I can't wait to meet them."
Snow tensed, carnal rage coursing through her. "You'll never set your dirty hands on them," she hissed at him.
Argus chuckled again and sat on the wooden chair by the table. The crossbow rested on his knee, still aimed at her and Eric. "Enough chit-chat. Let's get to it, shall we? Drop your weapons, or I'll kill Eric before you can even blink."
Snow scowled at him. She tried to assess the situation, but she was out of options. She could try hurling a dagger at him, but she couldn't guarantee it would get to him before he could pull the trigger on the crossbow. Clenching her teeth, Snow dropped her daggers to the ground.
"Kick them away," Argus said calmly.
Snow did what he asked. "You'll never get away with this."
"Oh but I will, darling. Because if you don't sign over your Kingdom to me, I promise you, your husband will suffer a death so slow and painful that he'll be begging me to kill him." He pulled a piece of parchment from his vest and placed it on the table. "Sign this, and I promise to give him a quick death."
Snow swallowed the lump in her throat. She could sense Eric behind her, still on the cold floor, unmoving and barely breathing. Swallowing again, she calmed herself, and tried to think. She needed to get him out of here, and fast. She could feel her third and last blade pressed close against her back, where it was concealed in the band of her breeches. If she could just distract Argus long enough, she could kill him. She knew she could. "What makes you think that piece of parchment will be enough to take control of an entire Kingdom? There are laws against these things. No one will acknowledge it."
Argus shifted in his seat, moving the crossbow to his other knee. "You'll be surprised what people will believe. Especially when they have an entire army… persuading… them."
A small laugh escaped her. "You have no army; my husband and my soldiers took care of that. You have but four men guarding these ruins." Snow smiled sweetly. "Well… had."
Argus shrugged, but Snow could see a flicker of… something… in his eyes. They were calculating, and she could almost see his mind ticking, trying to think of something to say. He wasn't prepared, she realised. He was desperate.
Snow remembered watching Eric fight with the young soldier in the courtyard barely a week ago. The boy had been too brave, too desperate to win, and he'd left himself vulnerable and careless. Argus was doing the same now. He had no army, no way of winning, but he was too far in to back out now.
"One thing at a time, dear," he said, too carefully. "Now," he pushed the parchment across the table. "Your husband's fate rests in your hands. What will it be?"
"What happens after I sign it?" Snow already knew the answer, but she asked anyway. "You're going to kill me?"
"Of course. Like you said, this isn't just about the Kingdom. Once you're dead, Eric will finally know the pain he caused me, all those years ago."
"I'm not signing anything until you put down that crossbow." Snow took a step forward, closer to Argus. He needed her alive if he wanted her to sign away her Kingdom, ridiculous as his plan was.
Argus laughed once, "Nice try." He raised the weapon, pointed straight at her.
Snow took another step. It was dangerous, but if she could knock the crossbow away and get her blade out quick enough, maybe… just maybe she'd have a chance.
She raised her hand, making to pick up the quill. Her heart was beating frantically, but she willed her face not to give anything away. Both of their lives depended on it. "My children," she feigned her tears. Let him think he's winning. Let him think you've given up. "What will become of them?"
"I haven't decided yet." Argus stood, pointing the crossbow at her heart. "I might slaughter them; I might lock them in the tower. One thing's for certain; you'll never see them again. Now sign!"
Snow's heart slammed in her chest. Over her dead body. She went to lower the quill to the parchment, but flung her arm out quickly, knocking the crossbow to the side and kicked Argus with all her might, sending him flying backwards. The movement made him fire, and the arrow darted out and flew towards her. Snow had already flung herself to the ground as the arrow ricocheted off the wall behind her. Her dagger was in her hand before she even touched the ground.
With no time to load another arrow, Argus threw the crossbow to the floor and lunged at her. Snow was already prepared and rolled out the way as he plummeted towards her. He hit the ground with a heavy thud and Snow got to her feet, her dagger ready to make its strike.
Snow wasn't prepared when Argus kicked her legs out from under her and sent her crashing to the floor. Her elbow cracked on the hard stone floor but she recovered quickly and began to crawl, scuffling along the ground towards her blades, all three of them now on the floor. She'd almost reached one when Argus grabbed hold of her ankles and pulled her backwards. Her fingers dug into the floor and her fingernails cracked as she tried get away. She kicked at him but Argus hauled Snow to her feet and shoved her against the stone wall. It knocked the breath out of her and she gasped for air as he pinned her by the neck against the cold stone. She clawed at his hands and arms, trying desperately to break free.
"You," he seethed, "are a naughty girl." Spit sprayed on Snow's face as he growled.
His hands tightened and Snow dug her nails into his hands, but he didn't even flinch. Thinking quickly, Snow yanked her knee up, and it connected with his stomach. It wasn't enough to get away, but his grip on her neck loosened and she used all her weight to drop straight to the floor and out of his grasp. Once again, and to Snow's dismay, Argus was too quick. He grabbed her by the ankles and rolled her over, pinning her down with his body as his grubby hands found her throat again. She reached out for her dagger. It was so close, barely a fingertip away from her hand.
She felt herself begin to lose consciousness. She was going to die.
She didn't know what to think when Argus groaned and loosened his grip on her throat. He slumped over her as she gasped for air and her head spun wildly as oxygen returned to her brain. He was dead? But how? She exclaimed when Argus's limp body was hauled off her, and her eyes fell on her rescuer.
"Snow.."
She wasn't sure how it had happened, but Eric was looking down at her, one of her daggers in his hand. He was wincing in pain with each movement, but he managed to pull her to her feet. She flung her arms around him. He'd saved her. "Eric," she cried, and kissed him all over his face, his neck, his dry and cracked mouth. "Are you alright?" She choked out.
"Aye, I'll live," he said huskily. "Ye shouldnae 'ave come here."
She wasn't sure whether to laugh or cry. "Of course I came for you," she whispered breathlessly. "You're mine."
Eric's eyes tightened, and he swayed on his feet. He was deathly pale. She had to get him out of here. "Bane is waiting for us outside." Snow put Eric's arm around her neck to keep him steady, and they made for the door.
"Wait," Snow said suddenly, halting in the doorway and letting Eric lean against the wall. He still held one of her daggers, but the other two were sitting in the corner of the room. Snow went back inside, stepped over Argus's motionless body and picked them up, only to be tripped up by a firm grip on her ankle. She hit the floor hard and felt her knees and wrists scream in pain.
She turned to see Argus's outstretched hand on her ankle and before she could kick him away, he was already lunging at her.
She heard Eric yell in the doorway but without thinking, she thrust her dagger upwards, straight into Argus's throat. She hadn't meant to stab him there, it just happened to be where her dagger connected. As she removed the blade, blood spurted out, drenching her. The warm fluid ran down her neck, into her ears, hair and mouth. She stared up at Argus as he bled to death above her, and she didn't move her eyes from his until they were lifeless.
Eric once again pulled Argus's body off Snow and she got to her feet, spitting his blood on the ground. Eric's arms went around her, and she trembled. "Are ye alright?" He took her face in his hands.
All she could do was nod, and try to comprehend what had just happened. She looked at Argus as she tried to catch her breath, a pool of dark blood forming around him. She grabbed Eric's hand and breathed, trying to collect herself. "Lets go home," she finally said.
They met Bane in the stairwell on their way back up to the surface. "What happened?" He asked, a bit breathless. The relief on his face was evident when he saw them both.
"Argus is dead," Snow panted as she tried to support her husband's weight. "Eric is wounded."
Bane hooked Eric's arm around his neck, taking the pressure off Snow. She thanked him and caught her breath, leading the way with the torch.
"What did he do to ye?" Bane growled at Eric as they hobbled along behind Snow.
"Beat me, cut me, whipped me," Eric groaned and stilled, taking some of the pressure off his left leg. "I think he broke a few of me ribs. But nothin' I havnae endured before. I'll live."
Snow gritted her teeth and forced her legs forwards, focusing on the stairs in front of her. She stayed quiet, even though her mind was still racing. She raised her trembling, blood-stained hands and stared at them. She'd killed Argus. She'd killed his men like they were nothing, and she wasn't sure how she felt about it yet. She didn't have the capacity to think about it yet.
She wanted to slap and kiss Eric all at the same time, for getting himself captured and then for not dying on her, but she pushed her feelings aside and shook the tears from her face. She couldn't feel right now, there wasn't time. It wasn't over yet, and if she let herself feel, she'd crumble. Eric's wounds were infected, and although she would do what she could for him on the road, they had to get him home before fever set in.
When all three of them emerged from the stairwell, the moon was still glowing brightly above the Ruins. Snow climbed onto her horse, and with a little help from Bane, Eric managed to climbed onto his. The horses snicked and started in the direction of the Palace, but Snow turned around one last time and stared at the Old Ruins of Tabor. She would be glad if she never laid eyes on it again, but something about it saddened her. There had been so much death here, so much bloodshed.
It was then that her breath caught in her throat as her eyes fell on a figure, standing alone on one of the fallen pillars of the Ruins. It was a woman, dressed in a white draping gown that seemed to absorb the moonlight. Even her bronze skin seemed luminous. Golden bangles adorned her wrists and arms, and intricate golden pendants hung around her neck. A chill crept down Snow's spine.
Amaria.
The priestess smiled, and Snow could have sworn the ancient woman bowed her head; so softly it was barely noticeable. Snow smiled back, lowering her own head in thanks and respect.
Over the next two days, Snow managed to clean up Eric's wounds as best she could. She'd discovered his dislocated shoulder a half day's ride into their journey home. She had no idea how she hadn't noticed it before, and if she hadn't been riding behind him and noticed how it protruded, Eric never would have said anything. Apart from a few grunts and groans, he hadn't complained about his injuries at all. It wasn't until she made him sit still so she could put his shoulder back in place, that he cursed and growled in agony. Her heart wanted to break for him, but she was holding firm on her promise not to feel until they got back safe to the palace. Still, she could feel herself going into shock, and twice she had to excuse herself to retch into a bush.
By the time they arrived at the palace, Eric's cuts looked less raw, but his bruises had started to fully reveal themselves. Miraculously, he had managed to avoid any sign of fever.
They had hardly spoken since they left the Ruins, and Snow knew Eric was still mad at her for coming to his rescue; for putting her life in danger to save his. The tension was thick in the air, but Snow ignored it, still pushing her feelings aside. She could feel when they were home, she reminded herself. When she had her babies back in her arms, when they were all truly together again.
William and Mary were already waiting for them outside the stables, having seen them on the road from the palace towers. Just as Snow expected, Mary was a nervous wreck, and was fussing over them before they had even dismounted.
"Just look at the three of you!" She huffed as Snow hugged her. "You look like you haven't slept in days!"
"What happened?" William's eyes were wide as they surveyed Snow. She must have looked a right mess; her skin stained red and her clothes caked in dried blood. "Is Argus alive?"
Snow's mouth formed a hard line, and she shook her head.
Eric slid off the horse with a grunt, clutching his ribs. "Hello to ye too, William."
"No' now, Will," Bane said. "We'll talk abou' it later. After we've all had a bath, a decent meal and a good rest."
"I've already got the servants drawing you all baths," Mary clucked. "They should be finished by the time you get upstairs. I'll have the kitchens prepare you something to eat and bring it to you as soon as possible." The old maid looked over Eric and pursed her lips. "Shall I send up a physician for His Highness?"
"No," Eric grumbled as Bane supported him. "I'm fine."
"He needs ointment for his wounds, and clean bandages," Snow intervened. "We can't do much about the broken ribs, but some willow-bark tea will help ease the pain."
Mary nodded, "Of course, Your Majesty."
"Thomas and Ivy?" Snow inquired, and she didn't need to say more.
Mary nodded again. "The babes are fine, Your Majesty. They were starting to stir a little, so Greta took them to the kitchens. The ladies love fussing over them. I'll have Greta bring them up straight away."
Snow pushed open the door to her rooms, Eric hot on her heels despite his wounds.
"Snow," he called to her, closing the door gently behind them.
"Don't," she held up her hand, heading for the washroom.
Snow had promised herself she'd wait until they were home to feel, but now that she was here, she wasn't so sure it was a good idea. Feeling meant anger, and yelling and crying and kissing. She didn't want any of it; not yet… She was too exhausted.
Eric followed her, she could sense him behind her, but she didn't care. She peeled of her clothes as she walked, dropping each filthy layer on the floor as she went. The sight of the steaming bath was glorious, and it called out to her cold, blood-soaked skin.
"We need to talk abou' what happened," Eric said as she stepped into the water.
Snow sighed and closed her eyes as she sunk down into the water. "No. We don't."
Eric didn't reply, but she knew he was still there, watching her as she tried to ignore him. When he made no move to leave, she opened her eyes. He was trying – and failing – to remove the fabric she'd used to support his wounded shoulder, and he was still favoring his left leg. He looked so tired, covered in cuts and welts and bruises, and her heart ached for him.
"I'm sorry," she said softly, looking down at the water, "but I can't go there again. I can't relive what I did to those men just yet… and I'm trying so hard to get that image of you out of my head. When I opened that door, and saw you there, I thought-" Her voice broke, and she rubbed her face, trying her best to keep the tears at bay. "I thought I was too late…" The water on her hands softened the dried blood on her face, turning her hands pink.
"I thought I was dreamin'," Eric said, finally getting the makeshift sling off. "I didnae want to believe ye would be so reckless, so I convinced me'self I was dreamin' of ye. But when I heard ye scream, and I saw him with his hands around yer throat…" His face scrunched up in pain, but Snow knew it wasn't from his wounds this time. "Why? Why would ye put yerself at risk like that?"
"Why?" Snow stood up so fast that water splashed over the side of the large bath. She frowned at Eric in disbelief. "Why would I risk my life to save you?" She tried to contain her anger, but two days of built-up emotion decided to explode from her in that very moment. "You could at least pretend to be grateful!" She supposed they were going to talk about this after all.
"Grateful for what?" Eric growled back. "Grateful ye almost got yerself killed? Grateful ye almost left our children without parents?"
Snow stilled. "You asshole! You have no idea what that was like for me. Leaving them was the hardest thing I've ever done! But finding out he'd taken you… it was like a knife to my heart. Don't you dare judge me when all I did was love you." She drew in a shaking breath, and she realized she had tears pouring down her cheeks. She wiped them away quickly, but the floodgates had already opened, and her feelings returned like a crushing wave.
"I'm sorry," Eric's eyes softened, "but yer life is more valuable than my own. Ye may be my wife, but ye're also a queen, and before any of that, ye're a mother. I willnae let our children grow up without ye. The world, and everyone in it, is much better off simply because ye're breathin'."
Snow took a deep breath, trying to contain her rage. She was done with this. She was done with him thinking so little of himself, that he wasn't worth saving. "I breathe because of you, Eric." She put her hands over her chest. "My heart beats because of you. Nobody on this earth loves you more than I do, and thinking your own life is worth nothing is the biggest insult you could ever give me, Eric, because you are my life, and I'll be damned if I don't fight for you, just the same as I will fight for my children, and my kingdom."
There was a brief moment when all Snow could hear was the thrumming of her heart beating in her ears, but before she could say another word, Eric was there, stepping into the bath with his boots and breeches still on. He pulled her against him, despite his broken ribs and wounded shoulder. "I love ye," he said, kissing her hair, her forehead, her cheeks.
Snow pulled his mouth to hers but she didn't kiss him, instead she whispered against his lips, "Don't ever degrade my love for you by thinking you don't deserve it."
Eric studied her, his eyes stern as they searched her own. A small smile tugged on the corner of his mouth. When had she become this woman? She wasn't that scared little girl he'd saved in the Dark Forest anymore… but, he'd known that for a long time. She was strong and beautiful, and more than he ever expected… and she was his. All his. "Ye're magnificent," he breathed, holding her close.
"You're mine," she replied, and kissed him ferociously.
…
