Shadows on Snow: A Flipped Fairy Tale (Flipped Fairy Tales) Read Online Free PDF Page A

me it.”
    “And who lent it?”
    The corners of her eyes crinkled with her mischievous grin. “No one who will miss it if you’re swift.”
    My godmother had a wicked sense of humor, and always had at least one or two of her brethren up in arms over a joke or “borrowed” item. It was probably better I not know and hope its owner didn’t come looking for it at the worst possible time.
    “Now then, I believe that should…” She paused. “Hmm. I seem to be forgetting something.” She stepped back a few paces and studied me again. “Gown, slippers, necklace, hair… Ah! I remember.” With a flick of her wrist, the last piece of my ensemble appeared, and she set it in my hands. “Your mask.”
    I looked down at the delicately crafted item and a pang of homesickness made me wince. “Adelaide made this.”
    “She did,” my godmother said. “She worked from last night until sundown to get every detail exactly right. Seven leaves for seven sisters.” Her finger touched each oak leaf, three at each eye, one curved up the middle. “Every vein for a year of life.”
    Steeling myself, I pushed back my tears. “Tell her thank you for me, and send them all my love.”
    My godmother hugged me tightly. “As they send theirs.” She broke away and nodded. “It’s time now, dearest one. Your other things are with your weapons. Touch your clothing and all of this…” she motioned to my dress, “will disappear. Remember my words tonight and be swift, be safe.”
    “Spirits willing,” I said, then turned to go, but paused to look at her one last time. “And thank you, Godmother, for everything.”
    After she blew me a kiss, its magic leaving me scented with subtle jasmine, she lifted into the sky. The light and warmth in the clearing followed her up and into the dark of night, trailing behind her as the tail of a comet.
    As I stepped into the woods once more, I braced myself. That night I would be without the security of my own glamour. I might as well have been naked and walking into a lion’s den.

Chapter 3

    I approached the castle from the gardens along the back and checked to see that I wasn’t followed. From my position outside the hedge maze, the sound of soldiers on their rounds allowed me to pinpoint their locations, the clank of their armaments against bracers and chain mail giving them away. The closer I could get to the castle before having to use the invisibility amulet, the better. Suddenly reappearing in the middle of a crowd of guests, or worse, of guards, would be less than ideal. Listening intently, I broke cover at an opportune moment and headed in through a break in the maze.
    It was a struggle to keep from running, but wealthy noblewomen didn’t hurry anywhere. As that was what I was for the occasion, I had to act accordingly. Each step I took tightened the knots in my stomach, and the whispers of trysting guests caused me to jump. At every turn, thoughts of what might happen if I was caught became more and more real, and I could nearly feel the clamp of iron around my wrists as they dragged me into the dungeons.
    I was about halfway through the maze when I realized my mind had wandered and I’d lost my focus. Rounding a corner and coming face to chest with an armed guard as I slammed into him, I cursed inwardly at myself for not being more aware of the sounds of patrols.
    “Terribly sorry, M’lady,” he said as he steadied me on my feet. “I didn’t hear you approach.”
    Fighting back the urge to push him away and run, I remembered who I was supposed to be.
    “Yes, well, perhaps you can be of some use to me as recompense for nearly knocking me to the ground,” I said, indignant as I brushed out nonexistent wrinkles from my skirt.
    He bowed. “How may I be of service, M’lady?”
    “I came out for some fresh air and turned myself around in this bushy business.” I waved at the tall hedges. “How does one get out?”
    The guard studied me for a moment, considering me. “Have you