AN: See chapter 1 for story notes and summaries.

Ships: Snowing, Rumbelle, Swan Believer, eventual Swanfire, and a delightful Golden Mad Charming BroT3. :)

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Please consider leaving a review if you're reading. It is very much appreciated!

I was asked to give a rough estimate of exactly what month/year it is, like I do with Finding You Always. So since it's estimated that the curse was broken in late February 2012 and it's been a few weeks since, it is now early April 2012

Special note:

Here are the main face claims I have chosen for the Gods/original characters. See previous chapters for more face claims with the Gods:

Gal Gadot as Persephone

Robert Downey Jr. as Hades

Ernie Hudson as Poseidon

Vincent Irizarry as Deimos

Maggie Smith as Hecate

Ben Affleck as Prince Eli

Drew Barrymore as former Queen Serafina

Thanks for awesome the reviews. Again, please consider leaving feedback. It is very much appreciated and reviews have dropped a bit lately. I love writing this story, but a lot of hard work in my free time goes into getting weekly chapters up, so reviews are really gratifying. :)

Here are individual responses:

Naomi Blue: Yep, Leopold is the sleaze of sleazy town. Yep, Ravenna is the worst step-mother ever and there's a twist with her in this chapter. I still love Hades and Persephone. And Eli is very good with Snow too. He's just in a tough spot, but he clearly loves her. That becomes even more evident in this chapter. :)

Grace5231973: Yep, they're the worst. They want to kill a child. They're all the worst. At least Eli has been clued in to Ravenna and Leopold. Ha, yeah if Cora thinks you're scum, then you know you're lower than pond scum. Yeah, he still has a soft spot for children and he's doing all he's doing to get back to his child. Cora is very short-sighted and Rumple is having serious doubts about Zelena. Glad you're enjoying. :)

BooksinmyDreams: Thanks! Glad you're enjoying!

Jennifer Baratta: Thanks! Yep, there's a great deal of trouble ahead.

Number Ten: Well, for starters in season 5, when he couldn't get her attention, he jumped off a roof. In a relationship, that it is textbook abuse. It's fact. Open any Psych 101 book and trying to harm yourself to get your partner's attention is abuse. It's practically ripped right from the book. And the fact that some fans saw it as romantic annoyed me more than anything, because they'll likely fall into abusive relationships, because they think that's what love looks like. It's just not. Look, it's fine if you like CS. But Snowing fans have been embattled with this for years now. Snowing is a prop to CS and only useful when they're supporting CS. Add to that, we have to deal with these fans trying to compare CS to Snowing. Like don't...just don't. And if you need more examples, he tried to kill everyone. Neal would have been orphaned when he sent Snowing to the Underworld. I was done right then. And yes, he was the Dark One at that time, but I don't excuse Rumple's actions for being the "Dark One", so you can bet Hook doesn't get a pass either. There's many other irksome things about their relationship, but above was the major bullet points. I like Hook and I like Emma. I like Hook in the gray area though better than Hook as a "hero", because they just didn't sell it. Until season 7. They gave him a real redemption as Rogers. I like both characters, but I think they are better separate. Together, they're toxic. Now, that's my opinion, except the aforementioned little suicide thing. Because that is abuse.

As for Deimos and Leopold, yes, they both deserve to return to the Underworld in a very painful way. I feel bad for Eli too and I have to say, the pressure on him gets amped up in this chapter in a big way. Lol, I'll try on the Daniel front, but I'm not sure there's a way to write that without it being painful. As for Snow's age, it's been stated that Snowing is the same age as her parents. I don't remember if it is literally stated in the beginning that Snow is 28, but I know from a fandom standpoint, it is clear that Snow was 28 at the time the curse was cast. I believe it is either stated somewhere in the beginning or by A&E. Either way, it's mostly canon that Snowing is 28 when the curse was cast. :)

Guest: Yes, I agree. Leopold needs to get pushed off a cliff or something painful should happen to him. Ravenna is awful, but there is a bit of a karmic twist with her in this chapter. Yep, Rumple has a conscience, especially when it comes to kids. :)

TheInferno1536: It was meant to all be 29 years before the dark curse. That first scene had a typo. Mistakes happen. It's fixed now. Thanks

Dreaming Out Loud

Chapter 95: Beyond the Rainbow

The Enchanted Forest

19 Years Before the Dark Curse

Regina smiled, as her lips parted from Daniel's. She had sneaked away from another ball and knew her mother would hardly notice. She hated balls and would have done anything to spend a few extra moments with her secret boyfriend. If her mother knew about her involvement with the stable boy, she would be furious. Only her caretaker, Sir Henry knew and he had no trouble keeping their secret. He actually seemed happy for her, but then that was nothing new either. From the time she was just a baby, Sir Henry had been her caretaker and she loved him like a father. Her own father had never paid her much attention. She wasn't sure how she felt about that, but she knew Leopold wasn't a very good man. He was cold and aloof, while her mother could also be cold and cruel. Henry had always given her that warmth and parental love she craved. He had shown it to Zelena as well, but her older sister usually rebuked any kind of affection.

Zelena had a wicked streak and Regina had been on the receiving end of one of her tantrums or tirades one too many times. Despite problems with her mother and sister, Regina had a good life, but she longed to leave palace life behind to run off with Daniel, for she knew they would never be allowed to marry within the Kingdom.

"Come on...let's sneak off to go riding," Regina said, as they mounted their horses and slowly pranced into the meadow nearby. That's when they saw a Unicorn in the distance, despite it being dark.

"That's a Unicorn," he said, with interest.

"Come on...let's see if we can get closer," Regina replied, as they cautiously went closer.

While the ball was going on that evening, Demeter watched fondly, as her granddaughter rode her Unicorn in the nearby meadow, near the palace stables.

"Way better than some stuffy ball, huh snowdrop?" Artemis mentioned, as she walked beside her niece.

"Uh huh...but I'm worried," Snow replied.

"About what sweetheart?" Demeter asked.

"Daddy always seems sad...and Ravenna is really mean to him too. I want Daddy to be happy," she replied. Demeter and Artemis exchanged a glance.

"Oh snowdrop...those are adult problems that you're too young to understand," Demeter said.

"We can't shelter her forever," Artemis muttered. Demeter sighed.

"Sweetheart...sometimes people that are married aren't always happy or in love," the elder Goddess explained.

"Like Mama and Papa Hades are?" Snow asked. The Goddess resisted an eye roll. There was a time that she hated Hades with every fiber of her being, but he had changed. Even she had to acknowledge it and she knew how much he loved her daughter and granddaughter.

"Yes...and then sometimes royals have to marry for the good of their Kingdom. And sometimes they don't love that person. Unfortunately, that's what happened with your Daddy," Demeter explained. A look of horror crossed Snow's cherub face.

"Will I have to marry someone I don't love?" she asked.

"Stars no, little one," Artemis said, as she got up onto the Unicorn with her and hugged her from behind.

"Someday, you will find true love and it will be magic," Artemis promised.

"Really?" Snow asked. The Goddess of the Hunt smiled.

"Surely," she promised.

"Do you think Daddy can still find true love?" Snow asked curiously. Artemis exchanged a glance with Demeter.

"I'm not sure, snowdrop. But do you want to know what I do know?" she asked.

"What's that?" Snow asked.

"I know that your Daddy loves you very much. He may not have a romantic love in his life, but his love for you is very true," she promised, making Snow smile, just as they heard hooves galloping toward them.

Two horses came into view and Demeter recognized the woman on one of them as Princess Regina.

"Oh, we're sorry to intrude. We just saw a Unicorn and were very curious. We didn't know it belonged to anyone," the man said. Artemis smiled.

"No need for an apology. You're more than welcome to observe," she replied. Daniel dismounted his horse and gently petted the horse's mane.

"I've never seen one so well trained. I always thought they were too wild," Daniel mentioned.

"They usually are...but I happen to have a bit of a way with animals," Artemis mentioned.

"His name is Stardust," Snow chimed in.

"That is a very fitting name for a Unicorn," Regina said.

"And I'm Snow," she announced.

"You're King Eli's daughter," Regina realized. The little girl nodded.

"Daddy said I didn't have to go to the ball and I could go riding instead," Snow said.

"I sneaked out too," Regina replied, as they shared a smile.

"Wait...if she's Princess Snow, then you two must be…" Daniel realized, as he suddenly bowed.

"I am Artemis and she's Demeter, but there is no need for bowing, young man," Artemis replied, as he stood up.

"Do you want to ride him?" Snow asked. Daniel and Regina exchanged a glance and then nodded.

"That's very kind of you," Regina said, as Artemis helped Snow off and allowed Regina and Daniel to mount the animal, before they went galloping into the meadow together.

"That was very sweet of you, Snow," Demeter praised.

"They look like they love each other...and maybe I'll get to ride Stardust with my true love someday," she said wistfully. They noticed an elderly man hurrying toward them and saw him motion to Princess Regina in the distance.

"Who are you?" Snow asked curiously.

"I am Sir Henry...Princess Regina's caretaker," he answered.

"I'm Snow," she said cheerfully. He smiled kindly.

"It is very nice to meet you, Princess Snow," he said, as Regina and Daniel returned.

"Your mother is looking for you, Princess," he said. Regina winced.

"I better get back...she's probably furious," she said, as she kissed Daniel quickly and hurried back to the palace.

"Why is she scared?" Snow asked curiously.

"I'm afraid Queen Cora isn't very nice or tolerant," Daniel answered.

"Sounds like my step-mother," Snow said. But at least Ravenna ignored her most of the time.

"Is she going to be in trouble?" Snow asked. Sir Henry smiled at her concern.

"I'll do my best to smooth things over with Queen Cora. I'll tell her she was conversing with another Royal. After all, that's not really a lie," he said kindly, as he bowed to them and followed Princess Regina. Daniel watched Regina go sadly.

"Thank you for letting us ride your Unicorn, Princess Snow," he said, as he proceeded to lead their horses back to the stables.

"You're welcome," Snow called, as Artemis took her hand.

"All right, snowdrop. Let's get you back to your father. It grows late and his carriage will be leaving soon," Demeter said. She nodded, as they started back to Leopold's palace.

David looked up at the stars from the porch of their country cottage. His father had just left, after having dinner with them. He had been sober ten days now and David was proud of him. He was really trying this time and he could only hope that it lasted.

"David...it's getting too chilly to be out here," Serafina gently chided, as she came out onto the porch.

"I like looking at the stars," he mentioned. She smiled and put a blanket around his shoulders, before sitting down beside him.

"My little stargazer," Sera said fondly.

"Do you think Dad will start drinking again?" David asked. Sera's heart broke for him and she sincerely hoped for David's sake that he didn't. She knew that she and Ruth couldn't bare to see his heart broken again.

"I don't know, my sweet boy...I really hope he doesn't though," she replied.

"I really wish he wasn't mad at you though," David mentioned. Sera smiled.

"I don't think he's really mad at me, sweetheart. He's more mad at himself," she mentioned. David's brow furrowed.

"How come?" David asked.

"Well...he's mad at himself for his weakness. He's mad, because his drinking caused him to lose his family for a while. But if he can stay sober, he can get get his family back," she explained.

"If he stays sober...that doesn't mean you'll leave us, does it?" he asked.

"Of course not. Your mother and I love each other very much. Sometimes mother's and father's don't live together, but still love the child they have very much," she replied.

"Mama is right...she's not going anywhere," Ruth agreed, as she leaned down to press a kiss to her wife's lips, before sitting on the other side of their son.

"True love is magic, my love...and something tells me that someday, you'll find it too," Sera said, as she kissed his cheek.

"Mama is right...now go wash up for bed," Ruth urged, as she scooted him inside the house. Sera put her arms around Ruth and they shared a kiss, before going inside to tuck their boy in.

The Dreamscape

Emma blew out a breath, as she let everything she had just seen soak in.

"So...Leopold managed to get even creepier and I don't know her well, but it seems like Zelena is almost worse like this," Emma mentioned. Athena hummed in agreement.

"As Regina might suggest, Zelena doesn't realize the bullet she dodged growing up without her mother," Athena mentioned.

"So...in the real time line, Cora left Zelena in the woods to die?" Emma asked in disbelief.

"In Cora's words, she had to give herself her best chance and that wasn't with a baby out of wedlock," Athena replied.

"That's cold, even for Cora," Emma said.

"And that was before she tore her own heart out of her chest," Athena added.

"You see, Zelena deserves a tad bit of sympathy in the original time line. She was left in the woods to die and a cyclone carried her off to Oz. There, she was adopted by a couple, but the father was an abusive drunk, who feared her magic," Athena explained.

"That sucks...but she wanted to use me or my baby sibling in her warped spell, so I don't have much sympathy for her," Emma replied.

"I don't blame you...but I agree that this Zelena is much worse. She's actually done herself a great disservice," Athena mentioned.

"I have a question...a very important one," Emma said.

"And I'll try to answer it if I can," Athena responded.

"My parents now each have three parents that love them so much...as much as I know they love me. How can I take that away from them? Even if it means I never meet Neal," Emma replied.

"Do you really think that your parents would ever want you to deny yourself love for them? They are happy in the original time line, despite everything. And I think you know they want you to be happy too. Plus, they adore their grandson," she answered. Emma smiled.

"I know," she said fondly.

"If I choose to send everyone back...will Serafina and Ravenna still exist and come with us?" Emma asked.

"It's too hard to see. I know that there might be changes, even if we go back to the original time line. There is a chance that neither of them will show up. And there is a chance they will," Athena replied.

"Well, that's maddeningly unhelpful," Emma quipped.

"On one hand, I definitely want Serafina to. My Dad seems to really love her. On the other hand, if that includes Ravenna, that means another villain in Storybrooke," she added.

"Gah...I hate this! I don't want to choose how everyone lives get to turn out," Emma lamented.

"I know Emma...I'm sorry that it has to be this way," Athena apologized. Emma sighed and they continued to watch her parents lives unfold in a very different way.

The Enchanted Forest

10 Years Before the Dark Curse

"We have been over this many times, Your Majesty. You have no viable heir to your Throne and the mounting threat from other Kingdoms is mounting. The royal coffers are empty and your Queen has led us to ruin," one of Eli's adviser's stated.

"And many think she has done this on purpose, as she has made us ripe for the picking. Her thirteen brothers would only be too happy to commit hostile takeover," another added.

"And it was this court that advocated that I marry Ravenna in the first place!" Eli snapped, silencing them all, for it was true.

"I had a Queen, but you rejected her and you have rejected my daughter," he stated firmly. The last ten years of an unhappy marriage and a troubled Kingdom had hardened Eli. In fact, the only one that could melt this cold and hard shell that had seemed to encase the King was his lovely daughter, who was but a servant in her own home.

"You have my daughter cleaning after you and serving you. She does not protest, because she is too kind and when I do...I am threatened with war by my own Queen," he spat distastefully.

"So what will you have me do now? This is your mess too...yet you offer no solutions. The people have lost faith in my leadership and poverty is rampant. I have a solution to rebuild the Kingdom's trust and I know in the long run, it would bring prosperity. Yet you will not accept," Eli responded.

"Making your daughter the rightful heir is not a solution," one of the nobles refuted.

"The people adore my precious Snow. They would embrace and celebrate her as their Queen and I know she would breathe life into our broken Kingdom. And...if Snow were Queen, then it would come with the backing and protection of the Gods," he added.

"Bringing the Gods of Olympus into our Kingdom would cause nothing but chaos," another refuted.

"A bastard cannot sit on this Throne!" another argued, but he was taken aback, when the King's sword was leveled at his throat for that comment.

"Call my child such a name again and my court shall have a vacant spot," he growled.

"Daddy…" Snow chided, as she happened to enter, carrying a tray of tea and biscuits. His heart ached, for she was dressed in rags, as his wife refused to let her wear anything else while in the palace. The only thing keeping Persephone from killing Ravenna was that it would cause all out war with the Southern Isles and pull every Kingdom into a conflict where thousands would surely die.

"I am sorry, snowdrop," he apologized, as he instantly softened. Snow put the tray down and one of the nobles waved her off dismissively. She curtsied and left the room quickly.

"That is no Queen," he commented. Eli wanted to skewer him for it, but he knew Snow wouldn't approve. Despite their horrible treatment of her, she somehow remained kind and humble. It was beyond him though. Their treatment of her only made him angrier, more bitter, and hardened by the day. He didn't even recognize himself and he feared that Snow didn't either anymore. That's what scared him the most. He didn't get the same smiles from her that he used to; she only had those smiles now for her step-father. And he hated it.

"This meeting is over," Eli snapped, as he left to find his daughter and it was no surprise that he found her in the garden by the wishing well; a gift he had bestowed upon her for her sixteenth birthday. Since that day, she could always be found by it, talking to the birds and other animals. The staff found it endearing. The nobles found it odd and strange, poking fun at her behind her back and to her face alike.

"Snow...I'm sorry," he apologized. She smiled.

"Oh Daddy...you don't have to be sorry. It just makes me sad that you're so angry and sad all the time," she replied.

"You are the only thing I care about, my precious little girl," he said, as he hugged her gently.

"I'm fine Daddy...and we both know that I'm not fit to be Queen," she replied.

"That's not true, sweet pea. You were born to be a Queen...like your mother," he insisted. But she shook her head.

"Perhaps, but I am fine with not being Queen. And I know you fear for me...but maybe it's time I leave this place," she said, as she looked out at the sunset.

"But...where will you go?" he asked. She shrugged.

"I don't know…" she replied.

"Snow...it's too dangerous out there for you. Have you any idea the dangers for someone such as you, out there on your own?" he asked.

"I know there will be dangers...but I don't think there is a life here for me, Daddy," she replied. And he knew she was right. It was his fault too, for this should be her home, but never really had been.

"Besides Mama and Papa Hades are always watching over me," she added.

"You're...you're not leaving today, right?" Eli asked. She smiled.

"Of course not, Daddy. But I feel it will be best if I do so soon. It's almost spring and Mama will be back. She can help me settle at the summer cottage and you can come visit me any time," Snow said, as she kissed his cheek. Eli watched her go back inside and his heart broke a bit more, as bitterness poisoned it from the inside.

Ravenna watched the scene in the garden from her balcony and smirked evilly. She heard a poof and turned to see that Deimos had arrived.

"If you're here...then that means it's finally time. It's time to kill my husband," she said, with excitement. Deimos smirked.

"There has been a change of plans. Zeus has decided that Eli's death will not make enough of a significant impact, even if we do frame his little urchin for the murder," Deimos replied.

"If not my husband...then who?" she questioned and then gasped, as he put a hand around her neck.

"You...my dear Queen. Your murder will ignite war...the Southern Isles will invade this Kingdom and hunt Snow White for us. There will be nothing Eli can do to stop it. And protecting Snow will be more difficult for Persephone and Hades than ever…" he hissed in her ear.

"No...please...I'm to be Queen…" she pleaded.

"No...you're simply the means to the next phase of our plan. War has casualties, but you should honored by the turmoil your death is about to cause," he hissed, as he brandished a knife that he had swiped from the kitchen and stabbed her through the heart. He watched the life leave her eyes with an evil smirk and then left with her body to stage the crime.

David pocketed the earnings he had gained by selling their goods at the market in Longbourne and packed up, preparing to return home. They weren't rich by any means, but Mama's old family money had kept them comfortable over the years. Since moving in with her, David had not known hunger and he had a good life. But extra money was never a bad thing and he happily sold his mother's knitted blankets and Mama's pottery at the market. Sometimes they accompanied him, but this time he had gone alone with their dog Wilby, giving them a few days alone.

David had a very good relationship with both his mothers and a decent one with his father. For the most part, Robert had been true to his word and did not drink anymore. He had been there for David most of the time, but still found himself drawn to the gambling tables. David didn't like it, but it was better than him being drunk all the time and Robert had managed to keep his job as a farmhand over the years.

"David!" a voice called and the young man looked up with a grin, as he saw his friend Kristoff there.

"Kristoff!" he greeted, as they shook hands. Wilby went about sniffing at Sven and the reindeer did the same.

"How long are you here?" David asked.

"Not long...I'm heading back to Arendelle on the next ship," Kristoff replied.

"Too bad...I'd bring you back home with me and my Mama could cut that mop on your head," he teased.

"Hey...easy on the hair. Not all of us can have a fancy princely haircut like you," he teased back. David smiled.

"Mama Sera likes me to keep it short," he mentioned, as they heard a call from the marina.

"That's my ride...come on Sven!" he called.

"Come visit next time you're here!" David called back. Kristoff waved and nodded a promise. David watched him go and then finished packing up.

"Come on Wilby, let's start home," he said, as he left the port.

Eli settled into his chambers for the evening and sighed to decompress from another stressful day that had only added bitterness to his heart. Another day of watching his precious daughter be mistreated and serving the likes of his stuffy, horrible court when in reality, none of them were good enough to even be in her presence in his opinion. Snow should have been as bitter about as him, but she wasn't. She maintained her humble grace and kindness without falter and as always, he marveled at it. And now she was going to leave. He knew it was for the best, for this was not the life he wanted for her. Especially now that she was coming of age. He knew there would be pressure for him to marry her off and he refused to do it. He would never let some undeserving noble marry his daughter like some trophy to misuse and mistreat. But it still broke him and he wished he could go with her. He'd leave this life behind in a second if he could. He didn't care if they lived in a hovel or a tree at this point. The royal life would be nothing compared to having a life with his daughter outside these palace walls. Alas...for him, it was not meant to be. But for Snow...she could escape this life. She could find something wonderful and he knew it was not within these palace walls. He was going to miss her though, for she was his only bright spot in this world.

Suddenly...he heard a scream and it was a familiar scream.

"Snow…" he said, as he shot out of bed.

"SNOW!" he cried, as he rushed down the hall to her chambers. His guards followed and much of the staff hurried as well, for her scream echoed through the entire castle.

Deimos stared down at the sleeping princess with a predatory gaze. She was as fair as they said and his loins ached to have her. But Zeus had forbidden him to do so at this point. The Supreme God promised that he could soon hunt her, but now was not the time. But he would soon have Persephone's daughter and then enjoy dangling the details in front of her mother and Hades. He dropped Ravenna's dead body onto the floor and gently pulled back Snow's bedclothes, methodically splattering Ravenna's blood on the Princess' nightgown, before putting the knife in Snow's small hand. The whole thing had been painfully easy.

Snow would be implicated in the Queen's murder and then run for her very life. The Southern Isles would invade and hunt her. And he would join them. He saw Snow begin to stir and disappeared in a poof of smoke.

Snow opened her eyes and felt something in her hand. As she looked at it, her eyes widened in horror, as she saw that it was a bloodied knife. She sat up in fright and saw the blood on her nightgown. But as she saw the bloodied body of her step-mother on the floor, she knew it wasn't her blood and she let out a blood curdling scream, as she dropped the knife. She screamed and started crying uncontrollably, as her father burst into her chambers.

"SNOW!" he cried, as he witnessed the scene with wide eyes.

"Daddy...oh daddy…" Snow cried uncontrollably, as he scooped her into his embrace.

"The Queen...she's been murdered!" Johanna cried dramatically.

"Snow...what happened?" Eli whispered.

"I...I don't know. When I woke up, she was like that and there was all this blood…" Snow cried through her sobbing.

"She's murdered the Queen!" the Duke announced, as he entered to witness the scene.

"No...I didn't. Daddy...I didn't do this," Snow pleaded.

"Shh...of course you didn't, snowdrop," he soothed, as he cradled her.

"Sire...the knife is in her bed and she's covered in the Queen's blood! Your little demon child killed the Queen!" he insisted. Snow shook her head and continued to cry uncontrollably.

"Snow did not do this!" he hissed.

"I do not care what it looks like, because Snow is not capable of something like this," Eli added.

"The evidence suggests otherwise. Guards...arrest her!" the Duke ordered.

"You will do no such thing, guards," Eli ordered, as they obeyed their King.

"When the Southern Isles hear of this...it will be all out war!" the man raged. And Eli knew he was right. Snow would be blamed and there was nothing he could do to change that. She'd be arrested and beheaded. They would fast-track the execution too in order to get it done before Persephone could interfere.

"It's no wonder that she did! Look at who her demon of a step-father is!" the evil Duke continued.

"Leave us now!" Eli bellowed, as he dismissed everyone.

"Daddy...you believe me, don't you?" she sniffed.

"Of course I do, sweet pea. I know you could never hurt anyone, even Ravenna," he responded.

"But it doesn't matter...does it?" she asked, as tears still slipped down her cheeks.

"You are not safe here, my sweet girl. I need you to get dressed in your riding clothes," he said, as he prodded off to her closet.

"Margaret!" he called to one of the servants. She was one of Snow's favorites and one of the only ones that Eli trusted with Snow's safety.

"Yes Sire…" she asked, as she came to the door. Her face was stricken with fear, as she was obviously deeply worried about his daughter.

"Pack food and supplies in a satchel for Snow. Be very quick, tell no one, and meet us in the garden," he ordered. She nodded.

"Right away, Sire," she responded, as she scurried off to take care of the task.

The Duke was likely already spreading the word and scheduling Snow's execution. There was absolutely no time to lose…