Snow's Lament Read Free Page B

twilight zone without realizing it.
    I cleared my throat, clicked the safety on, and tucked my weapon into the waistband of my pants. “Can we get back to my imminent death, please?”
    He ignored me. I shook my head and headed over to make sure Robin and Belle were okay. Belle sat pale and dazed on the other side of the room, holding a cloth to the front of her head. Robin sat in front of her, a tender look of worry on his face. His shirt was off, leading me to assume that was what Belle had pressed against her forehead…or Robin had secret pirate leanings—neither would surprise me.
    A cool wisp of wind floated against my skin and tendrils of magic brushed past me toward Belle. Before my eyes, her skin color brightened and she removed the cloth, the wound now completely sealed.
    My gaze flicked back to Rumple, who nodded once in satisfaction. Cyndi pulled away and stared up at him in confusion.
    “I still have time left,” she said accusingly.
    He held his hands out. “First, let me apologize. There was no time to waste. You buffoons could have destroyed one of the most powerful objects left in the Enchanted Forest with your half-assed attempts at problem solving.”
    “Hey!” Maybe a bullet to the knee would cheer Rumple up.
    Robin righted the couch and loveseat, which had toppled over in the chaos, and we sat down. I had tiny blood marks all over me from the wood splinters. I noticed Rumple didn’t bother to use his woo-woo magic on me or Robin. Must be nice to be the teacher’s pet.
    Rumple bent and picked up the pendant discarded on the floor after his display of power. He held it up to the light, studied it, and with a look of intense satisfaction, pinned us all with his ancient gaze.
    “I should kill all four of you for being so stupid.”
    Rumple was always nice to have around when you needed a boost of self-confidence.
    “This is the chronicler’s gem.” He paused and stared at us, as if we were supposed to stand up and applaud.
    “The
chronicler’s gem
,” he said with his teeth clenched.
    We stared at him blankly.
    “Gods,” he muttered, “why do you think Naomi wanted this so bad?”
    We knew it had the power to control the portals, but other than that, it just looked like a piece of jewelry. I shrugged.
    “She wanted to control the entryways to the other realms.”
    He nodded. “Yes, but you aren’t grasping the entire picture. She can control the portals, but this gem is a Kingmaker and gives immense power to the one who wields it. Think of this like the Sword in the Stone. It may not be Excalibur, but the gem acts that way. It will recognize the true king or queen when the right blood spills. This is the reason your father entrusted this gem to Simeon, the kingdom’s chronicler, and eventually, you.”
    A look of distaste flittered across his face.
    “Thanks for the trust,” I said.
    “I just stopped you from destroying a priceless artifact and taking away all hope from our realm.”
    I gaped at him. What a douche. “Excuse me! I was trying to activate it with blood. That’s all!”
    “Only the chronicler’s blood can activate it.” He spun the gem around. “Simeon has been in hiding for over a decade. When you left the Forest, he did too. Naomi was hell-bent on securing her power base. Your father gave you the amulet and purposely kept you in the dark to protect you, and Simeon went somewhere. No one has been able to find him.”
    I stared at him with suspicion. “Just how do you know so much about my life?”
    He scoffed. “Vanity, Snow be thy name. Information is the only currency I concern myself with.” He stepped toward me and leaned down until our noses were a mere inch apart. My heart sped up, partly because I was terrified, partly because he was breathtakingly handsome and I was in possession of ovaries. “When I find you small enough not to be concerned with, my attention will be turned elsewhere. Until then, you are stuck with me.” He smiled then, and I felt